Ayurveda and Science

Ketaki/केतकी/Costus peciosus/Crepe Ginger/Kemukha

AYURVEDIC & MEDICINAL PLANTS

Ketaki
Hindi Name: Ketaki
Sanskrit Name: Kemukha
English Name: Crepe Ginger
Latin Name: Costus speciosus (Koeing) Sm.
A perennial shrub with brilliant red coloured flowers cultivated in gardens as ornamental plant and also found growing in fallow lands.

Costus Speciosus Medicinal Uses

Kemukha is primarily used by Ayurveda in the treatment of disturbances in lipid metabolism like obesity, hyperlipidaemia. It is also considered useful in the management of diabetes. It is thought to cause contraction in the uterine muscles. Therefore, has also been used to correct irregular menstruation and during parturition.

Chemical Composition

Tubers has a large amount of starch. Diosgenin and tigogenin have been isolated from the rhizome.

Effect on
Doshas

Balances kapha and pitta.
Read more about various ailments, it's causes, symptoms, ayurvedic treatments, etc.

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Mandukaparni

A prostrate herb with glabrous leaves found throughout India in fallow lands, wet and shady places. Now a days the herb is also cultivated in many parts of the country. The leaves are used in Ayurvedic preparation.

Palasha

A middle sized deciduous tree with brilliant orange-red flowers found in almost all parts of country. Seeds are used in Ayurveda for various formulations.

Ratti

Abrus precatorius is a slender, perennial climber that twines around trees, shrubs, and hedges. Leaves are glabrous with long internodes. It has a slender branch and a cylindrical wrinkled stem with a smooth-textured brown bark. Flowers are small and pale

Shirish Plant

A deciduous erect spreading tree commonly growing at road side throughout India from the plains upto 900 m in Himalaya. Bark of the tree is used for various ailments in Ayurveda.

Bach Plant

Hardy perennial herb of marshy places, to 6 feet tall, aromatic, rhizome stout, pinkish; leaves to 3/4 inch wide, with a prominent midrib; spadix stout, to 4 inches long. The genus Acorus is considered to be the most primitive extant monocot.