Ancient Wisdom.
Modern Understanding.

Aloe Vera (Kumari / कुमारी)

Aloe barbadensis Mill. (Syn. A. vera Tourn. ex Linn.)

Kumari / Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) is one of the most widely used medicinal plants. The text provides extensive coverage of this herb. The fleshy leaves contain a gel (Kumari svarasa) and a yellow latex (dried to form Aloe/Musabbar). It is described as bitter, sweet, heavy, unctuous, slimy, and cold in potency. It is a versatile herb acting as a purgative, nourishing agent, aphrodisiac, eye tonic, and rejuvenative. The text mentions four varieties: (1) Curacao/Barbados aloes from A. vera var. officinalis, (2) Socotrine aloes, (3) Zanzibar aloes, and (4) Cape aloes from A. ferox. The dried extract (Musabbar) contains 20%+ Aloin. Various skin conditions, liver disorders, eye diseases, constipation, fever, and blood disorders are treated with it. The gel is cooling and soothing externally. Dose: fresh juice 10-20 ml; dried Aloe powder 1-2 ratti. Verse refs: pages 419-421.

Amla (Amalaki)

Emblica officinalis

Amla (Indian Gooseberry) is the most revered herb in Ayurveda — ranked by the Charaka Samhita as the single best Rasayana among all fruits. It contains one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C found in any food (600–900 mg per fruit), stabilized by tannins so it remains potent even after drying. Classical texts classify it as Tridosha Shamaka — balancing to all three doshas — with a particular strength in cooling Pitta, nourishing the blood, and rebuilding tissues after illness.

Arjuna (अर्जुन)

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) W. & A.

Arjuna is one of the most important cardiac drugs in Ayurveda. It is a large evergreen tree found along river banks throughout India. The bark is thick, smooth, white-grey and peels off in flat pieces. The bark is the principal medicinal part. It is the drug of choice in Hridroga (heart diseases) and is used extensively in cardiac debility, heart failure, and angina. The bark is given with milk or as decoction with honey. Arjuna bark strengthens the heart muscle and improves cardiac output. It is also useful in fractures - the bark decoction promotes bone healing. The bark ash is applied to wounds. The chemical composition includes Arjunin (a glycoside), Arjunic acid, about 16% tannin, and significant quantities of Calcium. Vagbhata recommends it specifically for heart conditions. Dose: Bark powder 3-6 masha; decoction 1-2 tola. Verses: Described under Vatadi Varga.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Withania somnifera dunal

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is one of the most important Rasayana (rejuvenative) drugs in Ayurveda, often compared to Ginseng in its adaptogenic properties. The name 'Ashwagandha' means 'smelling like a horse' due to the characteristic horse-like odor of the fresh root. It is a small shrub growing 2-5 feet tall with greenish-yellow flowers and small red berries. The root is the primary medicinal part. It grows in drier parts of India - Rajasthan, MP, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. The root contains Withanolides (steroidal lactones) as the main active principles, along with alkaloids including Somniferine and Withasomnine. Multiple species exist but Bhavaprakasha notes that the Nagori Ashwagandha (from Nagaur in Rajasthan) is considered the best variety. The roots when dried are 1-1.5 feet long, cylindrical, and grayish-brown. Ashwagandha is used in general debility, nervous exhaustion, insomnia, reproductive weakness, and as an anti-aging tonic. It is unique among Rasayana drugs in being Ushna Virya (hot potency) yet Madhura Vipaka. This makes it suitable for Vata and Kapha conditions while not significantly aggravating Pitta. The text emphasizes its role as Balya (strength-promoting), Vrishya (aphrodisiac), and Nidrajanana (sleep-inducing). It is also used in Shotha (inflammation), Kshaya (consumption), and Shvitra (leucoderma). Oil prepared from Ashwagandha root is applied externally in Vata disorders. Dose: root powder 2-4 masha; with milk or ghee; decoction 1-2 tola.

Baheda (Bibhitaki / बहेड़ा)

Terminalia belerica Roxb.

Vibhitaka (Baheda) is the second ingredient of Triphala. The fruit pulp is used medicinally. The seed oil is useful in skin diseases and hair growth. The seed itself is avoided internally as it may cause nausea.

Bala (Country Mallow / बला)

Sida cordifolia Linn

Bala (Sida cordifolia) is one of the most important Rasayana drugs in Ayurveda. It is a small shrub growing commonly in waste lands. The entire plant, especially the root, is used medicinally. Four types of Bala are recognized in classical texts: Bala (Sida cordifolia), Atibala (Abutilon indicum), Nagabala (Grewia hirsuta), and Mahabala. Bala is the premier Vatahara and Balya drug - it increases strength (Bala), nourishes Ojas, and acts as a powerful tonic and rejuvenative. The root decoction is used in Vata diseases, nervous debility, and as a general restorative. It contains small amounts of Ephedrine. It is sweet in taste and cold in potency, making it ideal for Pitta-Vata conditions. Used extensively in medicated oils (Bala Taila) for external application in neuromuscular disorders. Dose: root powder 1-2 masha; decoction 1-2 tola.

Bhringaraj (False Daisy / भृंगराज)

Eclipta alba Hassk.

Bhringaraj (Eclipta alba) is the premier hair herb in Ayurveda. Its name literally means 'ruler of the hair' (Bhring = bee/hair, Raj = king). The plant reaches about 1000 foot elevation and grows in moist areas. The whole plant, especially the leaves, is used medicinally. It is described as pungent, bitter, light, dry, and hot in potency. The text emphasizes its primary action as Keshya (hair growth promoting) and Rasayana (rejuvenative). It turns grey hair black, prevents hair fall, and promotes new growth. It is also excellent for the liver (Yakrit) and spleen (Pleeha), and is one of the best liver tonics. The juice is applied to the scalp for hair benefits. The plant has white flowers and the juice turns black on exposure - hence the name. The text also discusses Wedelia calendulacea (Peela Bhangra / Yellow Eclipta) as a related species with similar but slightly different properties. Bhringaraj is used in Bhringaraj Taila (oil) which is the most popular Ayurvedic hair oil. Dose: juice 10-20 ml; powder 3-6 grams. Verse refs: pages 428-430.

Black Pepper (Maricha)

Pipernigrum Linn.

Asthma, chronic indigestion, colon toxins,obesity, sinus congestion, fever, intermittent fever, The Ayurveda Encyclopedia 96cold extremities, colic, cooking spice, cholera, gastric ailments, gas, diarrhea, hemorrhoids,worms, sore throat; externally applied as a paste to boils, skin diseases.

Abdominal Colic (Shula)

Vayu becomes excessed when dry foods are eaten, weakening the digestive fire and preventing stool evacuation. This causes excruciating pain in the lowerabdominal area. Pain begins on the right or left side,then eventually spreads to the whole abdomen. Othersymptoms include rumbling sounds, unquencha

Acid Reflux (Amlapitta)

This is an inflammation of the stomach and its lining. Causes and Symptoms: Eating incompatible food combinations, spoiled foods, and very sour or acidic foods or liquids increases Pitta in persons with already excessed Pitta. Symptoms include indigestion, exhaustion, nausea,belchings with bitter or

Acne (Yauvana Pidaka)

Acne is the result of high pitta moving under the skin and breaking out in pimples. Ayurveda recommends several natural approaches that, taken together, can effectively control acne. The possible pitta-provoking causes are numerous. They include emotional stress, premenstrual hormonal changes, and exposure to chemicals or too much sunlight. The problem might also be a bacterial infection. It is important to find out the cause, so it can be properly treated or, in the case of exposure to chemicals or sunlight, simply avoided.

Acute Fever (Nava Jwara)

New or acute onset fever

Addictions

Symptoms: Vayu: All addictions increase Vayu by causing a nervous dependency on them, resulting in a loss of objectivity. Vayu dosshas can give up addictions for a while, but will begin them again or switch to another habit.Pitta: Unless these persons are convinced that a habit is bad for them, it w

Aging (Jara)

Described in Ayurveda as an autoimmune disease caused by repeated indulgence in sensory pleasures that destroys Ojas.

Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Oil Massage)

Ayurvedic oil massage that serves as one pathway to communicate with pithara agni at the cellular level.

Basti (Medicated Enema)

Medicated enema; one of the five panchakarma procedures, primarily used to eliminate excess vata via the colon.

Nasya (Nasal Therapy)

Panchakarma (Five Purification Therapies)

Ayurvedic cleansing therapies including snehana (oil massage), svedana (sweating), and basti that stimulate pilu and pithara agni to burn cellular ama.

Raktamokshana (Bloodletting)

Shirodhara (Oil Pouring Therapy)