Exotic Medicinal Plants

Ankolam

PlantAlangium salvifolium
MalayalamAnkolam
EnglishSage leaved alangium
HindiAngol

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

PlantHoloptelea integrifolia
MalayalamAvil
EnglishIndian elm
HindiPapri, 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

PlantSantalum album
MalayalamChandanam
EnglishSandalwood
HindiChandan

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

PlantCinnamon
MalayalamKaruva
EnglishCinnamon tree
HindiDalchini

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

PlantSyzygium aromaticum
MalayalamGrampu
EnglishCloves
HindiLaung

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

PlantDiospyros buxfolia
MalayalamElichuzhi
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

PlantPterospermum rubiginosum
MalayalamEllootti
EnglishRusty kanak champa
Hindi

Medicinal Uses

Bark is used as bone setter.


Eukkali

PlantEucalyptus globulus
MalayalamEukkali
EnglishEucaliptus
HindiTailapatra

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

PlantCommiphora mukul
MalayalamGulgulu
EnglishIndian bdellium tree
HindiGugal, 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

PlantFilicium decipiens
MalayalamIrumbarakki
EnglishFern leaf tree
HindiKatu

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
EnglishHopea
Hindi

Medicinal Uses

To be researched


Kampakam

PlantHopea parviflora
MalayalamKampakam
EnglishIron wood of Malabar
Hindi

Medicinal Uses

To be researched


Karinank

Plant
MalayalamKarinank
English
Hindi

Medicinal Uses

To be researched


Karinjotta

PlantSamadera indica
MalayalamKarinjotta
EnglishNiepa bark tree
HindiLokhanadi

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

PlantDiospyros assimilis
MalayalamKarinthali
EnglishMalabar ebony
HindiKaru, 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
MalayalamKayandi
English
Hindi

Medicinal Uses

To be researched


Koranti

PlantSalacia reticulata
MalayalamKoranti, Ponkoranti
EnglishChinese salacia
HindiSapta 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

PlantDesmodium gangeticum
MalayalamOrila
English
HindiSalaparni

Medicinal Uses

Root is an ingredient of Dasamoolam. The plant has anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatic and anti-inflammatory properties.


Pachotti

Plant Symplocos cochinchinensi
MalayalamPachotti
EnglishLodh tree
HindiBodhra, 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
MalayalamPancha
English
Hindi

Medicinal Uses

To be researched


Pasakkotta

PlantSapindus trifoliatus
MalayalamPasakkotta, Urunjikai
EnglishSoapnut tree
HindiRitta

Medicinal Uses

Fruit has anti-arthritic, anti-rheumatic, anti-dermatic, expectorant, contraceptive properties. It is also used for treating epilepsy and migraine.


Pathiri

PlantStereospermum chelenoides
MalayalamPathiri
EnglishTrumpet flower tree
HindiPadhala, 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

PlantStereospermum suaveolens
MalayalamPoopathiri
EnglishEast Indian ebony
HindiAbnus, 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

PlantSchleichera oleosa
MalayalamPoovanam
EnglishCeylon oak, Lac tree
HindiKusum, 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
MalayalamPoripoovanam
English
Hindi

Medicinal Uses

To be researched


Raktha chandanam

PlantPterocarpus santalinus
MalayalamRaktha chandanam
EnglishRed sandalwood
HindiLal 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

PlantBarringtonica acutangula
MalayalamSamudrakai
EnglishIndian oak
HindiSamudraphal, 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

PlantPimenta dioica
MalayalamSarvasugandhi
EnglishAllspice, Jamaica pepper
HindiKabab 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

PlantArgemone mexicana
MalayalamSwarnakshiri, Brahmadanti
EnglishPrickly poppy
HindiPila dhathoor, Satyanashi

Medicinal Uses

To be researched


Venkota

PlantLophopetalum wightianum
MalayalamVenkota, Vembala
English
HindiBanati

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.

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