Murraya koenigi
FAMILY:Rutacea
COMMON NAME:karuvepila
Murraya koenigii ((L) Spreng (Family: Rutaceae) is usually known as “curry leaves”.
(Wojdyło et al., 2007). This plant has been used in diverse forms and holds a place of pride in
Indian Ayurvedic medicine, known as “krishnanimba” [. Ahluwalia et al., 2004). The green
leaves of Murraya koenigii are used in treating piles, inflammation, itching, fresh cuts,
dysentery, bruises, and edema. The roots are purgative to some extent. They are stimulating
and used for common body aches. The bark is helpful in treating snakebites ( Gajaria et al .,
2015) . The juice of the root is given to manage renal pains ( Tembhurne,and Sakar,
2009)The leaves and roots can be given as an anthelmenticku, analgesic, body heat reducer,
and thirst quencher and are also helpful in reducing inflammation and itching. They are also
useful in managing leucoderma and blood disorders. (Sim and Teh,2011)
1. Wojdyło, A.; Oszmiański, J.; Czemerys, R. Antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds
in 32 selected herbs. Food Chem. 2007, 105, 140–149.
2. Ahluwalia, V.; Sisodia, R.; Walia, S.; Sati, O.P.; Kumar, J.; Kundu, A. Chemical analysis
of essential oils of Eupatorium adenophorum and their antimicrobial, antioxidant and
phytotoxic properties. J. Pest Sci. (2004). 2014, 87, 341–349.
[Link], T.K.; Patel, D.K.; Devkar, R.V.; Ramachandran, A.V. Flavonoid rich extract of
Murraya koenigii alleviates in‐vitro LDL oxidation and oxidized LDL induced apoptosis in
raw 264.7 Murine macrophage cells. J. Food Sci. Technol. 2015, 52, 3367–3375
[Link], S.V.; Sakarkar, D.M. Hypoglycemic effects of fruit juice of Murraya koenigii
(L) in alloxan induced diabetic mice. Int. J. PharmTech Res. 2009, 1, 1589–1593
[Link], K.M.; Teh, H.M. A new carbazole alkaloid from the leaves of Malayan Murraya
koenigii. J. Asian Nat. Prod. Res. 2011, 13, 972–975..
Nerium oleander
FAMILY:Apocynaceae
COMMON NAME:Arali
Nerium oleander is an evergreen shrub in the dogbane family Apocynaceae( Ansford and
Morris., 1981).oleander is of great medicinal importance and used for heart conditions,
asthma, epilepsy, cancer, painful menstrual periods, leprosy, malaria, ringworm, indigestion,
and venereal disease; is used in treatment of cancer and the research is ongoing for its future
implementation.( Radfordn et al., 1986).oleander has been used in the treatment of various
diseases and shows anticancer and antitumor properties as well as acts as a novel anti-HIV
therapeutic and this plant is used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine.(Roni et al.,
2013).The leaves has been applied externally in the treatment of scabies and to reduce
swellings. Bark is bitter and is used as cathartic, febrifuge and intermittent fever. Oil prepared
from the root bark is used in the treatment of leprosy and skin diseases(valnet et al., 1976)
1. Ansford AJ, Morris H. Fatal oleander poisoning. Med J Aust 1981;1:360–1
2. Radford DJ, Gillies AD, Hinds JA, Duffy P. Naturally occurring cardiac glycosides. Med J
Aust 1986;144:540-4
3. Roni M, Murugan K, Panneerselvam C, Subramaniam J, Hwang JS. Evaluation of leaf
aqueous extract and synthesized silver nanoparticles using Nerium oleander against
Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasitol Res 2013;112:981–90
4. Valnet J. Oleandro, Fitoterapia-cura delle malattie con lepiante. (Oleander, phytotherapy-
diseases cure with plants). Aldo Martello-Giunti, Firenze, Italy; 1976. p. 332-3
Oldenlandia corymbosa
FAMILY:Rubiaceae
COMMON NAME :parppatakam
Oldenlandia corymbosa (Rubiaceae) is a weedy herb. The plant is extensively used in gastric
irritation, jaundice, liver complaints, skin diseases, cough, bronchitis, necrosis, clear heat and
toxins (Sivapraksam et al ., 2014).Certain chemical constituents such as flavonoids, iridoid,
glycosides and rutin were isolated from the whole plant ( Pawadee et al.,
2008).Phytochemical screening of different parts of Oldenlandia corymbosa crude extract
showed the presence of various secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic
compounds, phytosterols and terpenoids. Rubiaceae family members like Canthium
horridum, Canthium multiflorum, Borreria sps, Hedyotis sps and Morinda sps are found to
have the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, phenolic compounds
and tannins.(Priyanka et al., 2018)
1. Sivapraksam, S. S. K., Karunakaran, K., Subburaya, U., Kuppusamy, S., & Subashini, T.
S. (2014). A review on phytochemical and pharmacological profile of corymbosa Linn. Int J
Pharm Sci Rev Res, 26, 320-4.
2. Pawadee Noiarsa, Somask Ruchirawat, Hideaki Otsuka, Chemical constituents from
Oldenlandiacorymbosa L. of Thai origin, J. Nat. Med. 62 (2008) 249–250.
[Link] Sharma, Sushila Dahiya, Neelam Manral, et al., Changing trends of culture-
positive typhoid fever and antimicrobial susceptibility in a tertiary care North Indian hospital
over the last decade, Indian J. Med. Microbiol. 36 (1) (2018) 70–76.
Oxalis corniculata
FAMILY:oxalidaceae
COMMON NAME:creeping woodsorrel
Oxalis corniculata belongs to the Oxalidaceae family, it is a small procumbent herb,( Sharma
and Kumari ,2014). It is a well-known medicinal plant with versatile pharmaceutical and
nutritional [Link] is a traditional medicine used to treat various diseases and has
multiple therapeutic effects, such as anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antifungal, antiulcer,
antinociceptive, anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, abortifacient,
antioxidant and antimicrobial( Badwaik et al.,2011).Phytochemical composition of Oxalis
corniculata showed the presence of niacin, vitamin C and βcarotene as well as significant
components such as neutral lipids, glyoxylic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, vitexin and
glycolipids.( 0. Raghavendra et al., 2006)
1. Sharma RA, Kumari A. Phytochemistry, pharmacology and therapeutic application of
oxalis corniculata linn.-a review. J Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2014;3:6-12.
2. Badwaik H, Singh MK, Thakur D, Giri TK, Tripathi DK. The Botany, Chemistry,
Pharmacological and Therapeuti of Oxalis Corniculata Linn– A Review. J International
Journal of Phytomedicine. 2011;13.
3. 0. Raghavendra, M.P., S. Satish and K.A. Raveesha, 2006. Phytochemical analysis and
antibacterialactivity ofOxalis corniculata; a known medicinalplant. Myscience 1(1): 72-78
Pothos scandans
FAMILY:Araceae
COMMON NAME: Anapparuva
Pothos scandens (Family-Araceae), traditionally used to treat skin disorders(chah et al.,
2006) .Theleaf of this plant mixed with the fruits of Capsicum annum and rhizome of Allium
sativum is applied topically on affected places to heal wounds created during
delivery(Ayyanar and Igacimuthu ,2005).Wound healing is the body’s natural process of
regenerating dermal and epidermal tissue. Since time immemorial man has used various parts
of plants in the treatment and prevention of many ailments(Chah et al.,2006).All medicinal
preparations were derived from plants, whether in the simple form of plant parts or in the
more complex form of crude extracts, mixtures, etc. Today a substantial number of drugs are
developed from plants(Fabricant and Farnsworth ,2001)
1. Chah KF, Eze CA, Emuelosi CE, Esimone CO. Antibacterial and wound healing
properties of methanolic extracts of some Nigerian medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol 2006;
104: 164 -7.
2. Ayyanar M, Ignacimuthu S. Traditional knowledge of Kani tribals in Kouthalai of
Tirunelveli hills, Tamil Nadu, India. J Ethnopharmacol 2005;102: 246-55
[Link] KF, Eze CA, Emuelosi CE, Esimone CO. Antibacterial and wound healing properties
of methanolic extracts of some Nigerian medicinal plants. J Ethnopharmacol 2006; 104: 164 -
7.
[Link] DS, Farnsworth NR. The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug
discovery. Environ Health Pers 2001; 109 (Suppl 1): 69-75.
Psidium guajava
FAMlLY: Myrtaceae
COMMON NAME: Pera
Psidium guajava is a small tree which is 10 m high with thin, smooth, patchy, peeling bark.
Leaves are opposite, short-petiolate, the blade oval with prominent pinnate veins, 5–15 cm
long. Flowers are somewhat showy, petals whitish up to 2 cm long, stamens numerous (Stone
et al.1970).Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae) is widely used in Mexico to treat gastrointestinal
and respiratory disturbances and is used as an anti-inflammatory medicine (Aguilar et al.,
1994). Psidium guajava is used in many parts of the world for the treatment of a number of
diseases, e.g. as an anti-inflammatory, for diabetes, hypertension, caries, wounds, pain relief
and reducing fevero (Lara and Marquez, 1996). Commonly roots, bark, leaves and immature
fruits, are used in the treatment of gastroenteritis, diarrhoea and dysentery. Leaves are applied
on wounds, ulcers and for rheumatic pain, while they are chewed to relieve toothache
(Heinrich et al., 1998).A water leaf extract is used to reduce blood glucose level in diabetics.
This hot tea was very common among the local people of Veracruz (Aguilar et al., 1994).
1. Stone, B., 1970. The flora of Guam. Micronesica 6, 454–455.
[Link], A., Argueta, A., Cano, L., 1994. Flora Medicinal Ind´ıgena de Mexico. ´ Instituto
Nacional Indigenista, Mexico.
3. Lara, O.F., Marquez, A.C., 1996. Plantas Medicinales de Mexico. Composici ´ on. ´ Usos y
Actividad Biologica. UNAM, M ´ exico, D.F, pp. 137–13
3. Heinrich, M., 1998. Plants as antidiarrhoeals in medicine and diet. In: Proceedings from a
Joint Meeting of the Society for Economic Botany and the International Society London,
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK, July 1–6, 1996, pp. 17–30.
4. Aguilar, A., Argueta, A., Cano, L., 1994. Flora Medicinal Ind´ıgena de Mexico. ´ Instituto
Nacional Indigenista, Mexico.
Sansevieria roxburghiana
FAMILY: Asparagaceae
COMMON NAME: Indian Browstring Hemp
Sansevieria roxburghiana (S. roxburghiana) Schult. and Schult. f. is a herbaceous perennial
plant with short fleshy stem( Prakash,2008).This plant has been traditionally used as a
cardiotonic, expectorant, febrifuge, purgative, tonic in glandular enlargement and
rheumatism.(Dhiman et al. 2006).The rhizome of the plant also showed antitumor and
antidiabetic activity against the experimental animal.(Haldar et al ., 2010).The leaves of the
plant have antibacterial activity against gram positive and gram negative bacterias
responsible for various infections.( Prakash and Raja ,2011)
1. Prakash JW, Raja RDA, Anderson NA. Ethnomedicinal plants used by Kani tribes of
Agastiyarmalai biosphere reserve, southern western Ghats. Indian J Tradit Knowledge 2008;
7: 410-413.
2. Dhiman AK. Ayurvedic drug plants. New Delhi: Dayal Publishing House; 2006. [3]
Pulliah T. Encyclopedia of world medicinal plants. New Delhi: Regency Publications; 2006.
[4] Khare CP. Indian medicinal plants, an illustrated dictionary. Berlin: Springer; 2
3. Haldar PK, Kar B, Bala A, Bhattacharya S, Mazumder UK. Antitumor activity of
Sansevieria roxburghiana rhizome against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma in mice. Pharm Biol
2010; 48(12): 1337-1343.
4. Prakash JW, Raja RDA,GC-MS analysis and antibacterial activity of chromatographically
separated pure fractions of leaves of Sansevieria roxburghiana. Asian J Pharm Clin Res 2011;
4: 130-133.
Vernonia cinerea
FAMILY:Asteracee
COMMON NAME:Poovamkurunnila
Vernonia cinerea (Asteraceae), an annual herb (Iwalewa et al., 2003).It has many therapeutic
uses in different traditional medicines of the world, including use for treatment of a number
of disorders such as malaria fever, worms, pain, inflammation, infections, diuresis, cancer,
abortion, and various gastrointestinal disorders (Jain et al,. 1984).Every part of the plant can
be used medicinally (Chopra and Latha ,1985,1998). An extract of the plant is used to relieve
cold and menstruation-related problems (Verma et al., 1993). The plant has also been used as
a tonic, stomachic, and astringent (Misra et al., 1984). The flowers are used to treat
conjunctivitis, fever.(Rastogi & Mehrotra, 1991). The leaf extracts of the plant are reported to
be diuretic and antidiuretic (Adeboye et al., 1997),
1. , (Iwalewa et al., 2003)
2. (Jain & Puri, 1984; John, 1984; Singh & Ali, 1989; Bhattarai, 1991; Bajpai et al., 1995;
Grainger, 1996).
3. Chopra et al., 1985 and Latha et al., 1998)
4. (Verma et al., 1993)
5. (Misra et al., 1984)
6. .(Rastogi & Mehrotra, 1991)
7. (Adeboye et al., 1997)
