Nakshathravanam

1. Strychnos
S
nux-vomic
n
ca
Family: Loganiacea
ae
e tree; Mala
ayalam: Kanjiram
English: Strychnine
Naksha
atram : Asw
wathy
Large deciduous tree, with simple
e leaves an
nd white fragrant flowe
ers. The pla
ant is
distributed through
hout India in deciduou
us forests up
u to 1200
0 m. it is also found in
n Sri
Lanka, Siam,
S
Indo
o-china and
d Malaysia. Strychnoss is highly toxic
t
to ma
an and animals
producin
ng stiffness
s of muscles and convvulsions, ultimately lea
ading to de
eath. The se
eeds
are used
d as a remedy in interrmittent fevver, indigesttion, chroniic dysenterry, paralyticc and
neuralgic affections. It is alsso useful in
n impotencce, neuralgiia of face, heart dise
ease.
Leaves are applied as poultice in the treatment of chronic wounds. It is one off the
ingredient in some ayurvedic medicines, for which the
t plant pa
arts are dettoxified in some
s
traditional methods
s
2. Phyllanthus
P
s emblica
Family: Euphorbiac
ceae
English: Indian goo
Nelli
oseberry; Malayalam:
M
Naksha
atram : Bha
arani
Small to mediu
um sized de
eciduous trree growing
g up to 20 m in heigh
ht, hardy and
a
it
prefers a warm dry
y climate, found
f
troug
gh out tropical and su
ubtropical India, Sri La
anka
and Malaysia. It is useful in haemorrhage, diarrhea
a and dysen
ntery. It con
ntain iron and is
useful in
n anaemia. The fruits are ideal in
n jaundice and
a indigesstion. Leave
es are usefful in
conjuncttivitis, inflammation and
a
dysente
ery. The ba
ark is usefful in gono
orrhea, jaun
ndice
and diarrhea. The fruit is very rich source of Vitamin C and is used as a nutritive tonic in
general weakness.
3. Ficus racemosa
Family: Moraceae
English: Cluster fig, Country fig; Malayalam: Athi
Nakshatram : Karthika
A large sized, deciduous tree with spreading crown. it is distributed all over India.
Roots are useful in treating dysentery. The bark is useful as a wash for wounds, highly
efficacious in threatened abortions and recommended in uropathy. The ripe fruits are
sweet, cooling and are used in haemoptysis, thirst and vomiting.
4. Syzygium cumini
Family: Myrtaceae
English: Jaman, Jambolan; Malayalam: Njaval
Nakshatram : Rohini
A large or medium sized, evergreen tree usually seen along river banks. The bark is
useful in diabetes, intrinsic haemorrhage, gastric disorders, fever, skin diseases and
wounds. Leaves are antibacterial and is used in vomiting. The fruits and seed are
sweet, acrid, sour, liver tonic and cooling. They are used in diabetes, diarrhea,
pharyngitis, splenopathy, urinary disorders, ring worm and to strengthen gums and
teeth.
5. Acacia catechu
Family: Mimosaceae
English: Cutch tree; Malayalam: Karingali
Nakshatram : Makayiram
Moderate sized deciduous tree, 9 – 12 m in height with dark grayish or brown rough
bark and hooked short spines. Commonly used as a blood purifier and in leprosy and
leucoderma. The bark is useful in depression, conjunctivitis and spitting of blood. It is
anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory. It is useful in cough, itching, leprosy, skin diseases,
worm infestataion, loss of appetite, diarrhea, dysentery, foul ulcers and wounds,
anaemia and diabetes.
6. Diospyros ebenum
Family: Ebenaceae
English: Black sapotae; Malayalam: Karimaram
Nakshatram : Tiruvathira
An evergreen tree with glabrous branchlets. The treesa are seen in the dry
evergreen forests of south India. Unripe fruits, leaves and bark are used as laxative,
and aphrodisiac; cures nasal bleeding; good in flatulence, anaemia, burns and scabies.
7. Bambusa bambos
Family: Poaceae
English: Thorny bamboo; Malayalam: Mula, Illi
Nakshatram : Punartham
A tall thorny bamboo up to 30m in height with many culms forming a clump; nodes
prominent, internodes up to 45 cm long; found throughout India in areas up to 2,100 m
altitude. The roots are useful in leprosy, skin diseases, burning sensation,
discolorations, ringworm and general debility. The leaves are useful in ophthalmopathy,
haemorrhoids, diarrhea, gonorrhea, wounds, skin diseases and fever.
8. Ficus religiosa
Family: Moraceae
English: Peepal tree, Sacred fig; Malayalam: Arayal
Nakshatram : Pooyam
A large deciduous tree, sometimes epiphytic with a spreading canopy. It is seen
throughout in India, often planted in the vicinity of the temples. Bark is used in the
treatment of gonorrhea, diarrhea, dysentery, haemorrhoids and gastrohelcosis. It is also
good for burns. Leaves and tender shoots are recommended for wounds and skin
diseases. The latex is good for neuralgia, inflammations and haemorrhages. Fruits are
laxative and digestive.
9. Mesua nagassarium
Family: Clusiaceae
English: Iron wood tree; Malayalam: Nagappoovu
Nakshatram : Ayilyam
Medium to large sized evergreen tree with a reddish brown bark which peels off in
thin flakes. The plant occurs in sub tropical to tropical areas of East India, Andaman
Islands and Western Ghats up to an altitude of 1500 m. Bark and roots are useful in
gastritis and bronchitis. Fixed oil expressed from seeds is used for cutaneous affections,
sores, scabies, wounds and in rheumatism. Dried flowers are useful in bleeding piles,
dysentery, thirst, irritability of the stomach, excessive perspiration, cough, indigestion
etc. Leaves and flowers are used in scorpion stings.
10. Ficus benghalensis
Family: Moraceae
English: Banyan tree; Malayalam: Peral, Vatavriksham
Nakshatram : Makam
A large laticiferous tree up to 30 m in height with widely spreading branches. The
tree bears many aerial roots functioning as prop roots; found in the sub Himalayan tract
and Peninsular India. It is widely used in treatment of skin diseases. Stem bark, root
bark, aerial roots, leaves, vegetative buds and milky exudates are used in medicine. It
improves complexion, cures burning sensation and vaginal disorders, while an infusion
of the bark cures dysentery, diarrhea, uterine problems, nervous disorders and reduces
blood sugar. Young twigs strengthen gums and tooth.
11. Butea monosperma
Family: Fabaceae
English: Bastard teak, Flame of the forest; Malayalam: Plasu, Chamatha
Nakshatram : Pooram
A medium sized deciduous tree, with bright orange red flowers. Found throughout
India in deciduous forest in areas up to 1200 m altitude. Bark of the tree is used in
diarrhea, dysentery, haemorrhoids, intestinal worms, bone-fractures, renal diseases,
ulcers, tumours and diabetes. The leaves are useful in pimples, boils, flatulence, worm
infestations, inflammations and haemorrhoids. The flowers are useful in fever, leprosy,
skin diseases, swellings, arthritis, burning sensations, and bone-fractures. It is found
very efficacious in birth control. The seeds are useful in herpes, skin diseases, ring
worm, arthritis, flatulence, constipation and diabetes. The gum is useful in diarrhea,
haemorrhoids, diabetes, leprosy, skin diseases, ulcer, general debility, hyper acidity,
dyspepsia and fever. The ash of the tender branches is useful in abdominal disorders.
12. Ficus microcarpa
Family: Moraceae
Malayalam: Ithi
Nakshatram : Uthram
It is widely distributed throughout India and Sri Lanka, S. China, Ryuku Isles and
Britain. It is commended as cooling, astringent and curative in tridosha, ulcers, skin
diseases, burning sensation and inflammations. The bark and leaves are used in
diarrhea, dysentery, diabetes, burning sensationand haemorrhage.
13. Spondias pinnata
Family: Anacardiaceae
English: Wild Mango, Hogplum; Malayalam: Ampazham
Nakshatram : Atham
Medium sized, aromatic, deciduous tree, growing up to 30 m height; found
throughout in India, wild as well as cultivated. The roots are useful in regulating
menstruation; the bark is aromatic, astringent and cooling and is administered in
dysentery, diarrhea, vomiting and muscular rheumatism. The leaves are aromatic,
acidic and astringent. The unripe fruits are astringent, sour, appetizer and aphrodisiac.
The ripe fruits are sweet, astringent, cooling, tonic and constipating. They are useful in
indigestion, diarrhea and general debility.
14. Aegle marmelos
Family: Rutaceae
English: Bengal Quince; Malayalam: Koovalam
Nakshatram : Chithira
Medium sized armed deciduous tree growing to a height of 10 m. branches bear
straight sharp axillary thorns. This tree is sacred and popularly planted in Shiva temple
premises. Its leaves are trifoliate symbolizing Trimurthy (Brahma-Vishnu-Maheswara).
Every part of the tree is medicinal and useful. The roots are used in many ayurvedic
medicines for curing diabetes, leprosy and many other diseases. It is an ingredient of
dasamoola - an ayurvedic combination of the roots of 10 plants. The bark is used to
cure intestinal disorders. Leaves and fruits are useful in controlling diarrhea and
dysentery. Fruit pulp is used as shampoo and cooling agent. It is used to cure mouth
ulcers, stomach and intestinal disorders.
15. Terminalia cuneata
Family: Combrataceae
English: Arjun; Malayalam: Nirmaruthu
Nakshatram :Chothi
It is a large deciduous tree commonly found in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and
Peninsular India, aspecially in the river-banks. The bark is useful in fractures, ulcers,
abnormal discharge from vagina and urethra, diabetes, fatigue, asthma, bronchitis,
tumours, internal and external haemorrhages and hypertension. The bark powder is
diuretic and has a general tonic effect in cases of cirrhosis of liver. The bark is used as
a cardiac tonic.
16. Flacourtia jangomas
Family: Flacourtiaceae
English: Puneala plum; Malayalam: Vaiyyankata
Nakshatram : Vishakham
A large deciduous spreading tree up to 10 m in height; found throughout India. Bark,
leaves and fruits are useful in curing rheumatism, intense thirst, nausea, indigestion,
flatulence, colic, diarrhea, inflammations, skin diseases, diabetes, jaundice and
tumours.
17. Mimusops elengi
Family: Sapotaceae
English: Bullet wood tree, West Indian Medlar; Malayalam: Ilanji
Nakshatram : Anizham
Evergreen tree with sweet scented flowers, found in North and Peninsular India and
Andaman Islands. The bark and seed coat are used for strengthening the gum and
forms a n essential ingredient in herbal tooth powders and tooth pastes. Tender stems
are used as tooth brushes; also useful in diarrhea and dysentery. Flowers are used for
preparing a lotion for wounds and ulcers.
18. Aporosa lindleyana
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Malayalam: Vetti, Ponvetti, Aechil
Nakshatram : Thrikketa
Medium tree seen in semi evergreen and evergreen forests and also in the plains.
The tree is distributed in Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Roots are useful in treatment
of mental disorders, headache, fever, jaundice. Leaves are used as shampoo for
cleaning hair.
19. Vateria indica
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
English: Indian Copal tree, Piney varnish tree, White Dammar;
Malayalam: Vellappayin, Velutha kunthirikkum
Nakshatram : Moolam
Large handsome evergreen tree 20 – 30 m height with grey thick bark often blotched
with green and white. The tree is endemic to the Western Ghats region and found up to
1200 m altitude. Bark, resin and oil have medicinal properties.
20. Salyx tetrasperma
Family: Salicaceae
Malayalam: Vanji, Attupala, attuvanchi
Nakshatram : Pooradam
Medium sized tree, bark with longitudinal furrows. Young shoots are silky. The tree
is found throughout tropical and sub tropical India, Sumatra and Java. The bark is used
as a febrifuge.
21. Artocarpus heterophyllus
Family: Moraceae
English: Jack fruit tree; Malayalam: Plavu
Nakshatram : Uthradam
A large evergreen tree with very dense rounded crown, found throughout in India.
The roots are attributed with anti-diarrheal property. The leaves are useful in fever,
boils, wounds, skin diseases. The unripe fruits are acrid, astringent, carminative and
tonic. The ripe fruits are sweet, diuretic, aphrodisiac and constipating. The wood is
nervine, sedative and is used in convulsions.
22. Calotropis gigantea
Family: Asclepiadaceae
English: Gigantic swallow wort; Malayalam: Erukku
Nakshatram : Thruvonam
It is a large, stout, shrub with milky latex. It is distributed throughout in India, found in
the waste lands and dry barren areas. Root is used in cutaneous diseases, cough,
asthma, gastric secretions. Leaves are used for curing paralysis, arthralgia, swellings
and intermittent fevers. Flowers are used in anorexia and tumours.
23. Prosopis juliflora
Family: Mimosaceae
Malayalam: Vahni
Nakshatram : Avittam
Grown as a hedge tree throughout the dry, arid and semi-arid regions of India. Bark
has anti inflammatory properties. It is used in scorpion sting; flowers are used to prevent
miscarriage.
24. Anthocephalus chinensis
Family: Rubiaceae
Malayalam: Kadamba
Nakshatram : Chatayam
A tall tree with about 30 m height and 2 m girth, seen in moist and warm regions in
India, in deciduous and semi-evergreen forests. Bark is used in inflammation, gastric
disorders, fever, cough, diarrhea, vomiting, burning sensation, uterine complaints, eye
diseases, wounds, ulcers and debility. A decoction of the leaf is good for ulcers, wounds
and worms. The fruits are useful in gastric irritability and fever. Root is diuretic.
25. Mangifera indica
Family: Anacardiaceae
English: Mango tree, Cuckoo’s joy; Malayalam: Mavu
Nakshatram : Pooruruttati
It is a tree found throughout tropics, accredited with the Indian origin. It is adaptable
to a wide range of climate and soil conditions and grows well from sea level up to about
1500m. It is considered as cardio tonic and have diuretic properties. Unripe fruit is acrid,
acid and astringent. Ripe fruit is laxative, nourishing and refrigerant. Extract of leaves,
bark and stem and unripe fruit exhibit moderate anti-bacterial activity.
26. Borassus flabellifer
Family: Aracaceae
English: Brab tree; Malayalam: Karimpana
Nakshatram : Uthrattati
Found all over India, Ceylon and Burma; trunk attains 30 m height and 60-90 cm
diameter. The fruit is sweet and used as an aphrodisiac agent. Fruits are laxative and
good in burning sensations, thirst, fatigue and blood complaints. The seed is diuretic
and laxative. The fermented juice is tonic, fattening, aphrodisiac, intoxicating,
expectorant; when freshly drawn it is useful inflammatory affections and dropsy. Slightly
fermented it is used in diabetes. It is also diuretic and prescribed in chronic gonorrhea.
The root is considered diuretic and anthelmintic.
27. Madhuca longifolia
Family: sapotaceae
English: Indian butter tree; Malayalam: Ilippa
Nakshatram : Revathi
A large deciduous tree found in mixed deciduous forests. It is common
throughout Central India. Bark, leaves and flowers are useful in cough, chronic
bronchitis, general debility and piles. Oil obtained from seeds is useful for application in
skin diseases and chronic rheumatism. It is also used in inflammations, sprains,
epilepsy and dermatopathy.
Table: plants corresponding to the birth-stars
Sl No
Plant
Nakshatram
1
Strychnos nux-vomica
Aswathy
2
Phyllanthus emblica
Bharani
3
Ficus racemosa
Karthika
4
Syzygium cumini
Rohini
5
Acacia catechu
Makayiram
6
Diospyros ebenum
Thiruvathira
7
Bambusa bambos
Punartham
8
Ficus religiosa
Pooyam
9
Mesua nagassarium
Ayillyam
10
Ficus benghalensis
Makam
11
Butea monosperma
Pooram
12
Ficus microcarpa
Uthram
13
Spondias pinnata
Atham
14
Aegle marmelos
Chithira
15
Terminalia cuneata
Chothi
16
Flacourtia jangomas
Vishakham
17
Mimusopis elengi
Anizham
18
Aporosa lindleyana
Thrikketta
19
Vateria indica
20
Salyx tetrasperma
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
Artocarpus heterophyllus
Calotropis gigantea
Prosopis juliflora
Anthocephalus cadamba
Mangifera indica
Borassus flabellifer
Madhuka longifolia
Moolam
Pooradam
uthradam
Thiruvonam
Avittam
Chathayam
Poororuttati
Uthrattathi
Revathi