Herbs

Ocimum basilicum

Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Basil, Great Basil
What’s a pasta or pizza without basil? Incomplete! Read more >>

A loe vera

Family: Asphodelaceae
Common name: Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is an evergreen succulent used in cosmetics, haircare and skincare preparations. Read more >>

Coleus amboinicus

Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Indian borage, Country borage, Ajwain
A very common plant in Indian gardens, it has many medicinal properties. Read more >>

Leucas aspera

Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Thumba, Thumbapoovu
A plant commonly seen in the wild, it is also listed under the name Leucas Zeylanica. Read more >>

Curcuma longa

Family: Zingiberaceae
Common name: Turmeric
A very commonly used spice in almost all curries, Turmeric powder is a staple in any Indian kitchen. Read more >>

Family: Asparagaceae
Common name: Satavar, Shatavari, Shatamull
A species of Asparagus specific to India and the Himalayas, Shatavari grows in rocky, gravelly terrain in the wild. Read more >>

Phyllanthus niruri

Family: Phyllanthaceae
Common name: Keezhanelli, Stone breaker, Seed under leaf
A tiny herb that usually grows to a height of 10-15 inches, Keezhanelli has been ascribed many medicinal properties. Read more >>

Mentha

Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Mint, Pudina
Mint leaves smell so good, that just watering the plants can make you feel better with their aroma. Read more >>

Ocimum sanctum

Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Tulsi, Holy basil
In India, if you have garden, it is most likely that you have a tulsi plant in it. If not, it’s time to get one. Read more >>

Ricinus communis

Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common name: Castor bean, Castor oil plant, Palm of Christ
Castor bean plant is a prolific grower, that can fill an empty plot of land in no time, and can be classified as an invasive plant. Read more >>

Coriandrum sativum

Family: Apiaceae
Common name: Coriander, Cilantro
Yet another spice that Indian kitchens cannot do without, coriander is found in multiple forms in most of our kitchens. Read more >>

Justicia adhatoda

Family: Acanthaceae
Common name: Malabar nut, Adathoda, Aadalodakam
A herb used for relief from cough, allergies and respiratory ailments, Aadolodakam is considered a very valuable plant. Read more >>

Linum usitatissimum

Family: Linaceae
Common name: Common flax, Linseed
Did you know that your favorite linen shirt is made from the fibers of the Common flax plant? Read more >>

Biophytum sensitivum

Family: Oxalidaceae
Common name: Little tree plant, Mukkutti, Lajjalu
A tiny annual herb seen in gardens and backyards, Mukkutti has many uses in traditional Indian medicine. Read more >>

Senna alata

Family: Fabaceae
Common name: Candle bush, Emperor’s candlesticks
It’s surprising that candle bush plants are mostly seen in the wild, since they have beautiful, ornamental, yellow flowers. Read more >>

Clerodendrum infortunatum

Family: Lamiaceae
Common name: Hill glory bower, Nectar plants, Peruvu
Hill glory bowers are small medicinal shrubs that are now disappearing from backyards and roadsides with increased urbanization. Read more >>

Cyanthillium cinereum

Family: Asteraceae
Common name: Little ironweed, Poovamkurunnila, Asian ironweed, Fleabane, Purple fleabane
A common with tiny, purple flowers, Little ironweed plants are seen in the wild in tropical weather. Read more >>

Indigofera tinctoria

Family: Fabaceae
Common name: True indigo
A small, well-branched shrub belong to the pea family, True indigo plants were traditionally used to produce indigo or blue dye. Read more >>

Peperomia pellucida

Family: Piperaceae
Common name: Shiny bush, Shining bush plant, Man to man, Slate pencil plant
Shiny bush is a small, succulent-stemmed, shallow-rooted wild plant seen very commonly in Kerala. Read more >>

Abutilon hirtum

Family: Malvaceae
Common name: Hairy Indian mallow, Indian mallow
Hairy Indian mallow is commonly seen in open areas, roadsides, hillsides, transforming the landscape with their beautiful yellow and red flowers. Read more >>

Centratherum punctatum

Family: Asteraceae
Common name: Larkdaisy, Brazilian button, Brazilian bachelor’s button, Porcupine flower
Long considered an invasive weed, Larkdaisy plants are now very commonly seen in gardens in India. Read more >>

Petroselinum crispum

Family: Apiaceae
Common name: Parsley
A vegetable, herb or garnish – Parsley is a versatile plant that can be easily grown in kitchen gardens, and used in a variety of dishes. Read more >>

Trianthema portulacastrum

Family: Aizoaceae
Common name: Desert horse purslane, Horse purslane, Black pigweed, Giant pigweed
A weed commonly seen on hillsides, open plots, disturbed areas, and footpaths, Desert horse purslane plants have many medicinal uses. Read more >>

Portulaca oleracea

Family: Portulacaceae
Common name: Common purslane, Duckweed, Little hogweed
A humble little weed growing along wastelands, open areas, and on footpaths, we are yet to fully utilize the nutritional values of Common purslane plants. Read more >>

Boerhavia diffusa

Family: Nyctaginaceae
Common name: Red spiderling, Spreading hogweed, Tarvine, Punarnava, Thazhuthama
This humble little weed seen on roadsides, Red spiderling plants are also called Punarnava, which means it can rejuvnate or renew the body. Read more >>