Archives: Ingredient

Scientific Classification

Common Names

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

• Digestive Health – Acts as a natural carminative, helping relieve indigestion, flatulence, abdominal discomfort, and bloating. Traditionally prescribed for infantile colic and milk indigestion in children.
• Women’s Health – Functions as a uterine tonic, relieving cramps, uterine pain, and irregular menstruation. Used as an emmenagogue, promoting menstrual flow and easing discomfort during periods.
• Respiratory Health – Acts as a mild expectorant to relieve cough and cold symptoms.
• Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity – Exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects. Used in traditional medicine to promote skin healing and fight infections.
• General Health – Supports metabolic and detoxifying functions.

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Govt. of India.

The Wealth of India – A Raw Materials, Vol. 1, CSIR, New Delhi, 1985.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2017). “Chemical composition and pharmacological significance of Anethum sowa L. root.

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2016). “Pharmacological effects of the phytochemicals of Anethum sowa L. root extracts.

ScienceDirect (2021). “Anethum sowa Roxb. ex Fleming: A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological activities.

Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research. “Chemical constituents of essential oil from Anethum sowa seed.

Kirtikar, K.R. & Basu, B.D. (1991). Indian Medicinal Plants, 2nd Edition, Vol. 1, International Book Distributors, Dehradun.

Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L., & Chopra, I.C. (1956). Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. CSIR, New Delhi.

World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. “Traditional uses and therapeutic indications of Anethum sowa.

European Pharmacopoeia, 10th Edition, Council of Europe.

Scientific Classification

Common Names

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

• Bone & Fracture Healing – Laksha is classically used in formulations for bhagna (fractures) and to promote bone healing and strength
• Wound Healing & Styptic Action – Employed externally (and in some preparations internally) to help stop bleeding and to aid wound healing; used as an astringent/styptic.
• Joint & Bone Disorders – Used for pain and disorders related to bones and joints (e.g., osteoarthritis, asthi-chyuti) as a component of Vata-pacifying formulations.
• Dermatological / Topical Uses (traditional) – Applied in certain topical pastes and plasters for skin conditions and to aid local healing.

References

Bashir, N. H., Chen, H., Munir, S., Wang, W., Chen, H., Sima, Y.-K., & An, J. (2022). Unraveling the role of lac insects in providing natural industrial products. Insects, 13(12), 1117.

Vaishally, Pal, S., Thyagarajan, K. R., & Shukla, S. P. (2025). An endosymbiotic origin of the crimson pigment from the lac insect. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS), 122(25), e2501623122.

Singh, A. N., Upadhye, A. B., Wadia, M. S., Mhaskar, V. V., & Sukh Dev. (1974). Chemistry of lac resin—(series): component acids and structure of the resin esters. Tetrahedron (series of papers on lac acids and structure). (Classical chemical studies describing aleuritic and terpenic acid esters in lac resin; see the Tetrahedron series by Singh et al., 1969–1974 for detailed structural work.)

Farag, Y. M., & Yassin, H. A. (2011). Development of shellac-coated sustained-release pellets: composition and coating properties (review / pharmaceutics discussions referencing shellac composition). International Journal of Pharmaceutics (discussion of shellac composition and pharmaceutical use). (Use for composition and pharmaceutical application background.)

Center for the Evaluation of Natural and Synthetic Ingredients / CIR (1986). Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Shellac. Journal of the American College of Toxicology. (Classic safety assessment referencing composition and toxicology of cosmetic-grade shellac.)

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Government of India. Laksha / Lac entries; (authoritative pharmacopeial standards and classical uses, quality criteria and processing notes used in Ayurvedic pharmacopeia). Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Volumes and relevant monographs (API).

Reshma, B. V., Nithin Manohar, R., & Anaha, V. I. (2018). A review on Laccifer lacca. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research (review article describing traditional uses, processing and ethnopharmacology of Laksha).

Chen, X.-M., Chen, H., Ying, F., Rui, H., & Yang, Z.-X. (2008). Lac insects breeding and lac processing. Chinese Forestry Press. (Biodiversity and processing of lac insects; background on production and host plant relationships.)

Surajmukhi Scientific Name

Sunflower Common Name

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

• Respiratory conditions – Decoctions/infusions of seeds or aerial parts have been used traditionally for coughs, bronchial complaints, colds and related respiratory infections.
• Wound care / Topical applications – Sunflower seed oil and poultices made from leaves or crushed seeds have been used as emollients to soothe skin, promote wound healing, and treat minor burns or abrasions.
• Fever & diaphoretic uses – Leaf infusions or liniments were used in some traditions to encourage sweating and help reduce fevers.
• Nutritional / tonic uses – Sunflower seeds are taken as a nutritive and strengthening food; in folk practice they are sometimes recommended to support cardiovascular and general health because of their fatty-acid and vitamin content.
• Anti-inflammatory / analgesic folk use – Aerial part decoctions and seed extracts have been used for symptomatic relief of inflammation and pain.
• Topical dermatological uses – Refined sunflower oil is used traditionally and industrially as a gentle emollient base for creams and ointments.

References

Guo, S., Ge, Y., & Na Jom, K. (2017). A review of phytochemistry, metabolite changes, and medicinal uses of the common sunflower seed and sprouts (Helianthus annuus L.). Chemistry Central Journal, 11, 95. DOI: 10.1186/s13065-017-0328-7.

Liu, X.-S., Zhang, C., Wang, Y., et al. (2020). Chemical composition and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of sunflower receptacle essential oil. Molecules, 25(21).

United States Pharmacopeia — USP-NF. Sunflower Oil (Helianthus annuus) — Monograph and technical information. United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP). (Sunflower oil monograph and specification documents; e.g., “Sunflower Oil USP-NF” PDF technical summary).

Bashir, T., Ahmad, M., et al. (2021). Chemistry, Pharmacology and Ethnomedicinal Uses of Helianthus annuus (Sunflower): A Review. The Pharma Innovation Journal (review summarizing ethnobotanical and pharmacological data).

USDA NRCS. (2002). Plant Guide — Annual Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Frontiers / Nutrition & related reviews (example resource summarizing essential-oil compounds and nutritional properties): Liu, X. et al., Chemical Compounds, Antioxidant Activities, and Inhibitory Effects of Helianthus annuus Extracts — Frontiers in Nutrition (2021) and related articles summarizing monoterpenes as major volatile compounds in receptacles/flowers.