Apart from medicinal use, Ayurvedic herbs can also be used for purposes like pest control, natural dyes, and formulation of food items, teas and perfumes among others. If we look at various researches from across the world, a sudden spurt in cases of people turning to natural herbs for treatments and usage in everyday life has gone up significantly. Going back to the basics, people have realized the threat chemically treated products pose to their life and are rightly so adopting healthier ways of life by including Ayurveda and its principals as the mainstay of their life.
| Hindi Name | English Name | Botanical Name | Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adusa/Vasaka | Malabar Nut | Adhatoda vasica Nees | Cough, Asthma, Bronchitis |
| Ananas | Pineapple | Ananas comosus | Sore Throat, Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity |
| Babool | Indian Gum | Acacia arabica Willd | Oral Care, Bleeding Gums, Wounds |
| Brahmi | Thyme leafed gratiola | Bacopa monniera Pennel | Enhances Memory, Anxiety |
| Dhaniya | Coriander | Coriandrum sativum Linn | Useful in Indigestion, Flatulence, Controls Spasmodic Pain |
| Kalmegh | Kalmegh | Andrographis paniculata | Indigestion, Acne, Diarrhea |
| Lashun | Garlic | Allium sativum | Ringworm, Dysentery, Wounds |
| Nagarmotha | Nut Grass | Cyperus rotundus Linn | Fever, Diabetes, Solar Dermatitis |
| Punarnava | Spreading Hogweed | Boerhaavia diffusa Linn | Anemia, Liver Diseases, Wounds, Kidney health |
| Shalparni | Shal Leafed Bush | Desmodium gangetium DC | Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory |
| Tulsi | Holy Basil | Ocimum sactum Linn | Indigestion, Heart health, Respiratory Diseases |
| Vridhadaru | Elephant Creeper | Argyreia speciosa Sweet | Diabetes, Skin Diseases, Wounds |
| Agarkasth | Eagle Wood | Aquilaria agallocha Roxb | Bed-Wetting, Incontinence of Urinary Bladder |
| Ankol | Sage leaf alangium | Alangium salvifolium | Traditionally used in Snakebite, Scorpion Bite, Dog Bite |
| Badi Elaichi | Greater Cardamom | Amomum subulatum Pennel | Bronchitis, Asthma, Appetizer, Digestant |
| Chirchita | Prickly chaff flower | Achyranthes aspera | Indigestion, Cough, Asthma, Liver health |
| Elaichi | Lesser Cardamom | Elettaria cardamomum Maton | Nausea, Vomiting, Dry Cough |
| Kanghi | Country Mallow | Abutilon indicum | Nervine tonic, Joint Disorders, Increases Strength |
| Malakangini | Staff Tree | Celastrus paniculatus Willd | Muscle Cramps, Backache, Osteoarthritis, Hair care |
| Neem | Margosa Tree | Azadirachta Indica A. Juss | Skin health, Eye Disorders, Bloody Nose, Intestinal Worms |
| Pyaj | Onion | Allium cepa Linn | Prostate health, Digestive, |
| Shatavari | Asparagus | Asparagus racemosus Willd | Infertility, Loss Of Libido, Uterine health, Improves Lactation |
| Ulatkambal | Devil’s Cotton | Abroma augustum a | Gynaecological Problems, Irregularity In Periods |
| Yavasa | Camel Thorn | Alhagi camelorum | Rheumatism, Vomiting, Stomachache, Constipation |
| Akarkara | Pellitory | Anacyclus pyrethrum | Toothache, Dryness Of The Mouth, Throat, Catarrh, Loss of libido |
| Ashgandh | Winter Cherry | Withania somnifera Dunal | Stress Tolerance, Immunity, Joint Pains, Skin health |
| Bael | Bengal Quince | Aegle marmelos Corr. | Dysentery And Diabetes, Coolant, Gut health |
| Chitrak | Leadwort | Plumbago zeylanica Linn | Arthritis, Skin Diseases, Menstrual Disorders, Obesity |
| Ghee Kunwar | Aloes | Aloe vera Tourn ex. Linn | Ulcers, Burn Injuries, Jaundice, Acne, Women’s health |
| Ketaki | Crepe Ginger | Costus speciosus (Koeing) Sm. | Obesity, Hyperlipidaemia, Diabetes |
| Mandukparni | Gotu Kola | Centella asiatica Urban | Improves memory, Brain health, Hair care, |
| Palasha | Flame of forest | Butea monosperma Kuntze | Complexion of Skin, Worm Infestations, Roundworm |
| Ratti | Rosary Pea | Abrus Precatorius | Joint Pains, Fungal skin infections, Alopecia |
| Shirish | Siris Tree | Albizia lebbeck (Linn) Benth Pennel | Bronchial Asthma, Detoxification |
| Bach | Sweet Flag | Acorus calamus | Flatulent Colic, Atonic Dyspepsia, Ulcers |
| Amaltas | Indian Laburnum | Cassia fistula Linn | Mild laxative, Ulcers, Wounds |
| Ashok | Sorrowless tree | Saraca indica | Menstrual Irregularities, Uterine Stimulant |
| Bharangi | Bharangi | Clerodendron serratum Moon | Common Cold, Chronic Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, |
| Chitvan | Dita | Alstonia scholaris | Skin Ulcers, Fever, Increasing Lactation |
| Guggulu | Indian Bdelium | Commiphora mukul Engl | Joint Disorders, Heart Diseases, Hypolipidaemic, |
| Kadirkasth | Cutch Tree | Acacia catechu Willd | Skin & Respiratory Problems, Oral Hygiene, Astringent |
| Meetha Vish | Monks hood | Aconitum ferox | Fever, Diuretic Action, Arthritis |
| Patha | Velvet Leaf Tree | Cissampelos pareira Linn | Ulcers, Sinuses, Skin Diseases, Poisonous Bites |
| Senna | Indian Senna | Cassia angustifolia Vahl | Laxative, Constipation, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Weight Loss |
| Supari | Areca Nut/Betelnut | Areca catechu Linn | Obesity, Hyperlipidaemia, Diabetes, Irregular Menstruation |
| Vajradanti | Barleria | Barleria prionitis Linn | Strengthens Teeth, Useful in Fever, Catarrh |
| Amla | Indian Gooseberry | Emblica officinalis Linn | Antioxidant, Antistress, Constipation, Fever |
| Atees | Indian Ateech | Aconitum heterophyllum Wall | Fever, Respiratory |
| Bhojpatra | Himalayan Birch | Betula utilis D. Don | Wounds, Obesity |
| Dalchini | Bark Cinnamon | Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Breyn | Antibacterial, Antiseptic |
| Jimikand | Elephant yam | Amorphophallus campanulatus | Dysentery, Piles, Haemorrhoids |
| Kulanjan | Greater Galangal | Alpinia galanga | Flatulence, Dyspepsia, Vomiting, Motion sickness, Catarrh |
| Mulethi | Liquorice | Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn | Digestive Disorders, Ulcers, Bronchitis, Skin health |
| Pippali | Long Pepper | Piper longum Linn | Asthma, Cough, Indigestion |
| Shalai Guggal | Indian Olibanum | Boswellia serrata Roxb. | Joint Pains, Headache, Diabetes |
| Tamalpatra | Cinnamon Leaf | Cinnamomum tamala Nees | Diabetes, Digestion, Cold |
| Varun | Three Leafed Caper | Crataeva nurvala Buch-Ham | Kidney Stones, Bladder Stones Prostate health |
Benefits & Importance of Medicinal Plants
Ayurvedic herbs are time tested for their health and other benefits. The nutritive value that they pack are highly recommended for their healing powers. Known to induce no side effects, they have a unique aroma and flavor and when consumed regularly, they act as a perfect mechanism to bring about a balanced harmony between mind and body. They rejuvenate the whole system instead of focusing on one specific organ or body part.
- They have a holistic approach and aid in proper absorption and digestion
- They are not disease specific but act as a preventive medicine that positively effects the overall health and well-being by boosting the immune system
- They are at par with allopathic medicines and are at times known to be effective in treating diseases like cancer and autoimmune diseases
- They are self-contained and nutritive holistic in nature, therefore, are non-toxic and harmless
- It deals with the overall well-being and aims to bring harmony between mind, body and soul
- Several metabolic and chronic conditions can be treated without any side effects using Ayurvedic medicines and treatments
Ayurvedic Herbs/Spices & Their Medicinal Values
- Ayurvedic Herbs and spices such as black pepper, cinnamon, aloe, sandalwood, ginseng, red clover, burdock, bayberry, and safflower are used to heal wounds, sores and boils.
- To reduce fever and the production of heat caused by the condition, certain antipyretic herbs such as Chirayta, black pepper and sandal wood are recommended
- Sandalwood and Cinnamon are great astringents apart from being aromatic. Sandalwood is especially used in arresting the discharge of blood, mucus etc.
- Ajwain, Amalaki, Aswatha etc., serve as antacids and are recommended for healthy gastric acid flow and proper digestion
- Herbs like Cardamom and Coriander are renowned for their appetizing qualities. Other aromatic herbs such as peppermint, cloves and turmeric add a pleasant aroma to the food, thereby increasing the taste of the meal
- Herbs like Aloe, Sandalwood, Turmeric, Sheetraj and Khare Khaskhas are commonly used as antiseptic and have very high medicinal values
- Camomile, Basil, Cardamom, Ginger, Peppermint and Coriander are known to promote blood circulation in the body and keep the heart healthy