List of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda

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Ayurveda (Devanagari: आयुर्वेद ) is a form of traditional medicine practiced in India. Ayurveda uses mixtures of naturally occurring materials of vegetable, animal and mineral origin for medicinal purposes. The medicinal properties of Ayurvedic materials and formulations are time tested and have been used for centuries in Indian culture to cure illness and help maintain good health.

Ayurvedic medicaments are made primarily from herbs in combination with minerals and sometimes ingredients of animal origin. The ingredients are purified by individual processes before being used for medicinal purposes. Impure materials are not allowed to be used as medicine.

Common forms of Ayurvedic medicaments are:

  • Fresh juice of herbs
  • Quath (Malayalam: കഷായം) : Crushed herbs, used as a decoction or brew for internal and external uses
  • Churna : Fine powdered herbs, used as medicine taken with water or food for internal and external uses
  • Taila : Herbs cooked in edible oil according to rules laid down for internal and external uses
  • Ghrat/Ghrit : Herbs cooked in Ghee (clarified butter)
  • Arka : A distillate obtained from herbs
  • Parpaty : combinations of Metals, Minerals, Animal ingredients and Herbs
  • Kshar/Lavan/Salt/Drava : these are specially prepared medicaments using salt
  • Guggula medicaments based on Guggul (a herb)
  • Bati/Gutika/Goli : Mixtures of medicines shaped in pills, pillules or tablets for ease of administration

[edit] Commonly used herbs and minerals

(Names ref.)[1]

Botanical (Latin) Name Common (English) Name Sanskrit Name Therapeutic Use, Functions or Properties
(According to Ayurveda)
Acacia concinna Acacia Shikakai For bilious affliction, jaundice, malarial fever, flatulence.

Used as a mild laxative.
Acacia nilotica Indian Gum Arabic Tree Babool For gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes.

Used as a demulcent. Is styptic and astringent.
Acorus calamus Sweet Flag Vacha For ague, habitual constipation, atonic dyspepsia, flatulence, paralytic nervous affliction, colic, epilepsy, dropsy, glandular diseases, rheumatic swellings, and children's teething ailments.

Is a bitter tonic.
Adhatoda vasica Malabar Nut Vasaka For bronchitis, whooping cough, bronchial asthma.

Supports lung functions. Has immune system-boosting properties.
Aegle marmelos Bael Tree Bael For intestinal problems, amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory conditions of bowels.

Is anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory, and is a digestive.
Allium sativum Garlic {Chinese: 大蒜} [2] Lasuna Used to control excess conversion of lipids and cholesterol.
Aloe vera Indian Aloe {Chinese: 芦荟} Kumari For ophthalmic disorders, hepatospleenomegaly, spleen and liver disorders, cysts, poisons, hydrocele, kaphha fever, vata dosha, and anomalies of blood, glands and skin.

Used as a mild laxative and tonic. Increases semen quality.
Andrographis paniculata The Creat Yavatika For malaria fever, enlargement of liver, chronic and obstinate fever, dropsy, edema, constipation, and infant disorders such as diarrhoea, colic, vomiting.

Used as an appetiser.
Anethum sowa Indian Dill Satahva For abdominal colic, intestinal colic, ophthalmic disorders, pelvic inflammatory diseases, and body pain.

Is analgesic, anti-febric, vermifugal and is a digestive. Used as an appetiser.
Asparagus racemosus Asparagus {Chinese: 天门冬} Shatavari To nourish the female reproductive system.

Promotes lactation.
Azadirachta indica Neem Neem For skin disorders. Has blood purifying and immune-boosting properties. Is an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent.
Bacopa monnieri Bacopa Brahmi Improves alertness.

Is an anti-anxiety agent.
Balsamodendron mukul Indian Bdellium Tree Guggulu For rheumatism, nervous diseases, glandular and scrofulous diseases, and chronic wounds that do not heal easily.

Used as a tonic, demulcent, emmenagogue and stimulant. Is anti-spasmodic and a blood purifier.
Benincasa hispada White Pumpkin Kushmanda Used as a food for vigour, to nourish body and to purify blood. It is an appetiser, is easy to digest, and removes constipation. It is used to normalise bowel movements and is a remedy for mental disorders, epilepsy, mania, psychological disorders and other mental conditions.
Betula utilis Himalayan Birch Bhurjapatra For ear disorders, bile disorders, anomalies of blood, psychological disorders. Has anti-obesity and anti-toxin functions..
Boerhaavia diffusa Boerhaavia Punarnava For efficient kidney and urinary functions, urinary tract infections.
Capsicum annuum Red Pepper Katuvira Used to arouse the digestive fire, remove kaphha dosha, produce burning sensation, remove indigestion. It is anti-cholera, and helps to heal obstinate wounds. It removes hoarseness, sleepiness and perversion of taste. Used to treat loss of senses and weak pulse conditions.
Cassia fistula Golden Shower Tree Aragvadha FRUIT-BODY:Is a mild laxative. Used to treat fever, cardiac (heart) problems, Rakta Pitta, hematemesis, hemorrhages, arthritis, vatavyadhi, colic, acidity and acidic eructations. Roots are strongly purgative, and should not be used alone.
Cedrus deodara Deodar Cedar Devadaru Bark and stem: creates sweating, urination, anti-vata, eliminates skin disorders, anti-febril, anti-edema, arthritis, joint pain, joint swelling, antitussive, vermifugal, blood and urine anomalies.
Cinnamomum camphora Camphor {Chinese: 樟脑} Karpoora Used in kaphha, thirst, obesity, burning sensations, throat problems, intestinal worms, mouth freshener, analgesics, antitusive, antipyeratic, excessive sweats. Beneficial in small quantity [50 mg] for low blood pressure and asthma.
Citrus grandis Pomelo Mahanimbu Vata-kaphha nashak, mild laxative, digestive, appetiser, loss of appetite, abdominal colic, worms, vomiting, nausea.
Citrus limon Lemon {Chinese: 柠檬} Nimbaka Use as food for increased taste, increased hunger, digestive, help to pass abdominal wind, flatus.
Citrus medica Citron {TCM: 佛手} Bijapura In heart disorders, abdominal colic, Gulma (abdominal tumors), vomiting, nausea, indigestion, haemorrhoids.
Cucumis sativus Cucumber Trapusha Diuretic, useful in haematamesis, haemorrhages, bleeding, cold in nature, as a food to renal stone patient.
Cuminum cyminum Cumin Shvetajiraka SEEDS: smell increasing the taste of food, increased taste, appetiser, Cholagogue, useful in abdominal colic, flatulence, wind formation, offensive flatus, vermifugal, dysentery, diarrhoea, Gulma (abdominal tumors), indigestion, inflammatory condition of bowels, renal calculus, gonorrhoea, obstruction of urine, nausea, vomiting.
Daucus carota Carrot Garjira Seeds: useful in flatulence, renal disorders, pathophysiology of small and large intestines, salpingitis, impotence, female genital disorders, Root: vermifugal, spleenomegaly, physical weakness, cholecystitis, problem before delivery, cardiac problems, piles, colic burning sensation, asthma, hiccough, mouth freshener. Externally for burns, abscess.
Eclipta alba Thistles {TCM: 墨旱莲} Bhringaraja Juice: useful to teeth, skin and hairs, indicated for the treatment of Kaphha-vata disorders, cough, bronchitis, worms, asthma, skin diseases, oedema, mucous disorders, anemia, digestive, support and nourished body, choleggue, hepatomegaly, liver disorders, loss of appetite, vertigo, hepatospleenomegaly, piles, indigestion, headache, weak vision, Externally for burns, skin diseases, leucoderma, hair loss, alopecia.
Embelia ribes False Black Pepper Vidanga Fruit: carminative, anthelmintic, stimulant, alterative, anti-dyspeptic, anti-flatulent, skin diseases, rheumatisma, diuretic, laxative, purgative.
Eucalyptus globulus Eucalyptus Nilgiri Taila External: deodorant, useful in skin disorders, anti-vermicular, wounds us cervix, wounded piles, smells in Cold and coryza, muscular and joints pain, myopathy: Internal: excessive salivation, digestive, antipyretic.
Ficus bengalensis Banyan tree Vata Kaphha pitta shamak, ,nausea, diarrhoea, bloody dysentery, haemorrhages, bleeding, dysentery, anomaly of blood, bleeding from all orifices, discoloration of skin, bloody leucorrhoea, leucorrhoea, white discharges from vagina, help in pregnancy, anomaly of urine, Prameha, ueful for childless women, increased fertility in women.
Foeniculum vulgare Fennel {TCM: 小茴香} Shatapushpa In Vata-pitta dosha, useful in mental weakness, weakness of eyesight, nausea, vomiting, weak appetite, flatulence, abdominal wind, abdominal colic, dysentery, piles, cardiac disorders, anomaly of blood, cough, bronchitis, pulmonary disorders, anomaly of urine and urination, fever, skin disorders, weakness, burning sensations.
Gaultheria fragrantissima Indian Wintergreen Gandapura Oil: cures Vata, pain, stimulant, antipyeretic, brings sweats, diuretic, antispasmodic, removes pain of all kinds, useful in cardiac disorders, joint pain, sciatica, flatulence, wind formation in abdomen, rheumatic pain, myolitis.
Hippophae rhamnoides Seabuckthorn {Chinese: 沙棘} Bhasam [ashes]: for respiratory disorders, hiccough, asthma, cough, cardiac pain, glandular swellings, rheumatism, arthritis, tuberculosis, pulmonary disorders, joint pain, increases sexual desire in male and female, impotence. External: paste is applied in Pleuritis, Pneumonia, backache, painful inflammatory condition with swelling.
Jasminum officinale Jasmine Jati Cold nature, bitter taste, increases Vata and Kaphha Dosha, useful in burning pain wounds, anomaly of blood, oral problems, tooth problems, eye disorders, headache, migraine, antitoxic. Oil: cold, heals wounds, anomaly of blood, useful in skin, head and ophthalmic disorders, stomatitis.
Juglans regia Walnut {TCM: 胡桃肉} Akschota In facial paralysis, cervical lymphadenitis, adenitis, ringworm, edema, dropsy, swelling, fistula, opium poisoning, devermicular, purgative, laxatives, provides strength, pulmonary tuberculosis, cardiac disorders, uric acid diathesis, gout, burning sensations, rheumotoid arthritis, syphilis, gonorrhoea, dermatitis, skin disorders and anomaly of blood, blood purifier.
Lilium polyphyllum White Lily {Chinese: 百合} Kshirakakoli Increasing the quantity of semen, condensed semen, increasing lactations in feeding mothers, creates sexual excitement both in male and female, increases vitality, vigour.
Mimosa pudica Sensitive plant Lajjalu For gynaecological disorders, skin disorders, bleeding piles, amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea.
Mangifera indica Mango Amra Raw: sour, tasteful, increases Vata and Pitta Dosha, Ripe, sweet: increases semen quality, appetiser, increases taste, wound healer, anomaly of blood,
Melaleuca leucadendra Tea Tree Kayaputi In hyperpyerexia, gout, uric acid, diarrhoea, skin disorders, bronchitis, cough, dermatitis, joints pain, muscular pain.
Mel despumatum Honey {TCM: 峰蜜} Madhu Sweet, cool, easy to digest, for constipation, better for eyes and voice, beneficial to heart, heals wounds quickly, obesity, frequent urination, hiccough, asthma, bronchitis, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, emaciation, excessive thirst, haemorrhagic tendency, faintness, burning sensation, healing wounds.
Mentha arvensis Mint Putiha
Mentha piperita Peppermint {TCM: 薄荷} Oils and crystal form: carminative, cool, analgesic, relives painful muscular conditions, smells in colds and coryza, relieves headache, sinusitis. Used both internally and externally. Very powerful effect. When use internally, use very small quantity (one drop in four divided doses) with precautions.
Nardostachys jatamansi Musk {Chinese: 麝香} Jatamansi
Pinus roxburghii Chir Pine Shrivasa
Piper longum Indian Long Pepper {Chinese: 荜茇} Pippali
Prunus amygdalus Almond Vatadha
Punica granatum Pomegranate {TCM: 石榴} Dadima
Pyrus malus Apple {Chinese: 苹果} Seva
Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary
Salmalia malabarica Silk Cotton Tree Shalmali
Santalum album Sandalwood {Chinese: 檀香} Chandana
Sapindus mukorossi Soapnut Tree Arishta
Sesamum indicum Sesame {Chinese: 芝麻} Til
Sesbania sesban Egyptian Rattle Pod Jayanti
Shorea robusta Sal Tree Shala
Solanum lycopersicum Tomato
Trigonella foenum-graecum Fenugreek {Chinese: 胡庐巴} Medhika
Triticum aestivum Common Wheat {Chinese: 小麦} Godhuma
Vetiveria zizanioides Poppy[disambiguation needed] Ushira
Vitex negundo Five-leaved Chaste Tree Nirgundi
Vitis vinifera Grape {Chinese: 白藜芦醇} Draksha
Wrightia tinctoria Sweet Indrajao Hyamaraka
Xanthoxylum alatum Toothache Tree Tumburu
Zinziber officinale Ginger {TCM: 生姜 (fresh ginger), 干姜 (dry ginger)}[3] Sunthi {Adrak (Fresh Ginger) & Shunthl (Dry Ginger)} Digestive disorders, low appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting and motion sickness.
{Chemical name: Aluminium potassium sulfate} Alum {TCM: 明礬} Saurashtri Internal: bloody dysentery, dysentery, worms, remittant and intermittent fever, anti-tussive, External: piles, wounds, traumatic wounds and conditions, stings, itching, eczema, conjunctivitis, leucorrhoea, otorrhoea, gonorrhoea, as gargle in pharyngitis, tonsillitis, throat problems.
Conch Shell Shankha Bhasam [ashes]: loss of appetite, indigestion, peptic ulcers, dueodenal ulcers, hyperacidity, bronchitis, hepatospleenomegaly, Gulma, asthma, cough, respiratory disorders.
Sodium carbonate Svarjikshara Internal: constipation, diuretic, Gulmanashak, colic, pain abdominal, worms intestinal, flatulence, eructations, abdominal winds, tympenitis, irritable bowel syndrome. External: promotes suppuration of boils, burns, pimples, leucoderma, white patches of skin.
Sodium bicarbonate Tankana First purify according of Ayurveda directions: increased digestive fire, Kaphha nashak, antitoxic, cough, bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary resoiratory disorders, antipyeritic, Gulm nashak, colic, bodyache, sensation of chilliness etc. spleenomegaly hyperacidity, diminished hunger, stomatitis. External: eczema, ringworm, itching of skin, mouth pain in aphthea, vaginal itching, leucorrhoea, hydrocele, mammary gland inflammation, toothache, black spot on face.
Cowrie Shell Varatika Bhasam [ash]: used in colic of all nature, mucous colitis, dysentery, hyperacidity, weak assimilation, diarrhoea, gastritis, gas formation, flatulence, excessive thirst, tympenitis, rumbling in abdomen, loss of appetite, Irritable bowel syndromes, improves digestive power, asthma, bronchitis, otorrhoea, dry cough, Tuberculosis, exhaustive disease conditions, aphthea, stomatitis.
Natural Zinc Yashad Bhasma Bhasam [ash]: ophthalmic disorders, night blindness, kaphha-pitta disorders, jaundice, liver disorders, hepatitis, anomalies of urine, diabetes, asthma, cysts, glands, diarrhoea, mucous colitis, dhatu kshaya, tuberculosis, bacillary dysentery, gonorrhoea, impotency, improves digestion, beneficial in vomiting and nausea.
Botanical (Latin) Name Common (English) Name Sanskrit Name Therapeutic Use
(According to Ayurveda)

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Himalaya Drug Company (2004-01-01). Guide To Good Living. The Himalaya Drug Company, Makali, Bangalore 562 123, India. 
  2. ^ http://www.zgycsc.com/sbinfo-htm-sbid-57052.html
  3. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_(General_Usage_Part_2)
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