Talk by Dr. Madhavi Talasree on Medicinal Plants TSK Meet – April 14, 2019 Background: Dr. Madhavai Talasree, a renowned Ayurvedacharya with 23 years of experience, delivered a two-hour session on April 14, 2019. This was organized by The SoutheKais (TSK) South Bangalore Gardeners OTG group. The meet took place at BBMP park, near Chinmaya Mission, JP Nagar IV Phase, Bengaluru. This document summarizes key points of the session. This document has been prepared by Ms. Meena Krishnamurthy. Points highlighted: The eminent Doctor commenced the session with a prayer shloka in Sanskrit. The shloka is worship to all plants. The meaning is “You provide flowers, flowers and shade in all seasons. You don’t keep anything for yourself, You are giving everything. We pray to you and we have a lot to learn from you”. She presented the following points emphasized by Ayurvedha: • • • • • • • • • • • There is nothing in Nature that is useless. Every plant has some beneficial value, in a specific context. Each human body is unique. Ayurvedha does not prescribe a uniform medication that will work for all. All the recipes mentioned here are presented to increase awareness and knowledge level only; these are not prescriptions. A consultation with an Ayurvedha Doctor is mandatory for effective treatment of any specific illness. Ayurvedha recognizes two types of doshas: o Physical level : Vatha, Pitha and Kapha o Psychological level : Sattva, Rajas , Tamas We inherit doshas from our parents (referred to as “Prakruthi”). No Dosha is good or bad on its own. Ayurvedha emphasizes on balance of the three doshas, both at physical and at psychological level. Medicinal plants help to achieve this balance. No medicinal plant recipe should be consumed for a long duration of time (No “continuous” dosage).The effect on human body reduces after some time. Any recipe mentioned here is to be consumed, after consulting an Ayurvedha Doctor only. Self-medication is not recommended. For example, amla juice taken for 2 years can actually cause bloating, with body not getting any benefit. Medicinal Plants have adverse effects also, in many cases. For anything taken as medicine, before and after levels (sugar etc) are to be assessed. For all medicinal plants, consider only local variety, not hybrid. E.g.: Amla. Compiled by Meena Krishnamurthy Page 1 of 7 Talk by Dr. Madhavi Talasree on Medicinal Plants TSK Meet – April 14, 2019 Details of Plants and their benefits: Name of the plant Guduchi (Amrithpali) Benefits • Cures fever Hibiscus – any variety Drumstick Leaves • • Coriander • Mint • • • • Bhala Leaves (Hettuti in Kannada, Sida Cardifolia) Ginger • Soak a few leaves in water overnight, add to water and drink the next day morning. Leaf juice up to 5 ml added with 25 ml of water. • Mix the leaves paste (or chutney made with Mint leaves) with first morsel of food , to children and adults Add leaves to dosa batter and consume • Good for Vatha • • Both wet and dry versions are good Wet Ginger – good • • Compiled by Meena Krishnamurthy Has iron, effective for anemia good for thyroid problems wonderful for digestive system Coolant, balances Pitha, good to consume in hot season reduces Cholesterol Intense and Heat generating, Heat can reach the tissues Good for lactating mothers Mint oil (even a few crushed leaves) applied on a kerchief and used is effective for cold and cough Observations • Leaves can be used to make chutney or add to Dosa batter • Leaves can be used to make chutney or add to Dosa batter • Flowers can be eaten as such, can be used to make chutney • Can be used in powder form (leaves sun-dried and powdered) • Can be used along with other medicine Consume ginger with honey to avoid sleepiness Page 2 of 7 Talk by Dr. Madhavi Talasree on Medicinal Plants TSK Meet – April 14, 2019 • • for stomach and intestine Dry Ginger – effect reaches tissue level, rejuvenates body Not good to use in humid, coastal areas • • • • • Garlic • • • • • Hippali (Pippali or Long Pepper) • • • • Compiled by Meena Krishnamurthy High potency, very intense Anti-ageing Property Reduces cholesterol Effective for skin disease that spreads Anti-Cancer agent • Wonderful for spleen Very hot and intense To be taken in very small amount, increase gradually and after a month, decrease dosage gradually Fresh Hippali increases Kapha • • • • • • Ginger and sainda namak added to buttermilk is effective for bloating Fresh Ginger can be used for gargling, acts as mouth freshener Ginger+ghee is effective for indigestion and diarrhea Chewing a small piece of ginger acts as appetizer , recommended for children Ginger, when added to Tea and other juices, reduces cholesterol Consume 2 to 3 garlic cloves with ghee ,before lunch or evening snack For women – no garlic to be consumed 5 days before menstrual cycle start Garlic,pepper, turmeric paste is effective for cold Given as choorana after delivery Stir fry with ghee and use Sun dried hippili with ghee relieves phlegm Pippali mixed with ghee, milk and honey is effective for infertility Page 3 of 7 Talk by Dr. Madhavi Talasree on Medicinal Plants TSK Meet – April 14, 2019 Pepper (white or black) • • • Turmeric • • • White pepper is not too hot or intense Black pepper paste added to water is effective for Asthma Wonderful for lactating mothers Hot and bitter Cure for many diseases Effective for skin disease • White pepper powder can be used as tooth powder • Amla + Turmeric combo is effective for diabetes Use in small quantity only • Details of Flowers and their benefits: Name of the flower Kushmanda Jasmine Benefits • Effective for Vatha • Good for lactating mothers Observations • • • Kanchanara Variata) (Bahemia • Good for spleen and liver • Neem Flower • Removes intestinal worms • Hibiscus • Stimulates hair growth Cures many menstrual problems Cures constipation Balances Pitha Effective for deworming Effective for Vatha • Banana Drumstick • • • • Compiled by Meena Krishnamurthy Jasmine Oil used to improve face complexion Apply flower paste for Cracked heels Apply paste on patches on bald head Can make chutney with the flowers Prepare Laddus (stir fry neem leaves in ghee and add sesame powder, add jiggery if required) Page 4 of 7 Talk by Dr. Madhavi Talasree on Medicinal Plants TSK Meet – April 14, 2019 Agasse • Saffron • Lotus (seeds discussed here) • Parijatha • • • Champaka • • and Kapha disorders Good for night blindness Good for gynec problems like fibroids Effective for psychosis and bipolar disorders Effective for cough and cold Cures Vatha disorders Effective for rheumatic pain Not for consumption Effective to cure male infertility problems Rose Petals • • • Soak a spoon of lotus seeds overnight, add to 4 cups water , add jiggery and consume Can be used as food colorant • Oil made is to be applied externally • • Make Gulgandh Make face pack Details of Leaves and their benefits: Name of the flower Tulsi Benefits • NOT to be consumed regularly • Used in Gurukuls (for celibacy) • Effective for cold and cough Compiled by Meena Krishnamurthy Observations • Not advised for young girls as it may increase menstrual bleeding • Tulsi Tea, consumed regularly can cause TB in the long run Page 5 of 7 Talk by Dr. Madhavi Talasree on Medicinal Plants TSK Meet – April 14, 2019 • Betel Leaf • • Ganige Soppu (Manathakkali in Tamil), Solanum Nigrum • Thumbe Bilva • • Brahmi • • • • Galangal • Bringaraj • • • Bhoomi Amalakki • Nilavembu (Kalamegh) • • Compiled by Meena Krishnamurthy Releases carcinogen , yet the body develops counter mechanism to this and hence metabolism is boosted Good for oral hygiene • • Tulsi+Betel leaves with honey is effective for cough and cold Areca nut, when used with betel leaves, to prepare thamboolam, must be powdered. A recipe that includes 16 items to be added with betel nut (to prepare thamboolam) stabilizes hormones, ratio of ingredients vary for male and female Good for cold and cough Good for Herpes Gargling with these leaves is effective for Gingivitis Effective for sinus Effective for Irritable Bowel Syndrome Grows near water resource Effective for Epilepsy, Psychosomatic disorders Cure for Vatha Disorders Boosts metabolism Good for hair Good for blood • Hair pack with Amla, Bringaraj and Henna powder is very effective Effective for Jaundice For increasing appetite after fever Blood purifier Page 6 of 7 Talk by Dr. Madhavi Talasree on Medicinal Plants TSK Meet – April 14, 2019 • Ondalega Sangupushpa variety) (any Jackfruit • • • • • • • Ash Gourd • • Madhunashini • • • Shatavari • For Liver related problems Sleep Inducer Boosts intelligence Decreases Blood pressure Gives good sleep Ripe Jackfruits aid digestion. In excess, they cause indigestion Leaves cure Mouth paralysis problem Removes Urine stones Clears Urinary passage Helps in weight gain Good for fibroids Effective for Diabetes Good for lactating mothers • The tea or juice can be taken daily *** End of Document *** Compiled by Meena Krishnamurthy Page 7 of 7
