Medicinal plants offer amazing and simple cures – Discover benefits of indoor medicinal plants in India, Find ayurvedic plants to grow at home like dhrut kumari
Do you know our country, India, offers a treasure of wisdom for medicinal plants? Yes, you are familiar with this treasure as the Ayurvedic cure. Today the world is embracing this science of natural medicines and holistic wellbeing.
Most people, especially those who love history, know that Indian civilization is the oldest of all. Even 4000 years ago, people used herbs and plants as medicines. And most likely, you have also used it many times. The Tulsi tea, the Ajwain, the curry leaves or the mint and coriander chutney – all these are medicinal herbs that are essential to our everyday life of food and beverages. But actually, this is a small part of the list of medicinal plants.
Best Medicinal Plants
You see, until the advent of western medicines, Indians used many medicinal plants to treat different disorders. Vedas have several manuscripts about how to use different Indian spices and herbs to get rid of a specific disease. How about we get the fantastic curing powers of Ayurveda plants right inside your home – with indoor plants. Here, we have the list of the medicinal plants that are ideal for growing in your home or garden. Check them out!
These are the best of Ayurveda medicinal plants that can be quickly grown at home:
a. Tulsi, or Holy Basil
b. Pudina, or Mint
c. Dhaniya, or Coriander
d. Nimbu, or Lemon
e. Sarson, or Mustard
f. Kadhi Patta, or Curry leaf
g. Dalchini, or Cinnamon
h. Lal Mirch, or Red Pepper
i. Dhrut Kumari, or Aloe vera
j. Lemongrass
k. Ajwain, or Carom seeds
l. Lasan, or Garlic
m. Gendha phool, or Marigold
n. Neem leaf
o. Bael Henna
When you grow medicinal plants at home, you can use them as fresh – straight from the garden to medicinal use. You see, in Ayurveda cure with medicinal plants, the freshness of plants is important. Freshness ensures the potency of herbs, flowers and fruits and thereby enhances their effect as a medicine.
Growing Medicinal plants at home
Nature is the best healer. So, if you are interested in healing common diseases naturally, bring these plants & herbs home. They also add greenery to your place and the surroundings. Fortunately, most of these herbs are indoors plants; and they are simple to nurture. So let’s get digging and growing some greens now!
Seasons | Months | Suitable Medicinal plant |
Early Summer | April | Lal Mirch, or Red Pepper |
Summer time | April, May, June | Tulsi, or Holy Basil |
Dhrut Kumari, or Aloe vera | ||
Lemongrass | ||
Neem leaf | ||
Mid-summer | May, Early June | Sarson, or Mustard |
Monsoon | July, August, September | Dalchini, or Cinnamon |
Autumn | October, November | Dhaniya, or Coriander |
Early Winter | December | Lasan, or Garlic |
Late Winter | February | Nimbu, or Lemon |
Springtime | March | Gendha phool, or Marigold |
Kadhi patta, or Curry leaf | ||
Pudina, or Mint | ||
All seasons | January to December | Ajwain, or Carom seeds |
Bael Henna |
Benefits of Medicinal plants benefits
Medicinal plants | Benefits | |||
Tulsi, or Holy Basil | Cough and cold | Fever | Diabetes | Asthma |
Pudina, or Mint | Digestion | Fresh Breath | Immune system | Energy levels |
Dhaniya, or Coriander | Digestion | Blood pressure | Diabetes | Metabolism |
Nimbu, or Lemon | Digestion | Fresh Breath | Hydration | Weight control |
Sarson, or Mustard | Digestion | Blood pressure | Respiratory system | Healthy hair |
Kadhi Patta, or Curry leaf | Constipation | Depression | Eyesight | Healthy hair |
Dalchini, or Cinnamon | Anti-bacterial | Infections | Diabetes | Heart |
Lal Mirch, or Red Pepper | Digestion | Pain relief | Detox | Weight control |
Dhrut Kumari, or Aloe vera | Constipation | Healthy skin | Diabetes | |
Lemongrass | Pain relief | Infections | Detox | Metabolism |
Ajwain, or Carom seeds | Acidity | Arthritis | Metabolism | |
Lasan, or Garlic | Asthama | Blood pressure | Immune system | Heart |
Gendha phool, or Marigold | Healthy skin | Blood flow | Mouth ulcers | Healthy tissue |
Neem leaf | Ulcers | Healthy skin, hair | Immune system | Chicken pox |
Bael Henna | Dental | Blood flow | Cough and cold | Obesity |
Types of Medicinal plants
Tulsi
English Name: Holy Basil
We all know tulsi is a typical Indian plant and is mainly used to treat cold and flu. People also use tulsi to cleanse their skin and detoxify their body. The incredible aroma of Tulsi and Basil leaves add a lovely flavour to your dishes as well.
Best season to grow Holy basil plant: Summer
Benefits of Tulsi
- Helps in curing asthma, sore throat, cough and cold
- Reduces diabetes, stress, fever, and headache
- Tulsi is also a refreshing plant that purifies the surrounding air
Pudina
English Name: PepperMint
Are you suffering from indigestion and vomiting – use Pudina. Apart from having an energizing taste, Pudina is effective in treating various diseases. Plus, Pudina is rich in Vitamin A and iron.
Best season to grow Mint plant: Spring
Benefits of Pudina
- Improves digestive systems
- Cures bad breath
- Boosts the immune system, mood, and energy
- Mosquito and pest repellent
Dhaniya
English name: Coriander
If you want to stimulate your insulin production, Dhaniya is the best. It also lowers your sugar levels. Dhaniya is yet another common medicinal plant found in many Indian households.
Best season to grow Coriander plant: End of the spring or the entire autumn
Benefits of Dhaniya
- Improves the digestion system and metabolism
- Lowers blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Also fights against bacteria and prevent food spoiling
Nimbu
English Name: Lemon
Rich in Vitamin C and fibre, Nimbu is a powerful medicinal plant with lots of healthy nutrients. One of the most common usages of lemon is in burning calories and reducing your weight.
Best season to grow Lemon plant: Late winter or the beginning of spring
Benefits of Nimbu
- Treats dehydration and prevents kidney stones
- Improves digestive process and helps in weight control
- Also cures dry mouth and bad breath
Sarson
English Name: Mustard
Yellow mustard seeds have anti-inflammatory properties and have a high content of magnesium. Mustard oil offers many benefits, including relief from muscle pain. It also stimulates hair growth when applied to the scalp.
Best season to grow Mustard plant: Mid-summer
Benefits of Sarson
- Fastens the digestion process
- Reduces high blood pressure
- Treats respiratory and hair disorders
Kadhi Patta
English Name: Curry Leaf
In use since ages, curry leaf is a typical Indian spice used to temper various dishes. The distinct aroma of these leaves adds an extra flavour to the recipe. This Indian medicinal spice offers incredible health benefits. The leaves can also be eaten raw and are useful in curing stomach upsets.
Best season to grow Curry leaf plant: Spring
Benefits of Kadhi Patta
- Improves eyesight and hair quality
- Treats constipation, diarrhoea, and dysentery
- Reduces stress, anxiety, and depression
Dalchini
English Name: Cinnamon
This medicinal herb is best known for its aroma and is used as a culinary spice. Its antibacterial properties make it one of the best Ayurvedic plants. It’s excellent to cure ailments like pimples, cough, acne and digestive troubles.
Best season to grow Cinnamon plant: Rainy
Benefits of Dalchini
- Reduces diabetes
- Lowers risks of cancer and heart diseases
- Fights against oxidants and infections
Lal Mirch
English Name: Red Pepper
The antioxidants present in Lal Mirch ensure the proper flow of blood circulation. Besides being used to flavour and spice up dishes, Pepper also improves your immune system.
Best season to grow Red pepper plant: Early summer
Benefits of Lal Mirch
- Give relief from pain
- Helps to reduce the weight
- Boosts digestion and detox power
Dhrut Kumari
English Name: Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is perhaps one of the most widely used indoor plants in Indian households. Ayurveda recommends using aloe vera for skin disorders like pimples, acne and even burn injuries. Consuming aloe vera juice cures stomach ailments. Keeping an aloe vera plant in your home purifies the air. This plant inhales carbon dioxide and releases oxygen.
Best season to grow Aloe vera plant: Summer
Benefits of Dhrut Kumari
- Relieves constipation
- Improves skin quality
- Regulates diabetes
Lemon Grass
English Name: Lemon Grass
The essential oil of lemongrass has many healing properties. Popularly used in Thai dishes to add flavour and aroma, lemongrass is also a significant ingredient in all cosmetic products. Also, intake of lemongrass daily reduces the cholesterol levels.
Best season to grow Lemongrass plant: Summer
Benefits of Lemongrass
- Boosts Metabolism
- Helps Treat Infections
- Detoxifies the Body
- Gives relief from menstrual pain
- Repels mosquitoes
Ajwain
English Name: Carom Seeds
Popular in almost every Indian household, Ajwain seeds are rich in fibre, minerals and vitamins. These seeds are an ayurvedic marvel, especially for pregnant ladies. It gives relief from the gas or acidity, causing discomfort during pregnancy.
Best season to grow Ajwain plant: All season
Benefits of Ajwain
- Instant relief from acidity
- Eases the pain due to arthritis
- Mosquito repellent
- Enhances metabolism rate
Lahasun
English Name: Garlic
Garlic is a powerful antibiotic and the best remedy to boost immunity. Studies have also claimed that garlic has the power to kill cancer cells. Used a flavour booster in curries and meat dishes, garlic is one of the most versatile food elements on earth.
Best season to grow Lahasun plant: Early winter or early spring
Benefits of Garlic
- Strengthens immune system
- Helps in keeping our heart healthy
- Lowers blood pressure
- Fights cancerous cells
- An effective remedy for asthma
Gende ka phool
English Name: Marigold
More than just a pretty flower, Marigold is a useful medicinal herb. With anti-inflammatory properties, this flower is an effective remedy for treating piles. People use this flower in treating muscular pain or ulcers. Various skincare and body massage products have Marigold oil in them. Marigold flower also holds spiritual significance and is used in many Indian festivals and rituals in the form of garlands.
Best season to grow Gende ka phool plant: Spring
Benefits of Marigold
- Increases blood flow
- Ideal for treating mouth ulcers
- Detoxifies the skin
- Promotes healthy tissue growth
- Great for treating bruises and sunburns
Neem
English Name: Azadirachta indica
Neem is best known for its antifungal properties. It is often called “Good Health Tree” in Ayurveda. Antibacterial and anti-ageing properties make neem a powerful natural healer. Neem oil is excellent in treating dry scalp, and for promoting hair growth. Neem leaves, bark and flowers offer immense dental or oral health benefits. In households, neem leaves are known to ward off mosquitoes and other insects.
Best season to grow Neem plant: Summer
Benefits of Neem
- Increases immunity
- Natural skin healer
- Used to treat chickenpox
- Helps in treating ulcer
- An effective herbal remedy for healthy and long hair
Bael Henna
English Name: Aegle marmelos
Used as a natural source of nourishment, especially to our hair, Bael Henna is a widely used medicinal plant. It boosts hair growth and even makes them strong and healthy.
Best season to grow Bael Henna plant: All seasons
Benefits of Bael Henna
- Keeps tuberculosis at bay
- Helps in treating obesity
- Stimulates blood circulation
- Cures throat infections
- Cures dental disorders like bleeding gums