This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on List of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
Ads by Tiva
 |
This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (October 2008) |
 |
This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. You can assist by editing it now. A how-to guide is available. (October 2008) |
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (October 2008) |
Ayurveda (Devanagari: आयुर्वेद ) is a form of traditional medicine in use primarily in India. Ayurveda believes that various materials of vegetable, animal, and mineral origin have some medicinal value. The medicinal properties of these materials are time tested and have been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicines to cure illness and/or help maintain health.
Ayurvedic medicaments are made from herbs or mixtures of herbs, either alone or in combination with minerals, metals and other ingredients of animal origin. The metals, animals and minerals are purified by individual processes before being used for medicinal purposes. Impurified materials are not allowed to be used as medicine.
The forms of Ayurvedic medicaments are:
- Fresh juice of herbs
- Churna : Fine powdered herbs, used as medicine with water or in food for internal and external uses
- Taila : Herbs cooked in edible oil according to rules laid down for internal and external uses
- Asav/Arista/Sura : a kind of light wine obtained from fermentation of herbs
- Arka : A distillation of herbs
- Rasausadhi/Kharliya Rasayan : Herbs mixed with metals, minerals and animal ingredients
- Bhasma : Ashes
- Parpaty : combinations of Metals, Minerals, Animal ingredients and Herbs
- Guggula based medicaments
- Lauha Bhasam : Mandoor Bhasam based medicaments
- Bati/Gutika/Goli : Mixtures of medicines shaped in pills, pillules or tablets for ease of administration
Commonly used herbs and minerals
(Names ref.)1
| Botanical (Latin) Name | Common (English) Name | Sanskrit Name | Claimed Therapeutic Use (According to Ayurveda) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acacia concinna | Acacia | Shikakai | For bilious affections, jaundice, malarial fever, preventive to flatulence, mild laxative. |
| Acacia nilotica | Indian Gum Arabic Tree | Babool | Demulcent, astringent, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, styptic, diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes. |
| Acorus calamus | Sweet Flag | Vacha | Bitter tonic, ague, habitual constipation, atonic dyspepsia, flatulence, paralytic nervous affections, colic, epilepsy, dropsy, glandular diseases, rheumatic swellings, useful for children's ailments teething. |
| Adhatoda vasica | Malabar Nut | Vasaka | Relief from bronchitis, whooping cough, bronchial asthma. Supports lung functions. Immune system-boosting properties. |
| Aegle marmelos | Bael Tree | Bael | For intestinal problems, amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea. Digestive, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory. Useful in irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory conditions of bowels. |
| Allium sativum | Garlic | Lasuna | To control excess conversion of lipids and cholesterol. |
| Aloe vera | Indian Aloe | Kumari | Useful in ophthalmic disorders, mild laxative, tonic, increases semen quality, cure vata dosha, poisonous effects, hepatospleenomegaly, spleen and liver disorders, cystic formation, hydrocele, kaphha fever, glands, anomalies of blood, anomalies of skin. |
| Andrographis paniculata | The Creat | Yavatika | Used in malaria fever, enlargement of liver, chronic and obstinate fever, dropsy, edema, removes constipation, appetiser. Useful in infant disorders such as diarrhoea, colic, vomiting. |
| Anethum sowa | Indian Dill | Satahva | For improving hunger, appetiser, anti-febric, vermifugal, digestive, abdominal colic, intestinal colic, ophthalmic disorders, pelvic inflammatory disease conditions, analgesic, body pain . |
| Asparagus racemosus | Asparagus | Shatavari | To nourish the female reproductive system, promote lactation. |
| Azadirachta indica | Neem | Neem | For skin disorders. Blood purifying and immune-boosting properties. Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal agent. |
| Bacopa monnieri | Bacopa | Brahmi | Improves alertness. Anti-anxiety agent. |
| Balsamodendron mukul | Indian Bdellium Tree | Guggulu | Anti-spasmodic, emmenagogue, stimulant, tonic, alterative demulcent. Useful in rheumatism, nervous diseases, glands and scrofulous diseases, blood purifier. For chronic wounds which do not heal easily. |
| Benincasa hispada | White Pumpkin | Kushmanda | As a food nourishes body, vigour, purifies blood, appetiser, easy to digest, removes constipation, normalise bowel movements. Remedy in mental disorders, epilepsy, mania, psychological disorders and helps to cure all mental diseases and their conditions. |
| Betula utilis | Himalayan Birch | Bhurjapatra | Ear disorders, bile disorders, anomalies of blood, psychological disorders, anti-obesity, anti-toxin. |
| Boerhaavia diffusa | Boerhaavia | Punarnava | For efficient kidney and urinary functions, urinary tract infections. |
| Capsicum annuum | Red Pepper | Katuvira | Aroused digestive fire, removes kaphha dosha, produce burning sensation, removes indigestion, anti-cholera, helps to heal obstinate wounds, removes hoarseness, sleepiness and perversion of taste. Useful in loss of senses and weak pulse condition. |
| Cassia fistula | Golden Shower Tree | Aragvadha | FRUIT-BODY:Mild laxative, Anti-fever, useful in cardiac (heart) problems, Rakta Pitta, hematemesis, hemorrhages, arthritis, vatavyadhi, colic, acidity and acidic eructations. Roots are very strong purgative, 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 | Karpoora | Used in kaphha, thirst, obesity, burning sensations, throat problems, intestinal worms, mouth freshener, analgesics, antitusive, antipyeratic, excessive sweats. Beneficial in small quantity [50mg] 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 | Nimbaka | Use as food for increased taste, increased hunger, digestive, help to pass abdominal wind, flatus. |
| Citrus medica | Citron | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Jatamansi | |
| Pinus roxburghii | Chir Pine | Shrivasa | |
| Piper longum | Indian Long Pepper | Pippali | |
| Prunus amygdalus | Almond | Vatadha | |
| Punica granatum | Pomegranate | Dadima | |
| Pyrus malus | Apple | Seva | |
| Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary | ||
| Salmalia malabarica | Silk Cotton Tree | Shalmali | |
| Santalum album | Sandalwood | Chandana | |
| Sapindus mukorossi | Soapnut Tree | Arishta | |
| Sesamum indicum | Sesame | Til | |
| Sesbania sesban | Egyptian Rattle Pod | Jayanti | |
| Shorea robusta | Sal Tree | Shala | |
| Solanum lycopersicum | Tomato | ||
| Trigonella foenum-graecum | Fenugreek | Medhika | |
| Triticum aestivum | Common Wheat | Godhuma | |
| Vetiveria zizanioides | Poppy | Ushira | |
| Vitex negundo | Five-leaved Chaste Tree | Nirgundi | |
| Vitis vinifera | Grape | Draksha | |
| Wrightia tinctoria | Sweet Indrajao | Hyamaraka | |
| Xanthoxylum alatum | Toothache Tree | Tumburu | |
| Zinziber officinale | Ginger | Sunthi | Digestive disorders, low appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting and motion sickness. |
| Alum | 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) |
See also
References
- ^ The Himalaya Drug Company (2004-01-01). Guide To Good Living. The Himalaya Drug Company, Makali, Bangalore 562 123, India.
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 20 November 2008, at 14:59.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "List of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.