Justicia gendarussa or water willow has always been associated with the treatment of respiratory track diseases including the prevention of common cold or human influenza.

The Jacaranda is a beautiful garden tree and its beauty enhances manifold when the tree is in full bloom. Though the Jacaranda species is not native to Indian soil, it was introduced in gardens for its ornamental and aesthetic value. Now the Jacaranda is part of the Indian medicinal system, with homoe-opathy embracing it in its myriad preparations.

Anacardium occidentale or the ordinary cashew nut is not just a nutritious food. It has a number of medicinal properties, particularly the ability of the cashew shell oil to fight skin problems. The root, leaves, bark and the fruit of the Anacardium are used in herbal systems of medicine. A number of folk and tribal medicines across the globe also recognise Anacardium as an important medicinal plant that has the potential to treat sores caused by leprosy.

Many think that bamboo helps only in the construction and paper industries. But what many do not know is that bamboo has a number of medicinal properties too.

Chobchini or China root has been used in various tribal and folk medicine for ages. Technically called Smilax china, Chobchini is considered a wonder medicine in Ayurveda and Unani too. The root or rhizome of Smilax is used in herbal formulations in India, China, Japan, Iran, Indonesia and in many countries in Africa and South America.

Aerva lanata is a weed and many may mistake it for a useless plant. But Aerva (Astanabayda in Sanskrit) is a multipurpose medicinal plant whose medicinal properties are vast.

Suffering from kidney or gall stones? Kulthi or horse gram is the best natural remedy if kidney or gall stones are detected in the early stages, and are not big enough to warrant surgical intervention. Macrotyloma uniflorum, as Kulthi is technically called, is a wonder legume that can cure a number of health problems.

Kamala or Mallotus philippinensis is widely used in the Ayurveda and Unani schools of medicine for the treatment of stomach-related problems and skin diseases. The herb’s main action has been found against tuberculosis and leprosy sores. Some herbal doctors recommend Kamala as an appetiser.

Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica) is a wild herb whose secret medicinal properties have been known to tribes through the ages. The herb is also prescribed by Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners.

Hedychium spicatum or Gulbakawali is a scented herb found in the Himalayas, but now increasingly cultivated in other hilly regions of the country.