Economically important plant products

1. Sesame/ Gingelly oil

Botanical Name: Sesamum indicum

Useful parts: Seeds

Uses:

1. Sesame oil is mostly used for culinary purposes.

2. Lower grades are used in manufacture of soaps, in paint industries, as a lubricant and as an illuminant.

2. Rubber

Botanical Name: Hevea brasiliensis

Useful parts: Latex

Uses:

1. Rubber is used in the manufacture of footwear, wire and cable insulations, rain coat, sports goods, erasers, adhesives, rubber bands, household and hospital goods and shock absorbers.

2. Concentrated latex is used for making gloves and balloons.

3. Foamed latex is used in the manufacture of cushions, pillows and life-belts.

3. Flaked Rice (Aval)

Botanical Name: Oryza sativa

Useful parts: Seeds

Uses:

1. Flaked rice (aval) is used as breakfast cereal or as snacks.

4. Rose Water

Botanical Name: Rosa x damascena

Useful parts: Petals

Uses:

1. Rose water (panneer) is used in confectionaries, syrups and soft drinks.

2. In India, rose water is much used in eye lotions and eye washes.

5. Henna Powder

Botanical Name: Lawsonia inermis

Useful parts: Leaves

Uses:

1. An orange dye “henna” obtained from leaves and young shoots is used to dye skin, hair and fingernails.

2. It is also used for colouring leather, tails of horses and hair.

6. Aloe Gel

Botanical Name: Aloe vera

Useful parts: Leaves

Uses:

1. Aloe gel is used as skin tonic.

2. Because of its cooling effect and moisturizing characteristics, it is used in the preparation of creams, lotions, shampoos, shaving creams and allied products.

3. It is used in gerontological applications for rejuvenation of ageing skin.