A key component of Ayurveda is the herbal system
used in this particular mode of the medicinal system. As we have discussed earlier, Ayurveda is the
oldest system of medicine practiced in India. The practitioners of this system
generally use Ayurvedic herbs to cleanse the body, boost defense against
disease and keep the mind, body, and spirit in a perfect balance.
In the pharmacy of Ayurveda, there are 600 herbal
formulas and 250 single remedies are included. These remedies are typically
grouped into categories according to their health effects, such as pain relief
or increased vitality. We shall discuss
here the most commonly herbs used in Ayurveda:
1. Ashwagandha
(Withania Somnifera):
The
name Ashwagandha is derived from two words ashwa (means horse) and gandha
(means smell). The root of this herb smells like a horse and it is said to
confer strength and virility of a horse. Almost all the parts of this plant are
used for various medicines but the most common part is the supplements from its
roots. For hundreds of years, the roots and orange-red fruit of Ashwagandha
have been used for medicinal reasons. It is also known as winter cherry and
Indian ginseng. It grows in India, the Middle East, and some areas of Africa.
Though it is a traditional medicine of Ayurveda, yet its popularity has
recently seen a great surge. In Ayurveda it is considered a Rasayana which
is a therapeutic measure to promote longevity, it prevents aging. Rasayana is
a branch of Ayurveda that improves the fundamental tissues like Dhatu, Agni,
Srotas, etc. It helps in preventing aging. It improves bodily strength. It
provides us with strength against diseases. Ashwagandha has a most prominent
place in the Rasayana herbs. It is very suitable for people of all ages
irrespective of gender.
2. Triphala: Triphala as the name suggests is composed of three different
fruits. It is the most widely used medicine in Ayurveda. It is a combination of
three different plants that are native to India. These plants are Amalaki or
the Indian Gooseberry, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. Due to these three fruits,
Triphala is tridoshik, which means this
medicine helps balance all three doshas. Charak --- the father of
Ayurveda --- has written in Charak Sahmita, that taking the Triphala Rasayana
(Triphala with honey and /ghee) every day can make a person live for hundred
years and that too free from all diseases.
Three
Fruits of Triphala with their Benefits
As
mentioned earlier Triphala is a mixture of three dried fruits. We shall discuss
the benefits of these fruits one by one:
Amalaki
or Amla
It is
one of the oldest edible fruits known to India. Amala is very nutritious. It
has a high content of Vitamin C, amino acids, and minerals. It has much more
Vitamin C than the orange. This fruit has many effective and anti-cancer
properties. Its use inhibits the growth of cervical and ovarian cells.
Bibhitaki
It is
grown on a large tree that is commonly grown in Southeast Asia. It is commonly
used for the treatment of bacterial and viral infections. It has in it tannins,
ellagic acid, gallic acid, lignanas and flavones. Not only this it has many
other powerful plant compounds that have medicinal properties. It has
anti-inflammatory properties. It is very effective against diabetes.
Haritaki
It
grows throughout the Middle East, India, China, and Thailand. It is a small
green fruit. It has been used since ancient times as a remedy for many
conditions. These conditions include heart diseases, asthma, ulcers, and
ailments of the stomach.
3. Wheatgrass: The name of the young grass of the wheat plant is wheatgrass.
It is dry grass that looks like hay or straw but is bright green. Not does it
play a role in natural and holistic medicine, but it has many health benefits
also.
It is mainly grown for animals to eat, but now
it has become a popular supplement and superfood also. It mainly comes from
the family Triticum aestivum. It is harvested early in its development before
it reaches its full size.
It has a high content of chlorophyll; this
chlorophyll gives it a bright green hue. It is therefore called green blood
also.
It is
low in calorie content but rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, and
enzymes.
4. Brahmi: It is a traditional Ayurvedic herb that has been used to treat
neurological disorders. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
It is a good brain tonic and it helps enhance memory. It acts as a natural blood
purifier and gives healthy skin and hair.
5. Shatavari:
Also called ‘queen of herbs’, it is a medicinal herb with excellent health
benefits. It is very beneficial to boost immunity and also for the reproductive
system of females.
6. Licorice (mulethi): Since the old days it is used in Indian, Greek, and Egyptian
medicine preparations. It provides relief from acidity, ulcers, and food
poisoning. It is excellent for hair fall and prevents dandruff.
7. Neem: It is a known for its bitter taste but its
uses are quite sweet. It has miraculous healing powers to treat various
disorders. It has antiseptic, anti-microbial, and anti-fungal properties. It is
helpful in treating many skin diseases.
8. Manjishtha:
It is good blood and lymph purifier. It helps regulate the immune system and
is effective to clean the liver, kidneys, and skin. It helps boost immunity,
improves complexion, and clears acne.
These are only a few
of the Ayurvedic herbs described. These herbs are an integral part of the
Ayurvedic medicine system. We all know that the entire system of Ayurveda is
based on three doshas, and any sort of imbalance leads to some of the other
types of disease. The herbs used in this
system of medicine treat as a whole -individual that is to say unlike the
modern system of medicine, in Ayurveda every person is treated according to
his/her prominent dosha.
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