Different civilizations at different historical periods have encountered and combated different types of health ailments. Amongst all the earlier settlements, Indian civilization and its knowledge on medicines, derived from Ayurveda, are considered the oldest ones. Ayurveda, as mentioned in the Vedas, originated around 5000 years ago by great Indian seers and sages. The time-tested knowledge on Ayurvedic herbs is also a part of Indian heritage passed on to generations by the ancient psychics and researchers.
Today’s man is more exposed towards different ailments as he is steadily going away from nature and getting lost amidst the urban growth and technological development. It is believed that people in the past were extremely close to nature and hence their conditions and circumstances helped them examine different herbs very closely and minutely.
Similarly, whenever they required any medical help, they started depending on these herbs and also began exploring them. Since these herbs had been tested time and again, the science of Ayurveda also started being recognized as a timeless method of healing. Today, major Ayurvedic and Western herbs are known to have various healing strengths as they stay in natural conditions at the service all individuals.
A detailed account of all herbs is mentioned in Ayurveda. These herbs specify one Dosha, however it focuses on the harmony of all Doshas inside the body. The herbal treatment with Ayurveda and its usage of herbs are described in the following paragraphs.
Uniqueness of Ayurvedic herbs
In Ayurveda, energy levels of different herbs are given more importance than their chemical compositions. Herbs can basically be classified in the following ways –
- As per taste – rasa
- As per energetic action – virya
- Post-digestive effect – vipaka
- Affinity to different body systems
- Effect on the doshas
- Effect on other special potencies (prabhava) acquired by them.
Salient features of Ayurvedic Herbs are as follows –
· Time tested
· No or minimal side-effects
· Maintains harmony amongst all Doshas.
· Soothes the body
· Gives a holistic healing treatment of Body, Mind and Soul
· Breaks down and releases immense pool of energy inside the body
· Manages all natural and unnatural body disposition.
List of Ayurvedic Herbs
As mentioned in Vedic Scriptures –
“The essence of all beings is Earth. The essence of the Earth is Water. The essence of Water is plants. The essence of plants is the human being.”
In the word Ayurveda, ‘Ayu’ literally stands for ‘life’ and ‘veda’ for the knowledge. It is a 5000 years old ancient Hindu system of holistic healing which gives therapeutic treatment to the patient with the help of different herbs, minerals and metals.
Important herbs used in Ayurvedic medicinal herbs are as follows –
| Indian Name
|
Latin Name | Common Name | Properties – Indications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajwan, Ajowan, Ajwain, Yavani |
Carum copticum |
Carom, Bishop’s weed |
Spastic bowel, flatulence, dyspepsia, sluggish digestion, chronic hiccups, belching, sinus congestion, asthma, menstrual cramping, renal calculi, depression. |
| Amalaki, Amla, Dhatri |
Emblica officinalis | Emblic myrobalan, Indian gooseberry |
Hyperacidity, constipation, ulcers, hepatitis, colitis, high cholesterol, diabetes, anemia, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. |
| Argbhada, Arag-vadha, Amaltas |
Cassia fistula | Indian laburnum, Purging cassia |
Ringworm, constipation, fevers, bleeding, hemorrhoids. |
| Arjuna, Arjun, Kakubha |
Terminalia arjuna | Arjuna myrobalan | Heart, lungs, skin, liver, reproductive tissues, anemia, tumors, asthma, cardiac and circulatory problems. |
| Ashwagandha | Withania Somnifera | Winter cherry | General debility, insomnia, low libido, impotence, infertility, multiple sclerosis, enlarged prostate, skin diseases. |
| Aswatha | Ficus religiosa | Peepal | Astringent, laxative, cooling, alterative. Boils, ulcers, skin disease, diabetes, constipation. |
| Avani | Hyoscyamus niger | Henbane | Sedative. Chronic dementia, hysteria, palpitations, asthma. |
| Badama | Prunus amygdalus | Almond | Laxative, tonic, nervine tonic, mental stimulant. |
| Bhringaraj | Eclipta alba | Bhringaraj | Alopecia, premature greying, dizziness, hepatitis, cirrhosis, insomnia, bronchitis, asthma, skin. |
| Bhumyamalaki | Phyllanthus amarus; P. niruri; P. fraternus (US) | Phyllanthus, Stonebreaker Chancra piedra |
Jaundice, liver disease, fever, genitourinary disease, edema, gallstones, menorrhagea |
| Bibhitaki, Baheda |
Terminalia belerica | Beleric myrobalan | Digestive disorders, bronchitis, asthma, Chron’s disease, colitis, parasites, congestion of eyes, ears and nose, insomnia, bladder stones, cardiac congestion. |
| Brahmi, Jalabrahmi |
Bacopa monnieri |
Bacopa, Indian Gotu kola |
Memory loss, debility, cystitis, headaches, epilepsy, ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome, depression, autism. |
| Champaka | Michelia champaca | Champaca | Emmenagogue, diuretic. Gastritis, chronic arthritis, colic. |
| Chitrak, Chitraka, Agni, Jvala |
Plumbago zeylanica | White leadwort |
Digestive problems, non-bleeding hemorrhoids, arthritis, parasites. |
| Dadima, Anardana |
Punica granatum |
Pomegranate | Dysentery, diarrhea, hyperacidity, dyspepsia, menopause, prostate problems, circulation. |
| Datura, Dhattura |
Datura metel | White thorn apple | Joint pain, asthma, fevers, lung congestion, dysmenorrhea. |
| Devadaru | Cedrus deodara |
Devadar | Diaphoretic, diuretic, carminative. Fevers, diarrhea, urinary disorders. |
| Dhanyaka, Dhaniya |
Coriandrum sativum | Coriander, Cilantro | Bloating, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrom, worms, allergies, cystitis, dysuria, fevers, respiratory problems, heavy metals. |
| Ela, Elaichi, Sukshma ela |
Elettaria cardamomum | Cardamom | Bloating, borborygmus, colic, indigestion, coughs, asthma, nausea, morning sickness, painful urination. |
| Garijara | Daucus carota | Carrot seed | Jaundice, kidney diseases. |
| Guduchi, Giloy, Amrita |
Tinospora cordifolia | Tinospora | Arthritis, gout, malaria, diabetes, skin diseases. |
| Haridra, Haldi |
Curcuma longa | Turmeric | Infections, ulcers, dyspepsia, diabetes, gallstones, skin diseases, conjunctivitis, cysts, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, fevers, septicaemia, high cholesterol. |
| Haritaki, Harde, Hara |
Terminalia chebula | Chebulic myrobalan | Constipation, hemorrhoids, eye disorders, dysentery, parasites, hemorrhoids, high cholesterol, coughs, conjunctivitis. |
| Hing, Hingu |
Ferula asafoetida |
Asafoetida | Flatulence, cough, constipation, palpitations, aphrodisiac, whooping cough, sciatica, convulsions, arthritis. |
| Isaphgul, Sat Isabgol |
Plantago ovata | Psyllium husk | Constipation, colitis, irritable bowel, cystitis |
| Jatamansi | Nardostachys jatamansi | Indian spikenard |
Nervousness, anxiety, dysmenorrhea, insomnia, hair tonic |
| Jeeraka, Jeera |
Cuminum cyminum | Cumin seed | Antiseptic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, galactagogue, antispasmodic |
| Kapikachchu, Atmagupta | Mucuna pruriens | Kapi kacchu, Cowhage | Parkinson’s, paralysis, cramps, low libido, infertility, impotence, hypercholesterolemia. |
| Karpoor | Cinnamomum camphora |
Camphor | Diarrhea, nervousness, muscular pain, fever. |
| Katuka, Katuki, Kutki |
Picrorhiza kurroa | Gentian | Hepatitis C, cirrhosis, acidity, allergies, asthma, rhinitis, eczema, autoimmune conditions, dysentery. |
| Krishnajiraka, Kalika, Kaljaji |
Nigella sativa | Black cumin, Love-in-the-mist | Carminative, antispasmodic, aromatic, diuretic, vermifuge, expectorant, bronchodilator |
| Kumari, Ghee kunvar, Kunvar patha |
Aloe indica, Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis |
Aloe vera | Cuts, burns, infections, constipation, enlarged liver or spleen, hepatitis, bursitis, cystitis, vaginitis, bronchitis, asthma, tumors. |
| Kumkuma, Kesar, Ghusrna |
Crocus sativus | Saffron | Dysmenorrhea, infertility, anemia, liver congestion, cardiac congestion, angina, impotence, low libido, depression, nervous debility, painful urination. |
| Kutaja, Kutaj, Kureya |
Holarrhena antidysenterica |
Kutaja | Amoebic and bacillary dysentery, diarrhea, colitis, Chron’s disease, hemorrhoids, skin problems, bleeding disorders. |
| Lasuna, Rasona |
Allium sativum |
Garlic | Gastric disturbances, food poisoning, candida albicans, catarrh, myalgia, sluggishness, high cholesterol, clotting, infections, blood pressure. |
| Mandukaparni | Centella asiatica |
Gotu kola (West), Indian pennywort | Insomnia, epilepsy, stress, autism, ADHD, Asperger’s, memory loss, inflammatory skin conditions, wounds, hair loss, arthritis, gout. |
| Manjista, Manjishta, Manjith |
Rubia cordifolia |
Indian madder |
Female disorders, anorexia, skin diseases, poor appetite. |
| Maricha | Piper nigrum |
Black pepper |
Dyspepsia, cough, pharyngitis, headache, diarrhea |
| Markandika | Cassia angustifolia | Cassia angustifolia | Constipation, liver disease, joint pain |
| Mustaka, Musta |
Cyperus rotundus | Nut grass | Anti-inflammatory, flatulence, fever, estrogenic |
| Nagadamni | Artemisia vulgaris | Artemisia vulgaris | Anthelminthic, expectorant |
| Nagbala | Grewia hirsute | Grewia hirsute | Diarrhea, wounds, heart disease, fever |
| Narikela | Cocos nucifera |
Cocos nucifera |
Fever, pharyngitis, skin disorders, alterative |
| Neem, Nimba |
Azadirachta indica | Neem, Margosa, Indian lilac | Skin disease, antibacterial, antifungal, blood purifier, antipyretic, hepatoprotective, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antiemetic |
| Punarnava | Boerhavia diffusa | Indian hogweed | Diuretic, expectorant, laxative |
| Rakta Chandan | Pterocarpus santalinus | Red sandalwood | Skin tonic, liver disorders, fever |
| Sariva, Sugandhi |
Hemidesmus indicus | Indian sarsaparilla | Alterative. Poor appetite, cough, skin problems |
| Sarpagandha | Rauwolfia serpentina | Rauwolfia, Indian snake root | Hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, colic |
| Satapushpi | Peucedanum graveolens | Peucedanum graveolens | Flatulence, colic, abscesses, digestive |
| Satupuspa | Foeniculum vulgare | Foeniculum vulgare | Cough, flatulence, dysmenorrhea, hookworm, edema |
| Shallaki | Boswellia serrata | Boswellia serrata | Antiarthritic, analgesic, anti inflammatory |
| Shankapushpi, Shankhahuli |
Evolvulus alsinoides | Bindweed, Aloe weed |
Anxiety, diarrhea, bronchitis, memory loss, fever, liver problems, skin diseases. |
| Shardunika Gurmar, Meshasringa |
Gymnema sylvestre | Gymnema | Diuretic, astringent, hypoglycemic, refrigerant, stomachic |
| Shatavari | Asparagus racemosus | Wild asparagus |
Galactogogic, antispasmodic, anti diarrhetic, demulcent. |
| Shati | Curcuma zedoaria | White turmeric |
Cough, asthma, leukorrhea, tonsillitis. |
| Shleshmataka | Cordia myxa (obliqua) | Cordia myxa (obliqua) | Expectorant, colic, dyspepsia, ulcers, cough |
| Shunti, Ardraka |
Zinginber officinale | Ginger | Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, emmenagogue, antiemetic |
| Sigru, Shigru |
Moringa oleifera |
Horseradish, Drumstick | Antifungal, antiviral, flocculating agent, stimulant, abortifacient, source of vitamin C, colds, boils, fever, joint pain, gout |
| Sudarshan | Crinum deflexum (asiaticum) |
Crinum deflexum (asiaticum) |
Emetic, inflammatory conditions. |
| Talamulika | Curculigo orchiodes | Curculigo orchiodes | Hemmorrhoids, asthma, kidney stones, skin |
| Tulsi, Tulasi, Divya, Vishnu-priya |
Ocimum sanctum | Holy basil | Demulcent, expectorant, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic, anthelminthic, nervine, tonic, diaphoretic, digestive stimulant, antiparasitic, antibacterial |
| Twak, Daru-sita, Dalchini |
Cinnamomum zeylanicum |
Cinnamon | Antispasmodic, carminative, aromatic, astringent, expectorant, stimulant, diaphoretic |
| Udumbara | Ficus racemosa |
Ficus racemosa |
Diarrhea, hemorrhoids, bleeding disorders, antiseptic |
| Uma | Linum usitatissimum | Linum usitatissimum | Cystitis, bronchitis, boils, expectorant, demulcent |
| Vacha, Ugragandha |
Acorus calamus |
Calamus, Sweet flag |
Nervine, antispasmatic, sedative, stomachic, expectorant, emetic, laxative, diuretic |
| Vasaka, Vasa |
Justicia adhatoda |
Malabar nut | Bronchitis, asthma, jaundice, antispasmodic |
| Vidari, Vidarikand |
Pueraria tuberosa | Vidarikanda | Cough, hoarseness, respiratory stimulant, tonic |
| Yashti madhu, Jethimadh |
Glycyrrhiza glabra | Licorice root | Wounds, sore throat, colds, coughs, nervous exhaustion, liver, skin conditions,ulcers, cystitis, chronic fatigue. |
| Zupha | Hyssopus officinalis | Hyssop | Cough, asthma, bronchitis, amenorrhea |