Botanist & Gardener of 45 Years Shares 7 Medicinal Plants Indians can Grow At Home
The author of this article Swapna Ghosh was once a national scholar in Botany and an active PhD researcher at Burdwan University. She has been a full-time gardener for the past 45 years. She loves to apply her plant-knowledge in everyday life and grows most of her own veggies, fruits, flowers and even medicinal plants. Her yard and rooftop together host more than 40 varieties of plants.
India is home to a diverse range of flora, with several plants holding significant medicinal value.
While over-the-counter medicines can be costly and may not be available in many areas, home remedies often come in handy as the first step.
There is nothing quite like nurturing medicinal plants right in your home garden. It is usually wise to choose varieties that are native to your region, as they require low maintenance. However, if you can create a suitable ambience, most medicinal plants do not involve much hassle.
Here, we explore seven such plants, highlighting their unique characteristics, care tips, and potential benefits, backed by years of observation and supported by research papers.
Scientific name:Bacopa monnieri Linn.
Specifications and care tips:
Some super plants have been used by medical practitioners for centuries. Brahmi, or Jalnim, is one of them and has been used in Ayurveda for over 3,000 years.
A creeper with juicy stems and oval-shaped leaves, it belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family. The entire plant, including the roots, is believed to have significant medicinal value. It produces white or bluish flowers and has a bitter taste.
Brahmi is a great choice for humid climates and thrives in marshy areas. Propagation is easy from broken small branches that have at least three to four leaf nodes. Place them in a pot of water or moist soil; roots will soon develop, and the plant will thrive in partial shade.
Medicinal values:
Over the past century, several herbal supplement brands have created syrups using Brahmi, targeting memory enhancement, especially for students. But if you have the whole plant at home, why visit the market?........
