Domestic Medicines 9th Home Science

 DOMESTIC MEDICINES 

Domestic medicine are those which are made at home from natural ingredients. It can be defined as the use of herbs to treat diseases in our homes. Such medicines are used to treat minor health issues as headache,cough and cold, Indigestion etc.

IMPORTANCE OF DOMESTIC MEDICINES 

1) Domestic medicines are very useful in case of emergency and in first Aid.

2) Domestic medicines saved time and money of a house holder. 

3) Quick treatment is provided to an ill person who has Indigestion, cough, worms in stomach and infection in eyes etc.

4) Home made medicines give strength to a house holder. A house wife can use these medicines in emergency. 

5) Nowadays Allopathic medicines are very costly so middle and lower class people are unable to purchase such medicines. They can not afford sufficient money for long time treatment, home produced medicines are very useful for the persons who are financially weak. 

6) poor people can save their lives by using domestic medicines. 

             It is very important for a house holder to have some basic and general information about the medicinal values of spices & herbs which are used in our home. 

COMMON DOMESTIC MEDICINES 

1) Neem –Neem tree has a lot of health benefits. It is a priceless gift of nature with full of medicinal values. 

Neem

The bark, leaves and seeds are used in medicines. It's root, flowers and fruits are also used in the treatment of different diseases. Neem leaves are very useful in skin diseases, eye infection, disease of heart and blood vessels. The bark of Neem is used for Malaria ,Typhoid and stomach ulcer. Neem Seeds & seed oil are used for leprosy and intestinal worms. 

2) Wood Apple – It has a hard shell similar to bark and brownish pulp inside the fruit. Other names for Wood Apple are Curd Fruit, Monkey Fruit and Elephant Apple but it is known as Bail fruit. 

wood Apple (बेल) 

Wood Apple has pectin(a digestive enzyme) which helps in digestion. The leaves of Wood Apple are used to treat cold and other respiratory disorders. It is effective in relieving sore throat. 

3) Carom Seed(अजवाइन) – Carom seeds have powerful antibacterial & antifungal properties. 

Carom seeds (अजवायन) 

carom seeds improve cholesterol levels.Seeds are very useful in stomach related problems. Carom seeds are used in the treatment of fever, cold & cough. Oil of Carom seeds is used for massage in joint pain and gives relief. 

4) Cassia (अमलतास) – Amaltas or Cassia tree is full of medicinal properties.

Cassia (अमलतास) 

In Ayurveda it is known as RAJVRAKSHA. Amaltas root is also useful in fever and heat diseases. Amaltas is used specially for the treatment of constipation. Excessive intake of Amaltas is harmful for us. 

5) Gooseberry(आँवला) – This small green pulpy and juicy fruit is known as DIVINE MEDICINE.

Gooseberry 

     It is an amazing immunity booster. Gooseberry is used in fresh and dried form. It is used to kill germs and reduce body pain & swelling. This fruit gives energy. Stomach related issues can be solved with Marmalade (मुरब्बा) of Gooseberry. It is also useful in Asthama, Dysentery and Diarrhea. 

6)Basil (तुलसी) – Tulsi is considered a holy plant and Hindus worship Tulsi plant. 

Basil leaves (तुलसी) 

Basil leaves have antibacterial properties. The paste of it's leaves is applied in skin diseases and on wounds.The extract of Tulsi leaves is useful in stomach upset, respiratory disorder and in Cataract. Tulsi tea gives relief in cold & cough. Seeds of Tulsi are very useful in urological diseases. Extract of Tulsi leaves is used for the treatment of earache. 

7) Liquorice (मुलैठी) – This is a medicinal herb with a lot of health benefits. 

Liquorice ( मुलैठी ) 

The root of Liquorice(मुलैठी) is very useful. Mulaithi is widely used as home remedy in sore throat infection  cough & cold, stomachache, chest congestion and mouth ulcer. The leaves of this plant are used to treat hair loss and other scalp related problems. Powder of Liquorice is applied on the wounds.

 

8) Cinnamon(दालचीनी) – It is the inner bark of a small evergreen tree.

Cinnamon ( दालचीनी ) 

The bark is peeled and laid in the sun to dry where it curls up into rolls known as cinnamon sticks. In foods cinnamon is used as a spice or flavoring agent. it's bark is very useful in Diarrhea and gas trouble. It is also used as home remedy for heart burn, Indigestion & nausea. 

9)Asafoetida (हींग) – It is extracted from the Ferula Plants.

Asafoetida ( हींग ) 

Asafoetida is commonly  used in powdered form. It is an effective remedy for digestive trouble and abdominal pain. Asafoetida is also used for the treatment of whooping cough, ulcer & asthama. 

10) Isabgol (इसबगोल) – It is commonly used in Indian homes as a remedy to treat constipation. 

Psyllium Husk (ईसबगोल) 

It is an amazing remedy for Diarrhea also. Isabgol is known as Psyllium husk. 

11) Green Cardamom (हरी इलायची या छोटी इलायची) – It is used as a flavoring agent in our food. The mixed powder of green Cardamom, ginger & clove is used to improve digestion. 

Green Cardamom ( छोटी इलायची ) 

   Cardamom is beneficial for relieving the symptoms of asthama and bronchitis. An infusion of Cardamom & cinnamon is used for sore throat. It is highly effective in treating Indigestion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and constipation. 

12) Mint (पुदीना) – Mint has very powerful  antioxidants properties. It is  very effective for Indigestion and in breathing disorders. Mint gives relief in congestion. 

Mint ( पुदीना ) 

     It may help to cure headache because of it's aroma. Peppermint is found in the leaves of mint which removes the bad smell of mouth or bad breath. 

13) Castor (अरंडी) –  Castor oil is used as a medicine in our homes. This oil is very useful in the treatment of constipation, corns and warts. 

Castor (अरंडी) 

    Castor oil is produced by pressing the ripe seeds. The hull (outer covering) contains a deadly poison called ricin. A person can die from the over dosage of castor seeds. 

14) Alum (फिटकरी) – Alum is very useful as a water purifier. A pinch of alum added to water removes solid impurities. 

Alum (फिटकरी) 

For bleeding gums and weak teeth 

make a paste of one gram alum a pinch of cinnamon and some rock salt,regular massage on gums with this paste is effective in this problem. 

15) Ginger (अदरक) – Indian cuisines use ginger in most of their dishes because it has a lot of health benefits. Ginger is used to cure inflammation,

pain,asthama and nausea. 

Ginger (अदरक) 

        It can kill the bad bacteria in our body. A mixture of ginger and jaggery prevents us from cold in winter. Ginger and salt give relief in sore throat. 

16) Turmeric (हल्दी) –  Turmeric is a member of ginger family. It is commonly used as a spice but it is also known for it's medicinal values. 

Turmeric (हल्दी) 

Turmeric is also known as 'Indian saffron'. It is used as herbal medicine for  arthritis, small pox, chicken pox, wound healing and digestive disorders.

17) Fennel Seeds ( सौंंफ ) – These are highly aromatic dried seeds of fennel plant. It has many health benefits. 

Fennel Seeds ( सौंंफ ) 

Fennel seeds give a cooling effect on the body. It is an aromatic herb which is used as a mouth freshener. Fennel seed water is very useful for Indigestion and it also prevent our body from heat in summer. Applying this water on the skin before going out in the sun may reduce sunburn. Fennel seeds are beneficial in treating digestive problems in kids. It gives relief in gum disease and toothache. 

18) Giloy ( गिलोये ) – Giloy is an Ayurvedic herb which can be used in the form of juice, powder and capsules.

Giloy ( गिलोये ) 

Giloy removes toxins from the body. It purifies blood and fight bacteria. The juice of Giloy leaves kills stomach worms. It can reduce fever when boiled with water. Chewing Giloy stem is very effective for asthma patients. 

18) Harada ( हरड़ या हर्रे ) – Harad has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties which remove germs and bacteria from the body. 

Harada ( हरड़ या हर्रे )

It improves immunity. Make a solution of dried Harad and use as eye cleanser. It is useful in various eye infections. Harad also improves eyesight. 

19) Rose Water (गुलाब जल) – Rose water is a liquid made from water and rose petals. 

It gives cooling and soothing effect to the eyes. It can be taken to treat a sore throat. Rose water has antiseptic and anti bacterial properties which can help in the fast healing process of wounds. It gives relief in headache. 

20)  Mustard seed (राई) – The seeds are obtained from the mustard plant. 

Mustard seed (राई)

Mustard seeds are excellent for digestion and very effective for the patient of migraine. Mustard seeds is good for congestion problem in respiration. It is widely used in our homes for the congestion caused by cough or cold. An unconscious patient of Epilepsy can be conscious by smelling the powder of mustard seeds.