Categories
Herbs & Plants

Elm ( Ulmus fulva)

[amazon_link asins=’B0049VEB38,B00MBM1HAW,B0032K0Z0A,B01MRN2MQV,B001NZOACU,B01MU8Y9QF,B00062IF54,B002RH3SUS,B0010ZZ3T2′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4f28b85a-532a-11e7-b1ac-bde0c093685d’]

Botanical  Name : Ulmus fulva
Family: Ulmaceae
Genus: Ulmus
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Rosales
Species: U. rubra
Common Names :  Elm, Slippery , Red Elm, Moose Elm, Indian Elm

Habitat :Elm is native to eastern North America (from southeast North Dakota, east to southern Quebec, south to northernmost Florida, and west to eastern Texas). It is similar to American Elm in general appearance, but more closely related to the European Wych Elm, which has a very similar flower structure. Other common names include Red Elm, Gray Elm, Soft Elm, Moose Elm and Indian Elm.

Description
The Slippery Elm is a deciduous tree which can grow to 20 m in height with a 50 cm d.b.h.. The tree has a different branching pattern than American Elm, and its heartwood is reddish-brown, giving the tree its alternative common name ‘Red Elm’. The leaves are 10–18 cm long and have a rough texture, coarsely double-serrate margin and an oblique base. The perfect wind-pollinated apetalous flowers are produced before the leaves in early spring, usually in clusters of 10–20. The fruit is an oval winged samara 20 mm long and containing a single, central seed. Slippery Elm may be distinguished from American Elm by the hairiness of the buds and twigs (both smooth on the American Elm) and by its very short-stalked flowers.

click to see the pictures………..(01)......(1)..…..(2)......(3)..………

Cultivation

Slippery Elm grows well in moisture-rich uplands, but it will also grow in dry, intermediate soils


Medicinal Uses;

Common Uses: Abrasions/Cuts * Burns/SunBurn * Diarrhea * Pregnancy * Sore Throat/Laryngitis

Properties: Demulcent* Emollient* Expectorant* Diuretic* Astringent*

Parts Used: Inner Bark
In herbal medicine a Slippery Elm bark powder is considered one of the best possible poultices for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns and reducing pain and inflammation. The tree’s inner bark is rich in mucilage, a spongy, slippery fiber that soothes and coats mucus membrane inflammation and irritation in the throat and urinary tract when the herb is taken as a tea or infusion.

Slippery Elm is a valuable tree that has many traditional uses. The inner bark can be ground into a nutrient-rich gruel, off which one can solely survive for a short period. The bark also contains a mucilage that is used as a remedy for sore throats. Sometimes it is dried and ground into a powder beforehand, then made into a tea. Both Slippery Elm gruel and tea are said to soothe the digestive tract, especially the GI tracts of those with irritable bowel syndrome or gastritis. There are no known contraindications for Slippery Elm.[citation needed] According to Herbs and Natural Supplements: An Evidence-Based Guide, “Although Slippery Elm has not been scientifically investigated, the FDA has approved it as a safe demulcent substance.”

The bark has also been used historically as an abortifacient, first moistened with water and then inserted into the cervix. This practice became thoroughly regulated by “elm stick laws” in several US states, which forbade selling pieces of slippery elm bark longer than a certain length. Selling whole Slippery Elm bark is banned in several countries including the UK because of its ability to induce an abortion.

Babies First Food;
Slippery Elm is from the dried, powdered inner-bark of the North American Red Elm tree. Over the past one hundred years it has been used by both naturopaths and medical professionals. Its main use has been as weaning food for young babies and also as an easily assimilated and soothing gruel for the elderly.

It can be bought from most health shops in powder form. It is considered good for the baby when starting their first solids, especially if you have to start early. The mucilage, which is its greatest contribution therapeutically, is of a unique kind. It absorbs intestinal fluids but at the same time providing nutrition and in particular calcium phosphate. It is considered better than baby rice and farex[citation needed], as these can cause constipation and have no nutritional value[citation needed]. Slippery Elm is easy to digest and it very good for their bowels.

To make, you only need a tiny amount of powder and mix it with water, formula or breast milk. It can also be sprinkled on food to help with digestion.

Other Uses:
The fibrous inner bark is a strong and durable fibre, which can be spun into thread, twine or rope. It can be used for bow strings, ropes, jewellery, clothing, snowshoe bindings, woven mats, and even some musical instruments. The wood is used for the hubs of wagon wheels, as it is very shock resistant owing to the interlocking grain.

Once cured, the wood is also excellent for making fires with the bow drill method, as it grinds into a very fine flammable powder under friction.

You may click to learn more:

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ulmus_rubra
http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail242.php

Categories
Herbs & Plants

Abelia Triflora

 

Botanical Name:Abelia triflora
Family:
Caprifoliaceae
Genus:
Abelia
Species :
Abelia triflora
United :
Plantae
Division :
Magnoliophyta
Order :
Dipsacales

Synonyms: Zabelia triflora – (Wall.)Makino.

Habitat:E. Asia – N.W. HimalayasDry scrub and rocky slopes in calcareous soils, 1200 – 4200 metres in Uttar Pradesh.

Description:
It is a perennial decidious Shrub .It grows to a height of 4m and 3m in width. It has oval foliage that is green. It produces flowers during mid summer that are tubular in shape and white and pink in colour.
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower in June.  The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).
.You may click to. see the pictures of Abelia Triflora.

Large shrub or small tree, vigorous and erect in habit, with deeply ridged bark and deciduous, ovate, dark green leaves, to 3in (8cm) long. Small, very fragrant, pink-tinged white flowers, 1/2 in (1.5cm) long, with 5-lobed, bronze-red, narrowly segmented calyces, are produced in threes from the upper leaf axils, in clusters to 2in (5cm) across, in summer. N.W. Himalayas.

Cultivation:
Requires a well-drained open loamy soil11 in a warm, sheltered sunny positionRH245. Plants are best grown in semi-shade219. They are intolerant of water-loggingRHand of dry soils219. Succeeds in any soil but new growth is less vigorous in dry soils202. One report says that the plant likes a soil with a high chalk content245, though another says that chlorosis occurs on very alkaline soils202. This species is hardy to about -15°c184, it grows well in the open at Kew11. A fairly slow-growing plant, it is shy to flower in British gardens unless placed against a sunny wall219. It flowers on wood that is 2 – 3 years old or older182. Another report says that the plant flowers on the new wood219, whilst another says that it flowers on terminal clusters245. Any pruning is best done immediately after flowering by thinning out the old wood.182219. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungusRH, Closely related to A buddleioides and A. umbellata182. The flowers are wonderfully scented182, with the fragrance of vanilla245.

Propagation:-
Seed – we have no specific information for this plant, but suggest sowing the seed in early spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 -10cm with a slight heel, July in pots of sandy soil in a frame11. Takes 3 – 4 weeks. Very easy, a good percentage of the cuttings root78. Cuttings of mature wood, 7 – 10cm with a heel if possible, November in a cold frame. High percentage78. Layering young shoots.

Medicinal Uses: Nothing known.

Other Uses:-
Wood.

Wood – hard, close and even-grained. Used for walking sticks.

Scented Plants
Flowers: Fresh
The flowers are wonderfully scented, with the fragrance of vanilla.

It is notable for its striking scent. A relatively unusual abelia but one of the most beautiful with extremely scented flowers.

Resources:
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Abelia+triflora
http://www.gardenology.org/wiki/Abelia_triflora
http://www.greenfingers.com/gardenbase/plant/view.asp?id=29
http://www.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=http://www.esveld.nl/plantdias/63/63177.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.esveld.nl/htmldiaen/a/abtrif.htm&h=700&w=453&sz=198&tbnid=ZOAChRZiuTLINM:&tbnh=140&tbnw=91&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpictures%2Bof%2BAbelia%2Btriflora%2Bplant&hl=en&usg=__qHHOiiZnEH4P03WCHlDUwhe7AK0=&ei=kYsrS-td0YeQBfSl8e8I&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=3&ct=image&ved=0CBEQ9QEwAg

 

Enhanced by Zemanta
Categories
Herbs & Plants

Kanchanara(Bauhinia variegata)

[amazon_link asins=’B00CEC3H2U,B0086DCASI,6040339276,B0055PQK0O,6040341939,B007B7T0NS’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4dfd8691-f59d-11e6-ac62-c10f62ff3b37′]

Botanical Name : Bauhinia variegata
Family : Caesalpiniaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Tribe: Cercideae
Genus: Bauhinia
Species: B. variegata
Parts Used: Bark, root, leaves, flowers, seed, gum
Common names: Orchid tree and Mountain-ebony.

vernacular Name: Sans-kanchanara ,Hind – kancanar ,

Habitat: Bauhinia variegata is native to southeastern Asia, from southern China west to India. It grows  on  Open valleys with good loamy soil at elevations of 150 – 1800 metres

Description:Bauhinia variegata is a species of flowering plant.It is a small to medium-sized  deciduous tree growing to 10-12 m tall, deciduous in the dry season. The leaves are 10-20 cm long and broad, rounded, and bilobed at the base and apex. The flowers are conspicuous, bright pink or white, 8-12 cm diameter, with five petals. The fruit is a pod 15-30 cm long, containing several seeds.
click to see the pictures..>.…(01)...(1).....(2).…...(3)..…..(4)....…(5)....
This is a very popular ornamental tree in subtropical and tropical climates, grown for its scented flowers. In the Neotropics, it can be used to attract hummingbirds – such as Sapphire-spangled Emerald (Amazilia lactea), Glittering-bellied Emerald (Chlorostilbon lucidus), or White-throated Hummingbird (Leucochloris albicollis) – into gardens and parks. On the other hand, in some areas it has become naturalised and invasive.

Cultivation:
Prefers a fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil, requiring a warm sheltered position in full sun. When grown in warm Temperate zones, this species can withstand short periods of temperatures as low as -5°c. In Britain, it is only likely to succeed outdoors in the very mildest parts of the country, and even then would probably require the protection of a south-facing wall. There are some cultivars, developed for their ornamental value. 243034

Propagation: Seeds germinate readily. Orchid tree also can be propagated from cuttings of semiripe wood taken in summer and rooted over bottom heat. Branches can be induced to grow roots if they are layered, either by burying a section in the ground, or scarring a small section and then wrapping it with damp sphagnum moss and enclosing in a plastic bag. The tree sometimes produces suckers which can be dug up and replanted.

Edible Uses:  The young leaves, flowers and fruits are boiled and eaten as a vegetable, or are pickled.

Medicinal  Uses:

Actions

Bark-alterative, tonic

Root-carminative

Flowers-laxative.

Medicinally  it is used in :-
*bleeding hemorrhoids
*cough
*diarrhea
*dysentery
*heartburn
*hematuria
*indigestion
*malaria
*menorrhagia
*skin diseases
*sore throat
*TB
*ulcer
*Worms
As per Ayurveda this plant is useful in haematuria and menorrhagia. Decoction of the roots prevents obesity. Bark preparations used in scrofuluous tumors.

The roots and bark are astringent, acrid, cooling, constipating, depurative, anthelmintic, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory and styptic. They are useful in vitiated conditions of pitta and kapha, diarrhoea, dysentery, skin diseases, leprosy, intestinal worms, tumours, wounds, ulcers, inflammations, scrofula, proctoptosis, hacmorrhoids, haemoptysis, cough, menorrhagia and diabetes.

These are two varieties red and white .The bark of both is tonic astringent

1.  The red flowered variety—the bark is acrid, cooling, laxative, appetising, astringent to bowels in some doses; cures biliousness, “kapha” and” vata “, ulcers, tuberculous glands, leprosy.-

The flowers are acrid, dry, sweet; cooling, astringent, galactagogue; cure diseases of the blood, bronchitis, consumption, vaginal discharges, biliousness, headache, “tridosha”.-

2. Whiteflowered variety:- The bark is acrid, sweet; appetising, cooling, astringent to the bowels; cures biliousness, “ka pha “, leucoderma, anal troubles, tuberculous glands, cough, asthma, diseases of the blood, ulcers, vaginal discharges; anthelmintic; used in strangury, thirst, burning sensation .

The bark is astringent to the bowels, tonic to the liver, cures bilousness, leucoderma, leprosy, dysmenorrhrea, menorrhagia impurities of the blood, tuberculous glands, asthma, wounds and ulcers; used as a gargle in stomatitis.-

The buds are acrid; indigestible; used in piles, cough, eye diseases, liver complaints; astringent to the bowels, styptic in hrematuria and menorrhagia

The juice of the fresh bark with the juice of the flowers of Strobilanthes citrata, 10 tolas of each, is given as an expectorant, and the bark ‘is used with ginger as an internal remedy for scrofula.

The root in decoction is given in dyspepsia and flatulency; the flowers with sugar as a gentle laxative; and the bark, flowers, root triturated in rice water as a cataplasm to promote suppuration.

The dried buds are used in piles and dysentery. They are considered cool and astringent, and are useful in diarrhoea and worms.

Other Uses: A popular ornamental in subtropical and tropical regions. Often seen as a street tree. The bark is a source of tannins. It is used for dyeing. Wood – used for house construction and making household implements.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauhinia_variegata
http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/orchid_tree.htm
http://www.floridata.com/ref/B/bauh_var.cfm
http://holisticonline.biz/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h159.htm
http://www.aTagsyurvedakalamandiram.com/herbs.htm#kanchanara

Enhanced by Zemanta
Categories
Herbs & Plants

Golden Shower Tree

[amazon_link asins=’B0081TGENE,B06WRVJG4S,B00GA2P37W,B00RUDKN70,B01GL22OMM,B00JUOUGVA,B01FWHY6BE,B01IMIPX26,B00VUBVFAW’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’f6676a33-390d-11e7-b040-e54427ebeee4′]

Botanical Name:Cassia fistula
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Rosidae
Order: Fabales
Tribe: Cassieae
Subtribe: Cassiinae
Genus: Cassia
Species: C. fistula
Common Names: Being so conspicuous and widely planted, this tree has a number of common names. In English, it is usually known as Golden Shower Tree or Golden Shower Cassia. Other, less unambiguous names include Indian laburnum, “golden shower” or “drumstick tree”. It is known in Spanish-speaking countries as caña fistula.

Names from its native range and surrounding regions include:

Assamese: Xonaru
Bangla: sonalu, bandar lathi
Chinese: ? bó lè (in Taiwan), là cháng shù (“sausage tree”)
Hindi: bendra lathi (or bandarlauri), dhanbaher (or dhanbohar), girimaloah
Hindi and Urdu: amalt?s
Japanese: nanban saikachi
Lao: khoun
Marathi: bahava
Malayalam: kanikkonna (or kani konna, Kerala), Vishu konna
Meitei (Manipuri): chahui
Nepali: amaltash, rajbriksya
Sanskrit: aragvadha, chaturangula, kritamala, suvarnaka
Sinhalese: aehaela-gaha (or ahalla-gass), ekela
Tamil: konrai
Thai: chaiyaphruek, dok khuen, khun, koun, rachapruek

Habitat :Native to southern Asia, from southern Pakistan east through India to Myanmar and south to Sri Lanka.

Description:
It is a medium-sized tree growing to 10-20 m tall with fast growth. The leaves are deciduous or semi-evergreen, 15-60 cm long, pinnate with 3-8 pairs of leaflets, each leaflet 7-21 cm long and 4-9 cm broad. The flowers are produced in pendulous racemes 20-40 cm long, each flower 4-7 cm diameter with five yellow petals of equal size and shape. The fruit is a legume is 30-60 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm broad, with a pungent odour and containing several seeds. The seeds are poisonous.

..click to see the pictures>…..(01).......(1)…....(2)….(3).…..(4).…..

Cultivation and uses:
Cassia fistula is widely grown as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas. It blooms in late spring (May on the northern, November on the southern hemisphere); flowering is profuse, with trees being covered with yellow flora, with almost no leaf being seen. Not recommended for dry climates. Growth is best in full sun on well-drained soil; it is drought and salt tolerant, but will be damaged by even short spells of freezing weather. It can be subject to mildew, leaf spot and root diseases.

The golden shower tree is the national flower of Thailand; its yellow leaves symbolize Thai royalty. A 2006-2007 flower festival, the Royal Flora Ratchaphruek, was named after the tree, which is most often called dok khuen or ratchaphruek in Thailand.

The golden shower tree is the state flower of Kerala in India. The flowers are of ritual importance in the Vishu festival of Kerala state of India, and the tree was depicted on a 20 Indian rupees stamp. C. fistula is also featured on a 2003 joint Canadian-Thai design for a 48 cent stamp, part of a series featuring national emblems.

Medicinal Uses:
In Ayurvedic medicine, Golden Shower Tree is known as aragvadha (“disease killer”). Its fruitpulp is used as mild laxative, against fevers, arthritis, vatavyadhi (nervous system diseases), all kinds of rakta-pitta (bleeding, such as hematemesis or hemorrhages), as well as cardiac conditions and stomach problems such as acid reflux. The root is considered a very strong purgative, and self-medication or any use without medical supervision is strongly advised against in Ayurvedic texts.

In Ayurvedic medicine systems, the seeds are recognised as antibilious, aperitif, carminative, and laxative while the root is used for curing adenopathy, burning sensations, leprosy, skin diseases, syphilis, and tubercular glands.

The leaves of the tree is used for erysipelas, malaria, rheumatism, and ulcers, the buds are used for biliousness, constipation, fever, leprosy, and skin disease and the fruit for abdominal pain, constipation, fever, heart disease, and leprosy. Thus every part of this plant is recognized for its medicinal properties.

Today Cassia fistula is still used in folk medicines to treat tumors of the abdomen, glands, liver, stomach and throat, and other cancers. It is also used for skin diseases, leprosy, syphilis, malaria, rheumatism, ulcers, abdominal pain, constipation, fever, and heart disease. The leaves are used to treat inflammations chest complaints, eye ailments, flu, heart and liver ailments, and rheumatism. The juice is used to relieve ringworm and blisters caused by poison ivy. The pulp is used to combat anthrax, blood poisoning, backwater fever, dysentery, and malaria.

Though its use in herbalism is attested to since millennia, there has been rather little research in modern times. While the purgative action is probably due to abundant 1,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone and derivates thereof, whether the reputed nervous system (anti-vatavyadhi) effects are real and if, what causes them, is not known. While many Fabaceae are a source of potent entheogens and other psychoactive compounds (see e.g. tryptamines), such plants are rarely found among the Caesalpinioideae.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassia_Fistula
http://www.india-shopping.net/india-ayurveda-products/Cassiafistula-amaltas.htm
http://www.herbalremedies.com/cassiafistula-information.html

Enhanced by Zemanta
Categories
WHY CORNER

Why Do Leaves Fall Off Trees?

Ever wondered why leaves fall off trees in fall? Well, the secret actually lies in cellular mechanism, says a new study.

………...CLICK & SEE

Researchers have found that trees use an elaborate cellular mechanism to part company from their leaves, which act as “solar cells” in the summer but become superfluous in the darker winter months.

According to them, at the base of each leaf is a special layer called the abscission zone. When the time comes in autumn to shed a leaf, cells in this layer begin to swell, slowing the transport of nutrients between the tree and leaf.

And, once the abscission zone has been blocked, a tear line forms and moves downwards, until eventually the leaf is blown away or falls off – a protective layer seals the wound thereby preventing water evaporating and bugs getting in, ‘The Daily Telegraph‘ reported.

In fact, the discovery into how trees take on their winter aspect follows a study explaining the bright colours of autumn foliage.

And, in their new study, the researchers at Missouri University has revealed that the genetic pathway that controls abscission in the plant species Arabidopsis thaliana, a little weed that’s the favourite experimental subject of scientists.

According to them, a pathway of genes is involved in the process of abscission in Arabidopsis using a combination of molecular genetics and imagine techniques.

“Several different genes are involved in the process. Instead of looking at individual genes or proteins, we looked at an entire network at once to see how the difference genes work together in abscission,” lead researcher Prof John Walker was quoted as saying.

Sources: The findings are published in the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences‘ journal.

css.php