This communication reviews the origin of capsicum in Mesoamerica, its early cultivation, and transmission into Europe, India, and Kumaon. Capsicum was introduced into India in two ways: first, by the Portuguese in South India, and second, by Arabian traders in North India. However, in Kumaon, it was first brought by Arabian traders who were indirectly assigned to trade capsicum with other products. Capsicum contains critical nutritional substances, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and essential elements. It is also a powerful antioxidant. It has been proved that capsicums are not only hot to the taste but also high in nutritional content and medicinal value. The nutritional chemo-profile, novel cultivars, new varieties and how pungency or hotness measured in Scovilee Heat Unit (SHU) are discussed. Capsicums' status in Kumaon is studied, and their Kumaoni names, etymology, philology, cultural uses, and origin of the new variety are all discussed. The top ten hottest chillies in India and worldwide are listed and discussed in terms of their hotness.

Nardostachys jatamansi or jaṭāmānsī from India was known to the Mesopotamian, one of the earliest civilizations of the world. Its name was found in their cuneiform script. It was exported to Assyria, in the Arabian countries and to Egypt, where it was known as Sumbul-e-Hind and, in Greece under the name Nardus . The plant is also mentioned in the Bible as Spikenard . In Germany, it was known as Nardus indica . It was a reputed as costly incense-herb, perfume, and used as a nerve tonic in hysteria, epileptic fits, palpitations of heart, etc. in the middle-east countries since time immemorial. Its botanical identity, history and use are mentioned in the ancient Ayurvedic & Unani literature. In India, this herb’s distribution is naturally restricted to the state of Uttarakhand, where its use as incense and medicine originated. This plant is not only mentioned in the folk tales of the state but also forms part of their cultural affinity. Despite being part of their culture, this herb is endangered in Uttarakhand. Therefore serious efforts should be made by the state government for its conservation and cultivation.

The paper deals with the identification of a taproot sold by the street vendors under the name ‘semar-kanda,’ ‘semar-musalī’ or ‘Ram-kanda’ as Bombax ceiba (semala). The nomenclatural history, botanical description, chemical composition and uses of the plant parts of Bombax ceiba (semala) along with folk-uses and a report of Yellow flower by Charles McCann is also been reviewed. The Sanskrit names given in Amarakośa and their etymology are discussed. The formation of gum (moca-rasa) and its chemical analysis and the myths associated with the plant by the tribals are discussed. It is concluded that ‘semar-musalī’ or ‘semar-kanda’ and ‘moca-rasa’ sold in the bazaar are the products of Bombax ceiba. The mystery of the formation of the gum moca-rasa has also been discussed as to whether it is of fungal or insect origin?

Turmeric is associated and is a part of Indian's culture: it is an important ingredient in curry dishes; it is also used in many religious observances, as a cosmetic, a dye, and it enters in the composition of many traditional remedies. This paper deals with its botany, its earliest reference in 'Atharva Veda', its uses in folk medicine, folk cosmetics, as a folk condiment, folk dye, its folk-chemistry, used in folk culture, and etymology and philology of 36 Sanskrit names, its important chemical constituents and its pharmacodynamics, its biopiracy and finally, the conclusion and discussions with a suggestion that when drug or its therapeutic compounds have been pharmacologically and therapeutically tested then why it is not being used in the modern medicine as a post-operative drug.

Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. is an ancient medicinal herb native to Kashmir and grown there and during British period in Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand at a height of 8000 to 13000 ft. Its roots are used in Ayurvedic medicines, cosmetics and various other herbal formulations. Known as kustha in Sanskrit (Kashmiri - postkhi, Tibetan - puchuk or putchok, Hindi - kuth or kooth, English and trade name - costus) the plant is first mentioned in 20 hymns of Atharvaveda. It was known to the Indus valley people and traded to Assyria and Egypt. In light of the past studies of the European and Indian scholars the paper attempts to describe the history of its botanical identification, natural distribution in Kashmir and Pakistan and its introduction in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from Kashmir and the need for its conservation in its native place i.e. Kashmir.

Kaviraj Gananth Sen earned great reputation for his publication of Pratyaksa Sarira, Siddhanta-Nidana, Ayurveda Paricaya and as a founder of Viswanath Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya which later renamed as Gananath Sen Institute of Ayurveda and Research in Calcutta. His address at BHU deals with the advances made in Ayurveda about hundred years ago, the knowledge of treating plants under Vrksa-Ayurveda, the form of Materia medica and Pharmacy and the chemistry of Makaradhvaja used as stimulant and vitalizer. The Ayurvedists knew that there are certain diseases and ailments caused by 'microorganisms' and the knowledge of midwifery, and of compounds, which cured sexual debility under the name of Vaisnavi sakti. The progress made in surgery and the instruments used were also taken into account. Finally, it dealt with the charges against the status of Ayurveda in the country about hundred years ago and action to be taken for its reform as a word of appeal to the people.

The history of mango, its nativity (origin) and distribution have been discussed here with its reference in ancient Indian scriptures, and sculptures like Great Stupa at Sanchi (1st BCE) and the railings of the Bahrut Stupa (2nd BCE). Its association with Hindu religion and mythology are also traced. The main features as described in A'in-i Akbari cover its horticultural varieties, distribution and the method of how to make the fruit sweet as well as types of preservation of fruits, colour and naming of mangoes like Chausa and Dussehri ama.

Soma plant has been a mystery since a long time. A number of plants were proposed as Soma in the past by various authorities. Wasson (1968) proposed and claimed with a specific approach that Amanita muscaria, a mushroom was the Soma of the gveda. The juice of it was used as Soma drink. The Vedic Āryas (earlier called 'Vedic Āryans'), were the composer of gveda. They used to compose hymns (mantras) to record their day to day experiences, their cultural life and adoration of their deities including Soma. It is speculated, when, Soma became rare and was difficult to find, then Śyena, the Falcon (a kind of bird) was used to collect and bring to their masters and it is well recorded in the gvedic hymns. Perhaps, Wasson did not give any importance to this fact, which actually well supports his findings. Nothing is known about the origin or migration of Vedic Āryas. They used ephedra, cannabis and poppy in preparation of Soma drink and is supported by an archaeological finding by Sarianidi, in 2003 AD. Sarianidi called the Vedic Āryas as Zorastrians settled in Bactria and India. It is not certain what ingredients were used to prepare the Soma drink. In India, when they were in the mountainous region of Afghanistan and Kashmir, they used ephedra, which was plentifully available for preparation of Soma drink. With their work as they migrated in the Indian plains eastwards and southwards they had to use other locally growing plants as substitute or surrogates like: Sarcostemma spp., Ceropegia spp., Periploca aphylla, etc. because ephedra was not available. The paper deals with the story as to how Wasson came to the conclusion that Amanita muscaria is the Soma of the gveda and the plants used as Soma in different periods of time with the movements of the Vedic Āryas. Lastly, the present status of Soma in Indian religion & culture is briefly discussed, where it is worshipped and only mentioned in the hand books of daily worship used by the Hindu brāhmins (priests).