List of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda
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.
Additional recommended knowledge
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:
- Quath : Crushed herbs, used as decoction or tea for internal and external uses
- 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
- Ghrat/Ghrit : Herbs cooked in clarified butter
- 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
- Parpaty : combinations of Metals, Minerals, Animal ingredients and Herbs
- Kshar/Lavan/Salt/Drava : these are specially prepared medicaments
- Guggula based medicaments
- Lauha Bhasam : Mandoor Bhasam based medicaments
- Avaleha/Modak/Paak/Prash : Herbs cooked in Jaggery or sugar
- Bati/Gutika/Goli : Mixtures of medicines shaped in pills, pillules or tablets for ease of administration
- Pralep/Anjan/Varti/Dhoop : Liniments, drops, paint, paste etc. for external uses
Commonly used herbs and minerals
(Names ref.)[1]
| Botanical (Latin) Name | Common (English) Name | Sanskrit Name | Claimed Therapeutic Use
(According to Ayurveda)
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| Acacia concinna | Acacia | Shikakai | Useful in bilious affections, jaundice, malarial fever, preventive to flatulence, mild laxative
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| Acacia nilotica | Indian Gum Arabic Tree | Babool | Demulcent, astringent, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, styptic, diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes,
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| Acorus calamus | Sweet Flag | Vacha | Bitter tonic, ague, habitual constipation, atonic dyspepsia, flatulence, paralytic nervous affections, colic, epilepsy, dropsy, glandular diseases, rheumatoc swellings, useful for children's ailments teething etc.
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| Adhatoda vasica | Malabar Nut | Vasaka | For comfort from bronchitis, whooping cough & bronchial asthma. To support lung functions. Has immune system-boosting properties.
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| Aegle marmelos | Bael Tree | Bael | For intestinal problems such as amoebic dysentery & diarrhoea. Is digestive, anthelmintic, & anti-inflammatory, useful in irritable bowel syndromes and inflammatory condition of bowels.
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| Allium sativum | Garlic | Lasuna | To control excess conversion of lipids & cholesterol.
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| 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's disorders such as diarrhoea, colic, vomiting etc.
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| Anethum sowa | Indian Dill | Satahva | Useful in improving hunger, good appetiser, anti-febric, vermifugal, digestive, abdominal colic, intestinal colic, ophthalmic disorders, pelvic inflammatory disease conditions, analgesic, body pain .
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| Asparagus racemosus | Asparagus | Shatavari | To nourish the female reproductive system, promote lactation.
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| Azadirachta indica | Neem | Neem | For skin disorders. Has blood purifying & immune-boosting properties. as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal agent.
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| Bacopa monnieri | Bacopa | Brahmi | For improving alertness. As an anti-anxiety agent.
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| Balsamodendron mukul | Indian Bdellium Tree | Guggulu | Anti-spasmodic, emmenagogue, stimulant, tonic, alterative demulcent, useful in rheumatism, nervous diseases, glands and scrofulous diseases, blood purifier, useful in chronic wounds which do not heal easily.
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| Benincasa hispada | White Pumpkin | Kushmanda | As a food nourished body, vigour, purifies blood, appetiser, easy to digest, removes constipation, normalise bowel movements / as a remedy useful in mental disorders, epilepsy, mania, psychological disorders and helps to cure all mental diseases and their conditions.
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| Betula utilis | Himalayan Birch | Bhurjapatra | In ear disorders, bile disorders, anomalies of blood, psychological disorders, anti-obesity, anti-toxin.
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| Boerhaavia diffusa | Boerhaavia | Punarnava | For efficient kidney & urinary functions. In urinary tract infections.
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| 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.
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| Cassia fistula | Golden Shower Tree | Aragvadha | FRUIT-BODY:Mild laxative, Anti-fever, useful in Cardiac or Heart problems, Rakta Pitta, Hematemesis, Hemorrhages, Arthritis, Vatavyadhi, Colic, , Acidity and acidic eructations, ROOTS: Very strong purgative, should not be used alone
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| Cedrus deodara | Deodar Cedar | Devadaru | BARK and STEM is used: creates sweating, creates urination, Anti-vata, eliminates Skin disorders, Anti-febril, Anti-edema, Arthritis, Joints pain, Joints swelling, Antitussive, Vermifugal, anomaly of Blood, anomaly of urine etc.
|
| Cinnamomum camphora | Camphor | Karpoora | useful in kaphha, thirst, obesity, burning sensations, throat problems, intestinal worms, mouth freshener, analgesics, antitusive, antipyeratic, excessive sweats, beneficial effects when taken in small quantity [50mg]in Low blood pressure and asthma,
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| Citrus grandis | Pomelo | Mahanimbu | Vata-kaphha nashak, mild laxative, digestive, appetiser, loss of appetite, abdominal colic, worms, vomiting, nausea
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| Citrus limon | Lemon | Nimbaka | use as food, increased taste, increased hunger, digestive, help to pass abdominal wind, flatus
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| Citrus medica | Citron | Bijapura | useful in heart disorders, abdominal colic, Gulm, vomiting, nausea, indigestion, haemorrhoids
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| Cucumis sativus | Cucumber | Trapusha | Diuretic, useful in heamatamesis, haemorrhages, bleeding, cold in nature, as a food to renal stone patient
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| 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, indigestion, inflammatory condition of bowels, renal calculus, gonorrhoea, obstruction of urine, nausea, vomiting etc.
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| Daucus carota | Carrot | Garjira | SEEDS: useful in flatulence, renal disorders, pathophysiology of small and large intestines, salpingitis, Impotency, Female genital disorders, ROOT: vermifugal, spleenomegaly, physical weakness, cholecystitis, problem before delivery, cardiac problems, piles, colic burning sensation, asthma, hiccough, mouth freshener, EXTERNAL: 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, EXTERNAL; Burns, skin diseases, leucoderma, hair falling, alopecia
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| Embelia ribes | False Black Pepper | Vidanga | FRUITS:carminative, anthelmintic, stimulant, alterative, anti-dyspeptic, anti-flatulent, skin diseases, rheumatisma, diuretic, laxative, purgative
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| 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; for excessive salivation, digestive, antipyeretic
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| 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 feom vagina, help in pregnancy, anomaly of urine, Prameha, ueful for childless women, increased fertility of women
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| Foeniculum vulgare | Fennel | Shatapushpa | used 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
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| Gaultheria fragrantissima | Indian Wintergreen | Gandapura | OIL:cures Vata, pain, stimulant, antipyeretic, brings sweats, diuretic, antispasmodic, removes pain of all nature, useful in cardiac disorders, joints pain, sciatica, flatulence, wind formation in abdomen, Rheumatic pain, myolitis
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| Hippophae rhamnoides | Seabuckthorn | | BHASAM [Ashes]: used in respiratory disorders, hiccough, asthma, cough, cardiac pain, glandular swellings, rheumatism, arthritis, tuberculosis, pulmonary disorders, joints pain, increases sexual desire in male and female both, Impotency EXTERNAL: paste is applied in Pleuritis, Pneumonia, backache, painful inflammatory condition with swelling
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| 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, Eyes disorders, Headache, migraine, antitoxic, OIL: cold, heals wounds, anomaly of blood, useful in skin, head and ophthalmic disorders, stomatitis
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| Juglans regia | Walnut | Akschota | useful 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 disordres and anomaly of blood, blood purifier,
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| Lilium polyphyllum | White Lily | Kshirakakoli | useful in increasing the quantity of semen, condensed semen, increasing lactations in feeding mothers, creates sexual excitement both in male and female, increases vitality, vigour
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| Mimosa pudica | Sensitive plant | Lajjalu | for gynaecological disorders, skin disorders, bleeding piles, amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea.
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| Mangifera indica | Mango | Amra | RAW MANGO: sour, tasteful, increases Vata & Pitta Dosha, RIPED MANGO: sweet, increases semen quality, appetiser, increases taste, wound healer, anomaly of blood,
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| Melaleuca leucadendra | Tea Tree | Kayaputi | useful in Hyperpyerexia, gout, uric acid, diarrhoea, skin disorders, bronchitis, cough, dermatitis, joints pain, muscular pain,
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| Mel despumatum | Honey | Madhu | sweet, cool, easy to digest, removes constipation, better for eyes & voice, beneficial to heart, ripes wounds quickly, useful in obesity, frequent urination, hiccough, asthma, bronchitis, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, emaciation, excessive thirst, haemorrhagic tendency, faintness, burning sensation, healing wound
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| Mentha arvensis | Mint | Putiha |
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| Mentha piperita | Peppermint | | OIL and CRYSTALS: carminative, cool, analgesic, relives painful muscular conditions, smells in Cold and coryza, relives headache, sinusitis, uses both internally and externally. very powerful in action, while use internally, use very small quantity [one drop in four divided doses] with precautions
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| Nardostachys jatamansi | Musk | Jatamansi |
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| Pinus roxburghii | Chir Pine | Shrivasa |
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| Piper longum | Indian Long Pepper | Pippali |
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| Prunus amygdalus | Almond | Vatadha |
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| Punica granatum | Pomegranate | Dadima |
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| Pyrus malus | Apple | Seva |
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| Rosmarinus officinalis | Rosemary | |
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| Salmalia malabarica | Silk Cotton Tree | Shalmali |
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| Santalum album | Sandalwood | Chandana |
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| Sapindus mukorossi | Soapnut Tree | Arishta |
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| Sesamum indicum | Sesame | Til |
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| Sesbania sesban | Egyptian Rattle Pod | Jayanti |
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| Shorea robusta | Sal Tree | Shala |
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| Solanum lycopersicum | Tomato | |
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| Trigonella foenum-graecum | Fenugreek | Medhika |
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| Triticum sativum | Common Wheat | Godhuma |
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| Vetiveria zizanioides | Poppy | Ushira |
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| Vitex negundo | Five-leaved Chaste Tree | Nirgundi |
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| Vitis vinifera | Grape | Draksha |
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| Wrightia tinctoria | Sweet Indrajao | Hyamaraka |
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| Xanthoxylum alatum | Toothache Tree | Tumburu |
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| Zinziber officinale | Ginger | Sunthi | in digestive disorders like low appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting & motion sickness.
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| | Alum | Saurashtri | INTERNAL:Bloody dysentery, Dysentery, worms, Remittent and intermittent fever, anti-tussive, EXTERNAL: Piles, wound, traumatic wounds and conditions, stings, itching, eczema, conjunctivitis, leucorrhoea, otorrhoea, gonorrhoea, gargles in pharyngitis, tonsillitis, throat problems
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| | Conch Shell | Shankha | BHASAM [Ashes]: Loss of appetite, indigestion, peptic ulcers, dueodenal ulcers, hyperacidity, bronchitis, hepatospleenomegaly, Gulm, Asthma, cough, respiratory disorders
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| | Sodium carbonate | Svarjikshara | INTERNAL:useful in constipation, Diuretic, Gulmanashak, Colic, pain abdominal, worms intestinal, flatulence, eructations, abdominal winds, tympenitis, Irritable bowel syndromes EXTERNAL: promotes suppuration of boils, burns, pimples, leucoderma, white patches of skin
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| | 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 etc.
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| | 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 etc.
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| | Natural Zinc | Yashad Bhasma | BHASAM [Ash]: used in ophthalmic disorders, night blindness, kaphha-pitta disorders, jaundice, liver disorders, hepatitis, anomalies of urine, diebetes, asthma, cysts, glands, diarrhoea, mucous colitis, dhatu kshaya, tuberculosis, bacillary dysentery, gonorrhoea, impotency, improves digestion, beneficial in vomiting and nausea.
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| 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.
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