GUIDED BY:- SUBMITTED BY:-

Mrs. Anuradha Rakshit Shweta Kiran

Department of Biology Class- XII-B (Science)
Roll No: ________________
 INDEX
TOPIC: - STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS
AEGLE MARMELOS (STONE APPLE)
AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM)
CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM ( CINNAMOM)
DATURA STRAMONIUM (THORNAPPLE)
OCIMUM BASILICUM (SWEET BASIL)
FICUS BENGHALENSIS (BANYAN)
TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA (GUDUCHI)
FICUS RELIGIOSA (PIPAL)
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

BEING A STUDENT OF CLASS XII, I HAVE SELECTED TO

PERFORM A

BIOLOGY PROJECT ENTITLED

“”A STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANT”.

AS A PRACTICAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE

ALL INDIA SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL EXAMINATION

2011-2012.

I am extremely thankful to Mrs. Anuradha Rakshit, my

Biology teacher, Delhi Public School, Kalinga whose guidance, co-
operation and sincere encouragement have helped me in completing
my project successfully. I would also like to thank Mrs. Girija
Chand, Principal of DPS Kalinga, for her constant support and
inspiration.

I extend my heartiest thanks to my friends and family

members who have assisted me completing this project.

Submitted by

Shweta Kiran

Roll No. _____________

 CERTIFICATE

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, KALINGA

DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY

This is to certify, SHWETA KIRAN, a student of

Standard- XII (Science), Delhi Public School,
Kalinga, Cuttack has satisfactorily completed,
“Study of Medicinal Plants.”
For the partial fulfillment of the 10+2 CBSE Board
Examination under my guidance in DPS Kalinga
During the year 2011-2012.

Signature of Guide: Signature of External:

_________________ ___________________
 INTRODUCTION
The History of medicine and surgery dates back perhaps to the
origin of the human race. But, as no mode of recording events existed in
prehistoric times, there are no data no data on the methods of treatment
practiced in that period. In those days, the subject of human suffering and its
alleviation was intimately associated with religion, myth and magic. In
addition, there must have been certain rational prescriptions. Whenever the
curiosity of the present-day man probes into the past and brings to light even
fragmentary information on the ingenious methods of our ancestors, it makes
a fascinating study.
In India, the references to the curative properties of some herbs in
the Rig-Veda seem to be the earliest records of use of plants in medicine. The
identity of several plants referred to in the Suktas of the Rig-Veda can be fixed
with reasonable certainty, e.g. of Semal, Pith van, Palas/1 and papal. More
detailed account to be between 3500 and 1800 B.C. After the Vedas, there is no
information on the development of this science in a period of about 1,000 years.
Then appeared the two most important works on Indian system of
medicine, the works of Charak and Susruta, namely, the Charak Samhita and
Susruta-Samhita deals with about 700 drugs, some of these were not
indigenous to India. With the passing of time, more and these were not
indigenous to India. With the passing of time, more and more plants found
entry into native medicine, taking the number of Indian medicinal herbs to
about 1,500.
References to miracle herbs or wonder drugs are often found in old
literature. Voucher specimens of those plants could, of course, not be expected
to be preserved by people of those times; even proper descriptions of plants are
wanting. The only source of reference in such cases, therefore, is the local name
for the herb or drug given in earlier works. Cases of same local name being
used for more than one herb are not infrequent. Some workers in India are now
trying to fix the identity of important drugs mentioned in ancient literature;
this well eliminates much confusion.
Apart from the written complete or incomplete records about
ancient medicinal herb, some knowledge on the subject has also descended
through generations, and has survived through times among the present-day
primitive societies, i.e. among the aboriginal tribes living in remote forest
areas. These studies are now classed as a socialized branch of botany,
Ezhnoborany.
It has been found that out of about 2000 drugs that have been used
in curing human aliments in India, only 200 are of mineral origin. This number
is not very large considering the vast area of our country, and the wide variety
of plant occurring there in. The great range of temperature, rainfall and
altitude in India account for the occurrence of over 15,000 species of plants in
India.
It is well-known that due to the impact of other systems of
medicine, particularly, lately by the rapid progress and spread of modern
medicine and surgery, faith in and popularity of herbal medicine has been
gradually decreasing. But there is much to say in favor of the use of native
medicinal herbs.
 FAMILY NAME:- rutaceae
KINGDOM:- Plantae
DIVISION:- Magnoliophyta
CLASS:- magnoliapsida
ORDER:- sapindales
GENUS:- Aegle
SPECIES:- marmelos
POPULAR NAME(S):- Bel, Beli fruit, Bengal quince, Stone apple, Wood
apple, Vilvam, Bili
PARTS USED:- Whole part of the plant.
DESCRIPTION:- Trees to 10 m tall; spines to 3 cm. Leaflet blades ovate to
elliptic, 4-12 × 2-6 cm, base rounded to narrowly cuneate, margin crenulated,
apex acuminate or sometimes acute. Fruit greenish yellow, 10-12 × 6-8 cm;
mesocarp 3 mm thick. Seeds ca. 8 mm.

DISTRIBUTION:- The tree grows wild in dry forests on hills and plains of
central and southern India and Burma, Pakistan and Bangladesh, also in mixed
deciduous and dry dipterocarp forests of former French Indochina.
DRUGS AND ITS PROPERTIES:- It is used to cure bleeding piles,
dysentery, fever with dropsy, impotency. Infectious diseases, accidents, pains
and inflammation, common ailments.

OTHER USES:- The fruit is also used in religious rituals. In Hinduism the
tree is sacred.
 FAMILY NAME:- Meliaceae
KINGDOM:- Plantae
DIVISION:- Magnoliophyta
CLASS:- Magnoliopsida
ORDER:- Sapindales
GENUS:- Azadirachta
SPECIES:- Azadirachta indica
POPULAR NAME(S):- Neem, kaduneem, mahaneem.
PARTS USED: - All parts of the tree (seeds, leaves, flowers and bark)
DESCRIPTION: - Neem is a fast-growing tree that can reach a height of 15–
20 meters. It is evergreen, but in severe drought it may shed most or nearly all
of its leaves. The fairly dense crown is roundish or oval and may reach the
diameter of 15–20 meters in old, free-standing specimens.
DISTRIBUTION:- Neem has been introduced and established throughout the
tropics and subtropics, especially in drier areas in Southeast Asia, the Pacific
Islands, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East.
DRUGS AND ITS PROPERTIES:- Neem products are believed to
anthelmintic, antifungal, anti diabetic, antibacterial, antiviral. It is
considered a major component in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine and is
particularly prescribed for skin disease.
OTHER USES:- As a vegetable, pest and disease control, association with
Hindu festivals in India.
 FAMILY NAME:- Lauraceae
KINGDOM:- Plantae
DIVISION:- Magnoliophyta
CLASS:- Magnoliopsida
ORDER:- Laurales
GENUS:- Cinnamomum Schaeff.
SPECIES:- Cinnamomum zeylanicum Garcin ex Blume
POPLUAR BANES(S):- karuvapatta, dalchini, kayu manis, sweet wood, kurundu,
dal-chini
PARTS USED:- Bark
DESCRIPTION:- Cinnamomum verum trees are 10–15 metres (32.8–49.2 feet)
tall. The leaves are ovate-oblong in shape, 7–18 cm (2.75–7.1 inches) long.
The flowers, which are arranged in panicles, have a greenish color, and have a
distinct odor. The fruit is a purple 1-cm berry containing a single seed.
DISTRIBUTION:- This plant is indigenous to India and Sri Lanka.
DRUGS AND ITS PROPERTIES:- Cinnamon oil has exhibited antifungal,
antiviral, bactericidal, and larvicidal activities. It is used internally to stop digestive
problems- especially flu as well as arthritis and rheumatism.
OTHER USES:- The Shakers used cinnamon as a food preservative, ordering it
from the tropical islands from where it comes.
 Kingdom:- Plantae
Division:- Magnoliophyta
Class:- Magnoliopsida
Order:- Solanales
Family:- Salanaceae
Genus:- Datura L.
Species:- Datura stramonium L.
Popular Name(s):- Jimson Weed, Stink weed, Mad Apple, Thorn Apple
Stramonium, Dhatura Tatula, Datura Seeds.
Parts Used:- Seeds, Flowers, Leaves.
DESCRIPTION:- Datura is 30 to 150 cm tall, with erect, forking and purple
stems. The leaves are large, 7 to 20 cm long and have irregular teeth a la oaks.
The flowers are one of the most distinctive characteristics of datura. They open
and close, at irregular intervals, during the evening. The native range of the
plant continues to remain ambiguous. It is believed that the birds carry the
seeds of the datura and spread it in their droppings. The seed lies underground
for a long time and germinates whenever the soil is disturbed.
DISTRIBUTION:- United States, Canada, Mexico and Asia.
DRUGS AND ITS PROPERTIES:- Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha,
arthritis, cough, asthma, muscle spasm, fever, ulcer, skin diseases, lumbago,
sciatica and dandruff.
OTHER USES:- The juice of its fruit is applied to the scalp, to treat dandruff
and falling hair.
 FAMILY NAME:- Moraceae
KINGDOM:- Plantae
DIVISION:- Magnoliophyta
CLASS:- Magnoliopsida
ORDER:- Urticales
GENUS:- Ficus L.
SPECIES:- Ficus benghalensis L.
POPULAR NAME(S):- borh, wad, Peral, aalamaram, nyagrodha
PARTS USED:- Bark, root-fibers, leaves, seeds, milky juice (i.e. latex).
DESCRIPTION:- Very large, fast growing, evergreen tree up to 3.0 meters, with
spreading branches and many aerial roots. Leaves stalked, ovate-cordate, 3-nerved,
entire, petiole with a broad smooth greasy gland at the apex, compressed, downy;
Fruit in axillary pairs, the size of a cherry, round and downy.
DISTRIBUTION:- Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia, North
America, South America- and the Caribbean.

DRUGS AND ITS PROPERTIES:- According to Ayurveda, it is astringent to

bowels; useful in treatment of biliousness, ulcers, vomiting, vaginal complains, fever,
inflammations, leprosy. According to Unani system of medicine,it lessens
inflammations; useful in piles, nose-diseases, gonorrhea etc. The aerial root is styptic,
useful in syphilis, biliousness, dysentery, inflammation of liver etc.
OTHER USES:- It is planted for soil conservation. Timber is used for well-curbs,
furniture etc. Suitable for paper pulp.
 FAMILY NAME:- Lamiaceae
KINGDOM:- Plantae
DIVISION:- Magnoliophyta
CLASS:- Magnoliopsida
ORDER:- Lamiales
GENUS:- Ocimum
SPECIES:- O. basilicum
POPULAR NAME(S):- Basil, Common Basil, French Basil, Garden Basil,
Sacred Basil, Holy Basil, Tulsi, Royal Herb, Luole, Sweet Basil.
PARTS USED:- Leaves, Seeds.
DESCRIPTION:- An annual plant found wild in the tropical and subtropical
region of the world. The toothed leaves are often purplish hued. The flowers appear
from June to September and vary in color, from white to red, sometimes with a tinge
of purple. This plant is an important Aurvedic herb.
DISTRIBUTION:- Basil is originally native to India and other tropical regions
of Asia, having been cultivated there for more than 5,000 years.
DRUGS AND ITS PROPERTIES:- It is used in malaria, catarrh, bronchitis
coughs, colds, fevers, headaches, lung problems, absorption, arthritis, colon (air
excess), memory, nasal congestion, nerve tissue strengthening, purifies the air, sinus
congestion, clears the lungs, heart tonic and gastric disorders, It also lowers blood
sugar levels and its power is used for mouth ulcers.
OTHER USES:- It is considered sacred and widely worshiped in India.
 FAMILY NAME: - Menispermaceae
KINGDOM: - Plantae
DIVISION: - Magnoliophyta
CLASS: - Magnoliopsida
ORDER: - Ranunculales
GENUS:- Tinospora
SPECIES:- T. cordifolia
POPULAR NAME(S):- Guduchi, amrita, giloe, gulancha, giloya, gado,
galo, duyutige , teppatige, heartleaf moonseed.
PARTS USED: - Whole Plant.
DESCRIPTION: - It is a climbing shrub. Barks are gray-brown or cream-
white and warty. Leaves re broad, pointed at the tip and having margin. Small
flowers appear in summer and fruits in winter. The plant climbing on a neem
tree is considered to be therapeutically more useful.
DISTRIBUTION: - This plant is found throughout tropical part of India.
DRUGS AND ITS PROPERTIES: - It is used in the Indian Ayurvedic
system of medicine for the treatment of jaundice, diabetes, and rheumatoid
arthritis. Limited studies have examined its antineoplastic, antioxidant,
hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, and immunologic properties.
OTHER USES: - Tinospora is very helpful in building up natural
protection against various diseases
 FAMILY NAME:- Moraceae
KINGDOM:- Plantae
DIVISION:- Magnoliophyta
CLASS:- Magnoliopsida
ORDER:- Rosales
GENUS:- Ficus
SPECIES:- Ficus religiosa
POPULAR NAME(S):- asbattha, papal, Ashwatth, rukkha, esathu, jhadd
PARTS USED:- Leafs.
DESCRIPTION:- It is a large dry season-deciduous or semi-evergreen tree up to
30 m tall and with a trunk diameter of up to 3 m. The leaves are cordate in shape
with a distinctive extended tip; they are 10–17 cm long and 8–12 cm broad, with a 6–
10 cm petiole. The fruit is a small fig 1-1.5 cm diameter, green ripening purple.
DISTRIBUTION:- Found in almost all the parts of India. It is grown throughout
the sub- Himalayan region and in the deciduous forests
DRUGS AND ITS PROPERTIES:- Ficus religiosa is used in traditional medicine
for about 50 types of disorders including asthma, diabetes, diarrhea, epilepsy, gastric
problems, inflammatory disorders, infectious and sexual disorders
OTHER USES:- In India its edible leaves are used as the plates. It is planted for
the soil conservation. Wood is used for well curbs, door panels, boxes, furniture etc. It
is suitable for paper pulp.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Biology- Textbook for Cass XII

 “Wikipedia The free encyclopedia”
 Medicinal plant S.K.Jain

(Specimens collected from Medicinal plant nursery,

Silviculture department,
Govt. of Odisha)

Shweta Kiran

XII-B (Science)

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