Ayurvedic Herbs index and how they benefit medical conditions, by Ray Sahelian, M.D. -- Health benefit of Ayurvedic herbs
Ayurveda ("ayu" means life and "veda"
knowledge in Sanskrit) is an ancient Hindu system of holistic healing with
herbs, metals and minerals that are believed to have therapeutic benefits.
The following is a list of some of the herbs used in Ayurvedic Medicine.
I am in the early stages of learning about Ayurvedic herbs and this fascinating area of
complementary medicine.
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We will mention research updates on Ayurvedic Herbs as we come across them.
Here are a few common Ayurvedic herbs
and their active or standardized ingredients and extract potencies commonly
available:
Ajwan (Apium graveolens) also known as wild lettuce.
Amalaki - Emblica officinalis
- also known as Amla - found
in Triphala - tannins 20%.
See also
Amla extract Amalaki Indian gooseberry supplement.
Anantamool (Hemidesmus indicus)
also known as
Indian Sarsaparilla.
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna).
You can purchase
Arjuna herb here.
Ashoka - Saraca indica - tannins 15%
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
-- ashwagandha is present in Passion Rx sex enhancer
and Mind Power Rx for brain boosting. Ashwagandha is usually standardized for alkaloids 0.5, 1, 2 % and withanolides 1, 2.5, 4.5%.
Babul or Babool,
acacia nilotica - The bark, fruit and gum resin
of Babul are used in various Ayurvedic herbal preparations. Babul bark is used
in oral and dental hygiene products, burn injuries and in skin diseases.
Bala (Sida cordifolia)
used for bronchial asthma and nasal congestion
Banaba - Lagerstroemia
speciosa - corosolic acid 1, 2%
Bhringaraj or Bhringraj - Eclipta alba - wadelolactones 3%
Bhumiamla - (Plyllanthus amarus - bitters, 3.5, 10%
Bhumyamalaki - (Phyllanthus niruri)
Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) -- found in Triphala
Bilwa (Aegle marmelos)
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) --
bacopasides 20, 40%, saponins 20%. Found in Mind Power Rx,
for healthy brain function.
Chirayata (Swertia chirata)
Citrak or chitrakmool
is known by the botanical name
Plumbago zeylandica.
Clover protein concentrate - Trifolium alexandrianum - proteins 50%
Coleus Forskohlii
- forskholin 10, 20%
Datura (Datura metal)
Devadaru (Cedrus deodara)
Gokshura (Tribulis terrestris)
-- saponins 20, 40, 60%, protodioscin 5, 10%
Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
Guggul - Commiphora mukul -
total guggulsterones, 10, 14%, E and Z guggulsterones 2.5%
Hapusha (Juniperus communis)
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) -- found in Triphala - tannins
Isabgol (Plantago ovata)
Jatamansi - Nardostachys jatamansi - jatamansic acid 3, 5%
Kalmegh - Andrographis paniculata - andrographolides 10, 50%.
Kanchnar (Bauhinia variegata)
Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum)
Kapikachehha or Kaunch (Mucuna pruriens)
-- Levo Dopa standardized to 3, 10, 20%. Found in Mind Power Rx and Passion Rx.
Katela - Momordica charantia - bitters 3, 5, 10%
Kumari (Aloe barbadensis)
Kutaj (Holarrhena antidysenterica)
is an Ayurvedic herbs that has alkaloids
Kutaki or Kutki - Picrorhiza kurroa - bitters 7%, kutkin 5%
Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia)
Mandukaparni - Centella asiatica -
Gotu kola -- total
triterpenes asiaticosides
Meshasringi - Gurmar - (Gymnema sylvestre)
- gymnemic acids, 25, 70, 80%
Methi - Trigonella foenum-gracum - galactomanan 40%
Mulathi or Mulethi Glycyrrhiza glabra - Licorice
- glycyrrhizin 20%
Musta (Cyperus rotundus)
Neem - Azadiracta indica or azadirachta indica - bitters, 3, 5%
Nirgundi (Vitex negundo)
Noni - Morinda citrifolia -
alkaloids 0.5%
Pashanbheda (Bergenia ligulata)
Pippali (Piper longum)
Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa)
Safed musli - Chlorophytum borivilianum - saponins 20, 50, 65% may have
sexual enhancement
Salai Guggal - (Boswellia serrata) - boswellic acids, 50, 60. 70%
Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina)
Senna (Cassia angustifolia)
Shankhapushpi (Evolvulus alsinoides)
- also spelled Shankhpushpi
Shatavari herb - Asparagus racemosus
- saponins
Shikakai means "fruit for
hair" and is a traditional shampoo used in India. It is made from Acacia
concinna, a shrub native to central and south India.
Shilajit - Asphalt -
fulvic acid 1, 2%
Tagar - Valeriana wallichii - valeric acid 0.8%
Tamarind
Tejpatra (Cinnamomum tarnala)
Trifla - total tannins
Tulsi - Ocimum sanctum - Basil
- tannins 10%
Vacha is the name of
Acorus calamus, and is
often used for epilepsy, constipation, flatulence, colic, and rheumatic
swellings.
Is a bitter tonic.
Vasaka has the botanical
name Adhatoda vasica and comes in different extract strengths including 1
percent and 10 percent alkaloids.
Vidanga (Embelia ribes)
Vidari (Ipomoea digitata)
Vilayati imli - garcinia cambogia - hydroxycitric acid 50, 60, 70%
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See Herb for a full list of herbal topics
See
Chinese Herbs for a list of herbs used in Chinese Medicine.
See Amazon Herbs for a list
of herbs found in the Amazon rain forest.
Course in Ayurveda and Ayurvedic
Herbs
University of Arizona, Program in Integrative Medicine Introduces Ayurveda
Course - The Program in Integrative Medicine’s new online course is an
introduction to concepts and elements of the ancient traditional medicine of
Ayurveda. It includes interactive, case-based learning, graphic illustrations
and video clips exploring concepts unique to Ayurveda. Explore doshas, agni,
dhatus, srotamsi, Ayurvedic pharmacology, diet and lifestyle, plus evidence and
research regarding Ayurvedic botanicals and yoga.
Created in collaboration with Dr. Vasant Lad, founder and director of the
Ayurvedic Institute. Dr. Lad is the author of several books and is respected
throughout the world for his knowledge of Ayurveda. This course is intended to
introduce the basic theory and principles of Ayurvedic Medicine to
conventionally trained health care providers.
:
• Discuss Ayurveda’s concepts and treatment philosophy
• Understand Ayurvedic approaches to patient assessment and diagnosis
• Describe different treatment approaches in traditional Ayurvedic medicine,
including the benefi t of popular therapies (i.e., yoga, meditation, botanical
medicines) with your patients
• Identify effi cacy, effectiveness, and safety for traditional Ayurvedic
medicine
• Identify qualities and educational background of qualifi ed Ayurvedic
practitioners
Dr. Vasant Lad, Ayurvedic Physician, graduated with a Bachelor of Ayurvedic
Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S.) from the University of Pune, India, in 1968 and
received a Master of Ayurvedic Science (M.A.Sc.) in 1980 from Tilak Ayurved
Mahavidyalaya, also in Pune. Dr. Lad brings a wealth of classroom and practical
experience to the United States. A native of India, he served for three years as
Medical Director of the Ayurveda Hospital in Pune and was Professor of Clinical
Medicine at the Pune University College of Ayurvedic Medicine where he was an
instructor for more than a decade. Dr. Lad’s training includes the study of
allopathic medicine and surgery. He founded the Ayurvedic Institute in
Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1984 and currently is its Director and principal
instructor. Dr. Lad is the author of several books and is respected throughout
the world for his knowledge of Ayurveda.
Ayurveda means "the science of life". Ayur means "life"
and Veda means "knowledge or science". It is the oldest medical system in the
world. Its origins can be traced as far back as 5000 BC, to four ancient books
of knowledge, (the "Vedas") and it is still officially recognized by the
government of India.