Herbal Recognition – Lesson 4 & 5

Herbal Recognition – Lesson 4 & 5

Below is a list of some common herbal medicines, along with information about:

• Name: Common name and scientific name.

• Plant Family: The family to which this plant species belongs.

• Parts Used: Which part of the plant is used as herbal medicine.

• Main Chemical Composition: Chemical compounds that have pharmacological effects.

• Benefits: The effects of herbal medicine on health.

Note: This information is for reference only. For safe and effective use of herbal medicine, you should consult with a healthcare professional.

1. Gardenia

• Name: Gardenia – *Gardenia jasminoides*

• Plant Family: Rubiaceae

• Parts Used: Fruit, leaves, roots.

• Main Chemical Composition: Iridoid glycoside, caroten.

• Benefits: Clears heat and detoxifies, promotes urination.

2. Oleander

• Name: Oleander – *Nerium oleander*

• Plant Family: Apocynaceae

• Parts Used: Leaves.

• Main Chemical Composition: Mainly oleandrin glycoside.

• Benefits: Pure oleandrin extract treats heart failure.

3. Jujube

• Name: Jujube – *Ziziphus jujuba*

• Plant Family: Rhamnaceae

• Parts Used: Seeds, leaves, fruits, bark.

• Main Chemical Composition: Protein, fat, vitamin A.

• Benefits: Seeds sedate, relieve pain.

4. Kudzu

• Name: Kudzu – *Pueraria montana*

• Plant Family: Fabaceae

• Parts Used: Roots.

• Main Chemical Composition: Isoflavones, flavonoids.

• Benefits: Treats fever, hot feeling.

5. Job’s Tears

• Name: Job’s Tears – *Coix lacryma-jobi*

• Plant Family: Poaceae

• Parts Used: Seed kernels.

• Main Chemical Composition: Starch, protein, fatty oil.

• Benefits: Nourishes the lungs, tonic, promotes urination.

6. Pouzolzia zeylanica

• Name: Pouzolzia zeylanica – *Pouzolzia zeylanica*

• Plant Family: Urticaceae

• Parts Used: Whole plant without roots.

• Main Chemical Composition: Mucilage, flavonoids.

• Benefits: Chronic cough, lung diseases.

7. Achyranthes aspera

• Name: Achyranthes aspera – *Achyranthes aspera*

• Plant Family: Amaranthaceae

• Parts Used: Dried roots.

• Main Chemical Composition: Saponin, alkaloids.

• Benefits: Rheumatism, back pain.

8. Crescentia cujete

• Name: Crescentia cujete – *Crescentia cujete*

• Plant Family: Bignoniaceae

• Parts Used: Fruit.

• Main Chemical Composition: Iridoids, organic acids.

• Benefits: Fruit pulp is made into syrup for treating cough, laxative.

9. Combretum indicum

• Name: Combretum indicum – *Combretum indicum*

• Plant Family: Combretaceae

• Parts Used: Dried seeds.

• Main Chemical Composition: Fatty oil, nitrogenous compounds, flavonoids.

• Benefits: Deworming, anti-helminthic.

10. Plantain

• Name: Plantain – *Plantago major*

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae

• Parts Used: Whole plant, leaves, seeds.

• Main Chemical Composition: Mucilage, iridoids, flavonoids.

• Benefits: Treats cough, sore throat.

11. Phyllanthus amarus

• Name: Phyllanthus amarus – *Phyllanthus amarus*

• Plant Family: Phyllanthaceae

• Parts Used: Whole plant except roots.

• Main Chemical Composition: Lignan bitter substances, alkaloids.

• Benefits: Treats liver disease, hepatitis B.

12. Cissus modeccoides

• Name: Cissus modeccoides – *Cissus modeccoides*

• Plant Family: Vitaceae

• Parts Used: Roots, vines.

• Main Chemical Composition: Bitter substances, saponins, mucilage.

• Benefits: Bone pain, boils.

13. Scoparia dulcis

• Name: Scoparia dulcis – *Scoparia dulcis*

• Plant Family: Plantaginaceae

• Parts Used: Whole plant above ground.

• Main Chemical Composition: Triterpenoids, tannins.

• Benefits: Treats fever.

14. Purslane

• Name: Purslane – *Portulaca oleraceae*

• Plant Family: Portulacaceae

• Parts Used: Whole plant above ground.

• Main Chemical Composition: Fatty acids, flavonoids, coumarins.

• Benefits: Lowers blood pressure, prevents atherosclerosis.

15. Imperata cylindrica

• Name: Imperata cylindrica – *Imperata cylindrica*

• Plant Family: Poaceae

• Parts Used: Rhizomes.

• Main Chemical Composition: Flavan substances, organic acids.

• Benefits: Difficulty urinating, nosebleeds.

16. Euphorbia thymifolia

• Name: Euphorbia thymifolia – *Euphobia thymifolia*

• Plant Family: Euphorbiaceae

• Parts Used: Whole plant.

• Main Chemical Composition: Terpenoids (euphorbol), flavonoids.

• Benefits: Treats dysentery, enteritis.

17. Euphorbia hirta

• Name: Euphorbia hirta – *Euphobia hirta*

• Plant Family: Euphorbiaceae

• Parts Used: Whole plant.

• Main Chemical Composition: Flavonoids, phytosterols, tannins.

• Benefits: Treats dysentery, enteritis, dermatitis.

18. Gleditsia fera

• Name: Gleditsia fera – *Gleditsia fera*

• Plant Family: Fabaceae

• Parts Used: Dried fruits.

• Main Chemical Composition: Olean saponin, flavonoids.

• Benefits: Constipation, toothache, mumps, not for pregnant women.

19. Andrographis paniculata

• Name: Andrographis paniculata – *Andrographis paniculata*

• Plant Family: Acanthaceae

• Parts Used: Whole plant.

• Main Chemical Composition: Diterpene lactone (andrographolide).

• Benefits: Cold, flu, boils.

20. Bryophyllum pinnatum

• Name: Bryophyllum pinnatum – *Bryophyllum pinnatum*

• Plant Family: Crassulaceae

• Parts Used: Leaves.

• Main Chemical Composition: Bufadienolides, alkaloids, saponins.

• Benefits: Treats burns, ulcers, cough.

21. Tinospora crispa

• Name: Tinospora crispa – *Tinospora crispa*

• Plant Family: Menispermaceae

• Parts Used: Stems.

• Main Chemical Composition: Flavonoids, picropectin.

• Benefits: Fever with rash, malaria, cough.

22. Morus alba

• Name: Morus alba – *Morus alba*

• Plant Family: Moraceae

• Parts Used: Leaves, branches, fruits.

• Main Chemical Composition: Flavonoids (morusin), stilbenes, anthocyanins.

• Benefits: Sore throat, hypertension, asthma, pain.

23. Nelumbo nucifera

• Name: Nelumbo nucifera – *Nelumbo nucifera*

• Plant Family: Nelumbonaceae

• Parts Used: Seeds, leaf heart.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids, flavonoids.

• Benefits: Sedative, weakness.

24. Crinum asiaticum

• Name: Crinum asiaticum – *Crinum asiaticum*

• Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae

• Parts Used: Bulb.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (lycorine, crinamin,..).

• Benefits: Sore throat, toothache, boils.

25. Cheilocostus speciosus

• Name: Cheilocostus speciosus – *Cheilocostus speciosus*

• Plant Family: Costaceae

• Parts Used: Rhizomes.

• Main Chemical Composition: Steroid saponins (diosgenin).

• Benefits: Contraceptive.

26. Strychnos nux-vomica

• Name: Strychnos nux-vomica – *Strychnos nux-vomica*

• Plant Family: Loganiaceae

• Parts Used: Seeds.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (strychnine, brucine).

• Benefits: Seeds are poisonous, indigestion, aches and pains.

27. Erythroxylum coca

• Name: Erythroxylum coca – *Erythroxylum coca*

• Plant Family: Erythroxylaceae

• Parts Used: Leaves.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (cocaine).

• Benefits: Local anesthesia (addictive).

28. Coffea arabica

• Name: Coffea arabica – *Coffea arabica*

• Plant Family: Rubiaceae

• Parts Used: Dried seeds.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (caffeine), caffeoylquinic acids.

• Benefits: Stimulates nerves, cardiovascular system, promotes urination.

29. Piper nigrum

• Name: Piper nigrum – *Piper nigrum*

• Plant Family: Piperaceae

• Parts Used: Fruits.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (piperine), essential oil.

• Benefits: Stimulates digestion, relieves pain, nausea.

30. Datura metel

• Name: Datura metel – *Datura metel*

• Plant Family: Solanaceae

• Parts Used: Leaves, flowers, seeds (increasing amounts of alkaloids).

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (scopolamine), hyoscyamine.

• Benefits: Cough, asthma, pain relief, side effects when used at the wrong dosage.

31. Stephania glabra

• Name: Stephania glabra – *Stephania glabra*

• Plant Family: Menispermaceae

• Parts Used: Tubers.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (rotundine).

• Benefits: Sedative, pain relief.

32. Erythrina variegata

• Name: Erythrina variegata – *Erythrina variegata*

• Plant Family: Fabaceae

• Parts Used: Leaves, stem bark.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (erythramin – poisonous, erysopin,..).

• Benefits: Sedative, treats insomnia.

33. Crinum latifolium

• Name: Crinum latifolium – *Crinum latifolium*

• Plant Family: Amaryllidaceae

• Parts Used: Leaves, bulb.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (lycorine, crinin,..), flavonoids, glucan.

• Benefits: Treats rheumatism, small pimples, ear inflammation.

34. Typhonium trilobatum

• Name: Typhonium trilobatum – *Typhonium trilobatum*

• Plant Family: Araceae

• Parts Used: Rhizomes.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds.

• Benefits: Treats nausea, excessive phlegm, indigestion.

35. Stemona tuberosa

• Name: Stemona tuberosa – *Stemona tuberosa*

• Plant Family: Stemonaceae

• Parts Used: Root tubers.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (stemonin), organic acids.

• Benefits: Cough, bronchitis, deworming.

36. Rauvofia tetraphylla

• Name: Rauvofia tetraphylla – *Rauvofia tetraphylla*

• Plant Family: Apocynaceae

• Parts Used: Root bark, roots.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (reserpine, ajmaline, yohimbine).

• Benefits: Lowers blood pressure, sedative, pain relief.

37. Paederia foetida

• Name: Paederia foetida – *Paederia foetida*

• Plant Family: Rubiaceae

• Parts Used: Leaves.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (a,b-paederin), sulfur-containing essential oil.

• Benefits: Treats urinary retention, leaves treat pinworms.

38. Punica granatum

• Name: Punica granatum – *Punica granatum*

• Plant Family: Punicaceae

• Parts Used: Stem bark, branches, root bark, fruit peel.

• Main Chemical Composition: Tannins, alkaloids (pelletierine).

• Benefits: Treats tapeworms, toothache.

39. Passiflora foetida

• Name: Passiflora foetida – *Passiflora foetida*

• Plant Family: Passifloraceae

• Parts Used: Parts above ground.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids (harman, harmin,..), cyanogenic, flavonoids.

• Benefits: Sedative, scabies.

40. Catharanthus roseus

• Name: Catharanthus roseus – *Catharanthus roseus*

• Plant Family: Apocynaceae

• Parts Used: Roots, leaves.

• Main Chemical Composition: Alkaloids in dimer form (Vincaleucoblastin, vincristine -> anticancer drugs).

• Benefits: Vincristine treats leukemia. Roots are used to lower blood pressure, sedative. Leaves treat diabetes, irregular menstruation, urinary retention.