MEDICINAL HERBS IN AYURVEDA

Herbs possess natural medicinal properties that help us both in health and in disease. So herbal remedies are the balanced, safer and natural means for better health.

Herbs can be classified into five types:

according to origin
according to habitat
according to various actions on doshas
according to their use
according to herbal properties

According to Origin

Dravyas are constituted by panchamahabhootas (five elements). A dravya is said to be of a particular mahabhoota if it forms a major constituent of the dravya. There are five types of dravyas:

Parthiv
Apaya
Taijas
Vayaveeya
Akasheeya

According to Habitat, Family, Morphology and Life Span of Herbs (dravya)

Sthalaj - Plant and trees that grow on land, e.g. Haritaki, Amalki etc.
Jalaj (Aquatic) - Plants that grow in water, e.g. Lotus, Spyrogyra.
Vruksharuha (Epiphytic, living on the surface of trees) - Plants that grow on other trees but do not depend on that tree for their nutrition, e.g. Rasana.
Vrukshadan (Parasitic) - Plant that dwells on another tree and obtains its nutrition from its host.

According to Actions on Doshas

Shaman - Dravyas, which equate the vitiated dosha without purifying the doshas or disturbing the equilibrium.
Kopan - Dravyas, which vitiate the doshas in equilibrium.
Swasthahita - Dravyas, which have a tendency to increase or decrease vatadi doshas but do not produce vitiation of these doshas in a healthy person.

According to Herbal Properties

Ayurvedic herbs are categorized according to their herbal properties and functions. Based on their characters they are classified into three main groups:

Vaisheik gunas (related to the sensory organs)
Samanya gunas (general)
Atma gunas (related to the soul)

One of the major descriptions of herb properties is based on the taste of the herbs, i.e. Sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent. The effects of each of the taste group are as follows:

Sweet:

it improves the complexion, strengthens the body, heals wounds and ulcers, and purifies the rasa and the blood.

Sour:

carminative, digestive and accumulates secretive impurities (waste material that is secreted) in the tissues to aid elimination.

Salty :

purifies tissues, digestive, relaxing, separates impurities, accumulates excretions in the system, causes the body to lose tone (relaxes it), clears the outlets of the system, produces softness of all the structures of the body

Pungent:

increases digestive power, purifies the body, prevents obesity, causes relaxation of the ligaments and of the system in general; diminishes formation of milk, semen, and fat

Bitter :

separates the doshas, appetizing, digestive, and purifying, improves secretion of breast milk, and reduces the quantity of feces, urine, perspiration, fat, marrow, and pus

Astringent:

heals ulcers, checks all discharges, separates impurities from tissues, reduces obesity and excessive moisture.

Important Herbs in Ayurveda

Following are certain important herbs in ayurveda:

Effects and Usage of Herbs

Various herbs have various effects on our body. Herbs work by supplying the body with many different nutrients that tone and revitalize. Because of their diverse chemical formation, they are effective in small doses and produce few side effects. Some herbs work as general tonics that cleanse, nourish and rebuild on a cellular level. Others have an affinity for a specific system or organ, and may be used to treat related imbalances or symptoms.

Herbs help in various functions of the body systems. Like for e.g. the herbs help as an appetizer, they help in the digestive process, they help in the absorption of food etc. Herbal treatment is a gentle, effective and non-invasive form that works best for non-life threatening situations.

Tulsi - Nature's gift to mankind!

Medicinal Ayurvedic Herb - Neem

Ayurvedic Herb - Ashwagandha

Page 1 2 3 4 5