Natural treatments for:

Diabetes

Diabetes is the most serious, chronic metabolic disorder and is characterized by high blood glucose levels. It is now
a common metabolic disease characterized by abnormally high plasma glucose levels, leading to major
complications, such as diabetic neuropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular diseases.

For many decades, medicinal plants have been beneficial resources for the treatment of several diseases, including
diabetes. Some well-known drugs in current-use for diabetes have been developed from plants such as
metformin drug derived from the Galega officinalis. Plants (Momordica charantia, Syzygium cumini, Gymnema
sylvestre, Trigonella foenumgraecum, Tinospora cordifolia and Ocimum tenuiflorum) are important for the
treatment and prevention of diabetes.

Terminalia chebula (Combretaceae) dried fruits Three active ellagitannins (chebulanin, chebulagic acid chebulinic
acid) Read more from your notes of polyherbal formulations.

Curcuma longa (turmeric) (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) refer to your practical
file.

Adhatoda vasica (Vasaka, known as Vasa in Ayurveda) is also used for treatment of diabetes. Leaf of Adhatoda
vasica (Vasaka) is an important drug of Ayurveda, is also prescribed as an expectorant mucolytic, and
bronchodilator (can be asked in exam as name the following). “BROMHEXINE IS AN EXPECTORANT,
MUCOLYTIC AND BRONCHODILATOR MODERN DRUG, WHICH IS A SYNTHETIC FORM OF
ALKALOID VASICINE FOUND IN ADHATODA VASICA” quinazoline alkaloids Vasicine and Vasicinol
present in the leaves are established as active principles. In Ayurveda, its leaf juice (Vasa swarasa) is incorporated
in many formulations.
Infertility

Asparagus racemosus (Liliaceae) Sathavari Dried rhizome powder one teaspoon mix with milk, taken
twice daily to cure urinary disorders, adaptogenic herb, also provides vitality (very important ayurvedic
medicine)

Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) Sahijan, moringa drumstick seeds mixed with a bit of pepper and ginger,
powdered bark of moringa tree and flowers boiled with milk.

Baccaurea courtallensis (Euphorbiaceae) Mootuppazham, Fruits are acidic and are edible and used for
infertility problems. Consumption of ripe fruits also cures mouth and stomach ulcers.

Hemidesmus indicus (Periplocaceae) Sariva, anantmool, (Indian sarsaparilla) Women use this herb to
improve fertility, to promote a healthy pregnancy and to reduce the possibility of a miscarriage.
Traditional preparation of Hemidesmus calls for the roots of the plant to be dried and ground into a fine
powder, which is then either mixed with other medicinal herbs to make salves and balms, or steeped in
warm water and then ingested as a tea. Hemidesmus roots are used as an infusion, but not as a decoction,
as boiling dissipates its active volatile principle. Around 56g of the root are infused in 470-500mL of
boiling water and left standing for one hour then strained off and drunk in 24 hours.Tribes in India crush
the roots and then press them to extract the vital juices which are consumed immediately to minimise
degradation of the active compounds and revitalise the body. In South India the juice is often served in
refreshment shops as a cooling syrup with a dash of lemon.
Trachyspermum ammi, (Umbelliferae). Yamini, Ajwain or Yavani.

Ficus bengalensis (Moraceae) Almaram Leaf bud boiled with milk used to cure infertility problems

Ficus religiosa (Moraceae) Arrayal Three Leaf bud or bark extract mix with boiled milk
to cure infertility problems
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis paste is made by crushing plant parts using pestle and morter and mixing it with
ghee and cow milk or salt and honey Please do not get confused. It is used as a female contraceptive to
prevent pregnancy. Wrongly mentioned as fertility drug in many places.
High Blood pressure (hypertension)

Allium sativum (Family: Alliaceae or Liliaceae; Common name: Garlic, lasuna). Garlic has long been
used for a variety of cardiovascular conditions, especially hyperlipidemia. It has also been reported to
have hypotensive action. It is thought to increase nitric oxide production, resulting in smooth muscle
relaxation and vasodilatation.
Apium graveolens (Family: Apiaceae; Common name: Celery ajamoda).

Cassia absus (Family: Caesalpiniaceae; Common name: Chaksu)

• Punarnava' . Boerhavia diffusa root extract. Boerhavia diffusa (Family: Nyctaginaceae) is commonly
known as Raktapunarnava, Shothaghni, Kathillaka, Kshudra, Varshabhu, Raktapushpa, Varshaketu, and
Shilatika.[ 14,151 The plant is also called “Punarnava,” due to its ability to regenerate in rainy season
with the help of perennial roots after the aerial parts get dried up completely in summer..
Ashwagandha Withania somnifera (Solanaceae) root extract

• Gotu Kola (Apiaceae) Centella asiatica (Please note: shares the name brahmi with Bacopa )
Commonly known as mandukparni or Indian pennywort or jalbrahmi, it has been used as a medicine in
the Ayurvedic tradition of India for thousands of years and listed in the historic ‘Sushruta Samhita’, an
ancient Indian medical text. The herb is also used by the people of Java and other Indonesian islands. In
China, known as gotu kola, it is one of the reported “miracle elixirs of life” known over 2000 years
ago.
Trikatu: Trikatu Churna is an herbal formulation used in ayurveda for enhancing effects and increasing
the absorption of ayurvedic medicines. Trikatu Churna contains following three ingredients in equal
amount. Black Pepper (KALI MIRCH) - Piper nigrum + Long Pepper (PIPPALI) - Piper longum + Dried
Ginger (SONDH) - Zingiber officinale

Skin disorders

Human skin, the outer covering of the body, is the largest organ in the body. It also constitutes the first
line of defense. Skin contains many specialized cells and structures. It is divided into three
main layers viz. epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. Each layer provides a distinct role in the overall
function of the skin. The dermis is attached to an underlying hypodermis or subcutaneous connective
tissue. The subcutaneous tissue is a layer of fat and connective tissue that houses larger blood vessels and
nerves. This layer is important in the regulation of temperature of the skin itself and the body. Hair
follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands are the main skin appendages. The skin guards the
underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs.

There are more than a thousand conditions that may affect the skin but most skin diseases can be
categorized into nine common types rashes, viral infections, bacterial infections, fungal infections,
parasitic infections, pigmentation disorders, tumors and cancers trauma (an injury to the skin caused by a
blow, a cut, or a burn.) and other conditions like wrinkles, spider veins and varicose veins are among
those conditions that cannot be neatly categorized.

Achyranthes aspera (Common name: Prickly chaff flower, Devil's horsewhip apamarga; Family:
Amaranthaceae) Traditionally, the plant is used in boils, scabies and eruptions of skin and other skin
diseases.

Aloe vera (refer to practical file for details) Aloe vera has shown very good results in skin diseases and
it is often taken as health drink. It is also found effective in treating wrinkles, stretch marks and
pigmentations. It also seems to be able to speed wound healing by improving blood circulation through
the area and preventing cell death around a wound. The gel has properties that are harmful to certain types
of bacteria and fungi.

Azadirachta indica (Common name: Neem; Family: Meliaceae) Leaf extract is applied externally on boils
and blisters. refer to practical file for details.

Calendula officinalis (Common name: Marigold; Family: Asteraceae) The flowers of marigold have long
been employed in folk therapy and more than 35 properties have been attributed to
decoctions and tinctures from the flowers. The main uses are as remedies for burns (including sunburns),
bruises and cutaneous and internal inflammatory diseases of several origins.
Crocus sativus (Common name: Saffron; kunkuma, kesar. Family: Iridaceae): dried stigma is used. In
texts of Ayurveda the herb Crocus Sativus or kumkuma or saffron is grouped under “Varnya” gana.
Varnya means the one which imparts fairness and glow to skin. Saffron is one of the costliest spices used
in Ayurveda, Unani and Chinese medicinal preparations.

Curcuma longa (Common name: Turmeric, hindi “haldi,” a word derived from the Sanskrit word
haridra; Family: Zingiberaceae) refer to practical file for details.

Lawsonia inermis (Common name: Henna, mehndi, madayantika; Family: Lythraceae) Antipyretic
(fever reducing), alterative (gradually restores proper function of the body), nervine (calms the nervous
system). Traditional medicinal uses for henna include being used as a coagulant for open wounds and a
poultice to sooth burns and eczema. Fresh leaves may be used as a topical antiseptic for fungal or
bacterial skin infections, including ringworm.