An article written by Alan's teacher before his death.
June 25, 1999
Dear Alan,
Now I am taking seriously your interest in my ideas about saving Ayurvedic medicinal plants. So I am giving you an outline of the present situation with regards to the valuable plants which now grow in Nepal. To convince any interested people, I realize they need some background about our aims and objectives concerning the research center. Without understanding what we want to do we will not be able to get support from anybody. So I hope you can understand now more in clear way what I want to do, and you will be more able to inform and convince the plant experts about the importance of our project. They will be able to give better advice once they know the full situation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Mana Bajracharya
The Poor Situation of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants in Nepal
By Vaidya Mana Bajra Bajracharya (edited by Alan Tillotson)
Dr. Mana Bajracharya is a Buddhist priest, Ayurvedic physician, author, and heir to the world’s oldest father-to-son Ayurvedic herbal medicine tradition. He has been in continuous practice since 1955.
In the history of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, about six hundred selected herbs have been discovered and used for life saving purposes. These herbs are clearly recorded in the Ayurvedic texts with full instructions on how to study and use them. Over time many of these six hundred plants have become extinct, and now many more face extinction. I have collected here for presentation five lists:
THE CAUSE OF THE PLANT TRAGEDY
The plants of Nepal are vanishing because of several serious coexisting problems. These include: secrecy, rapid development of communications and transportation, increasing population, population movement, natural disasters & ecosystem destruction, international business practices, and the discouragement of traditional medical practice.
Because of the critical situation of Nepal’s valuable medicinal plants, which are the rightful and natural property of all human beings, it must be realized that now is the right time to convince and mobilize people to protect them. In order to intelligently and efficiently work on solving this problem, a well-organized research center must be established in Nepal with the participation of traditional medical scholars, botanists, social workers, well wishers, etc. This research center should include a botanical garden of traditional medicinal plants for study and training, a library, a showroom displaying important plant related topics to quickly orient visitors and scholars, a teaching clinic, and storerooms for the collection of seeds and herbs for medicinal use as well as to provide them to any interested practitioners. (see related article entitled Ayurvedic Research Center)
HUMAN ATTITUDES
Research on the valuable lifesaving plants requires study of the many human attitudes concerning how to deal with plants. The history of confidential usage when dealing with some unique plants, a practice stemming from ancient times, has resulted in the disappearance of some valuable plants. The fast development of communications and transportation is a cause of the destruction of some valuable plants. Increasing population causes destruction of valuable plants. The changing demographics of the villagers affect the traditional business of herbs. Natural disasters have eradicated some valuable plants from the certain areas. The international business of herbs has corrupted local people to devastate plant populations. The modern medical business has resulted in severe discouragement among traditional medical practitioners who are entrusted to care for and use the local plants. In fact, these are the main subjects for research to fully understand in a proper way the poor and vanishing situation of Nepal’s valuable plants. Without deep investigation, proper identification and a nation-wide survey of all Ayurvedic medicinal plants, no one can understand how to protect these valuable plants. In regards to this fact, some examples of past and present negative dealings with valuable plants have to be described.
THE LOSS OF THE DIVINE SOMA PLANTS
Among the six hundred Ayurvedic herbs which are well tested and analyzed, about fifty plants are used only for immortal life (longevity) and the rest are used for medicinal purpose based on the twelve different treatment strategies used by Ayurvedic physicians. Since ancient times, the plants that were discovered for longevity were kept secret and confidential to a limited group of people. Historically, these plants were never allowed to use by Sudra (low caste people). Only learned priests, warriors, and rich business people were permitted to use them to increase their power and influence. The concept of immortal life as described in ancient texts means in modern terms plants that enable one to extend life span indefinitely. It was well experienced and recorded by ancient scholars that by using these plants someone could survive as long as he wanted. The Vedas (holy books), mythological books (Puranas) and Ayurvedic texts talk a lot about these plants, their extraordinary effects, and how to use them. In general these plants were called "Soma" because they are lunar plants.
Unfortunately, now no one has been able to locate these plants. It seems clear that they have probably vanished from this earth. Among the many causes, confidential monopoly use is the most obvious one. The low caste people who were restricted from using them must have been very angry. In another sense, everybody wants immortality and power, so it is natural they were misused and kept secret by people. Descriptions exist of a few of these plants that might possibly still be available, though they are very rare. Perhaps all of these plants unfortunately may now be eradicated from the Himalayan areas where they used to grow. This is one heartbreaking example of how precious plants for research and study have disappeared.
SECRECY
The idea of maintaining confidentiality concerning valuable plants still exists among all the villagers and the traditional physicians who collect the plants. They pass their knowledge only to the next generation of their families. They never reveal to anybody where they go to collect plants. In one way, it is good to protect them this way, avoiding their misuse by greedy laymen. In another way, when tragedy befalls a family of traditional physicians, there follows a big loss of sourcing these valuable plants.
In Nepal there has been a history of change of habitation, natural disasters, and epidemics, etc. In this way, many generations of herb collectors and traditional physicians have disappeared together with their knowledge. This tragedy directly or indirectly relates to the inability to locate some valuable plants that are missing in the dense forest. Even having descriptions of some of the missing plants it is not easy to find them in the dense forest without the help of skilled local herb collectors. How to locate the valuable plants that are missing in the forest is a good example of a subject that requires concerted study and research. The fact that there is monetary exploitation of herb collectors by business people should not be ignored. Because of not having reasonable prices for herbs, many families of herb collectors are leaving or changing their traditional herb business practices.
DEFORESTATION
Nepal is one of the most unique countries for growth of valuable plants. It has clustered together alpine, sub alpine, temperate, tropical, and subtropical climates to grow all different kinds of plants. Almost all of Nepal is covered with dense forest including many rivers, ponds, and lakes. Traditional herb collectors and physicians have never had any problems finding different valuable plants. This is the historical picture of Nepal. But now there is a big change in that picture under the international influence of modern development.
First of all a big change came in communications and mobility. Becoming aware of the larger world, people who used to live their whole lives in one area of Nepal started to move from one place to another hoping for a better life and good business. At the beginning, it was seen that improving the road system was very important for the development of the country. This is true, no doubt. But having no real control, planning or understanding, gradually the forest nearby the roads, villages and now the small cities has disappeared. Valuable plants that were abundant in those forests were eradicated. In the beginning people were ignorant about the destruction of the forest and plants. They were very excited about the unexpected income coming from dealing the forest trees. In this critical situation, many valuable plants which were available everywhere before, exist now only in the remote areas where they are very difficult to get. This is primarily how the valuable plants become limited to remote areas. This is one example of the negative results of deforestation, also related to the increasing population.
THE FOREST FIRE CRIME
Nepal has limited land for good cultivation. It was okay before when there were limited numbers of people living here and there. But the increasing populace, demanding more and more food, did not hesitate to destroy more and more forest for cultivation. At the beginning the destruction of the forest was limited to the mountainous areas. The mountains and hills are not good for profitable cultivation, but they are safe places for villagers to reside to avoid malaria like diseases. After malaria was to some extent being controlled in the tropical and subtropical areas, a wave of people from the mountains moved down to the plains area. During this period, the fertile land of the dense forests started to have less and less trees. The crime of forest fires wreaks terrible destruction on these forests. A plague of forest fires not only destroyed the trees and plants, but also very badly affected the ecological balance between the plants and the animals. In this horrible situation many valuable plants which used to grow there were eradicated, and some other species became limited to the remote areas.
THE DESERTS OF WEST NEPAL
The effect of natural disasters like forest fires is made worse by other forms of exploitation. These combine to create disastrous changes in the land. Some area of Nepal, where used to grow of many species of valuable plants, are now gradually turning to desert. The eco-systems are devastated. This calamity is common in the western Himalayan region of Nepal.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Before 1950, entry into Nepal was restricted to foreigners. Even Indians were not allowed to visit Nepal without permission. In this political situation there was no chance for international influences to affect the lives of the Nepali people. But after the insurrection of 1950, all restrictions were lifted. International relations were established in different fields, including the business of natural resources. At the beginning, the herbal business was limited to some select alpine plants in small amounts. But with increased communications and transportation, demand for forest products increased. The villagers were excited to collect more and more herbs. They were free to go into the forest without any control. They soon began neglecting to follow the traditional rules about the proper time to collect certain plants. In general, alpine annual plants have to be collected after the seeds fall to the ground to ensure the next years germination. This time is at the beginning of winter before snowfall. Because of this situation, day by day the valuable plants of the alpine area are vanishing and becoming more and more rare. This is one example of reasons that alpine plants are vanishing. Another is pirate traders that come in across the border and plunder plants, pay off airport or border guards and return to India to profit.
In the same way, many species of tree which have medicinal value and especially grow in the temperate, subtropical and tropical areas day by day are vanishing. They are used for different purposes related with international huge businesses that produce furniture matches, or paper etc.
THE CURSE OF MODERN MEDICINE
With regards to the vanishing of valuable medicinal plants, the influence of the modern medical business cannot be ignored. It is one of the most negative subjects for me to discuss. Before 1950, the traditional physicians were very active and popular throughout my country, helping people and using almost all the local plants in an ecologically sound way. They had no problems with their business. But after facing the competition of the modern medical business, they could not stand up and keep their business reputations. Day by day, they started to be discouraged. The traditional physicians, who historically have always been directly responsible for education about and understanding of valuable medicinal plants, are no longer serious about the preservation of the vanishing plants. They know what is happening to the plants, but they feel helpless. Their skills and knowledge have declined and they are no longer capable of preparing many unique herbal drug compounds.
THE TRADITIONAL PHYSICIANS MUST BE SAVED
When I was chairman of the Nepalese Ayurvedic Association in the 1970’s we did a survey, and there were about 1,200 Vaidya families. Currently I estimate there are only about 200 families left.. Few people truly realize that to protect the valuable plants the help of traditional physicians is of the utmost importance. Within the government there are many department and activities related to plants. There is a forestry department, an herb-processing department, a medical manufacturing department, an herb cultivating department, etc. All are actively working on plants. No doubt these departments are familiar with the vanishing condition of valuable plants. But with the traditional medical physicians being neglected, these departments are not serious about the well tested six hundred Ayurvedic medicinal plants. They are interested only in the few plants that are in demand and can be sold for modern medicine.
QUESTIONS
I would pose these questions. What are the valuable plants of Nepal? Some of my life saving plants still grow here and there as though they were grasses. No one sees them. Are these plants not valuable? Some life saving plants are not in demand by modern medicine. Are they not valuable? Some life saving plants are niche plants, used for limited specific Ayurvedic purposes, yet are necessary because they do things no other plant can do. Are these not also valuable? There are a hundred questions like this I could ask. It is so difficult for me to convince people they must open their minds to truly realize the real importance of what I am saying here.
In this situation, my proposal presented here and elsewhere for an Ayurvedic Research Center is not a small idea. It is to protect the valuable human knowledge of healing passed down from my ancestors. It is essential we mobilize people by making them aware of our priceless medical contribution to civilized mankind.
List 1: VANISHED PLANTS
These plants which are presented here with Sanskrit names already have been vanished from the area where they used to grow. But still there is possibility for research in the remote area of the Himalayas. Some botanical descriptions of these plants are still available, mentioned in the Ayurvedic texts in my library.
Sanskrit: Adityaparnini
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Agnistoma
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Aja
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Ajagari
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Ajalomi
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Amshoman
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Amshuman
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Aticchatra
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Brahmasubarchala
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Chakraka
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Chandrama
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Chhatra
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Durvasoma
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Garudahrita
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Gayatra
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Golomi
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Gonasi
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Jagata
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Kanakaprabha
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Kaniyan
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Kanya
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Karavira
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Karenu
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Kasthagodha
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Krisnakapoti
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Mahashravani
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Mahasoma
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Munjavan
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Nari
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Padma
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Pankta
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Pratanavan
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Raivata
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Rajataprabha
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Sarpa
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Shashwara
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Shravani
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Swayarnprabha
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Swetakapoti
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Swetaksha
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Taistubha
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Talavrita
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Tripada gayatra
Type: Vanished plant
Sanskrit: Udupati
Type: Divine moon plant
Sanskrit: Varahi
Type: Sacred divine plant
Sanskrit: Vegavati
Type: Vanished plant
LIST 2: MISSING PLANTS
The plants in this list are missing in the dense forest. These plants have not completely disappeared. The local herb collectors of the villages who knew how to collect them have moved from the area.
Latin: Adiantum lunulatum
Sanskrit: Hamsapadi
Latin: Allium wallichii (big)
Sanskrit: Risabhaka
Latin: Clerodendron serratum
Sanskrit: Bharngi
Latin: Elephantophus scaber
Sanskrit: Gojihwa
Latin: Eutalipsis binata
Sanskrit: Balwaja
Latin: Fritilaria cirrhosa (big)
Sanskrit: Kshirakakoli
Latin: Gentiana kurroa
Sanskrit: Trayamana
Latin: Gmelina asiatica
Sanskrit: Vriddhadaru
Latin: Inula racemosa
Sanskrit: Puskaraminam
Latin: Life plant
Sanskrit: Meda
Latin: Life plant (Big)
Sanskrit: Mahameda
Latin: Luffa echinata
Sanskrit: Jimuta
Latin: Missing plant
Sanskrit: Akhakarni
Latin: Missing plant
Sanskrit: Brahmadanti
Latin: Missing plant
Sanskrit: Hapusa
Latin: Missing plant
Sanskrit: Harenuka
Latin: Missing plant
Sanskrit: Lakshmana
Latin: Missing plant
Sanskrit: Latakasturi
Latin: Missing plant
Sanskrit: Muiya
Latin: Missing plant
Sanskrit: Prapomdarekam
Latin: Paris polyphylla (Big)
Sanskrit: Vriddhi
Latin: Phaseolus trilobus
Sanskrit: Mudgaparni
Latin: Pterspermum acerifolia
Sanskrit: Muchukunda
Latin: Sida cordifolia
Sanskrit: Nagabala
Latin: Tephrosia purpurea
Sanskrit: Sharapunkha
Latin: Teramnus labialis
Sanskrit: Masoparni
Latin: Wild omum seeds
Sanskrit: Ajagandha
LIST 3: VANISHING PLANTS
The plants listed here are in vanishing condition due to forest eradication, uncontrolled business practices, lack of government protection etc. The number of these plants is decreasing day by day.
Latin: Acacia catechu
Sanskrit: Khadira / Catechu tree
Latin: Aegle marmelos fructus
Sanskrit: Vilwa unripe fruit / Bael fruit / Bilwa
Latin: Aquilaria agollocha
Sanskrit: Agaru / Eagle wood
Latin: Aquilaria agollocha (black)
Sanskrit: Kalaguru
Latin: Bambusa breviflora caulis
Sanskrit: Vamsa / Bamboo Skin / Zhu ru
Latin: Basella rubra
Sanskrit: Upodaki / Upodika
Latin: Bauhinia tomentosa cortex
Sanskrit: Kanchanara / Mountain abony tree bark
Latin: Bauhinia vahli / Sansevieria roxburghiana
Sanskrit: Murva
Latin: Bauhinia variegata cortex and flos
Sanskrit: Kovidara bark and flowers
Latin: Berberis aristatta
Sanskrit: Daruharidra bark
Latin: Blue Lotus
Sanskrit: Indivaram
Latin: Boerhavia difusa
Sanskrit: Punarnava plant and root
Latin: Butea monosperma
Sanskrit: Hastikarnapalasa seeds and root / Palash
Latin: Cinnamomum tamala
Sanskrit: Patram / Tejapatram
Latin: Coccinio indica
Sanskrit: Nimbi
Latin: Dalbergia sisso (brown)
Sanskrit: Kushimshapa
Latin: Fumaria vallentii, indica, parviflora
Sanskrit: Parpata plant
Latin: Helicteres isora
Sanskrit: Mesashringi / East Indian Screw-Tree
Latin: Holarrhena antidysenterica cortex
Sanskrit: Kutaja bark, seeds (Indrayava) and leaves
Latin: Indigofera tinctoria
Sanskrit: Nilika / Isatis / Ban lan gen
Latin: Ipomea paniculata
Sanskrit: Payasya / Vidari
Latin: Lobelia pyramidalis
Sanskrit: Ekavira / Lobelia Herb & Seed / Nala
Latin: Machilus gamblei
Sanskrit: Arjuna
Latin: Madhuka butyracea
Sanskrit: Ingudi
Latin: Michelia champaka
Sanskrit: Champaka
Latin: Michelia kisopa
Sanskrit: Drumotpala
Latin: Mucuna prurita
Sanskrit: Kapikacchu / Kapikachu / Cowhage seeds / Kapi Kacchu
Latin: Oroxylon indicum
Sanskrit: Shyonaka / Syonaka / Trumpet flower
Latin: Piper longum fructus
Sanskrit: Pipali fruit / Long pepper / major catkins
Latin: Pistacia intergerrima / Rhus succedanea
Sanskrit: Karkatashringi / Insect Gall
Latin: Plumbago indica (sneeta), zeylanica (rakta-red, krisna-black)
Sanskrit: Chitraka root and stem / Sneeta, rakta / white leadwort / citraka
Latin: Premna integrifolia ( Bush)
Sanskrit: Agnimantha / Arani
Latin: Psoralea corylifolia semen / Cullen corylifolia
Sanskrit: Vakuchi seeds / Babchi
Latin: Salmalia malabarica / Bombax ceiba cortex
Sanskrit: Shalmali bark / Silk cotton tree
Latin: Saraca indica cortex
Sanskrit: Asoka bark / Ashika
Latin: Saussurea auriculata
Sanskrit: Kushtha / Mu xiang / Saussurea / Kut root
Latin: Shorea robusta, A kind of
Sanskrit: Ashwakarna
Latin: Steriospermum personatum, suaveolens
Sanskrit: Patala
Latin: Strychnos nux vomica
Sanskrit: Kuchela
Latin: Strychnos potatorum
Sanskrit: Kataka
Latin: Terminalia tomentosa
Sanskrit: Asana
Latin: Uraria lagopoides
Sanskrit: Prisniparni
Latin: Valeriana jatamansi (black) / Nardostachys jatamansi
Sanskrit: Jatamansi / Musk root / Muskroot
Latin: Vanishing plant
Sanskrit: Charmakasa
Latin: Vanishing plant
Sanskrit: Mahabala
Latin: Wild cotton tree
Sanskrit: Bharadwaji
LIST 4: REMOTE PLANTS
Some plants, which are presented here, are not available near easy transportation. Day by day these plants are vanishing from the area where the population of villagers is increasing and the natural resources are exploited.
Latin: Aconitum heterophyllum tuberosa
Sanskrit: Ativisa / Atis tuber
Latin: Aconitum palmatum
Sanskrit: Vatsanabha tuber / Aconite
Latin: Allium wallichii (small)
Sanskrit: Jivaka
Latin: Bergenia ligulata
Sanskrit: Pashanbheda root / Rockfoil / Pasanabheda
Latin: Betula bhojapatra cortex
Sanskrit: Bhurja / Birch tree bark
Latin: Cedrus deodara cortex
Sanskrit: Devadaru wood / Himalayan cedar
Latin: Eclaeocarpus sphaericum fructus
Sanskrit: Rudraksha / Rudraksa
Latin: Fagonia cretica herba
Sanskrit: Duralambha
Latin: Fritillaria cirrhosa bulbus
Sanskrit: Kakoli
Latin: Mesua ferrea
Sanskrit: Nagakesara / Keshara / Ironwood tree
Latin: Operculina turpenthum radix
Sanskrit: Trivrit root / Indian jalap / Trvrit
Latin: Orchid incarnata tuberosa
Sanskrit: Hastanjali tuber
Latin: Paris polyphylla
Sanskrit: Riddhi
Latin: Picrorhiza kurroa rhizoma
Sanskrit: Katuki rhizome
Latin: Remote plant
Sanskrit: Maharangi
Latin: Remote plant
Sanskrit: Nirvisi
Latin: Remote plant
Sanskrit: Putrajiva
Latin: Remote plant
Sanskrit: Vaspika
Latin: Rheum emodi
Sanskrit: Amlavetasa / Rhubarb root
Latin: Rhododendron stesum
Sanskrit: Talishpatram / Talisam
Latin: Santalum, a variety of
Sanskrit: Pattura
Latin: Shorea robusta (rough)
Sanskrit: Ajakarna
Latin: Swertia chirata herba
Sanskrit: Kiratatiktam plant / Chireta
Latin: Symplocos paniculata cortex
Sanskrit: Lodhram bark / Lodh
Latin: Symplocus paniculata (white)
Sanskrit: Savara
Latin: Taraxacum officinalis
Sanskrit: Atirasa / Dandelion
Latin: Valeriana jatamansi
Sanskrit: Latamari
LIST 5: NEGLECTED COMMON PLANTS
Some common plants, which are presented here, are neglected thinking they grew here and there like grass. In fact, these plants have major value for important medicinal preparations. There is no international business demand for these plants. We must think about the future of these plants. They are natural gifts that have to be utilized in the proper way.
Latin: Abrus precatorius semen
Sanskrit: Gunja / Crab's eye Rosary Pea / Indian Licorice / Jequirity
Latin: Acacia arabica cortex
Sanskrit: Babbula bark / Gum arabic tree / Babul tree / Acacia
Latin: Achyranthes aspera
Sanskrit: Apamarga plant / Rough chaff tree
Latin: Acorus calamus rhizoma
Sanskrit: Vacha
Latin: Adhatoda vasica / Justicia vasica
Sanskrit: Vasaka leaves / Malabar Nut
Latin: Aloe vera
Sanskrit: Kumari / Aloe gum
Latin: Amorphophallus campanulatum
Sanskrit: Ola / Surana / Telingo Potato / Shurana
Latin: Andropogon muricatum rhizoma
Sanskrit: Usira / Ushira
Latin: Anthocephalus indicus cortex
Sanskrit: Kadamba
Latin: Artemisia indica, scoparia
Sanskrit: Damonaka
Latin: Asparagus racemosus
Sanskrit: Shatavari / Wild Asparagus root
Latin: Azadirachta indica folia
Sanskrit: Nimba / Neem / Persian Lilac
Latin: Barlaria prionitis
Sanskrit: Sahachara / Jhinti
Latin: Berberis asiatica
Sanskrit: Darvi
Latin: Butea frondosa
Sanskrit: Palasha / Palasa / Bastard Teak
Latin: Calotropis gigantea
Sanskrit: Arka / Milkweed plant
Latin: Cane
Sanskrit: Vetasa
Latin: Cannabis sativa
Sanskrit: Bhanga / Marijuana
Latin: Carum roxburghianum, copticum / Apium graveolens
Sanskrit: Ajamoda / wild celery
Latin: Cassia fistula
Sanskrit: Rajavriksa pods/fruit / Indian laburnum
Latin: Cassia sophera herba
Sanskrit: Kasamarda
Latin: Cassia tora semen & folia
Sanskrit: Chakramarda
Latin: Centella asiatica / Hydrocotyle asiatica
Sanskrit: Brahmi leaf & root / Indian pennywort / Gotu Kola
Latin: Citrullus colocynthis fructus
Sanskrit: Indravaruni / Bitter apple
Latin: Clitoria ternatea
Sanskrit: Aparajita / Butterfly pea
Latin: Crataeva religiosa or nurvala
Sanskrit: Varuna / Three-leaved caper
Latin: Crotelaria juncea
Sanskrit: Shanapuspi
Latin: Curculigo orchioides
Sanskrit: Musali
Latin: Curcuma zedoaria radix
Sanskrit: Karchura
Latin: Cyperus pertenuis rhizoma
Sanskrit: Nagaram
Latin: Cyperus rotundus rhizoma
Sanskrit: Musta / Mustaka / Nutgrass
Latin: Datura metal
Sanskrit: Dhattura / Krisnadhattura / Thornapple
Latin: Embelia ribes semen
Sanskrit: Vidanga
Latin: Emblica officinalis fructus
Sanskrit: Amalaki / Amla / Emblic myrobalan / Indian gooseberry
Latin: Erytania coronarea
Sanskrit: Tagara
Latin: Feronia limonia
Sanskrit: Kapittha / Wood apple tree
Latin: Ferula narthex gummata
Sanskrit: Hingu / Asafoetida
Latin: Ficus bengalensis
Sanskrit: Vata / Banyan tree
Latin: Ficus glomerata, racemosa cortex
Sanskrit: Udumbara / Gular bark / Country fig tree
Latin: Ficus lacor
Sanskrit: Plaksha
Latin: Ficus religiosa
Sanskrit: Pipala / Ashwattha / Bodhi tree
Latin: Grewia asiatica fructus
Sanskrit: Parusaka
Latin: Hibiscus rosa sinensis
Sanskrit: Japa / Hibiscus
Latin: Hydrophila spinosa
Sanskrit: Ikshubalika / Kolistha
Latin: Jasminum officinalis, grandiflorum
Sanskrit: Jati / Jasmine
Latin: Lagerstreamia parviflora
Sanskrit: Dhava
Latin: Leea aquata herba
Sanskrit: Kakanasika
Latin: Leucus cephalotus herba
Sanskrit: Dronapuspi
Latin: Mallotus philippinensis
Sanskrit: Kampillaka
Latin: Martynia annuna
Sanskrit: Griddhanakhi
Latin: Melia azedarach
Sanskrit: Kaitarya / Mahanimba leaves
Latin: Mimosa pudica
Sanskrit: Lajjalu / Sensitive plant
Latin: Moringa oleifera
Sanskrit: Shobhanjan / Shigru / Sigru / Horseradish tree
Latin: Morus spp.
Sanskrit: Tudam / Mulberry
Latin: Myrica nagi cortex
Sanskrit: Katphalam
Latin: Nerium indicum
Sanskrit: Karavira / Sweet-scented Oleander
Latin: Nyctanthes abortristis
Sanskrit: Rudanti
Latin: Ocimum sanctum herba
Sanskrit: Tulsi plant / Holy Basil / Tulasi
Latin: Osyris wighliana
Sanskrit: Loni
Latin: Oxalis acetosella
Sanskrit: Changeri / Indian sorrel
Latin: Pandanus tectorius
Sanskrit: Ketaki / Screw pine
Latin: Pavonia odorata
Sanskrit: Hriverum
Latin: Phyllanthus nururi
Sanskrit: Tamalaki
Latin: Piper chava fructus
Sanskrit: Gajapippali
Latin: Poa cynosuroides
Sanskrit: Kusham / Sacrificial grass / Kusam
Latin: Prunus mahaleb
Sanskrit: Priyangu
Latin: Randia dumetorum fructus
Sanskrit: Madanam
Latin: Rhododendron arboreum
Sanskrit: Rohitaka stem
Latin: Ricinus communis
Sanskrit: Eranda / Castor oil and root
Latin: Rubia cordifolia radix
Sanskrit: Manjistha plant / Indian madder
Latin: Rubus chingii fructus
Sanskrit: Artegala / Red raspberry
Latin: Sacrificial grass, a type of
Sanskrit: Darbha
Latin: Sapindus mukorossi
Sanskrit: Aristha / Arista / Soapnut
Latin: Schima wallichii
Sanskrit: Punnaga
Latin: Semecarpus anacardium
Sanskrit: Bhallataka / Marking nut tree
Latin: Sesbania sesban
Sanskrit: Jayanti
Latin: Sida cordifolia
Sanskrit: Bala plant / Country mallow
Latin: Solanum indicum herba
Sanskrit: Brihati
Latin: Solanum nigrum
Sanskrit: Kakamachi
Latin: Solanum xanthocarpum
Sanskrit: Kantakari herb / Black nightshade / Dhavani
Latin: Spindanthus indicus (big)
Sanskrit: Mahashravani
Latin: Spondias magnifera
Sanskrit: Amrataka / Indian Hog-plum / Wild mango
Latin: Stephania hernandifolia
Sanskrit: Patha
Latin: Syzygium jambolanum / Eugenia jambolana
Sanskrit: Jambu seeds / Blackberry
Latin: Tamarandus indicus
Sanskrit: Tintidika / Tamarind
Latin: Terminalia belerica fructus / Belleric Myrobalan
Sanskrit: Vibhitaki fruit / Belleric myrobalan
Latin: Terminalia chebula fructus
Sanskrit: Haritaki fruit / Chebulic myrobalan
Latin: Tinospora cordifolia
Sanskrit: Guduchi stem / Heart-leaved moonseed
Latin: Trachyspermum ammi semen
Sanskrit: Yavani / Omum seed
Latin: Trichosanthes dioica
Sanskrit: Patola
Latin: Valeriana wallichii
Sanskrit: Ganghamusi
Latin: Vitex negundo
Sanskrit: Nirgundi plant / Five-leaved chaste tree
Latin: Ziziphus jujuba fructus
Sanskrit: Badara