Family Mimosaceae: The members of sub family Mimosaceae are trees or shrubs, very rarely herbs. They are found in the tropical zone and are especially numerous in Africa and Australia. They are rare in the sub-tropical region of the northern hemisphere. The member exhibit tonic and astringent, emetic, antiperiodic and anthelmintic properties. Many yield demulcent gums. The sub family of Mimosaceae includes 23 genera with about 550 species. Some of the important genera are Acacia sp., Albizzia sp., Entada sp., Leucaena sp., Neptunia sp., Prosopis sp., Parkia sp., Mimosa sp., Pithecolobium sp.

Family Paplionaceae: The members of sub family Papilionaceae are herbs, shrubs or trees found in all climates but mostly between and near the tropics and are more abundant in the old than in the New World. The family includes the greatest number of Legumes, comparising 400 genera with about 7000 species. It is an extremely important family and its members yield nutritious food, fiber, shelter, valuable medicines and also virulent poisons (Datta and Mukherji, 1952). The members exhibit most varied properties, some are amylaceous, other oleaginous, many yield resins, balsams and dyes, a few are astringent, acrid and bitter, narcotic and poisonous, emetic and purging, tonic and restorative . The seeds are often anti periodic and the root anthelmentic.

OCIMUM SANCTUM LINN. Botanical name : Ocimum sanctum Family : Lamiaceae Vernacular names : Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali : Tulsi Marathi : Tulasa Tamil : Thulasi Telugu : Tulasi Malayalam : Trittavu Ocimum sanctum is a 30-75 cm high erect herb which is grown practically in every part of India. Hindus considered it a sacred plant and it is grown in every house. Macroscopy: Annual herb 30-75 cm high, much branched, stems and branches usually purplish, sub-quadrangular, sometimes woody below, clothed with soft spreading hairs.

Wild medicinal plants in Indian Folk Life-A Historical Perspective Plants of over 3500 wild species are used to cure ailments in man and his domesticated animals : Plants in folk medicine of the Himalaya The Himalayan ranges are inhabited by a large tribal population, often with their distinct way of life, traditions, dialects and cultural heritage. The Himalaya have bestowed them with vast, varied and even endemic plants. The tribals have learnt to utilize local herbs for different ailments after centuries of trials, often at the risk of loss of human life. Many tribal beliefs forbid them to unravel the virtues of the plants to outside world. But, it is also true that till recent little concerted effort had been made to document this knowledge by detailed ethnobotanical surveys.

References to the trees and flowers are found profusely in folk song, particularly in songs of worship of plants. Folk songs in praise of Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris Schard. ex. J.C.Wendl), Basil (Ocimum sanctum Linn.), and Amaltas (Cassia fistula Linn.) are sung, believing these plants are the abode of several Gods and Goddess (Agarwal, 1997). Religious songs have references to offering of flowers and fruits Palas (Butea monosperma O. Kuntze.), Kachnar (Bauhinia variegata Linn.), and Mahua (Madhuca indica Gmel.) etc bear flowers and fruits which are offered to Gods and Goddess to invoke blessings for the fulfiliment of wishes (Matiyani, 1957).

These are uncertain and often frightening times for many people.  While none of my clients have thus far suffered any major emotional setbacks, the holidays are quickly approaching and I expect to see more depression and anxiety.  Since money is very tight and many have lost their homes and/or jobs, while others now have extended family living with them, this holiday season will be more of a challenge than most of us are comfortable dealing with.

How will you cope with the upcoming season?

Here are a few tips to inspire further thought and planning:

silvicultural production systems and nutrient requirements of Jatropha curcas which can be summarized as below: • What are the best management techniques (planting practices, spacing, etc.) to promote the optimum growth of Jatropha to optimize for instance nut production? • What types of edaphic factors, climatic conditions provide best for Jatropha curcas, both from the perspective of fruit and biomass? What is the ideal rotation age for nuts and the plant? What varieties, including non-toxic varieties perform better in southern Africa? • How can Jatropha curcas plantations by themselves or in agro-forestry combinations (climatic conditions and management practices) alleviate problems of devegetation and soil erosion and improve, the environment.

Scientific Name Solanum surattense Burm. f. syn. S. xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl. Family Solanaceae Used Part Seeds and fruits Distribution Area Throughout India, in dry situtations as weed on roadside and wastelands