Table 1.
Medicinal plants and their preparation methods and administration.
Scientific names | Local names | Families | Habit | Part used | Medicinal uses | Herbal formulation | Administration | Dosage |
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Acacia modesta Wall. | Palosa | Mimosaceae | Tree | Gum, leaves | Backache | Gum and powder of fresh leaves of Acacia modesta are mixed with wheat flour and desi ghee and make Halwa that is used for backache. | Oral | As needed |
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Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile | Kikar | Mimosaceae | Tree | Whole plant | Narcotic | Extraction of fresh root and leaves are taken as alcohol (Sharab). | Oral | As needed |
Aphrodisiac | Four grams of gum is taken as paste with water. | Oral | Once a day | |||||
Earache | About 30 flowers are heated in 10 mL mustard oil and filtered. | Through ear | Two to four drops for 5 days | |||||
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Allium cepa L. | Pyaaz | Alliaceae | Herb | Leaves | Antipyretic | Equal amount of extract of onion bulb and mint are mixed and used against cholera. | Oral | One teaspoon of this mixture is taken per hour for a period as needed. |
Skin infection | Poultice of onion bulb is used against abscesses. | Topical | Two times a day for one week | |||||
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Allium sativum Linn. | Ugga | Alliaceae | Herb | Leaves, roots | Blood disorders | Small pieces of Allium sativum are chewed to reduce blood pressure. | Oral | Twice a day |
Gastrointestinal | The powder of leaves and roots are also used against stomach problems. | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Aloe barbadensis Mill. | Zarpati | Aloeaceae | Herb | Leaves | Veterinary (gastrointestinal) | Two leaves are made spineless and each one is divided lengthwise into 2 or 3 slices. These slices of leaves along with common salt are given to the animals for stomach disorders. | Oral | Three doses after every 48 hours period |
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Amaranthus viridis L. | Sarkoomal. | Amaranthaceae | Herb | Leaves | Gastrointestinal | Leaves are crushed with sugar and taken along with black tea for curing constipation. | Oral | Four times a day |
Skin infection | Poultice of leaf is prepared along with mustard oil for the treatment of abscesses. | Topical | As needed | |||||
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Anagallis arvensis L. | Dhabbar | Primulaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Rheumatism | The whole plant is crushed into powder after drying. Two gm of the powder with 5 gm of wheat flour is mixed for the treatment of rheumatism. | Oral | Once a day for a week |
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Cannabis sativa L. | Bhaang | Cannabaceae | Herb | Leaves, flowering tops, and seed | Narcotic | The fruit and leaves are used as narcotic, commonly called “Charas.” | Oral | As needed |
Veterinary | The decoction of seeds is given to cattle for increasing milk. | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Caralluma tuberculata R.Br | Pawany | Asclepiadaceae | Shrub | Whole plant | Antidiabetic and anticancer | Whole plant is dried, powdered, and taken with water. Fresh plant is directly eaten by diabetic patient and is very effective in cancer treatment as well. | Oral | Once a day |
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Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. | Chum bud | Cuscutaceae. | Herb | Stem and seeds | Wound | A paste of the plant powder in butter is prepared and is externally applied for wounds. | Topical | As needed |
Skin infection | The whole plant is crushed and then boiled in 8 liters of water for an hour. It is filtered and the patient is advised to take a bath with this decoction without using soap for scabies. | Topical | As needed | |||||
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Carthamus oxycantha Co.Cr. | Spena zagai | Asteraceae | Herb | Seed oil | Jaundice | Seeds are collected, dried under shade, and ground to obtain powder and taken to treat jaundice. | Oral | 1 teaspoon of powder is taken twice a day for 3-4 weeks |
Skin infection | Few drops of honey are added in seed powder to make paste. This paste is applied on the face. It is effective to remove white spots of skin. | Topical | As needed | |||||
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Citrus sinensis | Malta | Rutaceae | Shrub | Fruit, leaves | Gastrointestinal | Fruit is eaten for reducing constipation. | Oral | 2 fruits per day |
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Cynodon dactylonvar. coursii (A. Camus) J.R. Harlan and de Wet |
Wakha | Poaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Wounds | The paste made of fresh leaves is applied on cuts and bleeding wounds. | Topical | As needed |
Piles | Same as above | Topical | As needed | |||||
Gastrointestinal | Juice of the plant is given in diarrhea. | Oral | Twice a day | |||||
Antipyretic | Same as above | Oral | Twice a day | |||||
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Dalbergia sissoo DC. | Shawa | Papilionaceae | Tree | Whole plant | Piles | 70 gm of young leaves of buds are crushed. One glass of water is added to it and strained. The strained decoction is taken daily. | Oral | Taken daily for 10 days |
Jaundice | Same as above | Oral | Taken daily for 10 days | |||||
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Datura stramonium L. | Tora torii. | Solanaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Earache | The juice of flower is useful for earache. | Oral | As needed |
Narcotic | Seeds and leaves are smoked for their narcotic action. | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Dicliptera bupleuroides Nees. | Somni | Acanthaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Skin infection | Poultice is used for scabies. | Topical | Once a day |
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Digera muricata (L.) Mart. | Tandola | Amaranthaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Gastrointestinal | Juice is extracted from the whole plants and used as laxative. | Oral | As needed |
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Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacquin | Zetawoni | Sapindaceae | Shrub | Leaves | Rheumatism | The leaves are warmed and kept on joints to relieve pains. | Topical | Once a day |
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Eriobotrya japanica (Thunb.) Lindl. | Lokat | Rosaceae | Tree | Fruit | Chest problems | Fruit is taken directly to treat cough. | Oral | As needed |
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Eucalyptus lanceolatus Dehnh. | Lachi | Myrtaceae | Tree | Whole plant | Gastrointestinal | Leaves and bark are boiled in water. Filtrate and decoction are used for abdominal pains. Fruit is added to green tea and taken as antiemetic. | Oral | Twice a day |
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Euphorbia helioscopia L. | Katta saarai | Euphorbiaceae | Herb | Leaves | Gastrointestinal | Mature leaves (5 g) are mixed with 3 spoonfuls of sugar to prepare recipe to treat constipation | Oral | Twice a day |
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Euphorbia hirta L. | Chapa tray. | Euphorbiaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Diabetes | Leaves juice is taken for diabetes | Oral | As needed |
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Fagonia indica Burm.f. | Mazgha Kai. | Zygophyllaceae. | Herb | Aerial parts | Blood purifier | Extract of aerial parts is used | Oral | Thrice a day |
Skin infection | Same as above | Topical | Thrice a day | |||||
Diabetes | Same as above | Oral | Thrice a day | |||||
Antipyretic | Half kg of the whole plant is boiled in 2 liters of water; patients with hepatitis are advised to take bath with this decoction. | Topical | Thrice a day | |||||
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Ficus carica L. | Inzeer | Moraceae | Tree | Fruit | Piles | Two to four fruits are soaked in water or milk at night and used in the morning on empty stomach. | Oral | Daily for 10 days |
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Ficus elastica Roxb. ex Hornem. | Rubber Plant | Moraceae | Tree | Leaves, Bark | Antipyretic | Leaves and bark are crushed and taken along honey in small quantity to reduce fever. | Oral | Once a day |
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Ficus religiosa L. | Peppal | Moraceae | Tree | Whole plant | Vomiting | Decoction of bark is used. | Oral | As needed |
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Foeniculum vulgare Mill. | Soonphf | Umbelliferae | Herb | Seeds and roots | Gastrointestinal | Take sonf with white zeera, grind it, and use after meal; it is good to remove ulcer and stomach pain | Oral | As needed |
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Fumaria indica (Hausskn.) Pugsley | Khatee soii. | Fumariaceae | Herb | Aerial parts | Blood purification | Two kg of aerial parts is dried under shade and crushed to obtain powder; 2-3 gm powder with one glass of water is taken. | Oral | Twice a day for one week |
Jaundice | Same as above | Oral | Twice a day for one week | |||||
Gastrointestinal | Juice of fresh parts is used as laxative. | Oral | Once a day for four days | |||||
Antipyretic | Juice of fresh parts is used to reduce fever. | Oral | Once a day for two days | |||||
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Jasminum humile f.kensuense | Zeet chumbeli | Oleaceae | Shrub | Flower, root, and latex. | Skin infection | Flowers and roots are boiled to make paste and rub on skin for treating pimples. | Topical | Twice a day for one week |
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Jasminum officinale L. | Chumbeli | Oleaceae | Shrub | Whole plant. | Gastrointestinal | Decoction of leaves and roots are prepared and used as anthelmintic. | Oral | Once a day |
Kidney problems | Crushed leaves are mixed with flour and taken along water to treat kidney stones. | Oral | Twice a day for one month | |||||
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Justicia adhatoda L | Shna Baza | Acanthaceae | Shrub | Leaves | Diabetes | Half kg of fresh leaves of this plant is extracted with 500 mL water and used against diabetes. | Oral | 10 mL of extract is used twice a day |
Blood purification | Same as above | Oral | 10 mL of extract is used twice a day | |||||
Chest infection | Leaves and flowers are plucked, dried under shade, ground to obtain powder; 50 gm of this powder is mixed in 15 mL of honey. | Oral | Half teaspoon twice a day for 15 days | |||||
Skin infection | Half kg leaves are boiled in 4 liters of water and decoction is used. | Oral | Twice a day | |||||
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Lathyrus aphaca L. | Jee Wareen | Papilionaceae | Herb | Seed and flower | Skin infection | Decoction is used for skin problems. | Topical | As needed |
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Malva neglecta Wallr. | Panderak | Malvaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Kidney problems | Roots are taken and boiled in 2 glasses of water and after boiling when 1 glass of water remains, it is taken for kidney stones. | Oral | Once a day for 40 days |
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Melia azedarach L. | Tora Draka | Meliaceae | Tree | Whole plant | Diabetes | Powder of seeds is used. | Oral | As needed |
Gastrointestinal | Fruit is ground and its juice is mixed with oil and taken as anthelmintic. | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Mentha arvensis L. | Podeena. | Lamiaceae. | Herb | Leaves | Gastrointestinal | 70 gm dried leaves of wild mint and 30–40 gm of bishops' weed are ground together and 10–12 gm of common salt is also added. It is used for gas problems and stomach pain. | Oral | Thrice a day after meal |
Vomiting | Tea of dried leaves is taken to stop vomiting. | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Mentha longifolia L. | Venalai | Lamiaceae | Herb | Leaves | Gastrointestinal | Decoction of leaves is used as carminative. | Oral | As needed |
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Monotheca buxifolia (Falc.) A. DC. | Gorgola | Sapotaceae | Shrub | Fruit, stem | Skin infection | Poultice is used against skin infection. | Topical | As needed |
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Morus alba L. | Toot | Moraceae | Tree | Fruit, leaves | Gastrointestinal | Crushed leaves are taken along honey to treat diarrhea. | Oral | Twice a day |
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Morus nigra L. | Tor Toot | Moraceae | Tree | Fruit, leaves | Kidney problems | Fruit is directly eaten as diuretic. | Oral | Twice a day |
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Nannorrhops ritchiana. (Griff.) Aitch. | Mazzari | Arecaceae/Palmae | Shrub | Leaves | Gastrointestinal | Crushed leaves are used as carminative. | Oral | As needed |
Veterinary | Fresh leaves are given to animals as purgative. | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Nerium oleander L. | Gand derai | Apocynaceae | Shrub | Leaves | Dental pain Wound |
The fresh leaves are washed and crushed, and then 3 cups of water are added. The filtrate is given to the patients suffering from dental pain. | Oral | Twice a day for 5 days |
Poultice of leaves is applied externally to reduce swelling. | Topical | Twice a day | ||||||
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Olea ferruginea (Sol.) Steud. | Kawwaan | Oleaceae. | Tree |
Fruit, leaves, seeds, and bark |
Dental | Decoction is used for toothache. | Oral | The decoction of fresh leaves is kept in the mouth at night till recovery. |
Rheumatism | The oil extracted from the fruits is used as massage in the treatment of rheumatism. | Topical | As needed | |||||
Skeletomuscular | Same as above | Topical | As needed | |||||
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Otostegia limbata Benth. | Spin azghai | Lamiaceae | Shrub | Whole plant | Throat infection | 50 gm fresh leaves are ground and 3-4 teaspoons of water are added to it. This mixture is filtered through a cloth and is given to the patient suffering from mouth gums and throat pains. | Oral | As needed |
Wound | Crushed leaves are applied for curing of wounds. | Topical | Once a day | |||||
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Oxalis corniculata L. | Tokee pi. | Oxalidaceae | Herb | Leaves, root | Gastrointestinal | Juice of leaves and roots are used against stomach problem. | Oral | As needed |
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Peganum harmala L. | Spin nali | Zygophyllaceae | Herb | Seeds | Spiritual | The smoke from burning seeds and leaves is believed to be devil repellent and also used as protection against evil eyes. | ||
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Periploca aphylla Decne. | Barada | Periplocaceae | Shrub | Stem, bark, and latex. | Gastrointestinal | Branches and flower are dried under shade, ground to obtain powder, and taken along water for constipation and stomach ulcer. | Oral | 2–4 gm of is powder twice a day |
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Phoenix dactylifera L. | Khajoor | Arecaceae | Tree | Fruit, leaves | Gastrointestinal | Take four dried khobani and three khajoor and keep it in milk and boil it. After cooling take it on an empty stomach with 1 teaspoon of isapagul; it is good for controlling constipation. | Oral | As needed |
Sex power | Same as above | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Pinus roxburghii Sarg. | Nakthar | Pinaceae | Tree | All aerial | Dental | Juice is extracted from fresh leaves and bark by grinding. This is mixed with water and taken for toothache. | Oral | Twice a day before meal and at bed time |
Gastrointestinal | Similarly, the bark and leaves of Pinus are dried and crushed, and then the powder is dissolved in cold water and taken for diarrhea. | Oral | Twice a day before meal and at bed time | |||||
Skin infection | Leaves of the plant are boiled and the extract is obtained and taken before meal as remedy for scabies. | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Pistacia chinensis Bunge. | Shenai | Tree | Whole plant | Gastrointestinal | Powdered galls fried with ghee are given internally in dysentery. | Oral | Once a day | |
Skin infections | The stem gum is added to the mustard oil, warmed, and mixed. The prepared poultice is then applied to the ruptured heels at night. | Topical | At night for once | |||||
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Plantago lanceolata L. | Gwayo zhabe | Plantaginaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Dental | Leaves are crushed and kept in mouth to relieve toothache. | Oral | As needed |
Gastrointestinal | Seeds and fruits are drunk as purgative and laxative. | Oral | As needed | |||||
Skin infections | Fresh leaves are crushed for athlete's foot. | Topical | As needed | |||||
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Plantanus orientalis L. | Chenar | Platanaceae | Tree | Whole plant | Gastrointestinal | The peel of the fruit is dried, soaked, and ground. The powder so formed, called “Narsaway,” is mixed in small quantity in a cup of curd and is used for dysentery. | Oral | Twice in a day till recovery for the treatment |
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Punica granatum L. | Anar | Punicaceae | Shrub | Fruit, bark | Gastrointestinal | The fruit pericarp is dried, powdered, mixed with sugar, and used for diarrhea and dysentery. | Oral | As needed |
Chest infections | The fruit pericarp is mixed with tea and is given for whooping cough. | Oral | As needed | |||||
Blood purifier | Fruit is directly eaten. | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Rumex dentatus L. | Reen zakai | Polygonaceae | Herb | Leaves | Sex enhancer | Decoction of leaves is used. | Oral | Once at night |
Skeletomuscular | Same as above | Oral | As needed | |||||
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Ricinus communis L. | Raanda | Euphorbiaceae | Shrub | Seeds, leaf, bark, and root. |
Gastrointestinal | The small quantity of oil is rubbed on the abdomen, which is slowly and gradually absorbed through sweat glands to release constipation. | Topical | Twice a day for one day |
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Sageretia thea (Osbeck) M.C. Johnst. | Mamoti | Rhamnaceae | Shrub | Fruit, roots | Jaundice | The extraction of roots is used as cooling agent in jaundice. | Oral | Once a day |
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Saccharum spontaneum L. | Shaat | Poaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Chest infection | Juice of whole plants is mixed with milk for the treatment of cough. | Oral | Twice a day for two days |
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Solanum incanum L. | Tarkha Mowtngee | Solanaceae | Shrub | Leaves and roots | Kidney problems | Decoction of leaves and roots are used to break kidney stones. | Oral | As needed |
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Solanum villosum Miller. | Koot soab | Solanaceae | Herb | Whole plant | Kidney problems | Decoction of leaves and roots are used to break kidney stones. | Oral | As needed |
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Sonchus arvensis L. | Kroo Konai | Asteraceae | Herb | Whole plant | Wounds | The whole plant is crushed to form a paste. The paste is applied as a poultice on wounds and boils. | Topical | As needed |
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Silybummarianum (L.) | Azghai | Asteraceae | Herb | Leaves, seeds, and flowers head | Antipyretic Jaundice Liver problems |
Seeds are collected, dried under shade, and roasted in vegetable oil. Roasted seeds are ground to obtain powder. This is used to treat hepatitis. | Oral | Half teaspoon of this powder is taken thrice a day for a month |
Same as above | Oral | Same as above | ||||||
Same as above | Oral | Same as above | ||||||
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Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. | Asteraceae | Herb | Leaves, root | Jaundice | 20–30 gm dried aerial parts are boiled in 1 liter of water for 15–20 min to which 15–20 gm sugar is added. This decoction is filtered and used against jaundice. | Oral | Half cup is given twice a day | |
Diabetes | Half kg dried aerial parts are boiled in 2 liters water and decoction is filtered and used for diabetes. | Oral | One cup of this decoction is taken twice a day | |||||
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Terminalia arjuna L. | Combretaceae | Tree | Bark, fruits, and leaves | Cardiovascular | Fruits and leaves are ground to make powder and mix with essential additives. | Oral | Once a day | |
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Vitex negundo L. | Marmandi | Verbenaceae | Shrub | Leaves, root, stem, and seeds | Gastrointestinal | 60 gm dried seeds of this plant, 30 gm Bishop's weed, and 2-3 teaspoon of common salt are ground together to powder. | Oral | As needed |
Antipyretic | Same as above | Oral | As needed | |||||
Jaundice | The decoction of leaves is used for jaundice. | Oral | As needed | |||||
Kidney problem | The seeds are ground to obtain powder and are taken with water for kidney stone. | Oral | Half spoon once a day | |||||
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Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal | Kapyanga | Solanaceae | Herb | Leaves, roots, and seeds | Kidney problems | The decoction of leaves is taken to break kidney stones. | Oral | As needed |
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Ziziphus mauritiana var. abyssinica (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) Fiori | Bera | Rhamnaceae | Tree | Fruit, root, and leaves | Gastrointestinal | The decoction of fruit and bark is taken with a cup of milk to treat constipation and dysentery. | Oral | As needed |
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Ziziphus nummularia (Burm. f.) Wight and Arn. | Karkata | Rhamnaceae | Shrub | Fruit, leaves | Gastrointestinal | Powder of fruits and leaves are used to treat constipation. | Oral | Thrice a day for 2 days |