Dravyaguna ( Materia Medica of Medicinal Plants )

Bananas are not just for Monkeys any more Written by Kapil Thakur

Bananas are not just for Monkeys any more

Bananas Containing three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Tea is a boon but without milk Written by Kapil Thakur

Tea is a boon but without milk

Previous studies have shown that drinking tea is a boon for cardiovascular health, but now researchers have found that the beneficial effects of the drink are 'totally wiped out' by putting milk.German researchers publishing their findings in the online version of the European Heart Journal show that a group of proteins called caseins found in milk prevent the dilation of blood vessels which occurs when pure black tea is consumed.

Resveratrol, an antiaging powerhouse Written by Al Sears MD

Resveratrol, an Antiaging Powerhouse

Resveratrol has remarkable anti-aging and antioxidant properties. It is an ingredient in red wine. Resveratrol is most abundant in the skins of red grapes used to make red wine. It slows the buildup of platelets in blood vessels, making them less sticky. This improves blood flow. Resveratrol can slow the growth of cancer, stimulate your immune system, lower inflammation and act as a powerful antioxidant.

Arthritis Relief From Your Spice Drawer Written by Jon Herring

Arthritis Relief From Your Spice Drawer

A recent article in USA Today told the story of a woman named Darci Jayne who was suffering from persistent pain and swelling due to arthritis. In an effort to improve her eating habits, Jayne took an Indian cooking class and began to season her foods with curry spices several nights a week.An interesting thing happened: She noticed that the pain and swelling from her arthritis would subside shortly after she consumed the spicy food.She might have been surprised by these results, but I'm not.

Beaming Health with Neem Written by Dr. Savitha Suri

Beaming Health with Neem

Call Neem, Neem will rush to you
As toothbrush (Datun) in teeth.

Sing Neem, Neem,
Will fall like Neembauri in
The lap of girls swinging
On the swing

Look for Neem
You will find it fighting
In the granary against the rust.

Think Neem;
And find in swirling
Inside yourselves

This poem written by Mr.Pawan Kumar in www.kritya.in explains the role of neem in our daily life. Neem which belongs to family Meliaceae, has a botanical name Azadirachta Indica. It grows in tropical and semi tropical regions and is widely found in Burma, India and Pakistan. This is a very fast growing, ever green tree which reaches the height of 15 to 20 meters.

POISONOUS PLANTS Written by Kapil Thakur

1. NAME
1.1 Scientific name
Aconitum napellus spp.
1.2 Family
Leguminosae
1.3 Common name(s)
Aconite "feroz" (Argentina, Uruguay)
Aconite "maralobo" (Argentina)
Aconite "saludable" (Argentina)
Aconite (Spain, Argentina, Uruguay)
Aconite (USA, UK)
Aconite de flor grande (Argentina, Uruguay)
Aconite napelo (Spain)
Aconitum carmichaelii
Aconitum columbiatum Nutt
Aconitum japonicum
Aconitum napellus L.
Aconitum pyramidale Mill (Dewit, 1962)
Aconitum reclinatum Gray (white flowers)
Aconitum uncinatum (blue flowers)
Aconitysat
Anapello (Italy)
Anapelo (Spain, Argentina, Uruguay)
Capilla de mono (Argentina)
Delfinium (USA), Delphinium (UK)
Espora (Brazil)
Espora-de-jardin (Brazil)
Esporiaha-de-jardin (Brazil) (Schvartsman, S. 1979)
Haba de lobo (Argentina)
Kurt (Turkey)
Larkspur (USA, UK)
Monkshood (USA, UK)
Raiz del diablo (Argentina)
Staggerweed (USA, UK) (Hardin, 1974)
Wolfsbane (USA, UK)