Exam Time: Hints for Effective Studying

The exam period is a time when stress levels are higher than usual. Stress can be positive, helping you to stay motivated and focused. However, too much stress can be unhelpful, it can make you feel overwhelmed, confused, exhausted and edgy.

 

It's important to try and keep things in perspective and find ways of reducing stress if things seem to be getting on top of you. This factsheet gives you some suggestions of things you can do to maximise your study time and help you learn better.  

Suggestions for Helping you Through Exams

Study Habits

Study Area - Having a good study area can make a huge difference to how well you learn. Study in a well lit, quiet area, away from noises and people in the house. If this is impossible, it might be better to study at the library. Make sure your desk is tidy and organised - it means you can concentrate on studying and learning, not trying to find information.

 

Find Out About the Exam – Find out what format the exam will take i.e. Are the questions in essay, short answer or multiple choice format? Is the exam open book or closed book? Knowing how the exam is marked and what proportion of your total mark it’s worth might also be helpful.

To Do Lists - Make a to do list before each study session. Breaking tasks down into small, managable tasks will make it less overwhelming. Cross them off with a texta as you go.

Past Exam Papers - Ask your teacher for past exam papers. They can be a useful insight into what your exam will be like and can also provide a guide for what you know and the areas in which you need help. If possible, practice some under exam conditions and get your teacher to mark them.

Study Groups - Forming a studying group can be a helpful way to revise your notes and work through past exam questions (it can also help you feel supported, keep you motivated and focused). If you have questions about your work, a study group may be a good place to have them answered. Ask your teacher if they know of anyone else interested in studying with other people.

Switch the Phone or Email Off! - If you find that you are being distracted by the phone or emails, it might help to put the answering machine on or get others in the house to take messages for a while. You can always ring people back later.

Wallpaper - Write down key concepts you have to learn on small sheets of paper followed by examples of how they are used. Post these sheets around your house, e.g. your bed, on the toilet door, in front of the CD collection.  It helps with remembering things like equations, quotes and foreign languages.

Ask Lots of Questions of your Teachers or Tutor! Your teacher or tutor can help if you are having trouble developing a study routine or need help with understanding subjects or a particular topic. Asking for help doesn't mean you're a failure or stupid - it's smart to tap into their experience and knowledge to help you perform better. Keep going back to them if you're still unsure or you have more questions. It's their job to be available for you.  

 

Know your Preferred Learning Style - Some people work better using text based memory tools, like acronyms (e.g. ROYGBIV - colours of the rainbow; acrostics e.g. Every Good Boy Deserves Fruit). Other people find more visual tools more useful, e.g. mind maps or tree diagrams.

 

Take Regular Breaks - Getting up, moving around and away from your desk at least every 50 minutes for 10 minutes makes you concentrate and learn better.

 

Revise and Learn (Not Just Re-Read) - Sometimes reading through notes doesn't result in learning or understanding. Include the following in revising each topic:

• Vocabulary, technical terms definitions
• Summaries of points
• Formulae, rules, diagrams, charts
• Ability to understand relationships

Time Management

Avoid Procrastination - Procrastination is when you do everything else but the task you need to do. It is normal to procrastinate a little. However too much procrastination can just add to your stress and can result in you not giving yourself enough time to prepare. Managing your time and setting realistic goals for each study session can be helpful ways to avoid procrastinating and make tasks seem less overwhelming. 

Make a Study Timetable – Write down all the things you need to do each day of the week, and how long you need for each, including time for enough sleep, relaxation, and exercise. Find out the date of each exam and work out a study timetable leading up to them. Include tests that will help you identify gaps in your knowledge. This can give you some direction and help you focus on what to study each week or day.

 

Use your Frees - Studying in the school library during your frees gives you access to lots of information available on the reference shelves. Some material, such as sample solutions, often can’t be taken out of the library or can be too long to photocopy.

 

Letter to my Grandchildren

To my beautiful grandchildren...

Our world is changing so fast and there are many things I wish for you...

I'd really like for you to know about hand-me-down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated, and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.

And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother or sister.

And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when they want to crawl under the covers with you because they're scared, I hope you let them.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother or sister wants to tag along, I hope you'll let them.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.

When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush, and when you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.

And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your grandparents and go fishing with your uncle.

These are just some of the things that I wish for you - tough times and disappointment, hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

 

 

Welcome surprises

As we stumble upon new research which reveals that wearing stilettos can improve orgasms, here's a look at other unusual libido-lifters...

Wear high heels
A pair of those can actually work wonders for your sex life, new research suggests.
Why?
They directly work the pelvic-floor muscles, urologists say. They also hope to prove that wearing heels can reduce the need to do tricky pelvic exercises to keep the vagina toned.

Drink coffee
A cup boosts female sex drive.
Why?
American scientists claim caffeine stimulates parts of the brain that control arousal. But the aphrodisiac only works on women who don't drink coffee regularly.

Hit the gym
Women who work out three to five times a week have more satisfying sex than those who do nothing, studies find.
Why?
Not only does exercise improve body image, reduce stress and boost energy, it increases libido-lifting testosterone levels and genital blood flow.

Eat salmon
Eating oily fish can intensify orgasms.
Why?
Researchers claim the omega 3s "can boost your levels of dopamine – a neurotransmitter vital in stimulating desire".

Enjoy a girls' night out
Good friends can be an all-round aphrodisiac, say psychologists.
Why?
Social life makes you happier and more appealing to your other half, studies have found. Outside friendships give couples more to talk about.

Turn off the TV
An Italian study found couples with a TV in the bedroom had half as much sex as those who didn't and that violent films and reality shows were passion-killers.
Why?
Couples with no bedroom TV reported sharing stories and cuddling, which led to more sex. With our entertainment industry growing manifold and the number of reality shows and post-eleven-o-clock soaps increasing, this might be a point to ponder for you.

 

Nurture your child, Not Your Ego

"Your children…come through you but not from you, and though they are with you, yet they belong not to you…" - Khalil Gibran, The Prophet

One of the biggest challenges of bringing up junior is to do it with a heart big enough to relish his/her path to success. Viewing your kids' lives through your eyes is one thing, and making efforts so that they replicate your success is another.

Many parents measure their own value by their children's successes and failures. Children not hitting the socially accepted milestones early enough, or not living up to a parent's (often unrealistic) expectations, can put them on the road to failure, rightaway, without any apparent fault of theirs. Here's why you should keep your egoistic expectations aside while nurturing your kids, for you live with who the child is, and not what the child could be..

PARENTING PLUS EGO

A recent example of a parent never satisfied with her son's accomplishments was the mother of a preteen tennis player we came across. When complimented by another mother about her son's skills, the tennis player's mother responded through clenched teeth, "Well, he's no Roger Federer." (For those who're wondering, Federer is one the greatest tennis players of all time.)

The mother's response is that of a typical parent desperate to see her child dazzle the world. Her expectations are destructive to herself and to her child. Her comparison robs her of the joy of watching her son play, and because even Aishwarya Rai isn't a good enough actress to hide the kind of disappointment the mother is feeling, this child's self-esteem is at grave risk of damage.

TAKING ALL THE CREDIT

The other side of the coin is the parent who likes to take all credit for the child's success and creates an entire identity around that child. This parent, like the earlier case, yearns for an exceptional child. Thus the child becomes responsible for the parents' feelings of self-worth.

It is important for parents to disentangle their egos from their parenting. If you've followed the above stated Gibran line, children begin their own journey through life as soon as the umbilical cord is cut. Attentive parenting is vital to their growth, but children also deserve to own both their disappointments and successes..

Taking parenting too emotionally too can make parenting harder. An unwillingness to see the child realistically, the parent misses what skills and behaviours need efforts, and then gets frustrated and confused when the child acts out. "But my child is gifted, why is he unable to potty train? I must be a bad mother."

HELICOPTER PARENTING

"Helicopter Parents" are those who constantly hover over their children, track their movements, get inappropriately involved (with adult children too) and have skewed vision of themselves and their child.

To understand this better, read this case: It has become banal for parents to come to defend their children who've been marked lowly or have been reprimanded by a teacher. Their ego is damaged when their child needs correcting, and in response they're angered and end up challenging the professional. The term "helicopter parenting" has been coined to describe these hovering parents.

A true but unbelievable example of "helicopter parenting" we heard of was at a big insurance company. The father of a smart, well educated, twenty-five year old woman called her boss to discuss her job performance.. Weeks later this same young woman missed a flight to a meeting she was supposed to take with her boss. He understandingly told her that she should go straight to the office and work. Instead she took an 8-hour train ride to the city to try to attend the meeting anyway. When questioned why she did not act as she was instructed, she responded, "My mother told me that I had to go to the meeting."

PARENTING MINUS EGO

To develop self esteem in your kids, drop your own ego first. Period. They can experience your unconditional love only when you value them for who they are and not what they succeed at.

When parents allow their children to be their own people instead of an extension of themselves, children begin to take responsibility for their own decisions. Establishing appropriate boundaries between parent and child helps the child become independent and not feel pressured to excel in the hopes that their parents will feel fulfilled.

 

 

7 reason not mess with children.

A little girl was talking to her teacher

about whales.  
  
The teacher said it was physically impossible

for a whale to swallow a human because

even though it was a very large mammal

its throat was very small.
  
The little girl stated that Jonah was

swallowed by a whale.
  
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a

whale could not swallow a human;

it was physically impossible.
  
The little girl said, "When I get to heaven

I will ask Jonah".
  
The teacher asked, " What if Jonah went

to hell?"
  
The little girl replied, "Then you ask him". 
   
 Good point ... Hmmmm ....
  
A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work.
  
As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
  
The girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
  
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
  
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
 
  
A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds.
  
After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?"
  
Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."
  
 
  
One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head.
  
She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?"
  
Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white."
  
The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"
  
 
  
The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture.
  
"Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's  Michael, He's a doctor.'
  
A small voice a! t the back of the room rang out, "And there's the teacher, She's dead. "
  
 
  
A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said,  "Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.."  
  
"Yes," the class said.
  
"Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?" 
  
A little fellow shouted,
  
"Cause your feet ain't empty."
  
 
  
The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray:
  
"Take only ONE. God is watching."
  
Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies.
  
A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God is watching the apples.
  

God,I'VE KIDNAPPED YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE!

LITTLE BOBBY

Little Bobby came into the kitchen where his mother was making dinner.

His birthday was coming up and he thought this was a good time to tell his mother what he wanted.

Mom, I want a bike for my birthday.

Little Bobby was a bit of a troublemaker.

He had gotten into trouble at school and at home.

Bobby's mother asked him if he thought he deserved to get a bike for his birthday.

Little Bobby, of course, thought he did.

Bobby's mother wanted Bobby to reflect on his behavior over the last year.

Go to your room, Bobby, and think about how you have behaved this year.

Then write a letter to God and tell him why you deserve a bike for your birthday.

Little Bobby stomped up the steps to his room and sat down to write God a letter.

************ **

Letter 1

Dear God,

I have been a very good boy this year and I would like a bike for my
birthday.

I want a red one.

Your friend,

Bobby

************ **

Bobby knew that this wasn't true. He had not been a very good boy this year,

So he tore up the letter and started over.

************ **

Letter 2

Dear God,

This is your friend Bobby. I have been a good boy this year and I would like

A red bike for my birthday. Thank you.

Your friend,

Bobby

************ **

Bobby knew that this wasn't true either. So, he tore up the letter and started again.

************ **

Letter 3

Dear God,

I have been an OK boy this year. I still would really like a bike for my birthday.

Bobby

************ **

Bobby knew he could not send this letter to God either. So, Bobby wrote a fourth letter.

************ **

Letter 4

God,

I know I haven't been a good boy this year. I am very sorry.

I will be a good boy if you just send me a bike for my birthday.

Please! Thank you,

Bobby

************ **

Bobby knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get him a bike.

Now, Bobby was very upset. He went downstairs and told his mom that he wanted to go to church.

Bobby's mother thought her plan had worked, as Bobby looked very sad.

Just be home in time for dinner, Bobby's mother told him.

Bobby walked down the street to the church on the corner.

Little Bobby went into the church and up to the altar.

He looked around to see if anyone was there.

Bobby bent down and picked up a statue of the Mary.

He slipped the statue under his shirt and ran out of the church, down the street, into the house, and up to his room.

He shut the door to his room and sat down with a piece of paper and a pen.
 Bobby began to write his letter to God.

************ **

Letter 5

God,

I'VE KIDNAPPED YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE!!!!!!

 

 

16 Signs Your Child May Be Taking Drugs

Here is a list of problems that could indicate drug use. Be careful not to automatically assume, however, that drugs are the problem.

 

Children, especially adolescents, give off many of these signals when they are distressed in other ways, too. You'll need to sort out with your child exactly what the problem is and try to identify any substance abuse, perhaps with the help of a family counselor or child psychologist. Keep in mind that even if there is no drug abuse going on yet, these other problems need to be addressed.

 

1. Increased truancy and tardiness to classes

2. A drop in grades

3. Behavior problems in school

4. Losing interest in activities the child once enjoyed

5. Dropping old friends and a sudden influence of a new crowd

6. Personality changes -- a child who was once outgoing is now withdrawn, or someone who is usually relaxed is now fidgety much of the time

7. Sudden mood changes -- euphoria followed by tenseness or edginess; excessive suspiciousness or paranoia

8. Appearing listless or hung over

9. Increased forgetfulness

10. Increased secretiveness

11. Withdrawal from the family

12. More combativeness at home

13. Red eyes

14. Weight loss

15. Not sleeping well

16. Fatigue or hyperactivity

This checklist was adapted from the book Saying No Is Not Enough by Robert Schwebel

 

 

How to Prepare Your Child for College Interviews

There are more stressful situations than a college interview. Like when your name is broadcast on the school intercom followed by the words, "Please report to the main office." Or the awkward silence of a phone line just before you summon the courage to ask, "Are you busy Saturday night?"

 

Fortunately, the reality of a college interview is a lot less scary than the hype. Interviews seldom make or break an applicant's chances for admission. Grades, standardized tests, essays and recommendations carry more weight. Interviewers are usually more intent on selling their college than evaluating you.

 

Expect a little nervousness before your interview. It shows you care -- an endearing quality. If you tackle the problem head-on by saying, "I'm a little nervous," your interviewer is sure to be impressed. Most will try to help you break the ice. Part of their job is to learn about your personality and interests.

There is only one rule for successful interviewing: Be yourself. Don't try to play the role of high school big shot or future corporate lawyer. As a 17 year old, you're not supposed to have all the answers. Instead of telling the interviewer what you know, identify elements of the college -- faculty, programs or student body -- from which you hope to learn.

 

Most interviewers ask open-ended questions to allow applicants to direct the conversation. I recommend that students think about two or three subjects for an extended discussion -- an activity, a book, your high school, etc.

 

Interviewers often use a topic like these to assess the depth of an applicant's thought. If you say that Huckleberry Finn is one of your favorite books, be prepared for 15 minutes on the relationship between Huck and Jim.

Come armed with a question. Interviewers usually ask if you have one. Most applicants hem and haw and finally say that, well, maybe the tour answered them all. A good question generally deals with the character of the college:

 

"What kind of student does best here?" or "How is this college different from other similar ones?" A good question takes thought and is evidence that you've done homework. Dumb questions can be answered on page one of the catalogue ("Do you have a business program?").

 

It is not usually necessary to bring a transcript. Your high school will send an official one if you apply. Exceptions, however, include students who want to explain an issue in their record, or who would like a seat-of-the-pants assessment of their chances for admission. If you would like to show a sample of your art or poetry, feel free. Slides or tapes are also a possibility, but be sure to verify in advance that such things can be accommodated

 

When the pre-interview jitters hit, keep reminding yourself that the interviewer is your friend, or at least wants to be. No fear. No pain of rejection. Just a sincere conversation

 

Description of Indian Spices

Description of Indian Spices       1.Mustard

 

	Description Mustard is an annual herb cultivated as oil seed crop or as vegetable or as fodder, of which, 3 species are known for its condiment value. They are pale yellow or white mustard (Brassica hirta), brown mustard (Brassica juncea) and black mustard (Brassica nigra). The leaves of the plant are alternate, long, bristly branched, petiolate, hairy on both sides. Flowers are small, yellow with 4petals, cruciform. Seeds are 1.5-3mm.
Origin and Distribution The yellow/white mustard is indigenous to Southern Europe, whereas brown mustard is from China introduced to Northern India. The black mustard is endemic in the Southern Mediterranean region. The white mustard is widely cultivated in Australia, China, Chili, Denmark, Italy, Japan, The UK, The Netherlands, North Africa, Canada and USA. Mustard prefers loamy or clayey loam soil. It is grown as rabbi crop in North India. It is raised during rainy season from July to November in South India. Uses The major processed products are mustard powder used in the manufacture of mayonnaise, dried or dehydrated mustard leaves, whole mustard seeds etc. Whole mustard is used as a flavouring agent in Indian cooking, whereas ground mustard provides flavour and consistency in Bengali fish curries. Mustard flour has preservative and antioxidant properties in addition to providing flavour and colour.

 

Botanical name	Family name	Commercial part
Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. & Coss.	Brassicaceae	Seed

 

Indian Names
Hindi	: Rai, Banarasi rai, Kalee sarson
Gujarati	: Rai
Kannada	: Sasave
Kashmiri	: Aasur, Sorisa
Malayalam	: Kaduku
Punjabi	: Rai, Banarasi rai, Kalee sarson
Sanskrit	: Asuri, Bimbata
Tamil	: Kadugo
Telugu	: Avalu
Urdu	: Rai, Banarasi rai, Kalee sarson

 

Name in international languages Spanish : Mostaza French : Moutarde German : Senfsaat Swedish : Senap Arabic : Khardal Dutch : Mosterd Italian : Senape Portuguese : Mostarda Russian : Gorchitsa Japanese : Shiro Karashi Chinese : Chieh

 

2.Cinnamon

 

Description
The "True Cinnamon" or Sri Lankan Cinnamon is the dried inner stem bark of Cinnamomum Verum. Cinnamon plants are grown as bushes. When the plants are of two years age, they typically measure at about 2 meter in high and 8-12 cm at the base. It is at this stage they are ready for harvesting.
Origin and Distribution
Cinnamomum verum is mostly cultivated in Sri Lanka, Malagasy Republic and Seychelles. It has originated in the central hills of Sri Lanka. In India, it is grown in one or two locations in Kerala. Cinnamon is a hardy plant and is cultivated in Sri Lanka under varying conditions ranging from semi dried to wet zone conditions. The ideal temperature for growing cinnamon is between 20-30 degree C and rainfall between 1250 to 2500 mm. It thrives well as a forest tree at 300-350 meter above MsL.
Uses
The commercial products of cinnamon are quills, quillings, featherings, chips, cinnamon bark oil and cinnamon leaf oil. 'Quills' are scraped peel of the inner bark of the mature cinnamon shoots, joined together with overlapping tubes, the hollow of which has been filled with smaller pieces of cinnamon peels which is dried first in the sun and thereafter in the shade. 'Quillings' are broken pieces and splits of all grades of cinnamon quills. 'Featherings' are feather like pieces of inner bark consisting of shavings and small pieces of bark left over. Cinnamon 'chips' are rough unpeelable barks scraped off from the thicker stems. Cinnamon leaf and bark oil are obtained by distilling the leaf and bark separately. Cinnamon bark is a popular spice with a delicate fragrance and a warm agreeable taste. It is used in the form of small pieces or powder. It is widely used in flavouring confectionary, liquors, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is found to help diabetics in digestion of sugar. It has astringent; stimulant and carminative properties and can check nausea and vomiting. The cinnamon bark oil has anti-fungal properties and cinnamon leaf oil is widely used in perfumery and cosmetics

 

Botanical name	Family name	Commercial part
Cinnamomum verum	Lauraceae	Bark, leaf

 

Indian Names
Hindi	: Dalchini, Darchini
Bengali	: Dalchini
Gujarati	: Dalchini
Kannada	: Lavangapattai
Malayalam	: Karuvapatta
Marathi	: Dalchini
Oriya	: Dalchini
Punjabi	: Dalchini
Sanskrit	: Darushila
Tamil	: Karuvapattai, Sannalavangapattai
Urdu	: Dalchini

3.Garlic

 

	Description Garlic is a hardy, bulbous, rooted, perennial plant with narrow flat leaves and bears small white flowers and bulbils. The compound bulb consists of 6 to 34 bulblets called 'cloves' which are surrounded by a common, thin, white or pinkish papery sheet. Garlic has a strong flavour and taste. Origin and Distribution Garlic is a native of West Asia and Mediterranean area. China, Korea, India, USA, Spain, Argentina and Egypt are the major garlic growing countries. Garlic prefers cool weather and grow in a well-drained, moderately clay loam at higher elevation (900 to 1200 mtrs).
Uses Garlic is used for flavouring various dishes practically all over the world. In United States almost half of the produce is dehydrated for use in mayonnaise products, salad dressings and in several meat preparations. Raw garlic is used in the preparation of garlic powder, garlic salt, garlic vinegar, garlic cheese croutins, garlicked potato chips, garlic bread, garlicked bacon etc. Spray dried garlic products, liquid garlic preparations are other products. In India and other Asian and Middle East Countries, garlic is used in pickles, curry powders, curried vegetables, meat preparations etc. Oil of garlic is used as a flavouring agent in soups, canned foods, sauces etc. The other properties are anti-bacterial, fungicidal and insecticidal. In the area of medicine, it is used for various ailments of stomach, skin diseases. It has wider applications in indigenous medicines and is also considered as highly nutritive.

 

Botanical name	Family name	Commercial part
Allium sativum	Liliaceae	Bulb

 

Indian Name
Assamese	: Naharu
Hindi	: Lasun, Lessan, Lahsun
Bengali	: Rashun
Gujarati	: Lasan
Kannada	: Bellulli
Kashmiri	: Ruhan
Malayalam	: Vellulli
Marathi	: Lusson
Oriya	: Rasuna
Punjabi	: Lassan, Lasun
Sanskrit	: Lashuna
Tamil	: Ullipundu, Vellaippundu
Telugu	: Velluri
Urdu	: Lassun, Leshun

 

4.Ginger

 

Description Ginger of commerce is the dried underground stem of the herbaceous tropical plant grown as an annual. The whole plant is refreshingly aromatic and the underground rhizome, raw or processed, is valued as spice. Ginger is a slender perennial herb, 30-50 cm tall with palmately branched rhizome bearing leafy shoots. The leafy shoot is a pseudostem formed by leaf sheath and bears 8 to 12 distichous leaves. The inflorescence is a spike springs directly from the rhizome. Origin and Distribution It is a tropical plant with the centre of distribution in India and Malaysia. Now it is widely cultivated in India, Jamaica, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Malaysia, Southern China and Japan. Ginger requires warm and humid climate and thrives well from sea level to an altitude of 1500 mtrs above MSL. A well distributed rainfall (150 to 300cm) during growing season and dry spells during land preparation and harvesting are required for the crop. Though grows on a wide range of soils, lateritic loams are preferred for higher yields. Uses Fresh ginger, dry ginger powder, oleoresin and oil are used in food processing. It is indispensable in the manufacture of ginger bread, confectionary, ginger ale, curry powders, certain curried meats, table sauces, in pickling and in the manufacture of certain cordials, ginger cocktail, carbonate drinks, liquors etc. In medicine, it is used as carminative and stimulant. It has wider applications in indigenous medicines. The ginger oil is used as food flavourant in soft drinks.

 

Botanical name	Family name	Commercial part
Zingiber officinale Roscoe	Zingiberaceae	The rhizome

 

Indian Names
Hindi	: Adrak
Bengali	: Ada
Gujarati	: Adu
Kannada	: Shunti, Ardraka
Malayalam	: Inchi
Marathi	: Ale
Oriya	: Ada
Punjabi	: Adrak
Sanskrit	: Ardraka
Tamil	: Inji
Telugu	: Allamu, Sonthi
Urdu	: Adrak, Adhrak

 

Name in international languages Spanish : Jengibre French : Gingembre German : Ingwer Swedish : Ingefara Arabic : Zanjabil Dutch : Gember Italian : Zenzero Portuguese : Gengibre Russian : Imbir Japanese : Shoga Chinese : Chiang

 

Name in international languages Spanish : Ajo French : Ail German : Knoblanch Swedish : Vitlok Arabic : Thum Dutch : Knoflook Italian : Agilio Portuguese : Alho Russian : Chesnok Japanese : Ninniku Chinese : Suan

 

4.Clove

 

Description
The clove of commerce is the air-dried unopened flower bud obtained from evergreen medium sized tree. The tree grows to a height of 10-12 mtrs and start flowering in about 7 years. It continues to produce flower buds for 80 or more years. It is a valuable spice of the orient. Clove clusters are plucked by hand when the buds are fully developed with a pronounced pink flush and then dried over several days in the sun. Unopened flower buds, leaves and stalks yield essential oil.
Origin and Distribution
The plant is indigenous to North Molucca Islands of Indonesia. It is also grown in Zanzibar, Madagascar, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and India. The tree prefers well drained rich soil with sufficient soil moisture throughout the year. High atmospheric temperature (25 to 35 degree C) with heavy sun light, good and well-distributed rainfall (above 150 cm) and high humidity (above 70%) are preferred.
Uses
The use of clove in whole or ground form is mainly for culinary purposes and as a flavouring agent in food industry. Its flavour blends well with both sweet and savory dishes. It is highly valued in medicine as carminative, aromatic and stimulant. In Indonesia, the lion share of production is consumed in production of 'kretek' cigarettes. The antiseptic and antibiotic properties of clove oil are used in medicine especially in dentistry, oral and pharyngeal treatments. It has wider applications in preparations of toothpaste and mouthwashes, soaps and perfumes. It is also reported to help diabetics in sugar assimilations.

 

Botanical name	Family name	Commercial part
Syzygium aromaticum	Myrtaceae	Unopened flower bud

 

Indian Names
Hindi	: Lung
Bengali	: Lawang
Gujarati	: Lavang
Kannada	: Lavanga
Malayalam	: Grambu
Marathi	: Luvang
Oriya	: Labang
Punjabi	: Laung
Sanskrit	: Lavanga
Tamil	: Kirambu, Lavangam
Telugu	: Lavangalu
Urdu	: Laung

 

5.Cumin

 

	Description Cumin is the dried, white fruit with greyish brown colour of a small slender annual herb. The surface of the fruit has 5 primary ridges, alternatively has 4 less distinct secondary ridges bearing numerous short hairs. The plant is 15 to 50 cm high. The aromatic seed like fruit is elongated, ovoid, 3 to 6 mm long, slightly bitter and has a warm flavour. The flowers are white or rose coloured in small umbels.
Origin and Distribution Cumin is indigenous to Northern Egypt, Syria, the Mediterranean region, Iran and India. It is also cultivated in Mexico, China, Sicily and Malta. Cumin is a tropical plant and is cultivated as a rabi crop in areas where atmospheric humidity during February-March is low.
Uses Cumin seed have an aromatic odour and bitter taste. It is used as a condiment, and is an ingredient in curry powders, seasonings of breads, cakes and cheese. It is employed in native dishes of Central and South America. In medicine, it is used as a stimulant, carminative, stomachic and astringent. Cumin seed oil is used in perfumery and for flavouring liqueurs and cordials.

 

Botanical name	Family name	Commercial part
Cuminum cyminum L.	Apiaceae	Fruit

 

Indian Names
Hindi	: Jira, Jeera, Zira or Safaid jeera Or Zeera
Bengali	: Safaid jira or Zeera
Gujarati	: Jiru or Jeeru
Kannada	: Jeeriege
Kashmiri	: Zyur
Malayalam	: Jeerakam
Marathi	: Jeregire
Oriya	: Jira, Jeera
Sindhi	: Zero
Sanskrit	: Jiraka, Jira,
Tamil	: Ziragum or Jeeragam
Telugu	: Jidakara, Jikaka

 

Name in international languages Spanish : Comino French : Cumin German : Romischer Kummel Swedish : Spiskummin Arabic : Kammun Dutch : Komijn Italian : Comino Portuguese : Cominho Russian : Kmin Chinese : Machin

 

6.Tamarind

 

Description The ripe fruit of tamarind tree is used as a condiment. It is a moderate size to large, evergreen tree, up to 24 mtr in high and 7 mtr in girth. Bark is brown or dark gray, longitudinally and horizontally fissured. Leaves are paripinnate up to 15 cm long, leaflets are 10-20 pairs, oblong, 8-30 mm. Flowers are small, yellowish with pink stripes, pods are 7.5-20 cm long, 2.5 cm broad, 1 cm thick, more or less constricted between seeds, slightly curved, brownish coloured. Seeds are 3-12 oblong compressed, 1.5 cm, dark brown shining. Endocarp is light brownish, sweetish or acidic, edible pulp, traversed by branched ligneous strands. The outer cover of the pod is fragile and easily separable. Origin and Distribution Tamarind is originated in Madagascar and is now extensively cultivated in India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, several African, Central American and South American countries. In India, it is chiefly grown in Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The tree is not exacting as regards to soil but thrives best in deep alluvium. The tree prefers warm climate but sensitive to frost. Tamarind is suited to semi-tropical region with low rainfall. It can come up even in saline, alkali and gravelly soils, and soils prone to erosion. Uses Tamarind pulp is used in numerous culinary preparations. It is also a raw material for the preparation of wine like beverages. The tamarind kernel powder is found to be extensively used for its sizing properties, in textile, confectionary, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. The testa is used in dyeing and tanning industry. The tender leaves and flowers are used as vegetables. In medicine, it is used as appetizing, laxative, healing and anti-helmintic. It is also used against fluorosis.

 

Botanical name	Family name	Commercial part
Tamarindus indica L.	Cesalpiniaceae	Pods

 

7.Turmeric

 

	Description Turmeric is the boiled, dried, cleaned and polished rhizomes Curcuma longa. The plant is a herbaceous perennial, 60-90 cm high, with a short stem and tufted leaf. There are 7 to 12 leaves, the leaf sheaths forms the pseudo stem. The lamina is green above and pale green below and has a length of 30-40 cm and width 8-12 cm. Inflorescence is a central spike of 10-15 cm length. 1-4 flowers are born in axil of the bract opening one at a time. About 30 flowers are produced in a spike. Seeds are produced in capsules and there will be one to numerous sunken capsules in an inflorescence. Origin and Distribution It is a native of India. Apart from India, it is cultivated in Pakistan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, Korea, China, Sri Lanka, Nepal, East & West Africa, South Pacific Islands, Malagasy, Caribbean Islands and Central America. In India, it is cultivated in the States of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. Turmeric is a tropical crop cultivated from sea level to 1200 meter MSL. It grows in light black, black clayey loams and red soils in irrigated and rainfed conditions. The crop cannot stand water logging or alkalinity.
Uses Turmeric is used to flavour and to colour foodstuffs. It is a principal ingredient in curry powder. Turmeric oleoresin is used in brine pickles and to some extend in mayonnaise and relish formulations, non-alcoholic beverages, gelatins, butter and cheese etc. The colour curcumin extracted from turmeric is used as a colourant. Turmeric is also used as a dye in textile industry. It is used in the preparation of medicinal oils, ointments and poultice. It is stomachic, carminative, tonic, blood purifier and an antiseptic. It is used in cosmetics. The aqueous extracts has biopesticidal properties.

 

Botanical name	Family name	Commercial part
Curcuma longa L.	Zingiberaceae	Rhizome or underground stem

 

Indian Names
Hindi	: Haldi
Bengali	: Halud, Pitras
Gujarati	: Haldhar, Haldi
Kannada	: Arishia
Konkani	: Halad
Malayalam	: Manjal
Marathi	: Halede, Halad
Oriya	: Haldil
Punjabi	: Haldar, Haldhar, Haldi
Sanskrit	:  Haladi, Harita
Tamil	: Manjal
Telugu	: Pasupu
Urdu	: Haladi

 

Name in international languages Spanish : Curcuma French : Curcuma German : Kurkuma Gelbwurzel Swedish : Gurkmeja Arabic : Kurkum Dutch : Geelwortel Italian : Curcuma Portuguese : Acafrao-da-India Russian : Zholty Imbir Japanese : Ukon Chinese : Yu.Chin