Ayurveda known in modern times for herbalist approaches and holistic diagnosis and treatment, in its ancient textbooks has described tens of thousands of herbs and their various health promotive and disease curative properties. Some of these herbs described some four millennia ago, are arcane or mundane and may not be readily available, owing to these changing climatic, topological and geographical conditions Ayurveda texts also point out the alternatives to these herbs. The herb “Jivaka”, used in the formulation of famous Ayurveda drug “Chyavanprasha” is replaced with Ashwagandha, because of their matching properties. Similarly, Ayurveda texts have shown a tendency of growth and flourishing with the passage of time. With the introduction of newer diseases newer remedies were advised in the basic textbooks. The concept of Ama (Toxin) causing Vata (joint pain) lead to the description of Rheumatoid arthritis and it was followed by a plethora of treatment which aims at decreasing the toxin.
The herbal tradition of Ayurveda comes from the properties of herb and the properties that it exacerbates or reduces when it is introduced in the human system. Some of these herbs can be known as used exclusively as a treatment of minor ailments at home. The herbs presented here are for general information on Ayurveda and are not to be taken as a medical advice. If you have any symptoms please contact your doctor or an Ayurvedic doctor. Some of the Popular Ayurvedic Herbs are described below:
Turmeric or Curcuma (Curcuma longa) has been iterated and re-iterated as a new-age fad, but the qualities and potency of turmeric cannot be denied. Besides being used as a spice in traditional Nepalese cooking, it has long been used as a treatment to various ailments ranging from rheumatism to a sore throat, but the question still remains, how and what does Ayurveda use for? Traditionally Ayurveda used turmeric for respiratory ailments, skin disorders, wound healing, anemia and hemorrhoids. Research has primarily aimed at verifying the Ayurvedic sources and has been successful to a certain extent. The evidence comes from the 1997 unsuccessful attempt at patenting the herb.
The Indian Herbal Pharmacopeia describes the use of Turmeric as an anti-inflammatory and stomachic. The German Commission E prescribes turmeric in dyspeptic condition. Most of the potency of the herbs are in its rhizome. The rhizome is prepared by desiccating and grinding it into a fine powder. The use of Tumeric should be along with some fatty substances ranging from milk latte to your favorite P&J. As the BBC article “Could turmeric really boost your health?” mentions, using turmeric as supplements showed no benefit, but adding it to food and/or fat caused a decrease in expression of cancer genes.
The plant of aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis) for its therapeutic benefits has been used as herbal treatment for disorders of menstruation and skin disorders (applied in burns and scars). The fleshy leaf of aloe vera is pulped used fresh or dried in the sun if the motive is to use it internally. Uses ranging from aloe vera juices to face wash; ever-increasing demand of aloe vera as a beauty product and as an herbal supplement has justified this “age-old” treatment. The German Commission E advice the use in
occasional constipation; contraindicates aloe vera in intestinal obstruction, inflamed intestine, ulcerative colitis, and appendicitis. It increases colon secretion and peristaltic contractions. The Ayurveda pharmacopeia of India recommends use in painful menstruation and diseases of the liver. It also improves blood glucose reducing effects of Anti-diabetes medication. (Francis Brinker.)
Continuing the topics of the patent, European Patent Office granted patents for Neem (Azadirachta indica) in 1994. The patents were for the chemicals found in Neem that had anti-fungal abilities. The statement at hand provides us with kindred knowledge of two things, the first being that ancient Ayurveda physician was right about many things and the second we should return back to our roots in search of a holistic and plant-based therapeutic treatment. Classical Ayurveda texts point its usage in leprosy, eye problems, epistaxis, intestinal worms, anorexia, and biliousness. The oil of neem has been used as a mosquito repellant and intravaginal contraceptive. Widely available neem soaps can and has been used for various skin ailments.
The concept of Ayurveda is living in concordance with nature – this includes living according to “Prakriti”. So next time you have minor ailments try adding the herbal supplements to your daily lifestyle. These supplements not only heal but are rather complementary and promotive of body’s own rhythm, rate, and curative mechanisms. Ayurvedic medicine used in moderation is free of adverse effects and promotes healing.
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