NIRMALI

Latin name- Strychnos potatorum Linn.

Family- Loganiaceae
Names in different languages:
Hindi name-Nirmali
English name- Clearing nut
Bengali name- Nirmali
Sanskrit synonyms:
Ambu Prasadana Phala, Nirmali- Purifies the water
NetraVikara Jit, Chakshushya- Benefits the eyes
Payaha prasadi- cleanses the water
Tiktaphala -bitter taste
Chedaniya, Kata, Kataphala.
Classical categorization:
Charaka- Vishagna mahakashaya
Sushrutha- Parushakadi gana
Vagbhata- Parushakadi gana
Bhavaprakasha- Amradi phala varga
Dhanvantari Nighantu- Chandanadi varga
Kaiyyadeva Nighantu- Oushadhi varga
Shodala Nighantu- Chandanadi varga
Raja Nighantu- Chandanadi varga
Morphology:
Kataka is a small, bushy tree found in South India and Eastern
India. The tree has blackish trunk which is usually found cracked.
The flowers are white, having good fragrance and found in
clusters. The fruits are round with 0.5-0.7 inch in diameter and the
seeds are hard, whitish colored.
Properties:
Rasa (Taste) – Madhura (Sweet), Kashaya (Astringent), Tikta
(Bitter)
Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light for digestion), Vishada
Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cold),
Vipaka – Madhura (Undergoes sweet taste after digestion)
Effect on Tridosha: Kaphavata shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha
and vata dosha)
Prabhava (Special effect)- Chakshushya (Improves the vision)
Part used- Seed
Dosage- 1-3 g of seed powder
Chemical constituents of Strychnos potatorum
The seeds of kataka plant contain Mannogalactan. The seeds,
leaves and trunk bark contain diabolin and acetyldiabolin. The
seeds also contain brucine, strychnine, novacine, icajine, oleanolic
acid and its glycoside. Leaves and bark gave isomotiol,
stigmasterol, campesterol and sitosterol
Medicinal uses as per Ayurveda:
Vikashi – Loosens joints (a quality of poison and alcohol)
Chedi – laxative
Chakshushya – useful in improving eye sight
Indicated in –
Trushna – Excessive thirst
Daha – Burning sensation
Visha – toxic conditions
Gulma – abdominal tumor, distension
Unripe fruit of clearing nut –
Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy
periods, etc
Trushna – excessive thirst
Moha – delusion
Visha – Toxic conditions, poisoning
Vatakara – increases VataDosha
Chakshushya – improves vision, good for eyes, useful in eye
disorders
Moderately ripe Kataka fruit-
Balances Kapha Pitta
Ruchikrut – improves taste, relieves anorexia
Durjara –hard to undergo digestion
Ripe fruit –
Vatakrut – increases VataDosha
Chardikara – causes vomiting
Picchila – Sticky, Slimy
Indicated in
Meha – diabetes, urinary tract disorders
Shopha – inflammation
Pandu – anemia
Pratishyaya – runny nose, allergic rhinitis
Kamala – Jaundice, Liver diseases
Garavisha – chronic poisoning
Kataka Root is uesful in
skin diseases and non healing wounds
Adverse effects: Excessive use of Kataka (more than 5 g) may
cause nausea and vomiting
Nirmali should not be used in winter (cold season). .
Ayurvedic medicines containing Kataka as ingredient:
Jambunishadi kwath: Jambunishadi Kwath is a proprietary
Ayurvedic medicine used for the treatment of diabetes.
Niruryadi gulika: Niruryadi Gulika is an Ayurvedic medicine used in
treating diabetes and its complications. It is in tablet form.
Mathala rasayana: Mathala Rasayanam is an Ayurvedic medicine in
lehya form, used in digestive and respiratory diseases.
Kathakadiradi kashaya:Katakakhadiradi Kashayam is an Ayurvedic
medicine used in treating diabetes and its complications like
neuropathy. It is in herbal decoction form.
Dashamoolarishta: Dashmoolarishta is a liquid Ayurveda medicine,
used in the treatment of anemia, after delivery care of mother,
cold, cough, digestive disorders etc.
Coolmelon syrup: Coolmelon Syrup is a herbal syrup that cools the
body heat reduces burning sensation.

Research articles related to Strychnos potatorum

Anti- inflammatory action
Anti- urolithiatic action
DRAKSHAA
Botanical name – Vitis vinifera Linn
Family- Vitaceae
Vernacular names
Hindi name- Angoor, Dakh, Munakka, Angoor
English name- Grapes
Hindi: angoor, angur,dak,sakh,drakh.
Sanskrit Synonyms of grapes:
Mrudvika – soft in nature. Usually raisins are called by this name
Gostani – resembles cow udder
Swaduphala, Madhurasa, Madhuyoni – sweet in nature
Bruhmani – nourishing
Rasaala – juicy
Guda – sweet as jaggery
Vrushya – aphrodisiac
Krushna – black in nature
Priyala, Tapasapriya, Charuphala – fruit with good looks
Harahura, Kashmeerika, Karamardika
Classical categorization:
Charaka- Kanthya – Voice improving and throat soothening group
of herbs, |
Virechanopaga – Purgation aiding group of herbs
Kasahara – Cough relieving group of herbs
Shramahara – Tiredness relieving group of herbs
Kaiyadeva Nighantu –
Oshadhi Varga – Group of medicinal herbs and substances
Madyavarga – group of herbs from which wine can be prepared
Susruta and Vagbhata – Parushakadi gana
Bhavaprakasha – Amradi Phala varga
Vitis vinifera chemical composition:
Fruits-(+) Catechin, Epicatechin, B- Sitosterol, Ergosterol, Jasmonic
acid
Flower/Fruit
Fl. Per.: May -July. Fr. Per:August-October
General medicinal qualities of grapes:
Guna (qualities) – Snigdha – unctuous, oily, Guru (heaviness),
Rasa (taste) – Madhura – sweet
Vipaka- Madhura – sweet taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Sheeta – Coolant
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Vata and Pitta
Grapes qualities based on stages and type:
Based on taste, grapes can be classified as sweet and sweet-sour.
The sweet variety balances Vata and Pitta Dosha.
Sour grapes increase Kapha and Pitta dosha.
Unripe grape has similar qualities of sour ones. It is Guru – heavy
to digest, and may worsen bleeding disorders.
Sour grapes:
Ushna – Hot
Sara – induces mobility, causes diarrhea, purgation, relieves
constipation
Guru (heaviness)
Vataghna – useful in treating disorders of Vata Dosha
imbalance such as neuralgia, paralysis, constipation, bloating, etc
Kaphapittada – Increases Kapha and Pitta
Ripe grapes:
Snigdha – unctuous, oily
Sara – induces mobility, causes diarrhea, purgation, relieves
constipation
Swarya – improves voice tone and quality
Madhura Vipaka (taste conversion after digestion)
Hima – coolant
Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Vrushya – aphrodisiac, improves vigor
Chakshushya – improves vision, good for eyes, useful in eye
disorders
Srushta mutra vit – increases volume of urine and feces
Tuvara – astringent variety:
Koshtamaruta krut – it may increase Vata in the gut
Vrushya – aphrodisiac
Pushtida – nutrition rich
Sweet Grapes are generally indicated in –
Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy
periods, etc
Tiktasya – tongue with bitter taste
Kshata – injury, bleeding
Kshaya – depletion of body tissues, weight loss, tuberculosis
Jwara – fever
Shwasa – asthma and chronic respiratory disorders
Trushna – excessive thirst
Daha – burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning
sensation in eyes etc
Madatyaya – alcoholism
Kamala – Jaundice, Liver diseases
Moha – delusion, dizziness
Gostani variety of draksha – elongated, bigger variety resembling
cow udder possess similar qualities. It has better aphrodisiac
qualities.
Guru – heavy to digest
Kaphapittahrut – Balances Kapha and Pitta dosha
Of all the fruits used to prepare wine, grapes are the best.
Incompatibility:
grapes with milk is best avoided. Because Ayurveda advises to
avoid sour fruits processing with milk
Research:Grapes to improve health of areialr(blood pipes)
– Source
 Khajur(Pind Khajur)
Latin name – Phoenix sylvestris Roxb.
Family – Palmae
Names in different languages of Khajoor:
Hindi name – Kajoor, kejur, kanjoor, khajoor, khajra, Khajur
English name – Date Palm, Wild Palm
Marathi name – Khajura
Synonyms of date palm:
Kharjura – The leaves and fruit appear at the top of tree
Pindi – The fruits are dry and oval/round in shape
Skanda phala – The fruits appear at the top part of stem
Madhuragraja, Madhu srava – The liquid/ juice from the tree is
sweet like honey
Swadu Mastaka, Swadu phala – The fruit is sweet
Duraroha – difficult to climb, tall tree
Shreni, Kaka karkati, Haripriya, Sukantaka, Sriphala
Simhi, Khara Skandha, Nishreni, Kaka Karkati,
Drudha Kantaka, Mruducchada, Dushpradharsha,
Yavaneshta – liked by westerners
Haripriya – liked by God Vishnu
Classical categorization of Khajur:
Charaka Samhita –
Shramahara – fatigue relieving group of herbs
Brimhaniya – weight increasing and nourishing group of herbs
Virechanopaga – group of herbs that are used for assisting
Virechana – purgation Panchakarma treatment.
Astanga samgraha – Shodanadi gana
Bhavaprakasha – Amradi phala varga
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Amradi varga
Kaiyydeva Nighantu – Oushadhi varga
Shodala Nighantu – Amradi varga
Morphology of Phoenix sylvestris:
Kharjura is a medium sized tree growing to a height of 10 – 15 m
and found in the dry regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Andhra
pradesh. It is abundantly found in Arab countries and Africa. The
stem is brown colored and about 3 feet in diameter having marks
or remains of the leaves. The leaves are 10 – 15 feet long, having
small spikes at the base. The flowers are unisexual in nature, have
pleasant odor with male flowers in white and female flowers
having greenish tinge. The fruits are orange colored and sweet in
taste on ripening. It has a single thick seed inside. The fresh juice
from the stalk of the leaf is also collected and stored to form a
type of alcohol or used to prepare jaggery.
Properties:
Rasa (Taste) – Madhura (Sweet)
Guna (Qualities) – Guru (Heavy for digestion), Snigdha (Slimy in
nature)
Vipaka – Madhura (Undergoes sweet taste after digestion)
Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cold)
Karma (Actions) – Vatapitta shamaka (reduces vitiated vata and
pitta dosha), Balya (provide strength)
Part used – Fruit, Leaf, Root
Dosage –
Fruit – 10 to 20 g
Root powder – 3 to 5 g
Juice – 50 to 100 ml
Decoction – 50 to 100 ml
Chemical composition of Phoenix sylvestris
Fresh, unfermented sap (Niraa / Neera) is a good source of
ascorbic acid, nicotinic and iso – nicotinic , phenylalanine, thre –
onine, tyrosine. Edible fruit contains carotene as vitamin A,
thiamine, riboflavine, nicotinic acid, ascerbic acid, sucrose, invert
sugar, xylose, Arabinose, ribose, galactose, galacturonic acid,
tannin, leuco cyanidins, pectin, sorbitol
Traditional uses:
Spherical shaped khajoor:
Tuvara – astringent
Tikta – bitter
Madhura – sweet
Snigdha – unctuous, oily
Ruchikara – improves taste, useful in anorexia
Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Guru – heavy to digest
Tarpana – nourishing, soothing
Tushtida – causes contentment
Pushtida – nutritious, improves nourishment
Shukrala – improves sperm and semen quantity and quality
Balya – improves strength and immunity
Balances Kapha and Vata Dosha
Indicated in
Kshata – injury, bleeding
Kshaya – depletion of body tissues, weight loss, tuberculosis
Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy
periods, etc
Jwara – fever
Kshut- excess hunger
Trushna – excessive thirst
Kasa – cough, cold
Shwasa – asthma and chronic respiratory disorders
The drink / juice extract prepared from the fruits / plant:
Madakara – intoxicating
Pittakara – Increases Pitta Dosha
Balances Vata and Kapha Dosha
Ruchya – improves taste, relieves anorexia.
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Balakara – improves strength and immunity
Shukrala – improves sperm and semen quantity and quality
Sap : Fresh juice is cooling, laxative and nutritive.
Gum : In diarrhea and in genitor urinary system
Fruit pulp : Anti asthalmic, anti dysenteric, anti tussive,
Aphrodistac, demulcent, diuretic, expectorant laxative, re-
storative and Tonic
Seeds : Paste is used in ophthalmia condition, to relieve head ache
and hemicrania
Root : Nervous debility and tooth ache.
Cough – Linctur made of Kharjura, Pippali, Draksha, Sharkara and
parched paddy. Each in equel quantity added with honey and ghee
is an excellent remedy for cough by pitta.
Vomitting – Khajura pulp, coconut, draksha or badara should be
taken as linctus.
Haematunia – Decoction of Kharjura, Kashmarya, Tinduka, gutuchi
with honey check the Haematunia.
Consumption of ghee mixed with Kharjura, draksha, sugar, honey
and pippali alleviates hourseness of voice, cough, asthma and
fever.
Grahani – Fermented juice of draksha, Kharjura should be used.
abnormal taste –Paste of draksha and Kharjura kept in mouth and
gargling should be done.
Hiccough- pulp of Kharjura or Pippali mixed with honey should be
used.
Intrinsic Haemorrhage – Kharjura fruits mixed with honey.
Rheumateid anthritis – Squash of the fruits of Kharjura
Rakthapitta – The powders of Kharjura, almond, vaisins and rock
candy in equel quantity along with honey.
Madathyaya – Bronchial asthma and hiccup – Kharjuradi leha with
ghee and honey.
Anaemia, piles, hepatitis and diabetes – Kharjurasava Externally
For tooth ache – powder of Kharjura roots in applied topically or
gargle with decoctions of root.
Adverse effect: No adverse effect is known or reported but
diabetic patients have to take care as the fruit can increase the
blood sugar level.
Medicines containing Kharjura:
Balaprasha: It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine. It promotes
growth and protects from recurrent fever, cold, cough etc
Herboy capsule: It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine which
improves vigor and vitality & corrects erectile dysfunction in male.
It improves alertness, confidence and strength.
Janodine syrup: It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine which is
indicated in treatment of loss of appetite, flatulence, indigestion
etc.
Ferberry syrup: It is palatable iron syrup with natural supplements.
It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine.
Eladi vati: It used in treating cough, cold, fever and vomiting. It is
used mainly in respiratory and gastric conditions.
Shatavari modak: This is an Ayurvedic medicine in tablet or
granules form. It is used in the treatment of male and female
infertility, skin diseases, gout, hemorrhoids, cough, emaciation,
asthma, weight loss.
Drakshadi choorna: This medicine in powder form is useful in the
treatment of weight loss, emaciation tiredness, respiratory and
digestive disorder.
Research related to Phoenix sylvestris: Anti – oxiflammatory
action
CHHUHARA
Latin name:Phoenix Dactylifera
Family: Palmae;Arecaceae
Names in different languages :
Marathi - Kharik
Gujarati - ‘Kharek‘
English - Dried Date Palm
Dry Dates Benefits For Health
1. Improves Overall Health:
Dry dates are considered to be a gold mine of vitamins. They
contain a wide range of vitamins including Vitamin A, C, E, K, B2,
B6, niacin and thiamin. These vitamins are vital for our health and
wellness. Therefore, consuming dry dates is beneficial for
improving our overall health.

2. Source Of Essential Minerals:

Dry dates also have all essential minerals like iron, potassium,
selenium, magnesium, phosphorous and copper, without which
our body cells cannot perform their regular activities.

3. Rich Iron Source:

Dry dates are a great source of iron, one of the most vital minerals
in a body. Iron is a major component in red blood corpuscles or
haemoglobin and plays a key role in maintaining the amount of
blood cells as well as regulating the flow of oxygen in the body.
Hence, people who suffer from anaemia (decrease in blood cells)
can get immense benefits from dry dates.

4. Rich Calcium Content:

Calcium content in dry dates is very high. Calcium, being a crucial
element of our skeletal system, is necessary for keeping our bones
and teeth safe and strong. So, including a handful of dates in your
daily diet will be a great choice to stay away from bone problems
(osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, etc.) and
dental problems (tooth decay).

5. Heals Bowel Illnesses:

The dietary fiber in dry dates is known to heal constipation
effectively. They can keep our colon clear by increasing the
amount of fecal matter. They also act as laxatives and facilitate
the movement of bowel within our body.

6. Benefits Cardiovascular System:

The effects of dry dates on our cardiovascular system are also
quite appreciated by the experts. They are really low in fat and
contain no cholesterol. Moreover, they are capable of controlling
the level of low-density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol in our
bloodstream. Low sodium and high potassium content of dry
dates are also extensively beneficial for keeping the blood
pressure under control.
7. Excellent Anti-Oxidant:
Several researches have shown that dry dates possess excellent
anti-oxidative properties, which make our digestion smoother and
keep our stomach healthy. Being full of essential amino acids as
well as soluble and insoluble fibers, they increase the secretion of
digestive juices and enhance the absorption of foodstuffs. Apart
from these, dry dates are also beneficial in curing disorders like
acidity, stomach ulcers, heart burn and colitis.

8. Improves Muscle Strength:

Another amazing aspect of eating dry dates is increased muscle
strength. They have significant effects on our heart muscles and
are known to make our heart stronger. Pregnant women should
consume dry dates regularly as they can strengthen uterus
muscles and make the birth of the child easier.

9. Great Energy Booster:

Dry dates consist of a huge amount of natural sugar (glucose and
fructose), which eventually makes them a great energy booster.
You can enhance your physical stamina to a greater extent with
the help of these nourishing fruits.

10. Maintains Healthy Skin:

The Vitamin A content of dry dates is helpful to maintain the
health of our skin. It can eliminate dry and dead skin cells, and
regenerate fresh and new ones. Consequently, we get healthy,
bright and glowing skin.

14. Maintains Hair Health:

Vitamin B5 present in dry dates is helpful in maintaining the health
of our tresses. By including this superfood in your daily diet, you
can prevent a number of hair problems like brittle hair, split ends,
and so on.

15. Nourishes Hair Roots & Scalp:

If you are suffering from excessive hair fall, dry dates can be of
great help. It provides nourishment to hair roots well as scalp and
makes your hairs stronger.