Abstract

“REVIEW OF MEDICINAL FLOWERS IN INDIA”

*Vd. Shraddha R. Bhujbal and Dr. Apoorva Sangoram

ABSTRACT

Apart from their aesthetic sense, flowers have medicinal and nutritive properties also. An attempt has been made to present the uses of flowers that are mentioned in various Ayurvedic texts. Separate chapters have been mentioned to describe flowers in the ancient texts as Pushpavarga in Sushrut Samhita, Bhavaprakash Nighantu etc. But many of this plant with flowers as medicinally useful parts, have still remained underexploited due to lack of awareness of their potential uses. In Ayurveda, flowers are used in the treatment of various diseases. Pushpa Ayurveda is a special branch of Ayurveda which was developed by Jain priest which describes 18,000 types of flowers. In terms of pharmacological properties flowers being milder in nature, have special uses in medicinal system. In some cases, properties of flowers may differ from properties of other parts. Ex. Nirgundi (Vitex nigundio) pushpa have Sheeta veerya whereas other parts of it have Ushna veerya. Some special properties have been attributed to certain flowers like Agasti (Sesbania grandiflora) which is used in Naktandhya (Night blindness). Most popular flower buds of Lavanga is used as a spice as well as a medicine. Flowers of Kovidara (Bauhinia purpurea), Kashmari (Gmelina arborea), Shalmai (Bombax ceiba) are advised in the form of vegetables in the treatment of Raktapitta. Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa) flower mentioned in Ayurveda is used as a fermenting agent in the preparation of Aasava- Arishta. In the present paper an attempt has been made to highlight the importance of medicinal flowers and its indication in various ailments.

Keywords: Vitex nigundio, Sesbania grandiflora, Gmelina arborea, Bombax ceiba.