Page 1 of 47 12311 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 464

Thread: Herbs and Their Uses

  1. #1
    Member Diamondbell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    1,448
    Length
    18"/35"/45"
    Type
    2b/M/ii/iii

    Default Herbs and Their Uses

    Hartitaki (Kadukkai (Tamil and Malayalam)/Harra/Haritaki (Hindi)/ Black myrobalan, Chebulic myrobalan, Ink nut, Indian gall-nut, Gallnut(English)
    Chinese: He zi , He li le (Taiwan).
    Botanical name:Terminalia chebula, Terminalia reticulata




    What it does: Haritaki fruit is sweet, sour and astringent in taste, as well as slightly bitter and pungent. It strengthens immunity while exerting a mild laxative effect. Haritaki fruit is part of triphala, the three-fruit formula in Ayurveda.

    Haritaki is said to have strong anti-bacterial properties. It is revitalizing, toning, nourishing and astringent when used in skin and hair care formulations. Add haritaki powder to facial scrubs, masks, body wraps, hair wraps and hair rinses.
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Some recipes with Haritaki:
    -------------------------------
    1)Apply the paste of Haritaki to the scalp and leave
    it on for a few minutes, and then wash the hair.
    It is very good for treating dandruff, and does not
    leave the scalp dry after washing

    2) The fruits of medicinal tree Harra/Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) can be used for good hair growth. The people in Chattisgarrh, India, collect the fruits from trees and boil it in base oil. When cracks occur in fruits, boiling is stopped. (The fruit is green in color). The oil is stored for future use. The natives use this oil daily after taking bath. According to them, it is effective against lice and dandruff also.
    [Source: http://www.botanical.com/site/column...haircare.html]

    3 )'Haritaki' or Black Myrobalan (Terminalia Chebula), 'Vibhitaki' or Belearic Myrobalan (Terminalia Belerica) and 'Amalaki' or Indian Goose Berry (Embelica officinalis) - together called as 'Triphala' - powder of these in equal quantity is mixed with water and applied to the scalp for 1 hour and washed with lukewarm water, against dandruff

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I am just trying to add herb names one by one – with a new link for each - with images of them and their uses. If anyone has any more recipes with this herb you may add them. Also if there are any errors, please let me know, so that I can correct them. As and when I get new information on these herbs I will keep adding them

    Amla

    Arappu

    Ash Gourd

    Beetroot

    Bermuda Grass

    Bhringraj

    Bitter Apple

    Brahmi

    Brahmi/Gotu Kola

    Butterfly Pea

    Champak

    Chinese Chaste Tree

    Coconut

    Curry Leaf

    Drumstick Leaves

    Fenugreek

    Fireweed

    Frogfruit

    Golden Apple

    Gram Dal

    Greater Burdock

    Green Gram

    Henna

    Hibiscus

    Hill Conehead

    Indian Acalypha

    Indian Barberry

    Indian Beech

    Indian Liqourice

    Indian Spikenard

    Kusum

    Liquorice Root

    Mysore Dal

    Nagarmoth

    Neem

    Orange

    Poison Berry

    Psoralea

    Sage

    Sand Ginger

    Sea Buckthorn

    Sesame

    Shatterstone

    Shikakai

    Soapnut

    Stinging Nettle

    Sweet Flag

    Tanner's Senna

    Vetiver
    Last edited by Diamondbell; December 18th, 2009 at 02:26 AM. Reason: adding links

  2. #2
    Member Catladyintown's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Tucson, AZ USA
    Age
    61
    Posts
    1,771
    Type
    2a/F/M/ii

    Default Re: Ink nut (Haritaki)

    Thanks Diamondbell I think it is a good idea to start a thread on the images and uses for the herbs. Thanks for doing this.

  3. #3
    Member Diamondbell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    1,448
    Length
    18"/35"/45"
    Type
    2b/M/ii/iii

    Default Re: Ink nut (Haritaki)

    You are welcome Catladyintown!

  4. #4
    Member Diamondbell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    1,448
    Length
    18"/35"/45"
    Type
    2b/M/ii/iii

    Default Re: Herbs and Their Uses

    Curry leaf (Other names: karivepilai (Tamil)/ karibaavu (kannada)/ karipatha (Hindi)/ also called Sweet Neem Leaf/ Botanical name: Murraya koenigii

    Uses: It is a tropical tree. The leaves are used in cooking just like bay leaves and are not part of the “curry powder”. It is used in digestive disorders, for diabetes and can relieve pain associated with the kidneys.

    Liberal intake of curry leaves is considered beneficial in preventing premature greying of hair. These leaves have the property to nourish the hair roots. New hair roots that grow are healthier with normal pigment. The leaves can be used in the form of chutney or the juice may be squeezed and taken in buttermilk or lassi.







    Used in hair care:

    1) Easy Hair Oil to prepare at home:

    The best hair oil can be prepared at home.
    Take ¼ liter of coconut oil and heat it. When slightly warm add a bunch of curry leaves and a handful of mehendi (henna) leaves to it. Leave until the oil gets the green color and bottle it when cool. This oil helps to darken the hair and acts as a cooling agent.


    2) Hair oil (Homemade - to stop hair shedding)

    Take a good quantity of coconut oil,
    add some castor oil (optional) into it, put it in a iron pot and boil it till it smokes slightly.
    Now, make a paste of the following herbs: 5 petal hibiscus,
    henna,
    curry leaves,
    - Jeera (cumin seeds) ¼ tsp,
    - Dry Fenugreek seeds (methi) ¼ tsp,
    - Vettiver (this is a root),
    - Vallarai(Brahmi) powder (a little - this is also a herb),
    - Karisalanganni (bringhraj)powder (this is a herb which has darkening effects on the hair and it makes the hair voluminous and healthier),
    - Adhimadhuram (liquorice root)(this is a herb which cures itch and prevents dandruff).

    Add little water and grind it to a paste. Now, switch off the boiling oil, and add this paste slowly.

    3)To use instead of shampoo:
    1 Mix equal quantities of
    shade-dried curry leaves, lime peel, shikakai, fenugreek seeds and green gram
    Grind them finely
    Store and use as substitute of shampoo or soap
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++


    4)To be drunk in the morning (stops shedding)
    Needed:
    Curry leaves
    Homemade yogurt
    Fenugreek seeds

    Prepare yogurt by adding a teaspoon of yogurt to warm milk every night (the regular curd making process) and add fenugreek (methi) seeds(half spoon) and curry leaves(4to5) to it. In the morning a cup of curd will be ready with fenugreek (methi) and curry leaves. You can eat it on empty stomach. If you do this continuously you can definitely have less shedding and good hair growth.


    5) Curry leaf -Coconut Milk-Hair Pack for Hair Growth:
    Needed a handful of curry leaves and 2 tbsp. Coconut milk
    Method:
    Grind curry leaves and coconut milk together and make a hair pack
    Wash in cold water. Do this every other day.
    Last edited by Diamondbell; August 24th, 2008 at 11:17 PM.

  5. #5
    Member Diamondbell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    1,448
    Length
    18"/35"/45"
    Type
    2b/M/ii/iii

    Default Re: Herbs and Their Uses

    continuation of Curry Leaf:
    -----------------------------------
    6) Coconut oil with herbs:

    Ingredients to add
    a)one small cup of freshly ground curry leaves leaves paste
    b)one small cup of Fenugreek (methi) seeds paste(soak methi seeds in pure coconut oil the previous night)
    c)one small cup of Gooseberry (amla) extract paste(either frozen-thaw it or fresh)-optional because you may or may not get it in Indian stores. You can also use dry amla (dried Indian gooseberry pieces)
    It is good if the ingredients are fresh.

    Heat the oil, add Amla (Indian gooseberry) extract slowly, be careful the oil may splatter..so add slowly, stir for 10 minutes till the essence goes deeply in oil. Add curry leaves extract slowly, stir for 10 minutes..
    then Fenugreek (methi)paste and stir the oil till all the moisture evaporates and u will get consistency of ingredients separated from oil(this will definitely takes time so, please be patient). Filter the oil . This oil can be used for up to 3 months or more depending on usage. This hair tonic is very good for hair growth.
    The oil is ready. (Note: Be careful when adding the fresh ingredients. Don't overheat the oil before adding ingredients as splattering may occur. So add in medium heat and add slowly.)

    -------------------------------------------------------------------

    7) Coconut oil preparation with many herbs – home preparation:

    I Fresh ponnanganni (Bot.:Alternanthera sessilis/English: sessile joyweed) leaves - one bunch
    a) Fresh karisalanganni (bringraj) leaves- one bunch
    b) Fresh curry leaves - one bunch

    c ) henna leaves(optional)- a handful (optional)
    grind the above leaves into a thick paste and prepare like patties shape in hand(3-4 patties per liter of oil is sufficient),dry it in sun thoroughly. There shouldn’t be any moisture. it should be totally dry. Now these dried pieces are ready to fry in oil…

    II a) Big fresh gooseberries (amla) - 3 (cut gooseberries (amla) into pieces removing seeds). Dry the gooseberries (amla) in sun totally for one week in sun. There shouldn’t be any moisture. It should be brown in color.
    b) Vetiver - a handful like a bunch
    c) rose petals (baby pink in color) - about a handful, dried thoroughly in sun
    d) Fenugreek(methi) seeds - one tablespoon(The seeds can be used directly - no soaking required)
    e)One liter of coconut oil
    METHOD:
    Hheat oil not too hot but it should be in medium heat like frying consistency.
    First add the prepared and dried leaf patties and deep fry them, so that the oil will turn green.
    Do not remove the patties; now add dried gooseberry pieces into the hot oil; the size of the pieces will become three times as big or bigger when it is fried.
    Then add Vetiver and deep fry it
    Next add dried rose petals in oil
    Finally add fenugreek seeds and let it all together mix in hot oil and do not remove them from oil. Lower the heat . Stir slowly for 15-20 minutes, till all the ingredients' essence goes deeply. Don't leave the oil to overheat as the smell of oil will be bad
    turn off heat and let it sit for one day
    after it has been totally cooled, filter the oil.
    Last edited by Diamondbell; August 25th, 2008 at 12:10 AM.

  6. #6
    Obsessive Oilaholic ChloeDharma's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    london
    Age
    46
    Posts
    6,410
    Type
    1b/F/ii

    Default Re: Herbs and Their Uses

    OMG Diamondbell these are fantastic!

    Where did you get the recipes from? Some of the ingredients might take some hunting but that's ok. Also, i live in London....a weeks sun to dry Amla would be a bit of a miracle.....could drying the Amla pieces in the oven be done instead?

    Thanks for these recipes......loads to play with! xxx
    The heart would have no rainbow, had the eyes no tears.

  7. #7
    Member Diamondbell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    1,448
    Length
    18"/35"/45"
    Type
    2b/M/ii/iii

    Default Re: Herbs and Their Uses

    ChloeDharma - that's nice you like them so much! I am really happy to hear that!

    The recipes are from books and health magazines that I have. Some are from other sites too. I think you can dry the amla pieces in oven, if there is no sun. Or may be even sun-dried (ready-to-use) amla from the shop should work - depending on the recipe. Have fun

  8. #8
    Member Diamondbell's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Posts
    1,448
    Length
    18"/35"/45"
    Type
    2b/M/ii/iii

    Default Re: Herbs and Their Uses

    Adhimathuram (Tamil)/liquorice root (English)/ Mulethi (Hindi)/ Madhuka (Sanskrit)/atimadura (kannada)/ bikhe-mahak (Persian)/ Botanical name: Glycyrrhiza glabra L.



    This plant is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia.
    Uses:
    The root of Madhuka (liquorice root) is used in the form of powder and decoction to treat greying of hairs, vomiting, thirst, cough, respiratory disorders, hoarseness of voice, itching, skin disease, fever and eye disease.

    Some research also indicates strong anti-viral properties, making it a good ingredient to help boost the immune system. Overall, Licorice Root helps boost immunity, reduce inflammation,
    protect the liver and ease menopause problems.

    Yashti Madhu (Mulethi) (Glycyrrhiza glabra) also called Licorice is used in hair care as it promotes the growth of hair according to ayurveda. It is also believed to help keep the scalp moist and hydrated. People with thinning hair can benefit from using licorice as it works on the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are two endocrine glands located above each kidney and the most common sign of adrenal disease is hair loss. Under-activity of these glands too leads to hair loss. A paste of licorice made by grinding it in milk can be applied in bald patches as it is supposed to induce hair growth.


    HAIR-OIL PREPARATION:
    Hair oil (Homemade - to stop hair shedding)

    Take a good quantity of coconut oil,
    add some castor oil (optional) into it, put it in a iron pot and boil it till it smokes slightly.
    Now, make a paste of the following herbs: 5 petal hibiscus,
    henna,
    curry leaves,
    Jeera (cumin seeds) ¼ tsp,
    Dry Fenugreek seeds (methi) ¼ tsp,
    Vettiver (this is a root),
    Vallarai(Brahmi) powder (a little - this is also a herb),
    Karisalanganni (bringhraj)powder (this is a herb which has darkening effects on the hair and it makes the hair voluminous and healthier),
    Adhimadhuram (liquorice root)(this is a herb which cures itch and prevents dandruff).

    Add little water and grind it to a paste. Now, switch off the boiling oil, and add this paste slowly.
    =============================================
    Note: I have not been able to find many recipes for this herb. Mostly it seems to be used for colds and coughs. But it is nice to know it is used for scalp too.
    Last edited by Diamondbell; September 2nd, 2008 at 02:38 AM.

  9. #9
    Account Closed by Member Request
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    2,703
    Length
    neck/frtp+/??
    Type
    2b/2c/C/iii

    Default Re: Herbs and Their Uses

    Very nice Diamondbell,now I cannot wait to see the next herb

  10. #10
    Obsessive Oilaholic ChloeDharma's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    london
    Age
    46
    Posts
    6,410
    Type
    1b/F/ii

    Default Re: Herbs and Their Uses

    Quote Originally Posted by Aisha25 View Post
    Very nice Diamondbell,now I cannot wait to see the next herb
    I know it's like waiting for the next episode of a program you're following isn't it

    Fab again Diamondbell xx
    The heart would have no rainbow, had the eyes no tears.

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •