Ayurveda, Tridosha, Yoga, Herbs and Lifestyle – By Dr. Roshan Baskota
Description about All Ayurvedic herbs
Common name Purging cassia (E), Amaltas (H) Sanskrit A-rag-vadha Latin Cassia fistula–Fructus, Folium (Caesalpiniaceae)
The general use of this plants are- A gentle laxative used to clear pitta from the intestines. The fruit-pulp, root-bark and leaves of Aragvadha is used in the form of fruit-pulp, decoction to treat fever, jaundice, diabetes, skin diseases, wound, rheumatic ailments, erysipelas, wound due to accident.
The term “Dravyaguna Vijnana” means the pharmacological & Clinical properties and the actions of medicinal plants with morphological & clinical application.
It is the branch of medicine dealing with the properties (Guna), action (Karma) therapeutic uses of Dravya and also the knowledge of the properties, Karma and action of the drug. This subject also includes identification the drug and source of drug
This plant is also known as Flame of Forest. It is medium sized around 15 m tall, deciduous tree found in tropical and subtropical regions. It has a religious view; It is said that the tree is a form of Agnidev, God of Fire. It was a punishment given to Him by Goddess Parvati for disturbing her and Lord Shiva’s privacy.
Parts used – Root, leaves, petioles, flowers, seeds and exudate.
Different names- Palash, Dhak, Palah, Flame of the Forest, Bastard Teak, Parrot Tree, Keshu (Punjabi) and Kesudo (Gujurati)
Buchanania lanzan is popular with its local name Chironji (चिरोंजी). This tree grows about 50 feet tall. It has a dark grey crocodile bark with red blaze.
Parts used – Seed kernel, bark
Ayurvedic properties-
Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya
Guna : Lakhu.
Virya : Ushna
Uses – The seed kernel and bark of Priyala is used in the form of decoction to treat intrinsic haemorrhage, diarrhoea with blood and as tonic.
Boswellia serrata plant which is also known as salai, is popularly known for its Anti cancer property .Not only that it has many other medicinal values that has been given in Ayurveda text and also has been approved from research. Its anti-Inflammatory and anti-arthritic property is still being researched. Also a randomized double blind placebo controlled study by Kimmatkar N, Thawani N, et al. at MS Orthopedics, Indira Gandhi Medical College,
In Ayurveda text, Boerhavia diffusa has a lot of medicinal value. Boerhaavia diffusa L. is found as a weed. It is a perennial herb with creeping and spreading structure, also with a stout root-stock and many erect or spreading branches.
Parts used – Root and leaves
Uses – Two varieties of punarnava alleviate kapha and vata, reduce ama and cure durnama (piles), vradhna (inguinal lymphadenitis), sopha (oedema) and udara (obstinate abdominal diseases including ascitis.) They are laxative and hot in potency. They are rasayana (rejuvenating).
Sanskrit Names: Danti
English Name:
Hindu Name: danti, hakum, hakun, dante, dantt, jangli jamalghota
Botanical Name: Baliospermum montanum
Synonyms: Laghudanti, Vishodhini, Ruksha, Rochani,
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Parts used – Root, leaves, seed and oil
Uses – The root, leaves, seed and seed oil is used in the form of powder, seed and oil to treat piles, anaemia, jaundice, skin
diseases, cyst, as purgative, wound and conjunctivitis.
Brahmi is also called Centella asiatica, particularly in north India. It has been reported that the plant is used a traditional Ayurvedic treatment for epilepsy and asthma
Parts used – whole plant
Uses – The whole plant of Brahmi is used in the form of juice to treat insanity, epilepsy, paediatric diseases, pox and as a rejuvinative.
Biochemical Analysis– Its many active compounds include: alkaloids (brahmine and herpestine), saponins (d-mannitol and hersaponin, acid A, and monnierin), flavonoids (luteolin and apigenin). Also in significant amounts: betulic acid,
Sariva smells sweet and is also known as sugandhi ‘the fragrant one’ in Hindi. Its red colour relates to its affinity for the blood and it treats all conditions with heat or toxins in the blood; dermatological, musculoskeletal, urogenital, gynaecological.
Common name Indian sarsaparilla (E), Sugandhi (H) Sanskrit Sariva, Anantamula Latin Hemidismus indica–Radix (Asclepiadaceae)
ENERGETICS
CONSTITUENTS
AYURVEDIC ACTION
BIOMEDICAL ACTION
Alterative, febrifuge, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antimiscarriage, vulnerary, fertility tonic
INDICATIONS
Skin Its cooling, sweet and bitter flavours and affinity for rakta dhatu clears inflammation from the skin; used in eczema, psoriasis, urticaria, acne rosacea and acne from aggravated bhran˜jaka pitta. It ‘cleans’ the blood, reduces lymphatic swellings, stops itching and reduces suppuration. The root powder is used to treat STDs that are damp and hot. It is a specific for acne. Also of great benefit in burning sensations (daha) anywhere around the body. It is used as an external paste or as a cream to benefit the above skin problems (Paranjpe 2001).
Urinary Urinary infections with dark red, cloudy, painful urination; cystitis, urethritis, kidney infections, prostatitis. It stimulates the mutravahasrotas to clear excess water without straining the kidneys.
Digestion Useful herb for stimulating the appetite in pitta prakrti without aggravating any acidity. It rectifies mandagni and sluggish digestion. Used in inflammation of the mucous membranes throughout the body. Also used in hot, smelly and watery diarrhea with excess vata drawing pitta downwards (Bhavaprakasa).
Arthritis Its specific anti-inflammatory action is indicated when the joints are hot, red and inflamed. Also useful in acute and chronic gout.
Nerves Its sweet and cooling quality nourishes sadhaka pitta and the mind. Hence its use in disturbed, angry or irritated emotions from high pitta aggravating the equilibrium of the mind.
Gynaecology Traditional use for maintaining pregnancy and preventing habitual miscarriages. Also may be of benefit for menorrhagia caused by pitta overflowing from its channel in artavahasrotas (uterine system). Its nourishing effect on rasa dhatu helps to increase the quantity and quality of breast milk (Bhavaprakasa).
Male fertility Classified as ´sukrala, a sperm-increasing herb, it is of value in fertility problems and low libido. Its saponin content is considered to have a steroidal effect that enhances the production of testosterone.
COMBINATIONS
* Neem, manjishtha, guduchi, gotu kola, sandalwood, licorice for skin inflammation.
* Coriander, gokshura, sandalwood for urinary infections.
* Coriander, fennel, cumin for pitta digestion.
* Haritaki, bilva, kutaja in diarrhoea.
* Guduchi, daruharidra and turmeric for inflammatory arthritis.
* Gotu kola, rose, brahmi for ‘hot’ emotions and disturbed pitta.
* Ashoka, manjishtha, shatavari, rose for bleeding.
* Gokshura, ashwagandha, safed musali, shatavari in male infertility.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
None known.
SAFETY
No drug–herb interactions are known.
DOSAGE
1–10g per day dried or 3–15ml of a 1:3 @ 45% tincture.
NOTES
■ Sariva grows throughout central and south India and in Sri Lanka. It is a thin, creeping plant growing up to 3m. It spreads throughout the circulatory system and cools any area of excessive heat.
■ Another name for it is anantamula ‘the eternal root’ as its root spreads for a long way underground and it survives periods of climatic stress (e.g. droughts).
■ Svetasariva, white sariva (Hemidismus indicus) and krsn asariva, black sariva (Cryptolepis buchanani) are mentioned in the texts.
■ Its use is very similar to Jamaican sarsaparilla, Smilax ornata and dwipautra, Smilax china.
Neem is the plant with bitter in taste but it has a lot of medicinal value as mentioned in the ayurvedic text.
Parts used – All parts
Uses – The all parts of Nimba are used in the form of juice and decoction to treat fever, intrinsic haemorrhage, bleeding piles, wound, oedema, , arthritis, skin diseases, diabetes, eye diseases, leucorrhoea, as, poisons, jaundice, for fumigation, diseases of teeth, heart diseases, as specific digestive and diseases of vagina.
Skin diseases (Kustha)
Diabetes (Prameha)
1. Decoction of bark, leaves, root fruit and flowers of nimba aragvadha, (cassia fistula) saptaparna,(Alstonia scholaris) murva (Maerua arenaria) kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) , katphala (Gmelina arborea) and palasa (Butea monosperma) destroys all types of diabetes (40-60 ml) (SS.Ci.11.8)
Wounds
1. Decoction of nimba leaves cleans the wound (120 ml)(CS.CS. 25.84)
2. Nimba leaf mixed with honey acts as cleansing agent. Both of them added with ghee promote healing (10-15 gms) (SS.Ci.1.68)
3. Paste of nimba leaves and sesamum mixed with honey cleanses wound while mixed with ghee it acts as healing agent. (10-15 gms)(VM.44.28)
4. The paste of nimba leaves, by external application, cleanses and heals wound while it intake it alleviated vomiting, skin diseases disorders of pitta and kapha and worms (10-15 gms) (SG.2.5.5)