Abstract

MEDICINALLY USEFUL ORNAMENTAL PLANTS OF KITCHEN GARDEN

Prerna*, Ashish Kumar Tripathi, Awanindra Dwivedi, Rosy R

ABSTRACT

Since ages plants are being used for food and fuel, shelter and medicine. Some of ornamental plants are grown in home gardens mainly for decorative purpose. In addition to ornamental importance, many plants have are having useful medicinal properties as well. One should know how to manage minor health problems and there is a need to know about natural medicine. A good kitchen/home garden not only lends flavour to our culinary skills, it even keeps germs at bay. The present study illuminates the ethnomedicinal/traditional herbal knowledge of ornamental plants that are generally grown in every home/kitchen garden for beauty and decorative purpose. The medicinal significance of selected 20 ornamental plants like Adhatoda vasaka, Bryophyllum calycinum, Coleus aromaticus, Hibscus rosasinensis, Jasmine officinale, Jasminum sambac, Nelumbo nucifera, Nyctanthes arbortristis, Rosa centifolia etc. in treatment of various ailments in day to day life have been discussed. The literature summarizes the habit, major chemical constituents and various reported pharmacological and clinical trials of the selected plants for the further study. This literature unveils the medicinal values of above mentioned ornamental plants. In rural India where people have limited income and poor access to advanced medical facilities there the medicinal plants of home gardens can prove to be important source of health care.

Keywords: Home garden, Health care, Ornamental plants, medicinal use.