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The Ayurvedic Approach to Medicinal Herbs and Plants

Ayurveda approaches herbs through their energetic qualities, and not just their chemical constituents. The properties of herbs are classified according to their taste (rasa), energetic action (virya), post-digestive effect (vipaka), their affinity to the different systems, their effect on the doshas, as well as to other special potencies (prabhava) they may possess.

Below is a brief list of Ayurvedic herbs and some of their common indications in non-Ayurvedic terms for the general public. This page is work in progress for educational purposes only, and we suggest you consult a trained herbalist before taking any herbs. In Ayurveda, well balanced constitutional formulas are often more effective to address specific health issues, since herbs are combined synergetically in a holistic and individualized manner. At Blue Lotus Ayurveda we prepare personalized herbal formulas to meet your needs, and adjust them accordingly as your situation changes.

Find articles on Ayurvedic herbs in our Ayurveda Newsletter.

Subscribe to Vishnu Dass' Blog: Ayurvedic Herbology - East & West to learn about Ayurvedic and western herbs for common ailments and simple home remedies for the whole family.

It is written in the Vedic Scriptures that, The essence of all beings is Earth. The essence of the Earth is Water. The essence of Water is plants. The essence of plants is the human being.

Common Names, Botanical Names and Indications of Ayurvedic Medicinal Herbs

(You can sort the table by clicking on the headers)

Indian Name	Latin Name	Common Name	Properties - Indications
Ajwan, Ajowan, Ajwain, Yavani	Carum copticum	Carom, Bishop's weed	Spastic bowel, flatulence, dyspepsia, sluggish digestion, chronic hiccups, belching, sinus congestion, asthma, menstrual cramping, renal calculi, depression.
Amalaki, Amla, Dhatri	Emblica officinalis	Emblic myrobalan, Indian gooseberry	Hyperacidity, constipation, ulcers, hepatitis, colitis, high cholesterol, diabetes, anemia, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Argbhada, Arag-vadha, Amaltas	Cassia fistula	Indian laburnum, Purging cassia	Ringworm, constipation, fevers, bleeding, hemorrhoids.
Arjuna, Arjun, Kakubha	Terminalia arjuna	Arjuna myrobalan	Heart, lungs, skin, liver, reproductive tissues, anemia, tumors, asthma, cardiac and circulatory problems.
Ashwagandha	Withania Somnifera	Winter cherry	General debility, insomnia, low libido, impotence, infertility, multiple sclerosis, enlarged prostate, skin diseases.
Aswatha	Ficus religiosa	Peepal	Astringent, laxative, cooling, alterative. Boils, ulcers, skin disease, diabetes, constipation.
Avani	Hyoscyamus niger	Henbane	Sedative. Chronic dementia, hysteria, palpitations, asthma.
Badama	Prunus amygdalus	Almond	Laxative, tonic, nervine tonic, mental stimulant.
Bhringaraj	Eclipta alba	Bhringaraj	Alopecia, premature greying, dizziness, hepatitis, cirrhosis, insomnia, bronchitis, asthma, skin.
Bhumyamalaki	Phyllanthus amarus; P. niruri; P. fraternus (US)	Phyllanthus, Stonebreaker Chancra piedra	Jaundice, liver disease, fever, genitourinary disease, edema, gallstones, menorrhagea
Bibhitaki, Baheda	Terminalia belerica	Beleric myrobalan	Digestive disorders, bronchitis, asthma, Chron's disease, colitis, parasites, congestion of eyes, ears and nose, insomnia, bladder stones, cardiac congestion.
Brahmi, Jalabrahmi	Bacopa monnieri	Bacopa, Indian Gotu kola	Memory loss, debility, cystitis, headaches, epilepsy, ADHD, Asperger's syndrome, depression, autism.
Champaka	Michelia champaca	Champaca	Emmenagogue, diuretic. Gastritis, chronic arthritis, colic.
Chitrak, Chitraka, Agni, Jvala	Plumbago zeylanica	White leadwort	Digestive problems, non-bleeding hemorrhoids, arthritis, parasites.
Dadima, Anardana	Punica granatum	Pomegranate	Dysentery, diarrhea, hyperacidity, dyspepsia, menopause, prostate problems, circulation.
Datura, Dhattura	Datura metel	White thorn apple	Joint pain, asthma, fevers, lung congestion, dysmenorrhea.
Devadaru	Cedrus deodara	Devadar	Diaphoretic, diuretic, carminative. Fevers, diarrhea, urinary disorders.
Dhanyaka, Dhaniya	Coriandrum sativum	Coriander, Cilantro	Bloating, flatulence, irritable bowel syndrom, worms, allergies, cystitis, dysuria, fevers, respiratory problems, heavy metals.
Ela, Elaichi, Sukshma ela	Elettaria cardamomum	Cardamom	Bloating, borborygmus, colic, indigestion, coughs, asthma, nausea, morning sickness, painful urination.
Garijara	Daucus carota	Carrot seed	Jaundice, kidney diseases.
Guduchi, Giloy, Amrita	Tinospora cordifolia	Tinospora	Arthritis, gout, malaria, diabetes, skin diseases.
Haridra, Haldi	Curcuma longa	Turmeric	Infections, ulcers, dyspepsia, diabetes, gallstones, skin diseases, conjunctivitis, cysts, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, fevers, septicaemia, high cholesterol.
Haritaki, Harde, Hara	Terminalia chebula	Chebulic myrobalan	Constipation, hemorrhoids, eye disorders, dysentery, parasites, hemorrhoids, high cholesterol, coughs, conjunctivitis.
Hing, Hingu	Ferula asafoetida	Asafoetida	Flatulence, cough, constipation, palpitations, aphrodisiac, whooping cough, sciatica, convulsions, arthritis.
Isaphgul, Sat Isabgol	Plantago ovata	Psyllium husk	Constipation, colitis, irritable bowel, cystitis
Jatamansi	Nardostachys jatamansi	Indian spikenard	Nervousness, anxiety, dysmenorrhea, insomnia, hair tonic
Jeeraka, Jeera	Cuminum cyminum	Cumin seed	Antiseptic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, galactagogue, antispasmodic
Kapikachchu, Atmagupta	Mucuna pruriens	Kapi kacchu, Cowhage	Parkinson's, paralysis, cramps, low libido, infertility, impotence, hypercholesterolemia.
Karpoor	Cinnamomum camphora	Camphor	Diarrhea, nervousness, muscular pain, fever.
Katuka, Katuki, Kutki	Picrorhiza kurroa	Gentian	Hepatitis C, cirrhosis, acidity, allergies, asthma, rhinitis, eczema, autoimmune conditions, dysentery.
Krishnajiraka, Kalika, Kaljaji	Nigella sativa	Black cumin, Love-in-the-mist	Carminative, antispasmodic, aromatic, diuretic, vermifuge, expectorant, bronchodilator
Kumari, Ghee kunvar, Kunvar patha	Aloe indica, Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis	Aloe vera	Cuts, burns, infections, constipation, enlarged liver or spleen, hepatitis, bursitis, cystitis, vaginitis, bronchitis, asthma, tumors.
Kumkuma, Kesar, Ghusrna	Crocus sativus	Saffron	Dysmenorrhea, infertility, anemia, liver congestion, cardiac congestion, angina, impotence, low libido, depression, nervous debility, painful urination.
Kutaja, Kutaj, Kureya	Holarrhena antidysenterica	Kutaja	Amoebic and bacillary dysentery, diarrhea, colitis, Chron's disease, hemorrhoids, skin problems, bleeding disorders.
Lasuna, Rasona	Allium sativum	Garlic	Gastric disturbances, food poisoning, candida albicans, catarrh, myalgia, sluggishness, high cholesterol, clotting, infections, blood pressure.
Mandukaparni	Centella asiatica	Gotu kola (West), Indian pennywort	Insomnia, epilepsy, stress, autism, ADHD, Asperger's, memory loss, inflammatory skin conditions, wounds, hair loss, arthritis, gout.
Manjista, Manjishta, Manjith	Rubia cordifolia	Indian madder	Female disorders, anorexia, skin diseases, poor appetite.
Maricha	Piper nigrum	Black pepper	Dyspepsia, cough, pharyngitis, headache, diarrhea
Markandika	Cassia angustifolia	Cassia angustifolia	Constipation, liver disease, joint pain
Mustaka, Musta	Cyperus rotundus	Nut grass	Anti-inflammatory, flatulence, fever, estrogenic
Nagadamni	Artemisia vulgaris	Artemisia vulgaris	Anthelminthic, expectorant
Nagbala	Grewia hirsute	Grewia hirsute	Diarrhea, wounds, heart disease, fever
Narikela	Cocos nucifera	Cocos nucifera	Fever, pharyngitis, skin disorders, alterative
Neem, Nimba	Azadirachta indica	Neem, Margosa, Indian lilac	Skin disease, antibacterial, antifungal, blood purifier, antipyretic, hepatoprotective, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antiemetic
Punarnava	Boerhavia diffusa	Indian hogweed	Diuretic, expectorant, laxative
Rakta Chandan	Pterocarpus santalinus	Red sandalwood	Skin tonic, liver disorders, fever
Sariva, Sugandhi	Hemidesmus indicus	Indian sarsaparilla	Alterative. Poor appetite, cough, skin problems
Sarpagandha	Rauwolfia serpentina	Rauwolfia, Indian snake root	Hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, colic
Satapushpi	Peucedanum graveolens	Peucedanum graveolens	Flatulence, colic, abscesses, digestive
Satupuspa	Foeniculum vulgare	Foeniculum vulgare	Cough, flatulence, dysmenorrhea, hookworm, edema
Shallaki	Boswellia serrata	Boswellia serrata	Antiarthritic, analgesic, anti inflammatory
Shankapushpi, Shankhahuli	Evolvulus alsinoides	Bindweed, Aloe weed	Anxiety, diarrhea, bronchitis, memory loss, fever, liver problems, skin diseases.
Shardunika Gurmar, Meshasringa	Gymnema sylvestre	Gymnema	Diuretic, astringent, hypoglycemic, refrigerant, stomachic
Shatavari	Asparagus racemosus	Wild asparagus	Galactogogic, antispasmodic, anti diarrhetic, demulcent.
Shati	Curcuma zedoaria	White turmeric	Cough, asthma, leukorrhea, tonsillitis.
Shleshmataka	Cordia myxa (obliqua)	Cordia myxa (obliqua)	Expectorant, colic, dyspepsia, ulcers, cough
Shunti, Ardraka	Zinginber officinale	Ginger	Stimulant, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, emmenagogue, antiemetic
Sigru, Shigru	Moringa oleifera	Horseradish, Drumstick	Antifungal, antiviral, flocculating agent, stimulant, abortifacient, source of vitamin C, colds, boils, fever, joint pain, gout
Sudarshan	Crinum deflexum (asiaticum)	Crinum deflexum (asiaticum)	Emetic, inflammatory conditions.
Talamulika	Curculigo orchiodes	Curculigo orchiodes	Hemmorrhoids, asthma, kidney stones, skin
Tulsi, Tulasi, Divya, Vishnu-priya	Ocimum sanctum	Holy basil	Demulcent, expectorant, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic, anthelminthic, nervine, tonic, diaphoretic, digestive stimulant, antiparasitic, antibacterial
Twak, Daru-sita, Dalchini	Cinnamomum zeylanicum	Cinnamon	Antispasmodic, carminative, aromatic, astringent, expectorant, stimulant, diaphoretic
Udumbara	Ficus racemosa	Ficus racemosa	Diarrhea, hemorrhoids, bleeding disorders, antiseptic
Uma	Linum usitatissimum	Linum usitatissimum	Cystitis, bronchitis, boils, expectorant, demulcent
Vacha, Ugragandha	Acorus calamus	Calamus, Sweet flag	Nervine, antispasmatic, sedative, stomachic, expectorant, emetic, laxative, diuretic
Vasaka, Vasa	Justicia adhatoda	Malabar nut	Bronchitis, asthma, jaundice, antispasmodic
Vidari, Vidarikand	Pueraria tuberosa	Vidarikanda	Cough, hoarseness, respiratory stimulant, tonic
Yashti madhu, Jethimadh	Glycyrrhiza glabra	Licorice root	Wounds, sore throat, colds, coughs, nervous exhaustion, liver, skin conditions,ulcers, cystitis, chronic fatigue.
Zupha	Hyssopus officinalis	Hyssop	Cough, asthma, bronchitis, amenorrhea