List of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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.

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:

Fresh juice of herbs

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 special butter

Asav/Arista/Sura : a kind of light wine obtained after fermentation of herbs

Arka : A distillation of herbs

Rasausadhi/Kharliya Rasayan : Herbs mixed with metals, minerals and animal kingdom ingredients

Bhasma : Ashes

Parpaty : combinations of Metals , Minerals, Animal Kingdom 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	Therapeutic Use (According to Ayurveda)
Acacia concinna	Acacia	Shikakai	useful in billious affections, Jaundice, malarial fever, prevtive to Flatulence, mild Laxative
Acacia nilotica	Indian Gum Arabic Tree	Babool	demulcent, astringent, gonorrhoea, Leucorrhoea, styptic, diarrhoea, dysentry, Diabetes,
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.
Adhatoda vasica	Malabar Nut	Vasaka	For comfort from bronchitis, whooping cough & bronchial asthma. To support lung functions. Has immune system-boosting properties.
Aegle marmelos	Bael Tree	Bael	For intestinal problems such as amoebic dysentery & diarrhea. Is digestive, anthelmintic, & anti-inflammatory, useful in Irritable Bowel syndromes and Inflammatory condition of Bowels
Allium sativum	Garlic	Lasuna	To control excess conversion of lipids & cholesterol
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 infants disorders diarrhoa, colic, vomiting etc.
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
Asparagus racemosus	Asparagus	Shatavari	To nourish the female reproductive system, promote lactation
Azadirachta indica	Neem	Neem	for skin disorders. Has blood purifying & immune-boosting properties. as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal agent.
Bacopa monnieri	Bacopa	Brahmi	for improving alertness. as an anti-anxiety agent.
Balsamodendron mukul	Indian Bdellium Tree	Guggulu	anti-spasmodic, emmenagogue, stimulent, tonic, alterative demulcent, useful in Rheumatism, nervous diseases, glands and scrofulous diseases, blood purifier, useful in chronic wounds which not heals easily
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
Betula utilis	Himalayan Birch	Bhurjapatra	in ear disorders, bile disorders, anomalies of blood, psychological disorders, anti-obesity, anti-toxin.
Boerhaavia diffusa	Boerhaavia	Punarnava	for efficient kidney & urinary functions. in urinary tract infections.
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,
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, Eructations, Acidity and acidic eructations, ROOTS: Very strong purgative, should not be used alone
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 asthama,
Citrus grandis	Pomelo	Mahanimbu	Vata-kaphha nashak, mild laxative, digestive, appetiser, loss of appetite, abdominal colic, worms, vomiting, nausea
Citrus limon	Lemon	Nimbaka	use as food, increased taste, increased hunger, digestive, help to pass abdominal wind, flatus
Citrus medica	Citron	Bijapura	useful in heart disorders, abdominal colic, Gulm, vomiting, nausea, indigestion, heamorrhoids
Cucumis sativus	Cucumber	Trapusha	Diuretic, useful in heamatamesis, heamorrhages, bleeding, cold in nature, as a food to renal stone patient
Cuminum cyminum	Cumin	Shvetajiraka	SEEDS: smell increasing the taste of food, increased taste, appetiser, Cholegague, useful in abdominal colic, flatulence, wind formation, offensive flatus, vermifugal, dysentry, diarrhoea, Gulma, indigestion, inflammatory condtion of bowels, renal calculus, gonorrhoea, obstruction of urine, nausea, vomiting etc.
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, asthama, 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, wroms, asthama, 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
Embelia ribes	False Black Pepper	Vidanga	FRUITS:carminative, anthelmintic, stimulent, alterative, anti-dyspeptic, anti-flatulent, skin diseases, rheumatisma, diuretic, laxative, purgative
Eucalyptus globulus	Eucalyptus	Nilgiri Taila	EXTERNAL:deodorent, 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
Ficus bengalensis	Banyan tree	Vata	Kaphha pitta shamak, ,nausea, diarrhoea, bloody dysentery, heamorrhages, bleeding, dysentery, anomaly of blood, bleeding from all orifices, discoloration of skin, bloody leucorrhoea, leucorrhoea, white discharges feom vagina, help in pregnency, anomaly of urine, Prameha, ueful for childless women, increased fertility of women
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
Gaultheria fragrantissima	Indian Wintergreen	Gandapura	OIL:cures Vata, pain, stimulent, 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
Hippophae rhamnoides	Seabuckthorn		BHASAM [Ashes]: used in respiratory disorders, hiccough, asthama, 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
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
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,
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
Mimosa pudica	Sensitive plant	Lajjalu	for gynaecological disorders, skin disorders, bleeding piles, amoebic dysentry, diarrhea.
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,
Melaleuca leucadendra	Tea Tree	Kayaputi	useful in Hyperpyerexia, gout, uric acid, diarrhoea, skin disorders, bronchitis, cough, dermatitis, joints pain, muscular pain,
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,heamorrhagic tendency,faintness,burning sensation,healing wound
Mentha arvensis	Mint	Putiha
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
Nardostachys jatamansi	Musk	Jatamansi
Pinus roxburghii	Chir Pine	Shrivasa
Piper longum	Indian Long Pepper	Pippali
Prunus amygdalus	Almond	Vatadha
Punica granatum	Pomegranate	Dadima
Pyrus malus	Apple	Seva
Rosmarinus officinalis	Rosemary
Salmalia malabarica	Silk Cotton Tree	Shalmali
Santalum album	Sandalwood	Chandana
Sapindus mukorossi	Soapnut Tree	Arishta
Sesamum indicum	Sesame	Til
Sesbania sesban	Egyptian Rattle Pod	Jayanti
Shorea robusta	Sal Tree	Shala
Solanum lycopersicum	Tomato
Trigonella foenum-graecum	Fenugreek	Medhika
Triticum sativum	Common Wheat	Godhuma
Vetiveria zizanioides	Poppy	Ushira
Vitex negundo	Five-leaved Chaste Tree	Nirgundi
Vitis vinifera	Grape	Draksha
Wrightia tinctoria	Sweet Indrajao	Hyamaraka
Xanthoxylum alatum	Toothache Tree	Tumburu
Zinziber officinale	Ginger	Sunthi	in digestive disorders like low appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting & motion sickness.
	Alum	Saurashtri	INTERNAL:Bloody dysentery, Dysentery, worms, Remmitent 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
	Conch Shell	Shankha	BHASAM [Ashes]: Loss of appetite, indigestion, peptic ulcers, dueodenal ulcers, hyperacidity, bronchitis, hepatospleenomegaly, Gulm, Asthama, cough, respiratory disorders
	Sodium carbonate	Svarjikshara	INTERNAL:useful in constipation, Diuretic, Gulmanashak, Colic, pain abdominal, wroms intestinal, flatulence, eructations, abdominal winds, tympenitis, Irritable bowel syndromes EXTERNAL:promotes suppuration of boils, burns, pimples, leucoderma, white patches of skin
	Sodium Bicarbonate	Tankana	First purify according of Ayurveda directions: Increased digestive fire, Kaphha nashak, antitoxic, cough, bronchitis, asthama, 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.
	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, Asthama, Bronchitis, Otorrhoea, Dry cough, Tuberculosis, exhaustive disease conditions, aphthea, stomatitis etc.
	Natural Zinc	Yashad Bhasma	BHASAM [Ash]: used in Ophthalmic disorders, Night Blindness, Kaphha-pitta disorders, Jaundice, Liver disorders, hepatitis, Anomalies of Urine, Diebetes, Asthama, Cysts, Glands, Diarhoea, Mucous Colitis, Dhatu Kshaya, Tuberculosis, Bacillary Dysentry, Gonorrhoea, Impotency, Improves digestion, beneficial in Vomiting and nausea
Botanical (Latin) Name	Common (English) Name	Sanskrit Name	Therapeutic Use (According to Ayurveda)