Few More Ayurvedic Herbs

Pippali

Latin Name
Piper longum

Sanskrit Name
Pippali

Hindi Name
Pippali

English Name
Long Pepper, Dried Catkins

Parts Used

Fruit. Indigenous to north-eastern and southern India and Sri Lanka. Cultivated throughout India, especially in Bengal.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Pippali is certainly one of the most widely used of all Ayurvedic herbs. It is one of the best herbs for enhancing digestion, assimilation and metabolism of the foods we eat. It is also highly prized for its ability to enhance assimilation and potency of herbs in a synergistic formula (this is called the Yogavahi effect). You will find it in most of our formulas because of these and other benefits.
• The Ayurvedic texts list Pippali as one of the most powerful Rasayana herbs, meaning it is a longevity enhancer. It also cleans the shrotas that transport nutrients and remove wastes, so it is considered important for purification. It balances two of the three laws of nature at work in the mind and body (Vata and Kapha). It also soothes the nerves to improve the quality of sleep at night.
• Pippali enhances all 13 of the metabolic processes (Agnis) that create the 7 categories of bodily tissues (Dhatus).
• Along with Black Pepper and Ginger, Pippali is part of the famous digestive formula known as Trikatu (Three Spices).

Lal Punarnava

Latin Name
Boerhavia diffusa

Sanskrit Name
Punarnava

Hindi Name
Lal Punarnava

English Name
Spreading Hogweed

Parts Used

Whole herb, root. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. Found throughout India, especially during the rainy season.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• The root of this plant is a powerful Rasayana (longevity enhancer). It is good for the kidneys, especially the nephron cells which are damaged by long-term hyperglycemia (diabetes). And it pacifies two of the main laws of physiology (Vata and Kapha).
• Punarnava enhances the quality of six of the seven categories of bodily tissues, including nutrient plasma (Rasa Dhatu), blood (Rakta Dhatu), muscle (Mamsa Dhatu), fat (Meda Dhatu), bone marrow and nerves (Majja Dhatu), and reproductive fluids (Shukra Dhatu).

Shankhini

Latin Name
Evolvolus alsinoides, Convolvolus pluricalis

Sanskrit Name
Shankapushpi

Hindi Name
Shankhini

English Name
Aloeweed

Parts Used

Entire plant, juice. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Shankapushpi is quoted in Charaka to be the single greatest herb for enhancing all three aspects of mind power -- learning (Dhi), memory (Driti), and recall (Smriti). Thus it is called the greatest Medhya Rasayana (that which enhances the mind). It helps the quality of sleep by improving mind-body coordination.
• It is also praised as the best herb for beauty, stating that it achieves the goal of beauty, which is auspiciousness in all parts of the body (Subhanga Karanam). It also helps to nourish all layers of the skin (Twachya effect). It enhances all three pillars of Ayurvedic beauty, known as outer beauty, inner beauty, and lasting beauty.
• Shankapushpi is very beneficial for the nervous system, enhancing the quality of bone marrow and nerve tissue (Majja Dhatu).

Combinations are Best

The ayurvedic physicians of Maharishi Ayurveda do not recommend the use of single herbs for self-care due to several important reasons.

One of the specialties of ayurveda is the science of herb combining that has been perfected over thousands of years of clinical practice. From this ayurvedic perspective, the study of herbs from scientific research which is based on single ingredient formulas is not very practical. This is because an herb can give a number of different effects depending on the other herbs it is combined with as well as a number of other factors such as dosage, how the herb was processed, etc. If one focuses just on the results of a study based on one ingredient, while it may be interesting, it does not give the full insight into the complete range of effects available from that particular herb.


Shatavari

Latin Name
Asparagus racemosus

Sanskrit Name
Shatavari

Hindi Name
Shatavari

English Name
Indian Asparagus, Hundred Roots

Parts Used

Roots and leaves. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. This climber growing in the low jungles is found all over India, especially northern India.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Shatavari is one of the most important of all herbs for female reproductive health, and it especially improves the quality and quantity of reproductive fluids in men and women (Shukra Dhatu). It is also used to improve the quality and quantity of mother's milk when breastfeeding. This herb is known to increase Sattwa, or positivity and healing power. It also enhances the feelings of spiritual love, and increases Ojas (that through which consciousness enters the physiology).
• Shatavari supports all the metabolic processes (Agnis) to create good quality in all seven categories of bodily tissues (Dhatus).
• Should be used with other herbs to avoid aggravation of any congestion.

Ayurvedic Herbs - Continue

Bhangra
Latin Name
Eclipta alba, Hassk

Sanskrit Name
Bhringaraj

Hindi Name
Bhangra

English Name
Not Available

Parts Used

Root and stems. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Bhringaraj has a Keshya effect, meaning that it directly nourishes and improves the hair.
• It is especially good for the liver, which is governed by the subcategory of Pitta called Ranjaka Pitta. Ranjaka literally translates as "that which colors", and explains the ability of Bhringaraj to balance and improve hair color from within.
• By improving liver function, Bhringaraj also helps to remove and prevent impurities (Ama) throughout the body.

Bhaira

Latin Name
Terminalia belerica

Sanskrit Name
Bibhitaki

Hindi Name
Bhaira

English Name
Beleric Myrobalan, Bedda Nut

Parts Used

Whole plant, roots, leaves, stalks. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Brahmi acts as a powerful brain food, and is known for its ability to enhance mind power (Medhya effect). It supports and improves all aspects of mental functioning, including comprehension (Dhi), memory (Dhriti) and recollection (Smriti). It is important because it also enhances the crucial coordination of these three aspects of mental functioning.
• Because it increases the ability to solve problems effectively, Brahmi is often used in formulas to help relieve and prevent stress.
• Brahmi can be processed in different ways, or with different herbs, to balance any of the three laws of the physiology (Vata, Pitta, Kapha).
• It is a very good overall tonic (Rasayana, or longevity-enhancer).
• Brahmi is used to prepare a number of important Ayurvedic preparations (Brahmighritam, Brahmirasayanam) which are given to those suffering from anxiety and emotional stress.

Note: Two main herbs go by the name of Brahmi in the ancient Ayurvedic texts. Some experts, such as Vaidya R. K. Mishra, feel that Herpestis Monniera is more authentic and is preferable for mental benefits except where urinary flow, purification, and immunomodulation is desired by the physician. The other herb that commonly goes by this name is more popularly known in the U.S. as Gotu-Kola, or Centella asiatica. When the texts specify Gotu-kola without the option of substitution, it is called Mandukaparni. So we always identify Brahmi as Herpestis Monniera in our herbal formulations.


Brambhi


Latin Name
Herpestis Monniera, Bacopa Monnieri

Sanskrit Name
Brahmi

Hindi Name
Brambhi

English Name
Thyme-leaved Gratiola (rarely used)

Parts Used

Fruit (contrary to one of its many names name, this is not a nut). Each plant and part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. This tree is found throughout the Indian forests and plains.

Traditional Ayurvedic Uses

• Bibhitaki primarily supports the healthy formation of three bodily tissues -- nutrient plasma (Rasa Dhatu), muscle (Mamsa Dhatu) and bone (Asthi Dhatu).
• It is most commonly seen along with Amalaki and Haritaki as an ingredient in the popular Ayurvedic formula known as Digest Tone , which aids digestion and nourishes all the bodily tissues (the Dhatus). Triphala also helps scrub the colon, and supports the action of other ingredients in any well-balanced formula.