Medicinal Value of 21 Kinds of Leaves that are offered in Gaṇeśa-pūjā

If there is one festival that sweeps across Bhārata with a wave of joy, music, and vibrance, it is Gaṇeśa–caturthi. This cherished Hindu festival is not just about rituals; it’s a celebration of hope, prosperity, and new beginnings, the heart which is the endearing Gaṇeśa Bhagavān, who symbolises wisdom, success, and the removal of obstacles. Curious to know more? Let’s dive into the details of a proportion in the worship ie., the patra-pūjā (worshipping by offering 21 kinds of leaves) as shown below!

No.	Saṃskṛta name of the Leaf	Common Name	Botanical Name	Picture	Medicinal Benefits
01	माचीपत्रम्	Common mugwort	Artemisia vulgaris linn	Click to enlarge	->curing throat problems ->healing wounds ->mitigating vāta & pitta
02	बृहतीपत्रम्	Worm Wood	Solanum indicum linn	Click to enlarge	-> reducing fever -> curing sore throat ->refreshing the palate ->regulating breathing -> curing heart related troubles
03	बिल्वपत्रम्	Stone Apple	Bilva Aegle Marmelos	Click to enlarge	-> controlling diarrhoea, dysentery & pitta related illnesses -> destroying phlegm, fever
04	दूर्वायुग्मम् (generally worshipped in two-s and hence the name )	Durva grass	Cynodon dactylon (linn) pers	Click to enlarge	-> purifies blood -> removes the defect of pitta and phlegm
05	धत्तूरपत्रम्	Datura / Thorn Apple	Datura stramonium	Click to enlarge	-> relieves asthma, malaria, heart disorders, earache and baldness
06	बदरीपत्रम्	Indian Jujube	Zizyphus mauritiana Lam	Click to enlarge	Cures – Sore throt Inflammation of mouth Conjunctivitis Scalp Piles Diarrhoea Fever Eye diseases Remedy for itching & vomiting process
07	अपामार्गपत्रम्	Pricky chaff flower	Achyranthes aspera	Click to enlarge	->Nerve tonic ->Sharpens memory ->Strengthens the stomach
08	तुलसीपत्रम्	Holy Basil	Ocimum sanctum	Click to enlarge	An effective cure for – Fevers, sore throat, respiratory disorders, Kidney-stones, heart Disorders, children’s ailments, stress, mouth Infections, insect bites, skin / eyes / teeth disorders & head-aches
09	चूतपत्रम्	Mango	Mangifera indica	Click to enlarge	Increases blood, flesh and Strength mitigates vāta
10	करवीरपत्रम्	Indian oleander	Nerium odoratum / indicum	Click to enlarge	->regulates metabolism -> reduces evers & eye diseases ->Cures leprosy and itching
11	विष्णुक्रान्तपत्रम्	Wild jasmina	Jasminum angustifolium	Click to enlarge	Reduces excessive effect of phlegm and vāta
12	दाडिमपत्रम्	Pomegranate	Punica granatum	Click to enlarge	>cures cough >stimulates appetite >keeps off fatigue >improves taste
13	देवदारुपत्रम्	Himalayan Cedar	Cedrus deodara / deodar	Click to enlarge	·       reduces excessive effect of phlegm and vāta good for all sorts of diabetes
14	मरुवकपत्रम्	Sweet / common basil	Ocimum basilicum	Click to enlarge	Cures leprosy and skin diseases
15	सिन्धूरपत्रम् / सिन्धुवारपत्रम्	Chaste tree	Vitex trifolia	Click to enlarge	>reduces excessive effect of phlegm and vāta >cures cough, ear / nose troubles
16	जातीपत्रम्	White Jasmine	Jasminum grandiflorum	Click to enlarge	>remover of phlegm >regulates metabolic issues >cures leprosy, eye diseases, vāta  related illnesses
17	अगस्त्यपत्रम्	Linseed	Agasi Sesbania grandiflora	Click to enlarge	lessens stress, strain and Cures cough
18	शमीपत्रम्	Shami	Prosoopis spicigera	Click to enlarge	>cures dysentery >enhances hair growth
19	अश्वत्थपत्रम्	Peepal	Ficus religiosa	Click to enlarge	>cures phlegm >regulates metabolic imbalances >pacifies thirst >cures gynec related issues
20	अर्जुनपत्रम्	Arjuna	Terminalia Arjuna	Click to enlarge	>removes phlegm >heals wounds >prevents metabolic disorders >pacifies thirst >removes stones in excretory system
21	अर्कपत्रम्	Giant Milk Weed	Calotropics gigantia	Click to enlarge	Cures – . itching . leukoderma . wounds . other skin related problems

References –

1. Ancient Indian Science and its Contemporary Relevance to Modern World (Published by the National Sanskrit University-2000)
2. Sachitra Amarakosha Sasyagalu(National Institute of Vedic Sciences-2010)
3. www.itoozhiayurveda.in/blog
4. www.ayurtimes.com
5. www.planetayurveda.com/library

Name – Vinay C (Sharma)

Designation – Linguist

Qualification and Specialization  – M.A Sanskrit (Literature)