Exotic Medicinal Plants
Ankolam

Plant | Alangium salvifolium |
Malayalam | Ankolam |
English | Sage leaved alangium |
Hindi | Angol |
Medicinal Uses
Root and stem used in the treatment of arthritis, blood disorder, and as aphrodisiac. Fruit is an anti-dote and used for treating indigestion and bleeding. Seed is a tonic and also used for treating back pain. Leaves used for treating swelling, osteoarthritis and fever.
Avil

Plant | Holoptelea integrifolia | |
Malayalam | Avil | |
English | Indian elm | |
Hindi | Papri, Cilbil, Vavla |
Medicinal Uses
Bark is used in the treatment of lymph gland, fever and scabies. Leaves are used for treating odema, leprosy, skin disease, intestinal disorder and piles. Bark and seed paste are used for ringworm and eczema, leaf bud for hair loss and herpes, and fruit pulp for treating menstrual disorder.
Chandanam

Plant | Santalum album | |
Malayalam | Chandanam | |
English | Sandalwood | |
Hindi | Chandan |
Medicinal Uses
Sandalwood is used in treating many skin diseases, inflammation, itching and eczema. The paste is anti-inflammatory both externally and internally, and is used against sunstroke. The essential oil is used for treating high blood pressure. The oil is used for making fragrances, candle, soap and making perfumes.
Karuva

Plant | Cinnamon | |
Malayalam | Karuva | |
English | Cinnamon tree | |
Hindi | Dalchini |
Medicinal Uses
Cinnamon bark is used for treating gastrointestinal upset and diarrhea. It is also used for stimulating appetite, for treating infections caused by bacteria and parasitic worms, and for menstrual cramps, common cold and influenza.
Grampu

Plant | Syzygium aromaticum | |
Malayalam | Grampu | |
English | Cloves | |
Hindi | Laung |
Medicinal Uses
Leaves and stem, dried flower buds and oil extracted are used as medicine. Also used as an expectorant and for stomach upset. Clove oil is used for the treatment of diarrhea, hernia and bad breath.
Elichuzhi

Plant | Diospyros buxfolia | ||
Malayalam | Elichuzhi | ||
English | |||
Hindi |
Medicinal Uses
Various parts of the plant are used in the treatment of leprosy, skin eruptions, ulcer, eye infections, cough, fever, diarrhea, dysentery, malaria and skin diseases.
Ellootti

Plant | Pterospermum rubiginosum | |
Malayalam | Ellootti | |
English | Rusty kanak champa | |
Hindi |
Medicinal Uses
Bark is used as bone setter.
Eukkali

Plant | Eucalyptus globulus | |
Malayalam | Eukkali | |
English | Eucaliptus | |
Hindi | Tailapatra |
Medicinal Uses
Oil extracted from Eucalyptus is an ingredient of cough and cold medicines, dental products, antiseptics. Also used for treating respiratory illnesses such as cough, cold, sore throat, asthma, congestion, and also fever, burns, cuts and insect bites, muscle and joint pains, and as stress reliever and for dental care.
Gulgulu

Plant | Commiphora mukul | |
Malayalam | Gulgulu | |
English | Indian bdellium tree | |
Hindi | Gugal, Guggul |
Medicinal Uses
Ayurvedic texts dating back to 600 BC recommend Gulgulu for treating atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Resin is used for treating arthritis, hypothyroidism, weight loss, and managing cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Also used for treating anti-inflammatory conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and other skin diseases.
Irumbarakki

Plant | Filicium decipiens | |
Malayalam | Irumbarakki | |
English | Fern leaf tree | |
Hindi | Katu |
Medicinal Uses
The plant has anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Bark is used for treating fractures. It is also used as molluscicide (snail bait).
Irumbakam

Plant | Hopea glabra | |
Malayalam | Irumbakam | |
English | Hopea | |
Hindi | – |
Medicinal Uses
To be researched
Kampakam

Plant | Hopea parviflora | |
Malayalam | Kampakam | |
English | Iron wood of Malabar | |
Hindi | – |
Medicinal Uses
To be researched
Karinank

Plant | ||
Malayalam | Karinank | |
English | ||
Hindi |
Medicinal Uses
To be researched
Karinjotta

Plant | Samadera indica | |
Malayalam | Karinjotta | |
English | Niepa bark tree | |
Hindi | Lokhanadi |
Medicinal Uses
Bark and wood are used to treat vata disorders, dyspepsia, flatulence, dysmenorrhoea and general debility. Leaves are used for treating erysipelas and pruritus. Seed oil is used in the treatment for leprosy, scabies, pruritus, skin diseases, constipation and bilious fever.
Karinthali

Plant | Diospyros assimilis | |
Malayalam | Karinthali | |
English | Malabar ebony | |
Hindi | Karu, Mushtambi |
Medicinal Uses
Fruits are used as blood thinner and for treatment of bladder stones. Bark and leaves are used as plaster blisters.
Kayandi

Plant | ||
Malayalam | Kayandi | |
English | ||
Hindi |
Medicinal Uses
To be researched
Koranti

Plant | Salacia reticulata | |
Malayalam | Koranti, Ponkoranti | |
English | Chinese salacia | |
Hindi | Sapta rangi |
Medicinal Uses
Root and stem have anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective properties and are used for treating cholesterol and blood pressure related issues, and also inflammation, rheumatism, leprosy, obesity and colic. Root is used in the treatment for venereal diseases.
Orila

Plant | Desmodium gangeticum | |
Malayalam | Orila | |
English | ||
Hindi | Salaparni |
Medicinal Uses
Root is an ingredient of Dasamoolam. The plant has anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Pachotti

Plant | Symplocos cochinchinensi | |
Malayalam | Pachotti | |
English | Lodh tree | |
Hindi | Bodhra, Lodh, Lodha |
Medicinal Uses
Bark and leaves are anti-hypertensive and uterine tonic, and are used for treating kapha disorders, wounds, leucorrhoea, bleeding, inflammation, swelling, asthma, cough, ulcer, arthritis, leucorrhoea, diarrhea and skin diseases.
Pancha

Plant | ||
Malayalam | Pancha | |
English | ||
Hindi |
Medicinal Uses
To be researched
Pasakkotta

Plant | Sapindus trifoliatus | |
Malayalam | Pasakkotta, Urunjikai | |
English | Soapnut tree | |
Hindi | Ritta |
Medicinal Uses
Fruit has anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatic, anti-dermatic, expectorant, contraceptive properties. It is also used for treating epilepsy and migraine.
Pathiri

Plant | Stereospermum chelenoides | |
Malayalam | Pathiri | |
English | Trumpet flower tree | |
Hindi | Padhala, Adakapar |
Medicinal Uses
Root is an ingredient of Dasamoolam. Root, leaves, flower, fruit, seeds are anti-rhuematic, and used for treatment of skin disease, arthritis, muscular pain, hemorrhoids and kidney stone. Roots are used for treating piles, eczema, ulcer, diabetes. Fruit is germicidal, and is used for treatment of skin disease.
Poopathiri

Plant | Stereospermum suaveolens | |
Malayalam | Poopathiri | |
English | East Indian ebony | |
Hindi | Abnus, Tendu |
Medicinal Uses
The plant has antioxidant, analgesic, diuretic and wound healing properties. Root is anti-inflammatory, and is used in the treatment for rheumatism, infections and inflammation. It is also used for treating indigestion, hiccups, vomiting, diarrhea, pain, fever, diabetes, liver disorders, piles, constipation and asthma.
Poovanam

Plant | Schleichera oleosa | |
Malayalam | Poovanam | |
English | Ceylon oak, Lac tree | |
Hindi | Kusum, Kasva |
Medicinal Uses
The plant has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer properties. ark is used for treating malaria, leprotic ruptures, skin inflammations and ulcers. Seeds are applied to wounds and ulcers of cattle to remove maggots. Oil extracted from the seed is applied to cure itching, acne and other skin afflictions. The pulp of the fruit is astringent and appetite inducing.
Poripoovanam

Plant | ||
Malayalam | Poripoovanam | |
English | ||
Hindi |
Medicinal Uses
To be researched
Raktha chandanam

Plant | Pterocarpus santalinus | |
Malayalam | Raktha chandanam | |
English | Red sandalwood | |
Hindi | Lal chandan |
Medicinal Uses
Heartwood has astringent, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and is used for treating digestive tract problems, fluid retention, cough, blood purification, eye diseases, mental aberrations, ulcer, burning sensation, vomiting, skin diseases, leprosy, fistula and hemorrhage.
Samudrakai

Plant | Barringtonica acutangula | |
Malayalam | Samudrakai | |
English | Indian oak | |
Hindi | Samudraphal, Hijjala |
Medicinal Uses
The plant has antitumor, antibiotic, antinociceptive and antifungal properties, and is used for the treatment of fever, diarrhoea, hemolytic diseases, abdominal colic, lumbar pain, blennorrhoea, febrifuge, malaria, diabetes, intestinal worm, cough, dyspnea, poisoning and venereal diseases.
Sarvasugandhi

Plant | Pimenta dioica | |
Malayalam | Sarvasugandhi | |
English | Allspice, Jamaica pepper | |
Hindi | Kabab chinni |
Medicinal Uses
Leaves and unripe berries are used to relieve muscle pain, indigestion, flatulence, cold, tiredness and toothache, and to treat bacterial and fungal infections, blood sugar and rheumatism. Also used for treating indigestion (dyspepsia), intestinal gas, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, blood pressure, diabetes, constipation and obesity.
Swarnakshiri

Plant | Argemone mexicana | |
Malayalam | Swarnakshiri, Brahmadanti | |
English | Prickly poppy | |
Hindi | Pila dhathoor, Satyanashi |
Medicinal Uses
To be researched
Venkota

Plant | Lophopetalum wightianum | |
Malayalam | Venkota, Vembala | |
English | ||
Hindi | Banati |
Medicinal Uses
To be researched
Notes:
1. My knowledge of medicinal plants is limited to what I have gathered from plant nurseries and the Internet. I bought all plants from plant nurseries. It is likely that the plant names as specified by the nurseries could have been incorrect, or I may have wrongly noted the names, or the names could have got mixed up when I was moving around the plants in my plant nursery. So, if some plant names are incorrect, kindly bear with me and feel free to give me feedback to correct them.
2. The medicinal uses of plants enumerated above are only for information. Always seek advice from a practicing medical professional before using a plant medicinally. lifeclosetonature.com does not take any responsibility for adverse effects, if any, from the medicinal use of any plant, based on the information given above.