www.malaysianherbals.com- (45) SENNA ALATA -ACAPULCO வண்டுகடி செடி

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                                                வண்டுகடி செடி
ACALPULCO-            VANDU KADI CHEDI
 SENNA ALATA

Commonly known as: candle bush, candlesticks, large-leafletted eglandular senna, ringworm shrub • Hindi: एड़गज ergaj, प्रपुन्नाड prapunnad • Kannada: ಸೀಮೆ ಅಗಸೆ sime agase • Malayalam: puzhukkadittakara •Marathi: शिमई अगसे shimai agase • Sanskrit: एडगजः edagaja, प्रपुनाल prapunal, उरभ्रः urabhrh, उरणक्षकः uranakshaka • Tamil: சீமையகத்தி cimai-y-akatti, வண்டுகொல்லி vantu-kolli • Telugu: అవిచిచెట్టు avicicettu, మెట్టతామర metta-tamara, సీమ అవిసె siima avise, తంటెము tantemu • Urdu: ايڙگج ergaj

Native to: tropical South America (the Amazon rainforest); naturalised elsewhere in tropics

Akapulko or Acapulco in English is a shrub found throughout the Philippines and Malaysia. It is known under various names in different regions in the country. Locals call the plantkatanda, andadasi, and palochina in Tagalog, Ilocos and in the Visayas regions, and In Malaysia it is called Vandu kadi  chedi, respectively.
 The shrub belongs to the family of Leguminosae, and grows about one to two meters tall. It has thick branches and the leaves are embraced with 8 to 20 leaflets that are oblong-elliptical in shape. The flowers of the Akapulko have oblong sepals, and its fruits are tetragonal, which are also winged and glabrous. A medicinal herb that contains chrysophanic acid, a fungicide used to treat fungal infections, like ringworms, scabies, and eczema. Akapulko also contains saponin, a laxative that is useful in expelling intestinal parasites.

The primary part used for herbal purposes are the leaves, although the roots and flowers are also used for certain preparations with medicinal value. The extracts from the Akapulko plant is commonly used as an ingredient for lotions, soaps, and shampoos.

Benefits & 

Treatment of Akapulko

• External Use:
  • Treatment of skin diseases:
  • Tinea infections, insect bites, ringworms, eczema, scabies and itchiness.
• Mouthwash in stomatitis

• Internal use:
  • Expectorant for bronchitis and dyspnoea
• Alleviation of asthma symptoms
• Used as diuretic and purgative
• For cough & fever
• As a laxative to expel intestinal parasites and other stomach problems.

Note: A strong decoction of Akapulko leaves is an abortifacient. Pregnant women should not take decoction of the leaves or any part of this plant.

Description

Christmas candle is an evergreen shrub or small tree in frostfree areas, but is often grown as an annual in cooler climes. When it doesn't get frozen back, Christmas candle can get up to 30 ft (10 m) tall and, with its candelabra branching, as much as 15 ft (3 m) across. The huge pinnate leaves are up to 30 in (75 cm) long and composed of 7-14 pairs of large, oblong leaflets, each around 3-8 in (8-20 cm) long and 1-4 in (3-10 cm) wide. The cup shaped flowers are bright yellow, and carried in erect terminal clusters arising from leaf axils. The individual flowers are about an inch (2.5 cm) across. The standard is the longest petal and the other petals are similar to each other. The sepals that protect the flowers before they open are waxy and smooth to the touch. The candle-like flower clusters include open flowers at the bottom and unopened flowers with their waxy coverings at the top. The clusters stand 6-24 in (15-60 cm) tall. The fruit is a straight or slightly curved, winged pod around 4-8 in (11-19 cm) long. Late in the season, the inflorescence will have dry, brown pods at the bottom; green, still ripening pods above that; open flowers above that; and waxy sepal-covered flowers at the top.

Location
Senna (or Cassia) alata hails from the Tropics, including Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and even tropical America. Such a widespread natural distribution for a single species is very uncommon.

Culture
Light: No surprise here - Christmas candle performs best in full sun.
Moisture: Normal garden soils and moisture suit this tropical shrub quite well. Mature plants are drought resistant.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 10-11. Christmas candle is a tropical shrub that dies as soon as temperatures get near freezing. But in Zones 7,8 and 9 you can grow it as an annual. Just start from seed along with your peppers and tomatoes each spring. It will still get 6-10 ft (2-3 m) tall and begin blooming in October.
Propagation: Christmas candle is easy to start from seed, and you can expect volunteer seedlings to emerge under last year's plants in late spring when soil temperatures warm. However, we recommend starting seeds indoors several weeks before the last frost to give the plants a head start on the season.

This shrub-sized patch of Christmas candle is growing in Zone 8 where it dies back in winter and renews itself each spring.

Usage
If you do not live in a frostfree climate, try growing a few Christmas candles along with castor beans (Ricinus cummunis), banana plants (Musa X paradisiaca), and yuca (Manihot esculenta) to have a little bit of tropical lushness in your temperate zone garden. All these will die to the ground in winter, of course, but they grow so fast (banana returning from its roots, yuca from a cutting, and the others from seed) you will have a tall, robust tropical looking garden by the end of a Zone 7, 8 or 9 summer. In frostfree areas, use Christmas candle in a shrub border or as a specimen plant. The bright yellow flowers attract insects, including butterflies and bees. In my garden, there are almost always some fire ants on the flowers (and even I don't consider that a plus). Christmas candle has a long blooming season, from autumn throughout the winter, or at least until the first frost.

Christmas candle is one source of chrysophanic acid, which is used in medicines that treat certain skin diseases, including ringworm. The compound is believed to have antiviral properties as well.

Features
Senna and Cassia are two genera that are sometimes combined, sometimes not, and contain species that can't seem to decide which genus they should be in. (Or is the botanists who can't decide?) Recent authors list about 260 species of Senna and 535 species of Cassia. Most are tropical, but both genera include a few temperate species.

Preparation & Use

• For external use, pound the leaves of the Akapulko plant, squeeze the juice and apply on affected areas.
• As the expectorant for bronchitis and dyspnoea, drink decoction (soak and boil for 10 to 15 minutes) of Akapulko leaves. The same preparation may be used as a mouthwash, stringent, and wash for eczema.
• As laxative, cut the plant parts (roots, flowers, and the leaves) into a manageable size then prepare a decoction Note: The decoction looses its potency if not used for a long time. Dispose leftovers after one day.
• The pounded leaves of Akapulko has purgative functions, specifically against ringworms.

It should be noted that the pounded leaves of this plant may be applied thinly on the affected part twice a day. Marked improvement may be expected after two to three weeks of continuous application to the affected area(s) where the prepared Akapulko leaves were applied.

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wwwmalaysianherbals.com-Tea Tree –(44 ) டீ மரம்

History and extraction

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Tea Tree – டீ மரம்  Melaleuca alternifolia

The indigenous Bundjalung people of eastern Australia use “tea trees” as a traditional
 medicine by inhaling the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds. 
They also sprinkle leaves on wounds, after which a poultice is applied. In addition, tea tree leaves are soaked to make an infusion to treat sore throats or skin ailments.

Use of the oil itself, as opposed to the unextracted plant material, did not become common practice until researcher Arthur Penfold published the first reports of its antimicrobial activity in a series of papers in the 1920s and 1930s. In evaluating the antimicrobial activity of M. alternifolia, tea tree oil was rated as 11 times more active than phenol.

Tea tree oil is toxic

when swallowed and itshould

never be taken internally.

The commercial tea tree oil industry was born after the medicinal properties of the oil were first reported by Penfold in the 1920s. It was produced from natural bush stands of M. alternifolia that produced oil with the appropriate chemotype. The plant material was hand cut and often distilled on the spot in makeshift, mobile, wood-fired bush stills.

Tea tree oil can be dissolved in water or used at full strength. It is also available in the form of ointments, creams, lotions, and soap. Tea tree oil is often sold in dark glass bottles to prevent light from affecting its potency. When used to treat infections and skin conditions, the oil can be applied directly to the skin in full strength or diluted form using cotton swabs. The oil can also be found in deodorants, shampoos, soaps, antiseptic first-aid creams, cosmetics, and household cleaning products.

Tea tree oil should never be taken internally. For colds and other respiratory illnesses, the oil is added to a vaporizer so that the mist can be inhaled. Drops of the oil can be added to bath water. The oil is sometimes mixed in water as a mouthwash.

Tea tree oil, or melaleuca oil, is a pale yellow colour to nearly colorless and clear essential oil with a fresh camphoraceous odor.  It is taken from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia, which is native to the northeast coast of New South Wales, Australia. Tea tree oil should not be confused with tea oil, the sweet seasoning and cooking oil from pressed seeds of the tea plant Camellia sinensis(beverage tea), or the tea oil plant Camellia oleifera.

Production ebbed after World War II, as demand for the oil declined, presumably due to the development of effectiveantibiotics and the waning image of natural products. Interest in the oil was rekindled in the 1970s as part of the general renaissance of interest in natural products. Commercial plantations were established in the 1970s and 1980s, which led to mechanization and large-scale production of a consistent essential oil product

Among over 98 compounds contained in the oil, terpinen-4-ol is responsible for most of the antimicrobial activity.

Composition

Tea tree oil composition,
as per ISO 4730 (2004)

Component	Concentration
terpinen-4-ol	30–48%
γ-terpinene	10–28%
α-terpinene	5–13%
1,8-Cineole	0–15%
α-terpinolene	1.5–5%
α-terpineol	1.5–8%
α-pinene	1–6%
p-cymene	0.5–8%

Tea tree oil has been scientifically investigated only recently. Some sources suggest beneficial medical properties when applied topically, includingantivira, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic qualities. It also has beneficial cosmetic properties.

Tea tree oil is active against Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA Tea tree oil is less successful for application in the nose.^] Also, there is clinical evidence that topical dermatological preparations containing tea tree oil may be more effective than conventional antibiotics in preventing transmission of CA-MRSA

Recent studies support a role for the topical application of tea tree oil in skin care and for the treatment of various diseases and conditions. Tea tree oil appears to be effective against bacteria, viruses, fungal infections, mites such as scabies, and lice such as head lice. A 2008 study of in vitrotoxicity showed a tea tree oil preparation was more effective against head lice than permethrin, a popular pharmaceutical remedy

In the treatment of moderate common acne, topical application of 5% tea tree oil has shown an effect comparable to 5% benzoyl peroxide. Albeit with slower onset of action, patients who use tea tree oil experience fewer side effects than those that use benzoyl peroxide treatments.

Tea tree oil is a known antifungal agent, effective in vitro against multiple dermatophytes found on the skin.^[14] In vivo, shampoo with 5% tea tree oil has been shown to be an effective treatment for dandruff due to its ability to treat Malassezia furfur, the most common cause of the condition

One clinical study found that 100% tea tree oil administered topically, combined with debridement, was comparable to clotrimazole in effectiveness against onychomycosis, the most frequent cause of nail disease.^[16]

The effectiveness of topical tea tree oil preparations for the treatment of the yeast infection Candidiasis is supported by its ability to kill Candida in vitro.

There is some very limited research that has shown that tea tree oil may have topical antiviral activity, especially against the herpes virus (cold sores), chicken pox, shingles, blisters, etc

One study has shown a 5% tea tree oil solution to be more effective than commercial medications against the scabies mite in an in vitro situation.

[edit]In aquarium fish

Diluted solutions of tea tree oil are often used as a remedy to treat bacterial and fungal infections in aquarium fish. Common brand names are Melafix and Bettafix. Melafix is a stronger concentration and Bettafix is a lower concentration that makes it harder to overdose smaller fish, especially bettas. It is most commonly used to promote fin and tissue regrowth, but is also effective in treating other conditions, such as fin rot or velvet. The remedy is used mostly on betta fish,^] but can also be used with other aquarium fish, other than goldfish.

Safety

According to the American Cancer Society: "Tea tree oil is toxic when swallowed. It has been reported to cause drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, coma, unsteadiness, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, blood cell abnormalities, and severe rashes. It should be kept away from pets and children." Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) when medicinal quality, has been used successfully without problems of toxicity when taken internally under a qualified physicians directions. According to the LD50 g/kg charts, a person who weighs 70 kg (approx 154 lb) and is not allergic to tea tree oil would have to ingest 148 ml approx 5 oz) for it to be lethal. (See the book : Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Price & Price, Foreword by HRH Prince of Wales, Third Edition)

A small number of people experience allergic contact dermatitis as a reaction to dermal contact with tea tree oil. In an Italian study of 725 consecutive patients, patients were patch tested with undiluted, 1%, and 0.1% tea tree oil. For undiluted tea tree oil, nearly 6% of the patients observed positive reactions of skin irritation. Only 1 of 725 patients observed a positive reaction of skin irritation with the 1% dilution. None of the 725 patients observed adverse reactions with the 0.1% dilution. Allergic reactions may be due to the various oxidation products that are formed by exposure of the oil to light and/or air

External application of tea tree oil undiluted and/or at inappropriate high doses has been associated with toxicity, including death, in cats and other animals, due to ingestion during grooming.^[

A highly disputed case study reported in The New England Journal of Medicine concluded that repeated topical exposure of lavender and tea tree oils may have caused prepubertalgynecomastia in three young boys.^[28] The study involved just three individuals and found lavender to be the only common ingredient used by the boys in the study. While all three cases involved the use of products containing lavender oil as an ingredient, only one boy also used products containing tea tree oil. In all cases, the prepubertal gynecomastia reversed after several months. Researchers have noted that estrogenic or antiandrogenic activities have also been reported for some other commonly used essential oils, as well as some foods such as almonds and peanuts.^[28] Others have cast doubt on the conclusions of the article and dismissed the study as having used "poor methodology". The research has been most criticized for making medically related conclusions about tea tree oil based on a single individual, while outside factors were more likely to have caused the condition. Critics of the study note that millions of people use products containing tea tree oil on a regular basis and there has never been another documented relation of tea tree oil and gynecomastia before or after this study was published

If used in concentrations below 4% or particularly below 0.25%, tea tree oil may fail to kill bacteria and create selection pressure, which may result in them becoming less sensitive to tea tree oil and even some antibiotics in vitro.

Undiluted tea tree oil can cause some hearing loss when used in the ears of animals; however, a 2% concentration has not been shown to have any lasting effect. It is not known whether the same is true for humans.Thanks wikipedea

[edit]

20 Great Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil

For Health

1. Use a dab to treat acne.
2. An anti-fungal for treating Athlete’s Foot, eczema, various yeast infections, etc.
3. An antiseptic to be used on cuts and burns.
4. An anti-viral: it may lessen the symptoms of colds and flu. Try using a few drops in the bath.
5. Add to a vaporizer to loosen chest congestion.
6. Add a small amount to shampoo to destroy head lice.
7. A small amount added to your bath can help with persistent body odor.
8. Treating sinus infection.
9. For dandruff and dry scalp.
10. In the form of aromatherapy, tea tree oil is used to treat colds, persistent coughs, acne, toothaches, and sunburn.

For Cleaning

11. To create an all-purpose cleaner, combine 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.

12. Another version would be 14 ounces of water with 1 ounce of Murphy’s oil soap and 10 drops of tea tree oil.

13. Mix the above solution with kosher salt to scrub bathtub and bathroom tiles.

14. Add a few drops to dishwasher dispenser, then fill with a green dishwashing soap.

15. A few drops added to each load of laundry leave your clothes smelling cleaner.

16. Control mold with a tea tree oil/water spray.

17. Remove mustiness with that same tea tree oil/water spray.

18. To keep germs at bay, spray it on high chairs, car seats, and other high traffic spots.

19. 15 drops in a quart of water can be an effective insect repellent.

2

0Be sure to take some with you when hiking and camping to put directly on insect bites or blisters.
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www.malaysianherbals.com-(43) Polyalthia Longifolia நெட்டிலிங்கம்

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POLYALTHIA LONGIFOLIA            நெட்டிலிங்கம்
Polyalthia longifolia's common names include False Ashoka, the Buddha Tree, Indian mast tree, and Indian Fir tree. Its names in other languages include Ashoka or Devadaru in Sanskrit, Debdaru in Bengali and Hindi, Asopalav (Gujarati), Glodogan tiang (Indonesian), Devdar in marathi and Nettilinkam in Tamil, and araNamaram: അരണമരം (Malayalam). There are two important traditions associated with the tree in India (presumably in its full, untrimmed, form with spreading branches), one being of Sita taking shelter in the shade of Ashoka when in captivity (found in the Ramayana) and another that of the Ashoka tree requiring a kick from a beautiful woman on spring festival day before it would bloom (in the Malavikagnimitra, for example). However, these associations are linked to the real Ashoka tree not the false Ashoka tree (Polyalthia longifolia).Thanks Wiki

இதை தீக்குச்சி மரம் என்பர் பெரியோர். இதனை வைத்தே தீக்குச்சி தயாரிக்கிறார்கள்.

APolyalthia Longifolia var. pendula or The Mast Tree is one of the prime choices of landscape designers. This evergreen, tall and slender tree grows symmetrically and produces fresh and shining green foliage. A Polyalthia Longifolia tree grows as tall as 12 meter. The entire length of the plant is covered by long and wavy leaves. The beautiful contrast of new golden and coppery brown leaves against old dark-green leaves make a spectacular show.

Polyalthia Longifolia flowers during spring for a brief period (approximately two to three weeks). During this period, the entire tree is covered with small star-shaped flowers of pale green color. The flowers grow in clusters and attract birds and butterflies.

Flowering is followed by egg-shaped fruits that are visited by bats and flying foxes.In spring the tree is covered with delicate star-like pale green flowers. The flowers last for a short period, usually two to three weeks, are not conspicuous due to their color.

Fruit is borne in clusters of 10-20, initially green but turning purple or black when ripe. These are loved by birds such as the Asian Koel Eudynamys scolopaceus and bats including flying foxes.

The leaves are use for ornamental decoration and are used in festivals. The tree is a main attraction in gardens throughout India. The tree can be cut into various shapes and maintained in required sizes. In past, the flexible, straight and light-weight trunks were used in the making of masts for sailing ships. That is why the tree is also known as the Mast Tree. Today, the tree is mostly used for manufacturing small articles such as pencil boxes etc.

Methanolic extracts of Polyalthia longifolia have yielded 20 known and two new organic compounds, some of which show cytotoxic properties.^[1]

Polyalthia Longifolia can be easily trimmed in to a straight columnar growth covered with a lot of leaves. For this reason, it is suitable for landscapes, as a hedge tree, and as visual dividers or wind blockers in open spaces.

The trunk of Polyalthia Longifolia has grey bark. Both the trunk and the bark are used in manufacturing of fiber. Timber is used for making boxes, pencils and long masts – that is why it is also known as the mast tree. In India and Sri Lanka, where the mast tree is held in high esteem, its leaves are used in religious ceremonies and for decorating arches and doorways.

Sometimes, Polyalthia Longifolia, is incorrectly identified as Ashoka tree (Saraca Indica) because of closely resembling leaves of both species. Other names of the mast tree are Asupala or the Buddha tree.

Polyalthia Longifolia can be grown easily from seed or cuttings. It is a fast growing tree and requires good exposure to sunlight and moderate watering.

Polyalthia Longifolio or the Mast Tree belongs to the Annonaceae family, which is one of the largest families of flowering plants and usually known as the custard apple family

.இதனை முன்பின் பார்த்திருக்கிறீர்களா? 

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www.malaysianherbals.com-Saraca Indica (42) Indian Plant அசோக மரம்

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SARACA INDICA                                                        அசோக மரம்

The Ashoka tree (lit., "sorrow-less") (S. asoca (Roxb.) Wilde, or Saraca indica L. ) is a plant belonging to the Caesalpiniaceae subfamily of the legume family.[1] It is an important tree in the cultural traditions of the Indian Subcontinent and adjacent areas.

The Ashoka is a rain-forest tree. Its original distribution was in the central areas of the Deccan plateau, as well as the middle section of the Western Ghats in the western coastal zone of the Indian Subcontinent. The Ashoka is prized for its beautiful foliage and fragrant flowers. It is a very handsome, small, erect evergreen tree, with deep green leaves growing in dense clusters.

 It is  the Buddha Tree, Indian mast tree, and Indian Fir tree. Its names in other languages include Ashoka or Devadaru in Sanskrit, Debdaru in Bengali and Hindi, Asopalav (Gujarati), Glodogan tiang (Indonesian), Devdar in marathi and  duplicate Nettilinkam in Tamil, and ARANamaram: അരണമരം (Malayalam). There are two important traditions associated with the tree in India (presumably in its full, untrimmed, form with spreading branches), one being of Sita taking shelter in the shade of Ashoka when in captivity (found in the Ramayana) and another that of the Ashoka tree requiring a kick from a beautiful woman on spring festival day before it would bloom (in the Malavikagnimitra, for example). However, these associations are linked to the real Ashoka tree not the false Ashoka tree (Polyalthia longifolia).Thanks Wiki

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