Argemone mexicana (Mexican Poppy) This plant is highly Toxic and hence no attempt should be made to use it. The information presented here is for educational purposes only. 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Argemone mexicana Family: Papaveraceae Genus: Argemone Related Herbs from the same family: Papaver somniferum (Opium Poppy/Ahiphena): The source of opium and its alkaloids like morphine and codeine. In Ayurveda, it is used in extremely control

Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Ocimum sanctum Family: Lamiaceae Genus: Ocimum Related Herbs from the same family: Mentha piperita (Peppermint/Pudina): A widely used culinary and medicinal herb known for its cooling energy, carminative properties, and ability to relieve headaches and nausea. Salvia officinalis (Sage):  A revered herb in Western herbalism for its cognitive-enhancing, anti-inflammatory, and throat-soot

Morinda citrifolia (Noni) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Morinda citrifolia Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Morinda Related Herbs from the same family: Cinchona officinalis (Cinchona): Native to South America, this is the original source of the anti-malarial compound Quinine. It highlights the presence of potent alkaloids in the Rubiaceae family. Coffea arabica (Coffee): One of the world's most widely consumed stimulant beverages, native to Ethiopia

Cucumis melo (Muskmelon) 1. Taxonomic insights Species:   Cucumis melo Family:  Cucurbitaceae Genus:   Cucumis Related Herbs from the same family: Momordica charantia (Karela): A quintessential Ayurvedic herb for managing blood sugar levels (Madhumeha) and a potent bitter tonic (Deepana, Pachana). It is widely used across the Indian subcontinent. Benincasa hispida (Kushmanda): A highly revered Ayurvedic Rasayana (rejuvenative) and Medhya (brain tonic). The fruit is used for

Punica granatum (Pomegranate) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Punica granatum Family: Lythraceae Genus: Punica Related Herbs from the same family: Lawsonia inermis (Henna, Mehndi): A renowned plant used for its leaves, which produce a reddish-brown dye for skin, hair, and nails. In Ayurveda, it is used for its cooling, astringent, and wound-healing properties. Woodfordia fruticosa (Dhataki): A highly important herb in Ayurvedic preparations, p

Clitoria ternatea (Butterfly Pea) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Clitoria ternatea Family: Fabaceae Genus: Clitoria Related Herbs from the same family: (Refer to Lablab purpureus  for examples like Licorice, Fenugreek, etc., as they belong to the same Fabaceae family).   2. Common names Scientific Name: Clitoria ternatea | English: Butterfly Pea, Blue Pea, Asian Pigeonwings | Sanskrit: Aparajita, Shankhapushpi, Girikarnika | Hindi: Aparajita,

Caesalpinia bonduc (Gray Nicker Bean) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Caesalpinia bonduc Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae) Genus: Caesalpinia Related Herbs from the same family: Caesalpinia sappan (Sappan Wood, Bakam): A tree whose heartwood yields a red dye and is used in Ayurveda for its blood-purifying, anti-inflammatory, and uterine stimulant properties. It is a key ingredient in the formulation "Padmakadi Kwath." Senna alexandrina (Senna, Son

Manilkara zapota (Sapodilla) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Manilkara zapota Family: Sapotaceae Genus: Manilkara Related Herbs from the same family: Madhuca longifolia (Mahua, Madhuka): A highly significant tree in India, its flowers are nutritive and used to make a fermented drink, while its seeds yield a fatty oil used topically. In Ayurveda, the flowers are considered a cooling, nutritive tonic and an aphrodisiac. Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea

Ipomoea carnea (Bush Morning Glory) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Ipomoea carnea Family: Convolvulaceae Genus: Ipomoea Related Herbs from the same family: Evolvulus alsinoides  (Vishnukranti) - As detailed previously, a renowned brain tonic in Ayurveda. Ipomoea batatas  (Sweet Potato) - A common food crop whose leaves are also used as a nutritious vegetable. Argyreia nervosa (Elephant Creeper, Vridhadaru) - Used in Ayurveda as a rasayana (rejuvenator) for the nervous system

Luffa aegyptiaca  (Smooth Luffa/Sponge Gourd) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Luffa aegyptiaca  (Syn. Luffa cylindrica ) Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Luffa Related Herbs from the same family: Luffa acutangula  (Ridged Luffa): A closely related species with overlapping medicinal uses, particularly for jaundice and respiratory issues. Momordica charantia  (Bitter Gourd): Shares the family and some detoxifying properties. Citrullus colocynthis  (Indrayan): A potent purgative from

Lagenaria siceraria  (Bottle Gourd) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Lagenaria siceraria Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Lagenaria Related Herbs from the same family: Momordica charantia (Bitter Gourd/Karela): A widely used Ayurvedic herb for diabetes, blood purification, and digestive issues, common throughout India. Trichosanthes dioica (Pointed Gourd/Parwal): A popular vegetable in the Indian subcontinent, also used in traditional medicine for its cooling and digestive proper

(Potato) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Solanum tuberosum Family: Solanaceae Genus: Solanum Related Herbs from the same family: Withania somnifera  (Ashwagandha) - A premier Rasayana (rejuvenating) herb in Ayurveda. Solanum melongena  (Brinjal) - A common vegetable with attributed medicinal properties for lowering cholesterol. Capsicum annuum  (Bell Pepper, Chilli) - Used in various traditional medicines for circulatory and metabolic stimulation.The potato is a tuberous crop

Luffa acutangula  (Ridged Luffa) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Luffa acutangula Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Luffa Related Herbs from the same family: Luffa aegyptiaca  (Smooth Luffa): Its closest relative with overlapping uses. Luffa operculata  (Dhamargava): A more potent cousin used specifically for sinusitis. Momordica charantia  (Bitter Gourd): Shares the family and bitter, detoxifying principles. 2. Common Names: Scientific Name: Luffa acutangula | English: Ridged Gou

Trichosanthes cucumerina  (Snake Gourd) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Trichosanthes cucumerina Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Trichosanthes Related Herbs from the same family: Trichosanthes dioica  (Pointed Gourd/Parwal): A closely related species valued as a vegetable and for its digestive benefits. Trichosanthes kirilowii (Chinese Cucumber): A species used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the root (Tian Hua Fen) is used for fever and respiratory issues. Momordica charantia

Citrus limon  (Lemon) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species:   Citrus limon Family:  Rutaceae Genus:   Citrus Related Herbs from the same family: Aegle marmelos (Bael, Bilva): Revered in Ayurveda, its unripe fruit is a powerful astringent used for diarrhea and dysentery, while the ripe fruit is a digestive tonic. The leaves and roots are also used in worship and medicine. Citrus aurantifolia (Key Lime, Nimbu): Shares many properties with the lemon bu

Colocasia esculenta (Taro) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Colocasia esculenta Family: Araceae Genus: Colocasia Related Herbs from the same family: Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Suran, Jimikand): A large tuber used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenative and digestive tonic. It is specifically used for hemorrhoids (Arshas) and abdominal ailments, often after proper processing to remove irritants. Acorus calamus (Vacha, Sweet Flag): A highly revered neur

Dioscorea alata (Purple Yam) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Dioscorea alata Family: Dioscoreaceae Genus: Dioscorea Related Herbs from the same family: Dioscorea bulbifera (Varahikand, Ratalu): The "air potato," which produces bulbils. In Ayurveda, after detoxification (shodhana), it is used as a rejuvenative (Rasayana) and for managing thyroid disorders. Dioscorea oppositifolia (China Root):  Known as Dioscorea glabra in some texts, this is t

Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Ipomoea batatas Family: Convolvulaceae Genus: Ipomoea Related Herbs from the same family: Convolvulus pluricaulis (Shankhapushpi): A highly revered Ayurvedic Medhya Rasayana (brain tonic) used primarily for enhancing memory, cognitive function, and treating nervous disorders. Ipomoea digitata (Vidari): A classic Ayurvedic rejuvenative (Rasayana) and galactagogue, used to promote vi

Scientific Name:  Trigonella foenum-graecum Family:  Fabaceae Genus:  Trigonella Related Herbs from the same family: Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice/Yashtimadhu):  A primary respiratory and digestive tonic. Cicer arietinum (Chickpea/Chana):  A nutritive and strengthening food. Medicago sativa (Alfalfa):  Used as a nutritive tonic and for managing cholesterol. 2. Common Names Scientific Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum  | English: Fenugreek | Sanskrit: Methika, Methi | Hindi: Meth

Glycyrrhiza glabra  (Licorice) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Glycyrrhiza glabra Family: Fabaceae Genus: Glycyrrhiza Related Herbs from the same family: Cicer arietinum  (Chickpea/Chana): A dietary staple whose nutritive properties are highly valued. Trigonella foenum-graecum  (Fenugreek/Methi): A common spice and medicine. Medicago sativa  (Alfalfa): A nutritive tonic and phytoestrogen herb. The Fabaceae family provides many of the world's most important medicinal plants, wi