Healthy Living
T
Medicinal Plants You Should Know
he traditional storage of ethnobotanical knowledge in memory and practices has a long history and must go back to the beginning of human existence. Likewise, ethnobotany is of great age in India, where it has been described in several ancient literatures. One of the most important sources is the Rig Veda (1200-900 BC), which has been useful in the attempt to identify the source of the traditional medicine system, also known as ‘Ayurveda’. Application of such herbal remedies has also been mentioned in the Atharva Veda (around 3,000 to 2,000 BC). It was in the 19th century when scientists started focusing on the active components found in herbs that gave a way to the research on molecular level. Herbs like Caraway, Cardamom, Turmeric, Aniseed, Clove, Cumin seeds, Basil, Ginger etc. are a few among the gigantic range of culinary herbs. The wild plants have been providing an important source of medicine and food since time immemorial. 26 Community Seeds . Summer 2013
Dr. Deepak Acharya
In an attempt to feature traditional herbal applications, the author aims to feature one herb in each issue of this magazine. The current issue brings information about Onion.
Allium cepa L. Family: Liliaceae Vernacular Names: Palandu, Onion (Bengali); Onion (English); Dungali (Gujarati); Piyaz (Hindi); Irulli (Kannada); Ulli (Malayalam); Kanda (Marathi); Nripakanda, Palandu, Raktakanda (Sanskrit); Iravengayam, Irulli, Vella-vengayam (Tamil); Nirulli, Vulli Gaddalu (Telugu). Plant Profile and Distribution: Small, biennial herbs, with underground bulbs rooting at base and strong pungent odor; leaves sub-dichotomous, fistular,