NIMBU

(Citrus limon Linn., Nimbu)

Used For:

• Indigestion

• Dehydration / Sun stroke

• Bleeding gums

• Loss of appetite

• Hair fall

• Vomiting

Remedies:

• Indigestion: 5–10 ml juice with a pinch of salt and pepper before food.

• Dehydration / Sun stroke: Juice of one Nimbu squeezed into a glass of water with salt and sugar.

• Bleeding gums: Fruit skin should be crushed and rubbed gently on the gums twice daily.

• Loss of appetite: 5 ml juice with salt and a pinch of pepper before meals.

• Hair fall: Coconut oil processed with dried and powdered Nimbu fruit skin should be applied regularly.

• Vomiting: 5–10 ml juice mixed with water, sugar, and a pinch of salt — taken frequently in small quantities.

NEEM

(Azadirachta indica A. Juss., Nimba)

Used For:

• Skin diseases

• Wounds / Ulcer

• Intestinal worms

• Loss of appetite

• Dandruff / Ringworm

Remedies:

• Skin diseases: 10 ml juice of leaves with honey, twice a day.

• Wounds / Ulcer: Warm application of paste prepared from Neem leaves over the affected part.

• Intestinal worms: 20 ml decoction made from a handful of Neem leaves, given on an empty stomach for three days.

• Loss of appetite: 20 ml decoction made from a handful of Neem leaves, given on an empty stomach for three days.

• Dandruff / Ringworm: Apply decoction made from a handful of Neem leaves to the scalp one hour before bath.

NARIYAL

(Cocos nucifera Linn., Narikela)

Used For:

• Hyper-acidity

• Kidney stone

• Wounds / Ulcer / Burns

• Dehydration

• Hair fall

• Sun stroke

Remedies:

• Hyper-acidity: Tender coconut water, twice daily.

• Kidney stone: Tender coconut water, twice daily.

• Wounds / Ulcer / Burns: Apply coconut oil frequently.

• Dehydration: Drink tender coconut water frequently.

• Hair fall: Use coconut oil processed with Methi powder and Amla powder regularly.

• Sun stroke: Tender coconut water should be taken frequently.

METHI

(Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn., Methika)

Used For:

• Diabetes

• Body ache

• Lactation (to increase mother’s milk)

• Dandruff

• Hair conditioning

Remedies:

• Diabetes: 2 gm powder with milk, twice daily.

• Body ache: 2 gm Methi powder mixed with 2 gm Jeera powder in warm milk with sugar, twice daily.

• Lactation: 5 gm powder with milk and sugar in the morning.

• Dandruff: Massage the scalp with Methi paste mixed in water, ½ hour before bath.

• Hair care: Coconut oil boiled with Methi powder should be applied regularly. Use of Methi paste also acts as an excellent natural hair conditioner.

MADHU (Honey)

(Commonly used as a vehicle with Ayurvedic medicines, especially in respiratory disorders)

Used For:

• Obesity

• Loss of appetite

• Cough

• Wounds / Ulcer / Burns

• Pyorrhoea (Bleeding gums)

• Face pack / Skin glow

Remedies:

• Obesity: One teaspoon of honey with a glass of water every morning.

• Loss of appetite: Take honey with a pinch of pepper powder, three to four times a day.

• Cough: Take honey with a pinch of clove (Laung) powder, three to four times a day.

• Wounds / Ulcer / Burns: Mix honey and ghee, and apply locally.

• Pyorrhoea / Bleeding gums: Apply a mixture of ginger, pepper, rock salt, honey, and ghee to the gums twice daily.

• Face pack / Skin glow: Direct application of honey gives a natural glow to the skin.

Note: Honey should never be boiled.

LAUNG

 (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr & Perry, Lavanga)

Used For:

• Cough

• Cold / Hiccough

• Indigestion

• Toothache

• Bad breath

• Ear pain

Remedies:

• Cough: To be chewed frequently or 1 gm powder with honey, 2–3 times in divided doses.

• Cold / Hiccough: 20 ml warm decoction prepared by boiling 1 gm clove; take 3–4 times daily. Useful in both dry and productive cough.

• Indigestion: 1–2 gm powder with honey in three divided doses.

• Toothache: Crushed clove should be kept in the carious tooth.

• Bad breath: Small piece should be chewed frequently.

• Ear pain: Warm coconut oil prepared by boiling clove powder should be instilled in the ear twice daily (Do not use when there is discharge).

LAHSUN

(Allium sativum Linn., Rasona)

1. Ear Pain

• 2–4 drops of warm, fresh juice for instillation in the ear twice a day.
  (Do not use when there is discharge.)

• Alternatively, a little paste boiled in coconut or mustard oil can be used for ear instillation 2–3 times a day.

2. Flatulence

• 6 ml of fresh garlic juice mixed with honey, taken twice daily.

3. Cough / Cold

• Crushed bulb boiled in water and taken with sugar.

4. Joint Pain

• 5 gm paste of garlic bulb taken with honey or mixed with food twice daily.

• Warm paste of garlic mixed with any oil should be applied over the affected joints.