SIDDHA HERBAL

FORMULATIONS

Centre for Traditional Medicine & Research (CTMR)

4A, 4th Cross street, Mahalakshmi nagar,
Adambakkam, Chennai-600088

Content

1. Introduction
2. Materia Medica
3. Charu Juice
4. Karkam- Herbal paste
5. Kudineer - Decoctions
6. Chooranam -Powder
7. Vennai -Medicated butter
8. Manapagu Syrup
9. Ennai-Medicated oil
10. Mezhugu- Waxy pastes
11.Home herbal garden

1. SIDDHA HERBAL FORMULATIONS

Introduction
Origin of Siddha system is associated with
Siddhars, the ascetics who aimed for ageless body to
achieve their highest spiritual goal. Though the system of
medicine is associated with Tamilnadu the originators of
the system, Siddhars have transcended to different parts of
Asia including China. In fact Saint Agasthya who is
generally associated with Tamil language and Tamil
medicine is said to be from Gujarat and Saint Thirumular
is from Kashmir. This system is often linked with the
origin and development of Samkya yoga philosophy. As a
whole, Siddhars are pan Indian and their texts encompasse
spiritual experiences, Tantras (Mystic art), Kundalini
yogam (Yoga of awareness), Hatha yogam (Physical
posture), Saram or Pranayamam (Breathing exercise),
Manthram (hymns), Yanthram (Astronomical diagram),
Maruthuvam (Medicine), Kayakalpam (Science of
longevity) and other practical training methods to attain
Siddhi or perfection, the ultimate salvation with this body.
The exact period during which the health practices of the
region evolved into a medical science cannot be
determined as it was an oral tradition and also a fact that
part of the peninsula got immersed in the sea thereby
destroying the written tradition whatever was in palm
script. Historical, anthropological, archeological and
geographical evidences currently available confirm the
antiquity of human civilization in this region. This
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antiquity also places the Siddha system of health science

of this region as one among the oldest. Though many
believe Siddhars origin as prevedic, the available medical
texts are dated from 12th century. Until then their
concepts and teachings were in poetic oral bardic
tradition. These texts are generally classified as folk
traditions. Needless to say, the vast majority of the Tamil
Siddha works have never been translated. This Siddha
lineage is considered as Nirgrantha-Bookless traditions

Basic principles- Classical elements

From the creative force Ether came into existence from
which emerged the Air. From the Air, Fire came into
existence which in turn created Water. The water is held
by Earth. All other objects physical or ethereal are formed
only by this combination

Trodosha
Apart from this the five elements combine to form the
Tridoshas or humors whose balance is essential for the
maintenance of health.
Representative Dosha

Predominant Mahabhuta

Vaatham (Vayu)

Air and space

Pitham (Anal)

Fire

Kapham (Iyam)

Earth and Water

These five elements with the association of the

predominating Satwa gunam form the sense organs
(Gnana inthiriyam) and with the Rajas form the motor
organs (Kanmenthiriyam).
The properties of matters are explained based on the
predominant element in it.
Earth

Bulky, immobile, heavy, hard, rough

Water

Liquid, cold, inactive, viscid, soft, flow

Fire

Heat, dry, sharp, radiance, minute,

colour, light

Air

Weightlessness,
inhalation

Space

Subtle, clear, immobile, present all over

dryness,

exhalation,

Seven Physical Constituents

The structural components or the tissue components of
the body are composed of seven types of materials called
Udal thathus or Udal kattukal. The anatomical,
physiological and psychological functions of the body are
known to be intricately and inherently connected as all of
them emerge from the five elements. The body is
sustained by Pranan which is the life breath and Annam,
the food. Breath and food influence the tissues of the
5

body and thereby the physical and mental function of a

person. They are also responsible for the maintenance,
repair and regeneration. The formation of thathus is
through the food substances. The use of healthy foods is
essential for sustaining the thathus. Hence, the availability
and consumption of a wholesome diet are important for
the health of a person; likewise, intake of unhealthy foods
causes and aggravates diseases.
1

Saaram or Rasam

Chyle

Chenneer or Raktham

Blood

Ooun or Mamisam

Muscle

Kozhuppu

Fat

Enbu

Bone

Moolai or Majjai

Bone
Nerves

Venneer
or
Churonitham

marrow,

Sukkilam, Reproductive tissue

2. Materia Medica
The Materia Medica of Siddha Medicine is very
vast compared to that of other indigenous systems of
medicine. The materials used by the Siddhars as drugs
could be classified into herbal (Thavaram) inorganic
(Thathu), and animal Products, (Jeevam). The
Dravidian land had all five ecological regions and
therefore had wider variety of plant species including
mangrove species to high altitude species and spices
like cardamom, pepper and ginger.
This also supports fauna some of which are also
used in Siddha medicine. The long coastline
contributed to the use of several marine products as
well. The well developed ports and international trade
enabled introduction of new species into Siddha.
Tropical forests and scrub jungles contribute more
number of medicinal plant species than evergreen
forests
Botanicals:
The herbal products used are based primarily
on herbs that grow all over India and Siddha
physicians not only used herbs that grow in south
India, but also the herbs that grow in the high
altitudes of Himalayas like Saffron, Kuth and Aconite
and imported ones like Asafetida and Licorice. About
900 plants are used in Siddha of which close to 150
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are exclusive, which do not have reference in Siddha.

However folklore in south uses at least twice this
number. The use of Cannabis as a medicine was first
introduced by the Siddhar Korakkar, as a powerful
analgesic. Most plants are used either as single drugs
or as polyherbal formulations and are also used in
processing of inorganic, marine or animal based
products.
Different plant parts including, roots, tubers,
rhizomes, bark, heartwood, leaves, flowers, fruit,
seeds, stamens, galls, exudates like latex, gums and
resins are used. Different plant part or same parts at
different
maturity
status
have
different
pharmacological property eg.-Terminalia chebulatender and ripe (laxative and binding actions) the
season of collection, time of the day, root direction
for collection mentioned in Siddha literature suggests
sustainable collection, conservation, optimal efficacy
etc. Literatures describe morphological feature,
habitat, properties based on taste and action and name
variants.
The ingredients used either fall into free trade
category or restricted product category. The free
category plant products are mostly procured from
traders in mandis. The mandis receive them from
various wild collection groups of forest dwellers, who
collect them either from forest region or from
8

wastelands, road borders, tank bunds and common

community land. Some plants like Eclipta alba are
also collected from agricultural lands where they
grow as weeds. Studies carried out by different
agencies have confirmed that the density of a
particular plant has significantly come down in a
given area and thereby collection cost has also
increased tremendously.
At times Immature plant parts are also collected
and drying is done mostly before cleaning/washing on
the roads leading to contamination including heavy
metal contamination as vehicles run over them. When
collected either from agricultural fields or from
adjoining areas, pesticide residue becomes inevitable.
Siddha uses close to 220 roots as ingredient which
requires destructive collection and they are slowly
becoming sparse, increasing the cost and nonavailability for users leading to substitution and
adulteration mostly guided by the trade source. This
practice is being discouraged and clears guidance for
good agriculture practices and good collection
practices are in place.
About 15% plant ingredients of Siddha
formulations are now cultivated and procured from
farmer clusters. Plants that are from cultivated source
are mostly annuals where the grower gets returns
within six months. Plants like Petrocarpus santalinus,
9

Salacia oblanga, Sassurea lappa, and Saraca asoka

are endangered and Siddha industry face an acute
shortage. Ingredients like sandalwood, red sanders,
deer horn, ivory, musk, civet, marine products like
coral and Ambergris which can be procured and
processed only with legal permission from the
Government.
Some manufacturers have stopped producing
formulations
incorporating these
ingredients.
Licorice, long pepper, galangal roots, dry ginger,
guggul, asafoetida are imported. There are wide
variations even in organoleptic characters in these
materials based on the source from where they are
imported. Indigofera aspalathoides, Oldenlandia
umbellata, Gynandropis gynandra, Aristolochia
bracteata, Cadaba trifoliata, Solanum trilobatum,
Corallocarpus epigaeus, Dryopteris filix-max, Acacia
pinnata, Barringtonia acutangula, Acalypha indica,
Acalypha fruiticosa, Melotheria madaraspatna are
some of the plants that are unique to and used
extensively in Siddha.
Properties of Drug:
The drugs used in Siddha Medicine were
identified by five properties. The panchabhautic
characteristic of medicinal materials used in Siddha
(herbs and minerals) cannot be identified using the
10

conventional Tridosha theory. Thus, other

perceptible, yet scientific and representative
parameters have been described for identification of
their elemental predominance.
They are suvai or the taste, the gunam or the
character, the veeriyam or the potency, the pirivu or
class, mahimai or action. All these five properties are
based on the elements (Panchaboothas) that are
present in that drug.
Suvai or Taste:
Suvai (taste) is conceived as a perceptible and
representative attribute of a substance which reflects
reproducibly
and
accurately
its
elemental
composition.
The idea of Suvai as an attribute representing
pharmacological properties of a substance has
recently been brought under a scientific scrutiny.
Recently a study on Ibuprofen and Oleocanthal are
found they have similar pharmacological action
despite obvious differences in their chemical
structures. Their similarity of action is attributed to
their taste and not to their chemical structure. Suvai,
therefore, acts as an intermediary between physician
and patient for a logical identification of right
medicine in individual clinical conditions where a
diagnosis in terms of elemental imbalance is made.
11

The Suvai and corresponding attributes of a

substance, independently or in coherence are used in
Siddha for identifying the pharmacological effect and
subsequently for the clinical usage of a medicine.
The basic taste are six: namely Inippu (Sweet),
Pulippu (Sour), Uppu (Saline), Kaippu (bitter),
Kaarppu (Pungent) and Thuvarppu (Astringent). Each
taste is the combination of two elements. Here again,
though each taste is formed by the combination of
two elements, they contain other three element in
subtle state.
They are
Sl.No.

Taste

Bhutas

1.

Sweet (Inippu)

Earth + Water

2.

Sour (Pulippu)

Earth + Fire

3.

Saline (Uppu)

Fire + Water

4.

Bitter (Kaippu)

Air +Space

5.

Pungent (Kaarppu)

Air + Fire

6.

Astringent (Thuvarppu)

Earth + Air

12

Characters of the six tastes are as follows

1. Sweet:
It nourishes the seven physical constituents,
moistens, and comforts body. It is cold and heavy.
It gives pleasure to the mind, activates the five
sense organs.
2. Sour:
Stimulates the salivary secretion, makes the
eyes and the brows shrink, purifies the mouth,
arouse digestion, builds the body and it is
warm and moist.
3. Saline:
Increases salivation, irritates the throat, it
helps digestive, removes vaatham, secretes
kapham and is moist and warm.
4. Bitter:
It removes the impurities from the mouth
decreases the ability of the tongue to feel other
taste, promotes and sharpens appetite, it
removes unwanted growth and swelling, it is
dry, cold and light.
5. Pungent:
Provokes digestive fire, causes a burning
sensation in the oral cavity, it is light, warm
and dry.
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6. Astringent:
Restores harmony among the faulty
constituents, shrinks the small pores of the
tongue and prevents other taste sense.
The sweet, sour and the saline taste decreases
vaatham, the sweet, bitter, astringent tastes decreases
the pitham, pungent, bitter and astringent taste
decreases kapham. Astringent, pungent, bitter taste
increases vaatham, sour, saline and pungent increases
pitham, and sweet, sour and saline increases kapham.
Apart from their primary functions, intake of each
taste has a good and bad feature.
Sweet taste when used in excess results in obesity,
tenderness, laziness, excessive sleep, heaviness, loss
of appetite, abnormal muscular growth etc.
Deficiency causes lassitude, tiredness, loss of sensory
function and deficiency of the physical constituents.
Sour taste when used in excess cause thirst,
liquefaction of kapham, aggravation of pitham,
vitiation of blood, decomposition of the muscle,
edema of the body. Deficiency causes decrease in
pitham, loss of appetite etc,
Saline taste when taken in excess causes vitiation of
pitham, thirst, fainting, sense of heat, erosion,
depletion of muscle and also causes bleeding from
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different parts of the body, dyspepsia skin eruptions

etc.,
Pungent taste used in excess causes impotency, ulcers
of the stomach, fainting, choked feeling, giddiness,
burning sensation of the throat, excessive heat and
thirst, tremors stabbing pain in the leg etc.
Bitter taste when used in excess causes roughness,
non sliminess, depletes the physical constituents,
reduces strength and causes dryness of mouth etc.,
Astringent taste when used in excess causes dryness
of mouth, affliction of the circulatory system,
distension of abdomen, slurred speech, improper
digestion, produces diseases like hemiplegia, spasm,
convulsions etc.,
Guna or Characters:
Every drug has few of the following ten pairs
of characters based on the element present in the
drug.
The paired characters are:
i)
ii)
iii)
iv)
v)

Heavy and light

Cold and hot
Oily and dry
Mild and keen
Compact and mobile
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vi)
vii)
viii)
ix)
x)

Soft and hard

Clean and slimy
Smooth and rough
Minute and gross
Solid and liquid

Veeriyam or the potency

Veeriyam of a drug is classified into two, namely heat
(Veppam) and cold (Thatppam) based on the presence
of the element fire in that drug. The drugs which have
predominant fire element usually have the salt, sour,
pungent, tastes. So, the drugs with this taste are hot
and vehement. Others are cold and slow in action.
Pirivu or Division
A Class of a drug is based on the after-taste or the
taste of the drug after the metabolism of the particular
drug acted upon by the digestive fire. It is the aftertaste which either nourishes a particular physical and
life constituents or destroys them. The sweet and the
saline substance after metabolism become sweet. The
sour remains sour, while the astringent, pungent and
bitter become pungent.
Mahimai or the individual action:
Every drug has got a specific action which is
independent of the above four features, and that
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individual action is called mahimai. Though two

drugs may have a bitter taste one or two
pharmacological actions may be unique in each of
them.
Concepts of Natpu (Compatible) and Pagai
(Incompatible) Charakku :
When compound medicines are prepared, the
physician should know about the group of drugs
which should be added together. This also helps in the
process of purification of raw drugs. The drug which
enhances the function of the drug and produces a
combined synergetic action is a natpu charakku, and
two drugs which have conflicting properties are pagai
charakku. This is also based on the elements that are
present in the drug.
Drug formulating methods:
Single Herbal Preparation - Otraimooligai
Prayokam: (On the basis of element)
Selecting the drugs or a single drug on the basis of the
element that is present in the drug to neutralize the
affected dhosham is called as Yegamooligai
Prayokam. Usually a single plant or a plant part either
as powder or decoction is used in treatment.

17

Compound Herbal Preparation Kootu Mooligai

pryokam
Selecting more than one herbal for preparation
based on the action, synergetic and antagonistic
properties of the herbals. This type of formulation
indicated for more than one disease.
Herbo Mineral Preparation This is a type of compound formulation in which
both herbal and inorganic raw drugs are present.
Special Formulating Methods:
Maraana Prayokam (On the basis of Synergetic and
antagonistic properties)
The drugs are selected in such a way that the
toxins are removed by the antagonistic drug and its
potency is increased by a synergetic drug.
Muppu Chunna Prayokam
A potency of a drug is greatly increased or a
complicated process of calcination is made simple by
the of muppu, which is a combination of three salts,
considered to be sacred. Chunnam is more microfined and potent form of a herbo-mineral drug.

18

Cheyaneer Prayokam:
The potency of a drug is increased or a superior
medicine is made by the application of Cehyaneer,
which is a liquid obtained by adding some salts and
exposing them to dews. The salts dissolved in the
dewdrops act as catalyst.
Diravaga Prayokam:
This is the application of distillate of certain
upparasams or uppus to drugs, to increase its potency
or to prepare medicines which are otherwise difficult
to prepare. Distilling conch water, potassium nitrate
water in a special pot meant for the purpose and then
adding the distilled water to the drugs, is called as
Diravaga Prayokam.
Siddhars, apart from using herbal products, animal
products and earth products also used amulets,
manthiras and beads made of mercury amalgams for
treatment.
Guidelines for Collection of Herbs:
Many guidelines have been given in the classical
Siddha literature to get the maximum therapeutic
effect. There is a variety of plant tissues used as raw
drugs. They are roots, rhizomes, stems, barks, leaves,
buds, flowers, raw fruits, ripened fruits, seeds, seed
19

coats, etc. In some cases the latex or exudates are also

used as raw drugs. Instructions are given to monitor
the maturity while collecting the drugs for the
formulation preparation.
The other parameters include the thickness, the
age, possible content of the skin/carp, the direction of
the growth of the root, the soil in which the plant is
growing, etc.
Maturity of the leaves is clearly specified for
getting the optimum quality expected for the final
formulation. Maturity of the leaves, through the
formation stage-deep green stage-yellowing stagesenescence stage-falling stage-dried leaves is the
general choice for collection.
It may not be the same active principle in the raw
drug working in the body in dosage form like powder,
decoction, medicated ghee oil and so on, are prepared
from the raw drugs. Multiple chemical changes are
possible in the final drug formulations/ products when
raw drugs are heated/ processed at various
temperatures, for different duration, with or without
other ingredients.
Pyrolitic and hydrolytic changes are taking place
in majority of the processes at various conditions
adopted for the production of the drugs.
Maturity, storage, stage of collection, processing.etc
20

(in short each and every unit operation) will influence

various components of the raw drugs and also the
final products. Tracing one active principle in the raw
drug may not be a very effective method to
understand siddha, because the curative action may be
due to the aggregate molecules of different nature,
some of them may even be artifacts (newly created
during the processing.).However, quality of the drugs
produced by adopting modern technologies and those
of the traditional products can be compared using
modern technologies, analytical tools, instruments,
physico- chemical methods, etc.
It is to be remembered that the products prepared
using the traditional raw drugs may give a product
having different composition from that produced
using the extracts of the respective raw drugs.
Purification of drugs (Suthi);
Siddhars laid a great emphasis on purification of
raw drugs before medicines are manufactured.
Purification is not merely physical or chemical
purification, but also the removal of toxins from the
drugs. For this purpose, at times they added some
impurities also to the drugs. By the process of
purification, even the highly toxic earth products and
toxic
plants
like
Semecarpus
anacardium
(serankottai), Aconitum ferox (Nabi, become life
21

saving non toxic drugs. For purifying pashananas

and mercurial compounds, the general method used is
by soaking them in breast milk or lime juice for a
given period of time. The herbal powders are purified
by baking them in milk. Drugs like Aconitum ferox
(Nabi) are purified by keeping them soaked in cows
urine. The toxic part of a herb is also removed before
use. The outer cortex of the rhizome of ginger and the
seed of Terminalia chebula (Kadukkai) are removed
on this principle of purification. Unless drugs are
properly purified, toxic symptoms may erupt and may
even cause mortality.
Anupanam- Adjuvants
The bio-availability and pharmacological action of
a drug also depends on the adjuvant used. Anupanam
known as adjuvant can also be considered as
supporting and concurrent drug therapy. This is one
of the very important principles in the practice of
Siddha medicine.
The Anupanam is used for various purposes. It
masks the undesired taste or odour of the medicine;
protects the body against the adverse effects of the
metal and mineral preparations if they are needed for
a long time; increase the bio availability of
medicines. There is a old proverb in Tamil
Anupaanathaale avizhtham palikkum which means
that The adjuvant aids the medicine in all ways
22

The same drug can be given with different

vehicles in case of different ailments. In Siddha
system of medicine, the Anupanam and drug taken
together are not a mere mechanical mixture, but a
true chemical compound in which the anupanam
employed goes to modify the quality or the active
principle of the medicine itself, thus rendering its
potency and curative power consistent with the
nature of the disease, for which it is administered.
Treatise named Therayar venba gives a detailed
description of the Anupanams. According to
T.S.Sambasiva pillai, a compiler of the Siddha
encyclopedia concludes his preface, by stating that
Nagarjuna and Vagabhata of Siddha originally
belonged to Siddha School of medicine and
translated the significance of Anupanams in Sanskrit.
Siddhars recommend plant drugs that in their
natural forms like, roots, leaves immediately on the
onset of diseases. Only if the disease is chronic and
not amenable to cleansing therapy and plant drugs
they recommend the use of herbo-mineral drugs that
to in very minimal doses, limited to six or seven
doses in four days. This is evident from Classics like
Pulipaani vaidhiyam. Specific regimens based on
patients clinical features, age, ability, drug- food
interaction are recommended along with proper
anupanams.
Though there is threat to availability of some
plant drugs, animal products and authentic ores,
efforts are already on to cultivate and conserve
23

medicinal plants. Like growing medicinal plants it is

possible to grow Musk deer and Civet cat under
captivity and ingredients made available to industry.
Deer horn Shringi is shed by deer at regular
intervals and forest department itself can collect the
fallen ones and provide to authentic users may under
a quota system based on consumption.

24

Dosage forms
1. Charu- Juice
They are juices of fresh plant parts like leaves, roots,
barks, flowers, fruits, etc., obtained by grinding,
crushing or baking. Sometimes juice is also extracted
with addition of catalyst usually astringent substances
or by direct heat application. In plants with minimal
moisture Thurusu chunnam is added to extract juice.
Charu are also widely used as adjuvant with other
internal medicine. Charu are also used in processing
herbal powders and herbo- mineral preparations like
parpam and chenduram. The assimilation time is two
and a half hours.
Equipment required:
1. A mortar and pestle or Heavy duty mixer
Example:
a)Thulasi charu Holy Basil juice
Process; Clean and pound the leaves to extract the
juice
Dose; 5ml to 10 ml with honey
Indication; Cough, Fever
25

b) Karpooravalli charu - Coleus aromaticus

Process; Clean, Pound the leaves to extract the juice
Dose; 5ml to 10 ml with honey
Indication; Cough,
c) Vazhaithandu charu Banana stem juice
Process; Clean, grind the stem to extract the juice
Dose; 20 ml once daily
Indication; Renal stone, oedema, burning micturition
d) Mullangi Charu Radish juice
Process; Clean, grind the stem to extract the juice
Dose; 20 ml once daily
Indication; Renal stone, burning micturition
e) Katrazhai charu -Aloe juice:
Aloe gel mixed with rind of Chebulic myrobalans for
15 minutes to extract the juice.
Dose; 15 ml once daily
Indication; Gastric ulcer, Nourisher

26

2. Karkam- Herbal paste

These are pastes obtained by grinding drugs or by
adding water or decoctions to dry powders. The
kalvam (the stone mortar and pestle) should be
cleaned when the drugs are ground in it. It should be
ensured that all drugs are made into fine paste and it
must be ensured that all drugs added to it are properly
mixed. Its life period is three hours. The assimilation
time is three hours.
Equipment required:
1. A mortar and pestle or Heavy duty mixer
a) Keezhanelli karkam Phyllanthus amarus
Take the whole plant and wash it with clean water.
Then grind it to make as fine paste.
Dose; 5gm twice daily before food.
Indication; Jaundice, Viral Hepatitis
b) Avuri karkam Indigofera tinctoria
Take the fresh leaves and wash it with clean water.
Then grind it to make it as fine paste.
Dose; 5gm once daily after food
Indication; Urticaria, Jaundice, poison bites
27

3. Kudineer - Decoctions
Decoctions are prepared by adding water to
dry herbs/ plant parts or fresh ones and then
dehydrated so that the water content is greatly
reduced to 1/16th or 1/8th or th or of the initial
volume.
Sometimes, herbal substances are not
directly added to the water but instead they are kept in
a clean white cloth pouch, tied and immersed in
boiling water, which is Infusion. This method is
primarily adopted for plant drugs which float in water
and do not get immersed due to their low density.
Decoctions are water based extracts of herbal drugs
which are easily absorbed into the body and enter into
the blood stream quickly which gives faster action
than other forms of medicines.(gets assimilated within
an hour) The input water should be pure and without
hardness. Depending upon the characteristic feature
of the ingredients they may be made into separate premix and blended together.
They also should be used within three hours.
Chemical changes during the preparation of
kashaayams:
The raw drug components when heated with water
two types of changes are taking place hydrolytic and
pyrolitic changes.

28

The hydrolytic changes include the conversion of

esters into alcohols and acids, rearrangement in the
chemical structure of the components, better
dispersion in the water, removal of the volatile
components with steam, imbibitions of the starchy
materials, decomposition of the proteins into peptides,
isomerization and structural changes in the active
principles like carotenes chlorophylls, vitamins, etc.
In kashaaya preparation, tracing the chemical
changes of even the major components during heating
is a complicated problem. A kashaaya is a multi drugmulti component system. Hence changes can be
multi-facial. Each chemical change is directly
influenced by temperature/duration of heating
/presence
of
additives/other
components/
water/alkaline & acidic materials etc. Isomerization,
decomposition, polymerization, etc can also take
place depending upon the nature of heating. In
majority of the kashaaya preparations, the particle
size of raw drug components has been specified
indirectly using the words crushed.
Equipment required:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

A mortar and pestle or Heavy duty mixer

Stainless steel Vessel
Induction stove or Gas stove
Filter
Measuring glass
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Examples;
a) Nilavembu kudineer :
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Nilavembu - Andrographis leaves

Vettiver - Vettiver
Vilamicham ver - Cymbopogon root
Chandanam - Sandal wood
Peypudal - Wild snake guard
Koraikizhangu -Nutgrass tubers
Chukku - Dry ginger
Milagu
- Black pepper
Parpatakam - Mollugo cervians

- 25 gm
- 25 gm
- 25 gm
- 25 gm
- 25 gm
- 25 gm
- 25 gm
- 25 gm
- 25 gm

Process:
Coarsely powder and mix. Take 5 gm powder; add
120 ml water into it. Boil it and reduce it 1/4th of
quantity.
Dose; 30 ml twice daily
Indication; Viral fever, Malaria, Fevers of unknown
origin
b) Adhathodai kudineer :
Ingredients:
1. Adathodai - Adathoda leaf

- 1 leaf

2. Athimathuram Glycirrhiza root - 2gm

30

3. Thippli

- Long pepper

4. Thaleesapathri - Taccus buccata leaf

5. Chitharathai

- Lesser galangal

1 gm
- 1 gm

- 500 mg

Process:
Coarsely powder then adds 160 ml water. Boil it and
reduce it 1/4th of quantity.
Dose; 40 ml twice daily
Indication; Cough, Asthma, Fever,
C) Arathai kudineer ;
Chitharathai - Lesser galangal - 3gm
Water

- 120 ml

Process:
Coarsely powder then adds 120 ml water. Boil it and
reduce it 1/4th of quantity.
Dose; 30 ml twice daily
Indication; Cough, Fever, Body pain, Joint pain
d) Lemongrass tea;
Lemon grass

- 2 gm
31

Water

- 100 ml

Tea dust

- 1 pinch

Sugar

- Q.S

e) Arjuna tea ;
Marutham pattai Arjuna bark - 5gm
Water

- 100 ml

Process: Coarsely powder then adds 120 ml water.

Boil it and reduce it 1/4th of quantity.
Dose; 30 ml twice daily
Adai kudineer - Infusion:
Infusion is a special type of decoction
especially for volatile drugs (chandanam) and hard
herbo- mineral drugs in which drugs are immersed in
hot water for three or more hours depending upon the
hardness, then filtered and used. In order to prepare
decoctions without difficulty in sourcing raw material
premixed coarse powder of the kudineer formulations
are available in the market currently as kudineer
churnam.
With Ethylene Oxide sterilization and addition of
permitted preservatives ready to use kudineers are

32

also available, however it is preferable to prepare

fresh decoction for use.
Example: Chandhanathi kudineer, Mandurathi adai
kudineer.
Example;
F) Chandhanathi Adai kudineer
1. Chandanathool - Sandal powder - 8 gm
2. Hot water
- 260 ml
Process: Soak the coarse powder in hot water for 1 hr
and closed by lid .Filter it and use it.
Dose ; 15 ml to 30 ml
Indications: Excessive body heat, UTI, leucorrhoea,
burning sensation of body

33

4. Chooranam - Powder
The dried drugs are taken separately, purified, either
by frying or otherwise and made into fine powers
separately and sieved in fine cloth and mixed with
other powder of the drug. The time for assimilation is
five hours.
The purification of the choornam is made by
baking it either in water or in milk.
Baking of milk (Pittaviyal) enables addition of
lactobacillus, which help maintain healthy intestinal
flora and prevent irritation of certain drugs. The drugs
which are to be used in the preparations should be
taken from recently collected material. Drugs which
are aged by prolonged storage or changed in color,
taste, flavor and those that are insect infested or
attacked by fungi should be positively rejected.
In general, the aromatic drugs are slightly
fried, in order to enhance their aroma and milling
properties. Any extraneous material, organic or
inorganic, should be removed from the drugs by close
inspection. The drugs should be separately treated,
powdered, sieved and mixed. The chooranam should
be as fine as to be called amorphous and should be
never damp. The fineness of the sieve should be 100
mesh or still finer.

34

In large scale manufacture in factories,

comminutors, pulverisers and ball mills are employed
for powdering. Sieving is performed by mechanical
sifters which handle large quantities of material in
short time. The prepared chooranam should be
allowed to cool by spreading and mixing, prior to
packing .They should be stored in air tight container.
The choornam is said to retain its potency for three
months and then gradually deteriorate. However, if
properly packed and stored they keep good for a year.
Equipment required:
1. A mortar and pestle or Heavy duty mixer
2. A fine sieve or fine cloth of close mesh
The drugs in the formulation in clean and well
dried state.
Examples:
a) Athimathura Chooranam ;
Athimathuram

- liquorice root

- 100 gm

Process: Pound the dried rhizome to make it as fine

powder.
Indications; Hoarseness of voice, cough, bronchitis,
Gastric ulcer.
35

Dose: 1 to 2 gms twice or thrice with honey or hot

water or milk.
b) Maruthampattai Chooranam:
Maruthampattai

- Arjun Bark - 100 gm

Indications; Cardiac disease, Hypertension

Dose: 1 to 2 gms twice or thrice with hot water
C) Thrikatu Choornam:
1. Chukku Dry ginger
2. Milagu - Black Pepper
3. Thippili - Long Pepper

- 10 gm
- 10 gm
- 10 gm

Process: Powder dried drugs separately, sieve and

mix throughly.
Indications: Digestive, carminative, expectorant,
febrifuge and antiperiodic.
Used in indigestion,
dyspepsia, flatulence and intermittent fevers. Useful
in coughs and bronchitis when given with sugar and
honey. In coma and drowsiness, a small quantity of
powder is mixed in water and dropped in the nostrils.
Used as an adjuvant along with other medicines.
Dose: 1 to 2 gms twice or thrice with honey or water
or Ghee.

36

d) Thripala choornam:
Ingredients:

1. Nellikai
- dry Embelic myrobalan 50 gm
2. Kadukai thol - Chebulic myrobalans - 50 gm
3. Thandrikaithol - Beleric Myrobalans - 50 gm
Process: Powder the three separately, sieve and Mix
homogenously.
Indications: Astringent, Laxative and anti bacterial.
Relieves constipation. It is given in coughs with
honey. In constipation with hot water, and in
conjunctivitis, its decoction is used.
Used as an adjuvant along with other medicines.
External Use:
Can be used for for gargling purpose also. Used as
a general tonic especially for eyes with equal
quantities of honey and ghee. A decoction of this
choornam is used to wash and clean wounds and
ulcers
Dose: 1 to 2 gms twice or thrice with honey or water
or ghee

37

e) Mathumega Chooranam:
1. Nellivatral - Dry Embelic myrobalan - 100 gm
2. Keezhanelli - PhyllanthusWhole plant - 100 gm
3. Karuveppilai Curry leaves

- 100 gm

4. Venthayam

- Fenugreek seed

- 100 gm

5. Manjal

- Turmeric

6. Katugurohini -Picorrhiza root

- 50 gm
-

25 gm

Process: Pound the above drugs separately and mixed

together.
Indications; Diabetes
Dose: 2 gms twice or thrice with hot water
f) Ashta Chooranam ;
1. Sukku - Dry ginger

- 25 gm

2. Thippili Long pepper - 25 gm

3. Milagu - Black pepper - 25 gm
4. Omam - Ajowan seeds - 25 gm
5. Induppu Rock salt

- 25 gm

6. Jeerakam Cumin seeds - 25 gm

38

7. Karumjeerakam - Nigella seeds - 25 gm

8. Perungayam

- Asafoetida - 25gm

Process: Fry separately 1, 2, 6 and 8. Powder

separately 1 to 8, sieve and mix.
Indication: Indigestion and diarrhea
Dose

: 1to 2 gm with ghee or buttermilk

g) Amukkura choornam ;
Ingredients:
1. Lavangam

Cloves

- 10gms

2. Sirunagapoo Cinnamom bud

- 20 gm

3. Ela arisi

- Cardamom

- 40 gm

4. Milagu

- Black pepper

-- 80 gm

5. Thippili

- Long pepper

6. Chukku

Dry ginger

- 320 gm

7. Amukkura

- Withania root

640 gm

8. Sarkarai

- Cane sugar

-160 gm

- 1280 gm

Process: Comminute 1 to 7 very finely. Powder the

sugar separately. Mix the two powders.

39

Indications; Used in rheumatic diseases, Sexual

insufficiency and insomnia.
Dose: 1 to 2 gms twice or thrice with honey or hot
water or milk.
h) Chundai vatral choornam ;
Ingredients:

Chundai Vatral - West Indian turkey berry - 25 gm

Karuveppilai
- Curry leaves
- 25 gm
Mam paruppu - Mango cotyledons
- 25 gm
Omam
- Ajowan
- 25 gm
Nellivatral
- Dry embelic myrobalan 25 gm
Mathulai odu
- Pomegranate rind
- 25gm
Vendhayam
- Fenugreek
- 25 gm
Process: Powder dried drugs separately, sieve and
mix thoroughly.
Indications; Indigestion, Diarrhoea and piles
Dose ; 1 to 2 gms twice a day with Curd
i) Nilaavaarai Chooranam:
Ingredients:

1. Nilaavaarai

- Senna leaves

-10 gm

2. Chukku

- Dry ginger

- 10 gm
40

3. Milagu

- Black pepper - 10 gm

4. Ajowan

- Omam

5. Vayuvidangam - Embelia
6. Sugar

- Sarkarai

- 10 gm
- 10 gm
- 50 gm

Process: Powder and sieve 1 to 5. Mix with

powdered sugar.
Indications: Constipation, Gaseous distension of
stomach and biliousness.
Dose: 1- 2 gms twice a day with hot water.

41

7. Vennai - Medicated butter

Vennai is butter or something that simulates butter in
form and consistency.
The powders of the raw drugs are heated by adding
ghee to it, so that the powder completely melts and
mixes with the ghee. This is poured into a bigger
vessel containing water and churned properly, to get
butter like substance.
The process of preparation involves grinding of drugs
with butter or by boiling resinous drugs with oils.
Medicated butter should be stored in a cool, dry place
in covered with a proper lid in wide mouthed glass
containers. They can also be packed in suitable
extrusion tubes where the contents are not corrosive.
Medicated butter is mostly used for external
application only and on specific occasions internally
also. (Eg. Kungiliya vennai). They stay stable for
three months.
Equipment required:
1.
2.
3.
4.

A mortar and pestle or Heavy duty mixer

Stainless steel Vessel
Induction stove or Gas stove
Stirrer

42

Kungiliya vennai
Ingredients:
1. Vellai kungiliyam

- Sal dammar

-- 50gm

2. Nallennai

- Sesame oil

- 100 gm

Process:
Powder 1 and boil with 2. When dissolved, carefully pour
into water and churn. A buttery mass will rise up. Collect
it and repeat churning till no more buttery mass is
obtained. Mix the product thus obtained discarding he
water. Store with water in a cool place.
Indications:
Applied externally on burns, ulcers, and carbuncles. In
case of leucorrhoea, Gonorhoea, Venereal sores, scalding
urine, latent hyper-pyrexia, arthritis, bronchitis, burning
sensation of stomach, face , palm and soles of hand and
feet given with cardamom seeds in the dose of 3- 6 gms
twice a day.

43

8. Manappagu- Syrup
Manappaagu is flavored medicinal syrup. This
is the syrup form of a drug that has a life period of six
months. Manappagu is palatable form of medicine
especially suitable for infants and children below 12
years. Herbal drugs are made into decoctions
separately, or fruits juices are taken and boiled adding
sugar or sugar crystals, till an aromatic smell appears,
powdered herbs could also be added at this stage. The
flavor is due to the drug ingredient used in the
particular preparation. The honey and sugar forming a
part of the recipe not only give taste to the medicine
but also preserve it.
Sugar is dissolved in the medium prescribed. It is
better that the medium is warmed and then sugar
added slowly with continuous stirring to avoid
charring of the sugar by sticking to the bottom of
container. If this charring takes place, the syrup will
be spoiled by the development of burnt smoky smell
and bitter taste. Heating should be slow and gentle so
that the mixture is just maintained boiling
continuously, the vessel is removed from the oven or
heat is withdrawn immediately. The consistency of
manappagu is known as Kambi patham.
The syrup is filtered if necessary while quite hot.
As handling of the syrup is usually messy, due care
44

should be taken that the juices used in the preparation

are thoroughly filtered, before heating. In case a scum
forms on the surface of the syrup, it is carefully
removed and discarded.
Properly prepared syrup or manappagu remains in
good condition for a long time if kept properly
stoppered and stored. Narrow mouthed glass bottles
with screw caps are ideal as containers. Nowadays
food grade pet bottles are increasingly used. Its shelf
life is six months. The sugar content should at least be
60% for better preservation. Assimilation time is
close to 3 hours.
Equipment required:
1.
2.
3.
4.

A mortar and pestle or Heavy duty mixer

Stainless steel Vessel
Induction stove or Gas stove
Stirrer

Example:
a) Mathulai Manapagu:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Kalkandu
Panneer
Mathulam pazha charu
Then

- Sugar candy
- Rose water
- Pomegranate juice
- Honey

45

Process:
The syrup may be prepared by heating 1, 2 and 3and then
honey may be mixed with it after it has cooled.

Dose: 10 to 15 ml twice daily with water before

meals.
Indications: Anaemia. Also in anorexia, emesis and
burning sensation of the palm and soles of feet.
Useful in pre and postpartum and pre and
postoperative convalescence as a tonic.
b) Elumichai manapagu:
1. Elumichcchai chaaru - Lemon juice
- 200
gm
2. Inji chaaru
- Ginger juice - 100 gm
3. Sarkarai
- Sugar
- 200 gm
Process:
Mix 1, 2 and 3 and prepare syrup. Cool, filter and store.

Dose: 5 to10ml twice daily with water before meals

Indications: Useful in dyspepsia, indigestion,
burning sensation in the chest, nausea and vomiting.
It promotes the feeling of taste in anorexia.

46

9. Ennai- Medicated oils

Medicated oils are prepared by extracting drug
substances in oil. Though it indicates Sesame oil
(El+ney) generally, all vegetable oils could be used.
The other common name thailam is derived from the
word Tila which means sesame seeds in Sanskrit.
Shelf life of medicated oil is one year. Apart from
vegetable oils animal fats are also used.
Medicated oils get their name either based on primary
ingredient of preparation, or primary disease for
which the Ney is used.
Example; Pinda thylam
Equipment required:
1.
2.
3.
4.

A mortar and pestle or Heavy duty mixer

Stainless steel Vessel
Induction stove or Gas stove
Stirrer

a ) Kaiyan Thylam :
Ingredients:
1. Karisalai saru Eclipta juice
2. Nalla ennai - sesame oil

47

Process: Boil a mixture of the two till dehydrated. Cool

and filter.
Indications;
Cough,
dyspnoea.

bronchitis,

Phelegmatic

cough

and

Dose ;
to 1 teaspoon internally twice daily. Can be
used also a bath oil.
b) Pinda thylam ;
Ingredients:
1. Malai nanaari
2. Manjitti

Indian sarsaparilla - 50 gm
- Indian madder

- 50 gm

3. Vellaikungiliyam Sal tree resin

- 50 gm

4. Then mezhuku - Bees wax

- 50 gm

5. Nallaennai

- 800 gm

- Sesame oil

Preparation:
Take Nos. 1 and 2 clean, crush and boil in 3.25 liter of
water .Reduce the decoction to 1/4th of the quantity. Mix
this decoction with sesame oil and prepare taila till the
water evaporates, filter it and then add fine powders of 3
and small chips of 4 and warm gently until the drugs are
dissolved completely.

48

Indication;
Used in arthritis, inflammatory swellings, burns and
wounds. Applied to fissured soles.
For external use only.
C ) Moola kudaaara thylam:
1. Kadukaipinju dry tender chebulic myrobalan 350 gm
2. Amanakku ennai Castor oil

- 1400 gm

Process:
Fry the fruits in some oil. When brown and swollen,
take and powder. Mix the powder with oil and keep.
Indications:
Piles, Bleeding piles and constipation
Dose : 1to 2 teaspoonful at bed time
d) Arugan thylam :
1. Arugampul charu - Bermuda grass - 1200 gm
2. Thengayennai
- Coconut oil
- 400 gm
3. Athimathuram - Liquorice root
25 gm
Process:
Mix 1 and 2 and then add 3. Boil it till water
evaporates
49

Indication:
Heals up ulcers and encourages tissue formation in
the wounded regions. Useful in itch and other skin
diseases also. External application ony.
e) Avuri ennai Indigo oil
1. Avuri ilai

- Indigo leaves - 200 gm

2. Thengayennai - Coconut oil

- 300 gm

Process:
Soak the leaves in coconut oil and put in sunlight for
7 days till the oil color becomes pink. Then filter the
oil and stored it in airtight container.
Indication: Psoriasis and other skin diseases

50

10. Mezhugu - Waxy pastes

Mezhugu is a viscous semisolid preparation used
topically as well as internally. In this context only
oral medicine is considered.
The methods preparations of medicines falling under
this artificial category are varied; however the final
product must be of the specified consistency.
They are of two types.

Obtained by grinding drugs.

Obtained by heating them by adding oily
substances

Obtained by grinding drugs:

Mercurial compounds are ground separately or with
other raw drugs adding juices or honey, into a
semisolid form.
Obtained by heating them by adding oily
substances:
Mineral drugs are heated by slowly adding
oily substances or juices and made into a semi-solid
form and then ground well. E.g. - Kilinchil mezhugu
Life period is 5 years.
51

Kalimbu also denotes a similar consistency. The

semisolid to semi liquid consistency of these
medicines is attained by the addition of mucilaginous
or pertinacious media, oils fats, waxes or butter.
Ointments
are
homogeneous,
semi-solid
preparations intended for external application to the
skin or mucous membranes. They are used as
emollients or for the application of active ingredients
to the skin for protective, therapeutic, or prophylactic
purposes and where a degree of occlusion is desired.
Ointments are formulated using hydrophobic,
hydrophilic, or water-emulsifying bases to provide
preparations that are immiscible, miscible, or
emulsifiable with skin secretions. They can also be
derived from hydrocarbon (fatty), absorption, waterremovable, or water-soluble bases.
Equipment required:
1.
2.
3.
4.
a)
1.
2.
3.
4.

A mortar and pestle or Heavy duty mixer

Wide mouthed Stainless steel Vessel
Induction stove or Gas stove
Spatula for mixing the drugs
Chandrakala lepam:
Thenmezhuku - Bees wax
- 20 gm
Vellai Milagu - White pepper -10 gm
Thengayennai - Coconut oil - 80 gm
Karpuram
- Camphor - 20 gm
52

Process: Dissolve bees wax in hot coconut oil .Add

the powders one by one well into a very fine paste.
Indication: Relieves head ache. Removes pain in the
Joints
For external use only.

53

11. HOME HERBAL GARDEN

Increasing pollution and modern day stress, advance
ageing process, reflected by fine lines in the skin, pain
in the knees and weakness. Traditional medicines are
time tested and are in use for overcoming stress and
ageing and for healthy living. Conventional medical
practitioners are increasingly inclined towards herbal
medicine. This herbal kit aims to revitalize our
traditional medicinal knowledge; to promote herbal
awareness at home and to re-introduce safe home
herbal remedies particularly for children.
Indigofera

tinctoria

Avuri

or

Neeli

This stiff woody herb grows well with the least care.
The leaves as well as the roots are medicinal. They
54

are among the most reputed hepato protective (Liver

protection). The leaves contain a blue (INDIGO) dye,
and its related and associated compounds are effective
in a wide variety of skin diseases including psoriasis
and eczema. The leaf or root is converted into 250 mg
paste and rolled into a pill. 2 to 3 pills are given
everyday. Fresh leaf soaked in equal weight of
sesame oil till the leaves turn brittle and the oil takes a
purple colour. This oil, when applied on affected part,
is good for skin diseases, dandruff, psoriasis etc.

Hibiscus rosa sinensis - Chemparathai

A good ornamental garden plant. The leaves and

flowers of shoe flower are of cosmetic value,
55

particularly to those women who want to maintain

soft silky hair. The dried or fresh leaves along with
soap nut powder acts as a hair cleanser conditioner.
The red pigments in the flower improve the strength
of small blood vessels when consumed internally. A
herbal tea made using four dried flowers of red
variety, single petal flower could be used to protect
against heart diseases.
Cissus quadrangularis Pirandai

The jointed winged stems are made into chutney

with acid lime or tamarind. A good source of Vitamin
56

C and calcium. According to Ayurveda and Siddha

medicines, it is good for the bones and heals fractures
faster. Researchers have confirmed this and shown
that the healing time is reduced by 33% and the bone
setting is stronger. It is good for growing children
who are weak and thin because it is anabolic. The
tender stems are steeped in curd and dried, and to be
eaten with food after frying it (Vathal- Pickle). This
plant is recommended to prevent and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis patients.
Aloe vera Sotru katrazhai

An ornamental succulent, it does well in desert

conditions too. The jelly-like substance present in the
leaf is separated from the skin and rapidly washed in
57

water to remove the yellow juice, which is irritant.

Taken internally it is a cooling agent and heals
stomach ulcers and nullifies inflammations.Externally
it is a fine wound healer. The jelly when applied on
the face, is an effective beauty care agent for a
glowing face. The yellow juice from the leaf skin is
an irritant and is rubbed on rheumatism-affected
joints as a counter irritant. Internally the yellow juice
will induce menstruation and trigger abortion.
Bacopa monnieri - Neer Brahmi

This mat forming runner with succulent leaves and

purple flowers grows luxuriantly near water bodies
and agricultural lands. It also can withstand salinity in
58

water and is seen near industrial effluents drains. The

leaves are bitter but help in calming down the mind. It
holds promise as an anti-epileptic drug. It is also used
as a remedy for polycystic ovary in women. It can be
taken as a powder 1gm twice daily or Brahmi
Ghritham. It is commonly used as Memory
enhancer for children.
Plectranthus ambonicus- Omavalli

This succulent and brittle herb with highly

aromatic leaves (smells like Ajwon) is grown in many
households and used in health care. The leaf juice is a
good digestive, appetizer and expectorant-removes
59

phlegm and cures the upper respiratory tract infection.

The leaves induce vomiting and removal of phlegm
when chewed by people with severe respiratory
infection. The Bajji made with the leaves during
monsoon prevents respiratory infections. Leaf juice is
taken from teaspoon to 2 teaspoon with honey
depending upon the age of children.
Andrographis paniculata

- Nilavembu

This small erect herb prefers to grow in partial

shade and good humidity. The plant is called as the
King of bitters owing to its bitterness. The

60

decoction of the plant is very effective in controlling

fever and is a powerful appetite stimulant. The plant
is invariably a key ingredient in hepato protective
formulations and medicines used to treat skin
diseases. Native healers use this plant to treat bites
and stings as an antidote. It has been found useful in
the treatment of leucoderma also, internally and
externally.
Tinospora cordifolia Seendilkodi

A perennial climber that will grow anywhere. The

leaves and stems are reputed immune-modulator. The
plant contains principles that are effective anti61

bacterials and is used to treat infections of the eye,

respiratory, urinary and alimentary tract. According to
Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicines, this plant
is a Rasayana & Kayakalpa plant.
3 gm of dried stem, powder or a decoction of the
aerial part of the plant including the leaves could be
used. Thick stems are natural tooth brushes.
Lawsonia inermis Maarudhani, Henna

The shrub of Marudhani is excellent hedge (Fence)

plant. The leaves are traditionally used for tattooing
and more particularly on special occasions. Henna is
one of the largest export earner for India. It is also
used as a hair conditioner and hair colorant. The
62

application of ground leaf paste of Henna with

eucalyptus oil or lime juice on the nails on a regular
basis

prevents

fungal

infection

(Pittvedippu,

Nagasutru ) of the palm, especially for women , who

have to toil in water for washing, cleaning etc.
Commercial Henna mostly contain harmful synthetic
dyes, therefore growing Henna at home becomes
absolutely essential.
Adhatoda vasica - Adathodai

The shrub is grown as a hedge plant as it is not

browsed by cattle. The leaf is very good expectorant.
The alkaloids present in the leaves are responsible for
its pharmacological action. Innumerable cough
63

remedies are made with the leaf both as syrups and

capsule. The plant possesses anti-microbial activity
and hence it is used to treat respiratory infections and
some uro- genital infections but contraindicated in
pregnancy. For adult one fresh leaf is enough for 30
ml decoction. Take one leaf, remove the central vein,
cut into small pieces, then add 5 peppers, add 120 ml
water, boil it till it reduced to 30ml. It should be
taken twice daily.
Ocimum tenuiflorum Thulasi

The sacred plant of the Hindus is grown in every

household. The holy water offered as Prasad in
Vishnu temples contains this herb. Thulasi is
64

extensively used in cough syrups and expectorants. It

has anti-microbial properties and is used for
enhancing the immunity of the human body. Ursolic
acid present in Thulasi is a powerful anti-oxidant and
studies have been carried out on its effect on stress
induced by noise pollution. It is now mass cultivated
and the bulk of the produce goes to herbal cosmetics
industry and soap scenting.
Centella asiatica - Vallarai

This runner, known as Gotu-kola in most parts of the

South East Asian countries, has long been associated
with the property of enhancing memory. Since it also
has a stimulant activity on central nervous system it is
65

best avoided by epileptic patients. The asiaticoside

and madacasic acid present in the plant makes it an
excellent wound healer and prevents photo ageing of
the skin. It is used in anti-wrinkle creams. The plant
grows near water bodies and wet lands. Studies have
established its value in the treatment of ulcers due to
tuberculosis and leprosy. It can be taken as leafy
vegetable or dried powder 2 gm twice daily.
Vitex negundo Nochi

This is a large aromatic shrub with quadrangular

densely whitish tomentose branchlets up to 4.5m in
height. It is very common in many parts of the
66

country and often occurs gregariously. The leaves are

aromatic and are considered tonic and vermifuge. 2 to
3 leaves with addition of long pepper -5nos, add 120
ml water, boil it and reduced it as 30 ml decoction is
taker for fever and head ache. A decoction of the
leaves and the vapours are employed in baths for the
treatment of rheumatic complaints.
Gymnema sylvestre - Sirukurinjan

The leaves of this perennial climber which grows

almost throughout the scrub and deciduous jungles
are probably one of the very few Indian herbs
investigated and accepted in almost every part of the

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world for its anti-diabetic property. Chewing of leaf

blocks the taste buds and the taste of the sugar is
masked temporarily. 1 to 2 gm dried leaf powder
twice daily should be taken for diabetes along with
other diabetic herbs.
Piper Longum- Thippili

This Perennial runner, Grows well in Moist

Conditions and Provides spikes for about ten years
from planting from the second year onwards. The
Leaves can be used to prepare Rasam for combating
common cold. The Fruit spikes are called as Thippili
or Long pepper and rich in piperine, which is very
effective in respiratory allergies and Bronchial asthma
as well. A Pinch of the dried spike powder with honey
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can be given twice a day after food for young children

and 1 gm from adults. Propagation is from stem
cutting.
Solanum trilobatum Thuthuvelai

This hardy climber with spines has a beautiful violet

flower is drought resistant and can perform well in
any soil. Propagation is from stem cutting. A
medicated ghee is prepared with the leaf juice and
Cows ghee. Decoction of the leaves could also be
used. Five leaves with three black pepper is used for
preparing decoction, which is an effective remedy for
expelling sputum and to relieve chest congestion.

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Lemon Grass Cymbopogon citratus

Few leaves are made into small pieces and an infusion

is made by soaking it in hot water. It is not only
refreshing but improves kidney function and
improves flow of urine. Propagation is from tills.
Clips with roots.

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