Amaranthus viridis (Slender Amaranth) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Amaranthus viridis Family: Amaranthaceae Genus: Amaranthus Related Herbs from the same family: Amaranthus spinosus (Kanteli Chaulai / Mullukeerai):  A common wild amaranth with spines at the leaf axils. It is used similarly to A. viridis  as a pot herb and in traditional medicine for its cooling, diuretic, and galactagogue properties. Amaranthus tricolor (Lal Sag / Cheera): A

Arachis hypogaea (Peanut) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Arachis hypogaea Family: Fabaceae Genus: Arachis 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: Arachis hypogaea | English: Peanut, Groundnut | Sanskrit: Bhuimudga, Mandapi | Hindi: Moongphali, Mungfali | Tamil: Nilakadalai, Verkadalai | Telugu: Ve

Vigna aconitifolia (Moth Bean) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Vigna aconitifolia Family: Fabaceae Genus: Vigna 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: Vigna aconitifolia | English: Moth Bean, Mat Bean, Turkish Gram | Sanskrit: Makushtha | Hindi: Mot, Moth | Tamil: Thanai Payaru | Telugu: Mochchhe

Pisum sativum (Garden Pea) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Pisum sativum Family: Fabaceae Genus: Pisum 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: Pisum sativum | English: Garden Pea, Green Pea, Field Pea | Sanskrit: Kalaya, Satila, Harenu | Hindi: Matar, Vatana | Tamil: Pattani | Telugu: Patani, Batan

Lablab purpureus (Hyacinth Bean) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Lablab purpureus Family: Fabaceae Genus: Lablab Related Herbs from the same family: Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice/Yashtimadhu): A premier Ayurvedic rasayana and adaptogen, used for its demulcent, expectorant, and adrenal-tonifying properties. It is a key herb for soothing the respiratory and digestive tracts. Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek/Methika): A widely used seed and le

Lens culinaris (Lentil) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Lens culinaris Family: Fabaceae Genus: Lens Related Herbs from the same family: See Cajanus cajan for Fabaceae family overview.   2. Common names Scientific Name: Lens culinaris | English: Lentil | Sanskrit: Masura | Hindi: Masoor | Tamil: Misur Paruppu | Telugu: Misur Pappu | Kannada: Masur | Malayalam: Masoor | Marathi: Masur | Bengali: Masoor | Persian: Adas |   3. Medicinal Uses: Nutri

Cicer arietinum (Chickpea) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Cicer arietinum Family: Fabaceae Genus: Cicer Related Herbs from the same family: See Cajanus cajan for Fabaceae family overview.   2. Common names Scientific Name: Cicer arietinum | English: Chickpea, Bengal Gram | Sanskrit: Chanaka, Harimantha | Hindi: Chana, Chole | Tamil: Konda Kadalai | Telugu: Sanagalu | Kannada: Kadale | Malayalam: Kadala | Marathi: Harbara | Bengali: Chola | Ara

Vigna radiata (Mung Bean) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Vigna radiata Family: Fabaceae Genus: Vigna Related Herbs from the same family: See Cajanus cajan for Fabaceae family overview.   2. Common names Scientific Name: Vigna radiata | English: Mung Bean, Green Gram | Sanskrit: Mudga | Hindi: Moong | Tamil: Pachai Payaru | Telugu: Pesalu | Kannada: Hesaru | Malayalam: Cheru Payaru | Marathi: Moog | Bengali: Moong | Nepali: Mung |   3. Medicina

Vigna mungo (Black Gram) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Vigna mungo Family: Fabaceae Genus: Vigna Related Herbs from the same family: See Cajanus cajan for Fabaceae family overview.  Other relevant Vigna  species are listed below.   2. Common names Scientific Name: Vigna mungo | English: Black Gram, Black Lentil | Sanskrit: Mashaparni, Masha | Hindi: Urad, Ma ki Dal | Tamil: Ulundu | Telugu: Minumulu | Kannada: Uddu | Malayalam: Uzhunnu | Mara

Cajanus cajan (Pigeon Pea) Photographs courtesy: Music Forest 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Cajanus cajan Family: Fabaceae Genus: Cajanus Related Herbs from the same family: Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice/Yashtimadhu): A premier Ayurvedic Rasayana (rejuvenative) known for its demulcent, expectorant, and adrenal-tonic properties. It is a key herb for soothing the mucous membranes of the respiratory and digestive tracts. Trigonella foenum-graecu

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Cluster Bean) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Cyamopsis tetragonoloba Family: Fabaceae Genus: Cyamopsis Related Herbs from the same family: Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek/Methika): As mentioned, a key digestive and anti-diabetic herb. The soluble fiber in fenugreek seeds (galactomannan) is similar to that in cluster beans. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice/Yashtimadhu):  A classic demulcent and rejuvenative herb, showc

1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Phaseolus vulgaris Family: Fabaceae Genus: Phaseolus Related Herbs from the same family: Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice/Yashtimadhu): A quintessential Ayurvedic rejuvenative and demulcent herb, used for sore throat, cough, and to balance Vata and Pitta. It is a key ingredient in many formulations. Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek/Methika): A versatile seed used as a spice, vegetable, and medicine. It is renown

Cucumis sativus (Cucumber) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Cucumis sativus Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Cucumis Related Herbs from the same family: Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon/Tarbooj): A highly cooling and diuretic fruit used extensively in summer to quench thirst, cool the body, and support urinary tract health. Momordica charantia (Bitter Gourd/Karela): As mentioned previously, a key anti-diabetic herb, sharing the family's common trait o

Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin/Squash) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Cucurbita pepo Family: Cucurbitaceae Genus: Cucurbita Related Herbs from the same family: Citrullus colocynthis (Indrayan/Colocynth): A powerful, bitter purgative used in Ayurveda and other traditional systems for severe constipation and edema. It is a potent herb that must be used with extreme caution and professional guidance. Momordica charantia (Bitter Gourd/Karela): A well-kn

Cuminum cyminum (Cumin) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Species: Cuminum cyminum Family: Apiaceae Genus: Cuminum Related Herbs from the same family: Coriandrum sativum (Coriander/Dhanyaka): A fundamental Ayurvedic herb and culinary spice used as a digestive, carminative, and diuretic. It is particularly noted for its cooling (Sheeta) properties, which help balance Pitta. Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel/Saunf/Mishreya): A classic digestive and carminative, o

Coriandrum sativum (Coriander) 1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification Scientific Name: Coriandrum sativum  L. Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) Genus: Coriandrum Related Herbs from the same family: Trachyspermum ammi  (Ajwain, Bishop's Weed): A quintessential Indian spice and medicine. Its seeds are a powerful digestive, carminative, and antispasmodic, used extensively in Ayurveda for treating indigestion, flatulence, and colic. Cuminum cyminum  (Jeera, Cumin):

Daucus carota  (Carrot) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Daucus carota Family: Apiaceae Genus: Daucus Related Herbs from the same family: Coriandrum sativum  (Coriander, Dhanyaka): A key Ayurvedic herb for cooling the body, digestive issues, and urinary tract infections. Foeniculum vulgare  (Fennel, Saunf/Misreya): Widely used as a digestive carminative, to improve eyesight, and as a galactagogue. Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola, Mandukaparni): A premier Medhya Rasayana (brain re

Abelmoschus esculentus  (Okra / Lady's Finger) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Abelmoschus esculentus Family: Malvaceae Genus: Abelmoschus Related Herbs from the same family: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus, Jasuth): A common ornamental plant whose flowers are used in Ayurveda and other traditions for hair care, as a demulcent, and for respiratory issues. Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle, Lal Ambadi): Used to make a refreshing, sour tea that is diuretic, mildy laxative,

Raphanus sativus  (Radish) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Raphanus sativus Family: Brassicaceae Genus: Raphanus Related Herbs from the same family: Brassica oleracea (Various cultivars like Kale, Cabbage): Used in Ayurveda and traditional diets for their digestive and nutritive properties. Cabbage leaves are used topically for inflammation. Lepidium sativum (Garden Cress, Chandrasoora): A highly prized herb in Ayurveda for its bone-healing properties, as a digestive stimula

Plantago ovata  (Blond Psyllium) 1. Taxonomic insights Species: Plantago ovata Family: Plantaginaceae Genus: Plantago Related Herbs from the same family: Plantago major (Common Plantain): A widespread herb used in traditional medicine across Europe and Asia for wound healing, respiratory issues, and as a diuretic. It is referenced in various Western herbal traditions. Plantago asiatica (Chinese Plantain): A key herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) used for its diureti