Dried Flower

The bright scarlet red bell-shaped flower filled with sweet nectar is one such tree with medicinal uses that grows at an altitude of 3500-4000 metres in the Himalayas, is the essential ingredient added to the chai (tea) served in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. 

Buransh Ki Chai (tea) is served as a welcome drink in Uttarakhand and Himachal where people use the flower in all ways possible, through the year. This is one of the reasons rhododendron is the state tree of Uttarakhand. Sherpas and Tibetans call rhododendron the sacred shrub because it gives off an aromatic scent that is believed to make one happy.

The name ‘Rhododendron’ is derived from the Greek word – Rhod or rose like and Dendron which means tree. Since this species is more like a tree, it has species name ‘arboreum’ refers to ‘tree-like’.

KEY APPLICATION: Lower blood pressure, good for heart, lower bad cholesterol, hypertension, atherosclerosis, good for the circulatory system, allergies, acne, eczema, asthma, hives, prevent liver damage, cancer, anti-aging

PLANT FAMILY: Erecaceae

BOTANICAL NAME: Rhododendron Arboreum

VERNACULAR NAMES: Rose tree, Buransh, Buras, Barah, Rohitaka, Billi , Kattupoo varasu , Pu, Pullaas , Lali gurans , Eras , Adrawal , Maharathmal, Aselamal, Big-Ixora, Kurbak

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FLOWER

Flower offers a good amount of phytochemicals of medicinal value including phenols, saponins, xanthoproteins, tannins, flavonoid and coumarins. Bright red color of this flower is due to the presence of vitamin-like flavonoid Quercetin. 

Burans flower offers mainly fibers and is a good source of Potassium, Calcium, Iron & Vitamin C.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The understanding of medicinal properties will help us utilize the herb better. Below are medicinal properties along with its meaning indicating multiple health benefits:

· Antioxidant- Neutralize the oxidation effect of free radicals.  

· Anti-inflammatory- Reduce inflammation

· Antimicrobial- Destroy or inhibit the growth of microorganisms and especially pathogenic microorganisms.

· Anti-Bacterial- Destroy bacteria or suppresses their growth.  

· Anti-Diabetic- Use to control the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

· Anti-diarrhoeal- Relieve symptoms of diarrhoea.

· Astringent- Cause the drying and tightening of skin cells and other body tissues.

· Hepatoprotective- Prevent damage to the liver and cure a liver injury or liver dysfunction.

· Stomachic- Stimulate gastric activity and improves appetite and digestion. 

· Oxytocic- Hasten or facilitate childbirth.

BURANS TEA

Boil 1 teaspoon Burans petals in water. While boiling, a carrier tea such as green tea or mint leaves can be mixed with the petals to enhance the taste. Add honey/Stevia along with a hint of tulsi once brew is ready.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The information provided is for educational purposes only. This data is not to be considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Chamomile has been used for nearly 5,000 years in tea, herbal extract as oil and cosmetic forms to promote tranquility, vitality, a youthful appearance and longevity.

Chamomile is a widely recognized herb in Western culture. Its medicinal usage dates back to antiquity where such notahles as Hippocrates, Galen, and Asclepius made written reference to it. 

It has a high level of disease-fighting antioxidants, a natural remedy for anxiety, mild sedative to calm nerves.

KEY APPLICATION: Hay fever, inflammation, muscle spasms, menstrual disorders, insomnia, sedative, migraines, ulcers, wounds, rheumatic pain, and hemorrhoids, eczema, gout, soothes skin irritations, allergy, bruises, burns, canker sores, neuralgia, sciatica, bacterial infections of the skin, oral cavity and gums, and respiratory tract infection,  gastrointestinal disorders like flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, anorexia, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting

PLANT FAMILY: Asteraceae

BOTANICAL NAME: Matricaria Chamomilla

VERNACULAR NAMES: Chamomilla, German chamomile, Chamomile, Wild chamomile Roghan babunah, Gul-babunah, Babuni ke phool

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FLOWER

The dried flower contains many terpenoids and flavonoids contributing to its medicinal properties. Other major constituents of the flowers include several phenolic compounds, primarily the flavonoids apigenin, quercetin, patuletin as glucosides and various acetylated derivatives.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The understanding of medicinal properties will help us utilize the herb better. Below are medicinal properties along with its meaning indicating multiple health benefits:

· Anthelmintic- Expel or destroy parasitic worms especially of the intestine.

· Anti-allergic- Tend to relieve or control allergic symptoms.

· Antioxidant- Neutralize the oxidation effect of free radicals.

· Anti-bacterial- Destroy bacteria or suppress their growth.  

· Anti-fungal- Have a killing action on fungi or destroys fungi.

· Anti-inflammatory- Reduce inflammation

· Anti-cancer- Prevent a malignant and invasive growth or tumour.

· Anti-peptic- Prevent stomach ulcers

· Anti-pyretic- Reduces fever

· Antiseptic- Destruct microorganisms that produces septic diseases.

· Anti-spasmodic- Used to relieve spasm of involuntary muscle.

· Carminative- Cause expulsion of gas from the stomach or bowel.

· Diaphoretic- Induce perspiration

· Emmenagogue- Stimulate blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus, stimulate menstruation.

· Sedative- Provide a soothing or calming effect or inducing sleep.

· Stomachic- Stimulate gastric activity and improve appetite and digestion.

CHAMOMILE FLOWERS TEA

Prepare a tea by steeping 1 teaspoon (add more for stronger flavour) of dried Chamomile flowers in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes to get its health benefits & flavour.

Green tea, lavender flowers, Lemongrass blend well with chamomile; so either can also be added along in hot water. You can also flavour your cup of tea with lime, honey or Stevia.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The information provided is for educational purposes only. This data is not to be considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

“Lavender tea was drunk by Queen Elizabeth I for migraine. Tea is believed to have special use in treating all grieves and pain of head and brain.”

The relaxing, sweet floral scent is what makes Lavender extremely popular around the world. The name Lavender comes from the Romans. The Latin word Lavere means “to wash.” Lavender may have earned this name because it was frequently used in baths by Romans and Greek to help to purify the body and spirit and has a calming effect on the skin and mind and sets the mood.

Linen bags containing lavender flowers were commonly placed under pillows for their alleged soporific properties. Used as an ingredient in cooking, perfume, healing wounds and insect repellent.

KEY APPLICATION: Help in anxiety, depression, fatigue, improve mood, calm nerves, boost sleep, soothe menstrual cramping, balanced immune system, bloating, flatulence and reduce muscular spasm

PLANT FAMILY: Lamiaceae

BOTANICAL NAME: Lavendula Augustifolia

VERNACULAR NAMES: Common Lavender, English Lavender, French Lavender, Garden Lavender, Alhucema, Lavendel, Lavanda Vera

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FLOWER

Linalool, linalyl acetate, borneol, camphor, lavandulyl, caryophyllene, limonene, betaocimene, terpene and alpha-terpineol.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The understanding of medicinal properties will help us utilize the herb better. Below are medicinal properties along with its meaning indicating multiple health benefits:

· Anti-inflammatory- Reduce inflammation

· Anodyne- Alleviate pain in the body.

· Antidepressant- Able to diminish or reduce nervous or functional activity.

· Anti-hypertensive- Lower high blood pressure

· Antibacterial- Destroy bacteria or suppresses their growth.

· Antifungal- Have a killing action on fungi or destroys fungi. 

· Antispasmodic- Used to relieve spasm of involuntary muscle.

· Carminative- Cause expulsion of gas from the stomach or bowel.

· Cholagogue- Promote the flow of bile from the gallbladder into the duodenum.

· Emmenagogue- To promote menstrual discharge.

· Nervine- Act on or relieve disorders of the nerves; soothe the nerves.

· Sedative- Provide a soothing or calming effect or induce sleep.

· Stomachic- Stimulates gastric activity and improves appetite and digestion. 

LAVENDER TEA

Calming, relaxing, refreshing is very easy to make tea.

Prepare a tea by steeping 1 teaspoon (add more for stronger flavour) of dried Lavender flowers in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes to get its health benefits & flavour.

It blends amazingly well with black tea, chamomile, and mint.

SOME OTHER WAYS OF USING LAVENDER

1. The scent of lavender is strongest when it is near a source of heat. Hang your sprig of lavender in a sunny south window or near the heat source like a lamp and fill your house with the aroma of lavender flowers.

2. Dried lavender flowers can be used for salad dressing.

3. Make birthday and wedding special by adding sprigs of dried lavender to the inside of a gift, tucked into the folds of tissue paper or sprinkle tiny bits of lavender buds into the inside of your greeting cards like great smelling confetti.

4. Hang dry flowers in a small decorative sachet on the outside of lampshade.

5. To make lavender vinegar- Add two teaspoons of dried lavender buds to two cups red vinegar, bring to a boil, remove from heat and let it sit for 15 minutes before straining. Use it in marinades and salad dressings

6. To make lavender syrup- it can be made by dissolving one cup sugar in one cup of boiling water, turn off the heat, add two teaspoons of dried lavender buds and a strip of lemon zest and let it sit for 20 minutes. Stain and refrigerate up to two weeks. It’s a nice addition to beverages like lemonade and iced tea.

IMPORTANT NOTE

The information provided is for educational purposes only. This data is not to be considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.