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Home » Herbs
» Herbs By plant parts » Leaves
Leaves are plant organs primarily adopted for the process of
photosynthesis. The typical flat (laminar) and thin structure of the leaves
allow a larger surface area to be exposed to the sunlight. Leaves play a
major role in brining balance to the nature. Apart from this, it has also
been widely used as spice and medicinal purposes.
Abrus Precatorius
Common Name: Rosary Pea, Jequerity, Crab's
Eye, Precatory Bean, Tento Muido, Cain Ghe, Graines Reglisse, Weesboontje,
Rakat, Hint Meyankoku, Hung Tou, Jequerit, Liane Reglisse, Ma Liao Tou,
Paratella, Paternoste
Uses: The delicate leaves of the herb are used as an abortifacient,
laxative, sedative and aphrodisiac.
Adhatoda Vasica
Part Used: Leaves, Whole Plant
Uses: The leaves are rich in vitamin C and carotene, yields an
essential oil. It is extensively used for the treatment of cold, cough,
whooping cough, chronic bronchitis and asthma.
Adiantum Capillus
Common Name:Maidenhair Fern, Lady Fern.
Uses: The edible leaves of the plants are used in making tea and
other refreshing drinks. It is considered to be good for spleen and kidney.
It also breaks up stone in the bladder. Paste of leaves is useful in
headache and chest pain.
Aloe Vera
Common Name: Aloe, Barbados Aloe, Curacao
Aloe, Indian Aloe, Ghi Kunvar
Uses: The leaves are lanceolate, thick and fleshy, green to
grey-green, with a serrated margin. The gel obtained from the leave is
useful for X-ray burns, dermatitis, cutaneous and skin infections. The Gel
has the remarkable ability to heal wounds, ulcer and burns.
Andrographis Paniculata
Common Name: Creat, Kariyat, Indian
Echinacea.
Uses: An effective anti-biotic, anti-viral and anti-parasitic and
immune system stimulant. It is used in viral hepatitis, children's bowel
complaints, gastric acidity, liver congestion and flatulence.
Anethum Graveolens
Common Name: Dill, Dill Weed, Garden Dill.
Uses: The leaves of the plant are widely used as spice for flavoring
salads, soups, pickles and breads, mainly by food industry. It is also used
as an insecticide and as stimulant for lactation.
Annona Squamosa
Common Name: Custard Apple, Sugar Apple,
Sweetsop, Kaner'apra, Pomme Canelle, Tapotapo, Fun Li Chi, Anon, Anona
Blanca, Ati, Ates
Uses: The leaves of the plant consists of biologically active
chemicals such as annonaines and alkaloids. Decoction of the leaves are used
as a remedy for cold and clears urine.
Artocarpus Heterophyllus
Common Name: JackFruit, Jakfruit
Uses: The leaves are useful in fever, boils, wounds, skin diseases.
The ash of leaves, burned with corn and coconut shells, is used alone or
mixed with coconut oil to heal ulcers.
Oil is concentrated, hydrophobic liquid extracted from different parts of
the plant. It has a distinctive odor or the flavor of the particular plant
from which it has been obtained. In general, oil is extracted by means of
the process called distillation. Other processes include expression or
solvent extraction.
Abelmoschus Moschatus
Common Name: Ambrette Seeds, Hibiscus
Abelmoschus, Musk Mallow, Musk Okra, Ornamental Okra, Annual Hibiscus, Yorka
Okra, Galu Gasturi, Bamia Moschata
Uses: Extracted from its seeds, the oil is widely used in perfumery
as well as aromatherapy due to its strong relaxing and stimulating effect.
Anethum Graveolens
Common Name: Dill, Dill Weed, Garden Dill
Uses: The essential oil is used to relieve intestinal spasms and
griping. It also helps settle colic and is used in gripe water mixtures. In
addition to this, it constitutes an ingredient of vinegar & as a
flavouring agent in pickled gherkins.
Annona Squamosa
Common Name: Custard Apple, Sugar Apple,
Sweetsop, Kaner'apra, Pomme Canelle, Tapotapo, Fun Li Chi, Anon, Anona
Blanca, Ati, Ates
Uses: The oil extracted from its seeds is an effective pesticide
used to control pests in agricultural fields. It is said to have varied
medicinal effects, including insecticide, anti-ovulatory and abortifacient.
Azadirachta Indica
Common Name:Azadirachta Indica
Uses: Its oil is extensively used in making neem-based soaps,
shampoos and toothpaste. In addition to this it is also a very potent
disinfectant.
Basil Herb
Common Name: Basil, Sacred Basil, Holy Basil,
Tulsi
Uses: The aromatic oil of the basil is used in cosmetic industry for
lotion, shampoo, perfume and soap. It is also used in some skin ointments
and is very effective in the treatment of acne.
Calamus
Common Name: Calamus, Sweet-flag, Sweet Root,
Bach.
Uses: The oil of Acorus calamus is anti-convulsant, anti-veratrinic
and anti-arrhythmic. It is used as an ingredient in flavors, particularly in
liquors. Acorus calamus oil is also used in perfumery.
Castor
Common Name: Castor, Palma Christi, Ricin,
Wonder Tree, Krapata, Djarak, Reer
Uses: Castor oil is considered to be a natural emollient and is used
as skin and hair softener.
Cedrus Deodara
Common Name: Cedarwood, Cedarwood Oil
Uses: The Cedarwood oil is an expectorant and is highly effective in
catarrhal condition of respiratory tract. It is also useful in ulcers and
skin diseases. Cedar Oil is used as a fragrance material in soaps, perfumes,
household sprays, floor polishes and insecticides. It is also used as a
microscope clearing oil. It is also said to possess insecticidal and
antifungal properties and have the potential to control fungal deterioration
of spices during storage.