Did you know: More than 60% of today’s modern drugs have herbal origin.

Want examples? Read on to see how many of these well-known drugs that you know of, are actually herbal in origin – Atropine The Anticholinergic used in a wide variety of ailments comes from Atropa belladonna plant. Theophylline This preferred Bronchodilator and diuretic drug is the active principle of Theobroma cacao, alongwith Theobromine, another lesser...

A quick guide to collecting plant parts for medicinal use

Collecting good quality herbs is undoubtedly the first and foremost step to making good herbal medicines. In order to achieve that, several factors play an important role, affecting the potency and concentration of bioactive compounds in the plant being collected. Let us see what Ayurveda advises about the herbs collection methods. 1. General  Physical /...

My Nature Photography: A World Nature Conservation Day Special Post

My (ever-so-highly criticized) habit of wandering off into untrodden wilderness treks often leads me to some marvelous beauties of Nature. Tomorrow (28 July) is World Nature Conservation Day. So today I'm sharing some snaps of the Nature's beauties that I've come across in my various treks. Some are medicinal plants, some are just lookalikes, but...

Pharmacy-in-a-Pot Plant #2: Nirgundi

Today we continue our series featuring the most versatile, cheapest, easily sustainable and potable medicinal plants and their medicinal uses. Today's featured plant is Nirgundi - a medicinal shrub native to India & China, and naturalized all over the world. Before we jump into the medicinal uses part, some botanical info is in tune -...

Pharmacy-in-a-Pot Plant #1: Aloe Vera

Last month I had promised to write about the most versatile, easily potable and cheapest medicinal plants around. So here comes the first post in the new series, Pharmacy-in-a-Pot Plants! "Okay Doc, everyone knows that aloe is good for the skin! What's the big deal?" So you think it is good only for that much?...