Figures (0)  Tables (1)
    • Sr. No. Botanical names Plant family References and
      page numbers      		 Sanskrit names and their literary
      meaning with references      		 Pharmacological reports
      1 Achyranthes aspera L. Amaranthaceae Leucas[9], p. 211 Apamarga meaning a side way or another way[11].
      Plant is used as a promising way to rid many diseases      		 Used for curing several diseases[13]
      2 Alpinia galanga (L.) Willd. Zingiberaceae Leucas[9], p. 32 Hatkanthmukh shodhani
      1. Hat = injured[11], p. 1361;
      2. Kanth = Larynx (www.hindwi.org);
      3. Mukh = oral cavity or mouth;
      4. Shodhani = detoxifying agent[15].
      cures infectious diseases of the mouth and larynx      		 Antibacterial activity reported against 10 different types of pathogenic bacteria[14]

      In carrageenan-induced edema in pleurisy rats, anti-inflammatory activity has been reported[16]
      3 Baliospermum solanifolium
      (Burm. f.) Suresh., syn.,
      B.montanum (Willd.) Muell. Arg.      		 Euphorbiaceae Leucas[9], p. 202 Nikhumba meaning purging[15] Seeds used as potent purgative[17]
      4 Berberis aristata DC. Berberidaceae Leucas[9], p. 66 Pachampaca (also known as Daruharidra)
      1. Pacham = Digestion;
      2. Paca = Cooking[15].
      improves digestive process      		 Berberine alkaloid may affect the digestive process as it is known to affect cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and hepatic disorders[18]
      5 Carum carvi L. Apiaceae Leucas[9], p. 22 Udgarashodhana (also known as Jeera)
      1. Udgara = belching[33];
      2. Shodhana = detoxifying agent[15].
      relieves acid belching      		 Seed oil improves digestion and relieves spasms in the stomach and intestine[19]
      6 Senna alexandrina var.
      alexandrina
      		 Fabaceae Leucas[9], p. 246 Mrdurecani
      1. Mrdu = soft; 2. Recani = soften hard stools[11], p. 861      		 Sennosides and anthranoids are present which causes a laxative effect[20]
      7 Catunaregam spinosa
      (Thunb.) Tirveng., syn.
      Randia dumetorum (Retz.) Poir.      		 Rubiaceae Kamat & Kamat[8],
      p. 62      		 Chardana meaning to vomit to empty stomach[21] Commonly known as emetic nut. The seeds irritate the stomach which causes vomiting[22]
      8 Centipeda minima (L.)
      A. Braun & Asch.      		 Asteraceae Leucas[9], p. 251 Chikkani, Chikka meaning sneezing[11], p. 390 Used for treating allergic rhinitis[23]
      9 Croton tiglium L.
      		 Euphorbiaceae Kamat & Kamat[8],
      p. 86      		 Recakah meaning to evacuate bowel; purgative[11], p. 861 Increases gut mobility and has violent purgative action[24,25]
      10 Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. Poaceae Leucas[9], p. 192 Sahasravirya
      1. Sahasra = thousand[11], p. 1354;
      2. Virya = semen, virility[15].
      increases semen production by 1,000      		 Not reported
      11 Datura metel L. Solanaceae Leucas[9], p. 154 Mahamohini (also known as Dhatura)
      1. Maha = great[15];
      2. Mohini = depriving senses and understanding[21]      		 Plant possesses narcotic, hallucinatory, and poisonous properties due to the presence of bioactive alkaloids[26]
      12 Euphorbia nerrifolia L. Euphorbiaceae Kamat & Kamat[8],
      p. 88
      		 Sakhakanda
      1. Sakha = branch[15];
      2. Kanda = a knot-like swelling[21]      		 Antimicrobial activity reported in a review paper[27]

      Anti-inflammatory activity of dried extract and isolated nerrifolione and cycloartenol were evaluated[28]
      13 Hellenia speciosa (J. Koenig)
      S.R. Dutta., syn.,
      Costus speciosus (J. Koeing) Sm.      		 Costaceae eFloraofIndia[10] Kushta (also known as Kut) meaning leprosy[21] Hexane and methanol extracts of leaves and rhizomes show antibacterial activity against seven species of pathogenic bacteria[29]; Roy et al.[30] reported a flavonoid which shows antibacterial activity in vitro
      14 Juniperus communis var.
      saxatilis Pall.      		 Cupressaceae Leucas[9], p. 34 Visaghni
      1. Vish = poison; 2. Aghni = fire[21]
      It removes/eliminates "the fire of poison" from the body.      		 Not reported
      15 Lepidium sativum L. Brassicaceae Leucas[9], p. 29 Charmahantri
      1. Charma = skin(Apte[11], p. 375);
      2. Hantri = to remove or destroy[21]
      removes skin disease      		 Antimicrobial and antifungal activities reported by Shama Adam et al.[31] and Haj Bloukh et al.[32]
      16 Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.)
      Wight & Arn.      		 Apocynaceae Leucas[9], p. 142 Jivanti = alive; Jivani = vivifying[15]; Jiva = soul[21]
      improves life span and health      		 Naik & Acharya[33] reported this plant as nutritious, having high protein content and fat energy value with phosphorous and vitamin A.
      17 Luffa echinata Roxb. Cucurbitaceae Leucas[9], p. 247 Garanasani
      1. Gara = a factitious poison;
      2. Nashini = to remove, destroy[21]
      Destroys poison in the body      		 Not reported
      18 Mangifera indica L. x Anacardiaceae Leucas[9], p. 326 Kamanga (also known as Aam) meaning sexual desire[21] Singh et al.[34] reported aphrodisiac potential
      19 Paederia foetida L. Rubiaceae Leucas[9], p. 218 Bala meaning energetic[11], p. 709 Antioxidant and nutritional value was reported by Osman et al.[35] and Upadhyaya[36]
      20 Pueraria tuberosa
      (Roxb. ex Willd.) DC.      		 Fabaceae eFloraofIndia[10] Vidari meaning a swelling of the groin[21] Isoorientin, and the anti-inflammatory active mechanism, was isolated and elucidated by Anilkumar et al.[37]
      21 Sapindus emarginatus Vahl Sapindaceae Leucas[9], p. 305 Garbhpatana meaning induces abortion
      1. Garbha = fetus in the womb
      2. Patana = falling down (www.sanskritdictionary.org)      		 Cytotoxic activity reported by Kumar & Kavmani[40]
      22 Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae Leucas[9], p. 3 Vayastha (also known as Haritaki, Harad, Abhaya, Pathya)
      meaning looking young in the prime of life between ages 16−17[21];
      delays aging process and acts as a rejuvenator      		 Methanolic and aqueous extracts showed anti-aging effects[39]
      23 Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.)
      Hook.f. & Thomson      		 Menispermaceae Kamat & Kamat[8],
      p. 2      		 Visalya (also known as Guduchi, Giloy, Amrutha)
      meaning free from pain, agony, and misery;
      Dhira meaning strong and energetic[21];
      Used as a strong, energetic tonic to keep a person healthy      		 Used as a rejuvenator tonic; claimed to cure several diseases[40]

      Table 1. 

      Summary of plants, pharmacological reports, and their Sanskrit meanings.