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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.

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.

Abhrak (Mica / अभ्रक)

Mica (complex aluminium silicate)

Abhrak (Mica) is one of the most important minerals in Rasa Shastra. Four types are described based on color: Shveta (white), Rakta (red), Peeta (yellow), and Krishna (black). Krishna Abhrak is considered the best. Abhrak Bhasma is prepared through extensive Puta processes (up to 1000 Putas for Sahasraputi Abhrak Bhasma). It is a supreme Rasayana used in tuberculosis, respiratory diseases, chronic fevers, diabetes, anemia, and general debility. Higher quality Bhasma (more Putas) is more effective and safer. It is considered the 'Amrita' among minerals. Verses: 94-100.

Acacia / Shatala (सातला / शातला)

Acacia concinna DC.

Shatala (Acacia concinna) is mentioned in the text as Shikakai, widely used for hair care. The pods contain natural saponins that serve as a gentle hair cleanser. It is also used as a mild purgative and blood purifier. The pod decoction is used for skin diseases.

Aconite (Vatsanabha / वत्सनाभ)

Aconitum ferox Wall. (Aconitum chasmanthum)

Vatsanabha (Indian Aconite) is described as the foremost Visha (poison) used therapeutically. The root tuber of Aconitum ferox/chasmanthum is extremely toxic — containing aconitine and related alkaloids. After proper Shodhana (purification through Gomutra/cow's urine processing or Swedana/steaming), it becomes a powerful medicine. Purified Vatsanabha is used in malaria-type intermittent fevers, Sannipata Jwara (complex fevers), Vata disorders, colic pain, and indigestion. The text describes that India has about 24 species of Aconitum. A. ferox, A. deinorrhizum, A. balfourii, A. laciniatum, and A. spicatum are found in various Himalayan regions. The lethal dose is very small — death can occur from even small amounts of unpurified root. Purification reduces toxicity by converting alkaloids to less toxic forms. Dose: 1/8 to 1/4 Ratti. The detailed purification involves soaking in cow's urine for 7 days and then steaming. Verses: 156-165.

Agarwood (Agaru / अगर)

Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.

Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha, Fam. Thymelaeaceae) is Agarwood or Eagle-wood, one of the most prized aromatic woods. Found in Northeast India (Assam), Myanmar, and Southeast Asia. The fragrant resinous wood forms when the tree is infected by a specific fungus (Fungi Imperfecti — hence the name 'Krimija' meaning 'born of worms'). Healthy trees produce no fragrant wood. The infected resinous heartwood sinks in water, while uninfected wood floats. This is a key identification test. Agaru is hot in potency, aromatic, and used in heart diseases, cough, asthma, and Vata disorders. The oil is used in perfumery and incense. It is burned as dhoop (incense) in temples. Multiple grades exist — Krishna (black) Agaru is the best. Various types are described based on region of origin. The wood and oil command extremely high prices due to rarity. Book reference: Karpuradi Varga, shloka 22-23.

Agastya Flowers (Agasti Pushpa / अगस्ति पुष्प)

Sesbania grandiflora Linn.

The flowers of Agastya (Sesbania grandiflora) are large, white or red, and edible. They are used as a vegetable, especially in South Indian cuisine. The flower juice is used for nasal polyps and sinusitis as nasal drops. The flowers have anti-inflammatory properties. They are cooling and useful in Pitta disorders.

Agate (Akika)

A smokey-colored gem that protects children against fear, stimulates spiritual awakening and relieves kapha disorders

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)