ayurvedic medicine

Indian bedellium (E), Indian myrrh (E), Guggul (H):

Guggulu resin has a remarkable cholesterol controlling action. It is used in Ayurveda to literally scrape out toxic accumulations that aggravate va-ta and cause arthritis. It is a renowned yogava-h?-, meaning that it carries other substances with it deep into the tissues.

Cholesterol It reduces cholesterol (LDL) and prevents accumulation. It has a lekhana property that 'scrapes' deposits from the channels, joints and tissues. Guggulu is a specific herb for obesity and excessive weight; this works via its pungency, lekhaniya property and ability to enhance thyroid function. It stimulates medasdhatu- agni, which regulates fat metabolism. Arthritis Anti-inflammatory activity and detoxifying action. Very good in kapha/vata types of arthritis to reduce pain and swelling. Heart Ischaemic heart disease, angina, congestive heart failure; it increases blood flow, reduces blood clots and clears atherosclerosis. It regulates vyanavayu, moves avalambaka kapha and raktavahasrotas as well as scraping ama deposits from the channels. Gynaecology Used to clear endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome and clots. It reduces all accumulations and ama in the apanaksetra of the lower abdomen. It regulates the cycle and is a strong emmenagogue. Skin Guggulu can be used for skin inflammations. Clinical trials have proven efficacy in acne as opposed to antibiotic treatment (Thappa & Dogra 1994). It is used in stubborn skin lesions that are chronic, 'stuck', and resistant to other treatment. It also benefits general inflammations of the mucous membranes throughout the body, mouth ulcers and lung infections. It helps to regenerate tissue granulation and enhance healing; clears tumours, dead tissue and reduces lipomas. Infections Its ability to increase the white blood cell count helps to clear infections, reduce sore throat and promote the immune response. Bones As a resin guggulu correlates to rakta dhatu (the blood tissue); this is responsible for healing deep-seated wounds and is traditionally used for healing fractures and nourishing majja dhatu (Bhavaprakas´a. See Frawley & Lad 1994 for a useful correlation between the tissues and plant parts. Rasa = leaf juice, Rakta = resin and sap, Mamsa = softwood, Medas = gum and hard sap, Asthi = bark, Majja = leaf, ´Sukra = flowers and fruits). Cancer Used to treat all growths, accumulations and cancers (granthi).

Periploca of the wood (E), Gurmar (H):

Eating the fresh leaves numbs the taste buds to the sense of sweet or bitter; hence the name means 'sweet destroyer' (madhu-vinas´hi, gur-mar). A fantastic herb for balancing blood sugar levels.

Diabetes Specific herb to increase insulin production in pancreas. By acting directly on rakta dhatu it helps to regulate blood glucose levels and enhance glucose tolerance. It also helps to address the weakness in the medas-dhatu and normalise metabolism in this tissue responsible for digesting sweet, unctuous and heavy substances. Best used in combination with other herbs to address the wide spectrum of symptoms caused by diabetes. It particularly benefits mutravahasrotas by reducing the need for urinary output. It can be used for both types 1 and 2 diabetes. Digestion Gurmar regulates the craving for sweet food and helps to reduce an excessive appetite (Brala & Hagen 1983). It is potentially useful as part of a weight loss programme when a few drops are taken every three hours.

Chebulic myrobalan (E), Harde (H), Hara (E):

Haritaki is described as the 'remover of diseases'. Hara is also the name of Lord Shiva, thus reflecting the sacred nature and exalted position of the plant but it literally means 'green' like the fruit. It is also 'abhaya- ' or 'fearless' of any disease. It is said to have originated when a drop of immortal nectar (amr. ta) fell from heaven to earth. It is considered to be the best herb for the digestive system and lungs.

Digestion Its sennosides treat constipation and the tannins treat diarrhoea; use a high dose (6g) for the former and low dose (2g) for the latter. It is salutary in digestive upset or dysentery caused by parasites or infection , inflammation of mucous membranes, flatulence and borborygmus. It increases the digestive fire and clears undigested residues (ama). As it descends apana vayu it treats the root cause of hiccups and piles. Haritaki's astringency and mucous membrane healing effects can benefit prolapse, ulcers, intestinal permeability and 'leaky gut syndrome'. Cholesterol It reduces lipid deposits in the blood and liver. Use with honey to help reduce cholesterol. Lungs Wet, kapha-type coughs are cleared. Haritaki astringes all leakages from the body. It sends accumulated vata downwards and helps to clear wheezing, weak voice and asthma. Eyes Used in all sorts of eye disorders: inflammation, conjunctivitis. Use as a wash. Mucous membranes Gargle in sore throat. Swill for stomatitis, gingivitis and periodontal disease; with cold water this encourages its astringent nature.

Hemp seed (E), Bhang ke beej (H):

The seeds of this infamous plant make a superb demulcent laxative. They also have a perfect balance of omega-3, -6 and -9 essential fatty acids, pointing to its use as an antiinflammatory, nervous restorative, and cardiac tonic. Vijaya- means 'victorious' as it is victorious over so many diseases.

Digestion Constipation; vata-type constipation with dryness, wind and hard-to-pass stool. May also benefit ulcers and inflamed mucous membranes. The whole seeds are best for treating this dry type of constipation. Skin As an oil, hemp seed can reduce inflammation in eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Heart Used as an oil it reduces LDL cholesterol levels and fatty deposits and blood coagulation. Diabetes It reduces numbness and tingling. Inflammations Arthritis, Crohn's disease, PMS.

Asafoetida (E), Devil's dung (E), Hingu (H):

Hingu is a very calming herb used to treat spasmodic pain. It first stimulates but then, like most stimulants, causes a burning out and dullness of the mind. It is a very useful, pungently aromatic, antispasmodic and carminative herb.

Digestion Its sharp, hot and unctuous property helps to clear high vata in the digestive tract, treating bloating, flatulence, colic and undigested food in the stool; it moves samana vayu and draws apana vayu down. Hingu is useful for addressing flora imbalance, especially Candida albicans and worms. Its hot quality strengthens agni but can easily aggravate pitta. Nerves An excellent antispasmodic in cough, asthma, cramps and intestinal spasm. It prevents apana vayu from reversing its flow upwards and sends it down. It is of benefit in high vata conditions such as paralysis, sciatica and epilepsy as it nourishes majja dhatu. Useful for stagnation in the nervous system due to exhaustion or blockages. Heart Its stimulating properties can help to clear cardiac pain and other vata disorders caused by obstructed vyana vayu. Gynaecology It immediately enters artava srotas via rasa dhatu and has a powerful influence on menstruation. It can specifically clear leucorrhoea with a kapha pathology. It has a beneficial effect on ovulation and menstruation as it warms the uterus and prevents spasms. Reproduction As a hot and stimulating herb it can be used for cold and sluggish conditions such as low libido and impotence. It can also benefit infertility when there is a congested uterus from excess kapha.

Jasmine (E):

Jasmine flowers are very useful to help balance emotional disturbance and to alleviate anxiety. Considered to be a very sattvic flower, it opens the heart cakra and bestows a feeling of love upon the lucky imbiber.

Nerves Calms an irritated and 'hot' nervous system. Good for stress, 'burn out', insomnia and depression. It is best for pitta or kapha types of depression, tension or nervousness as its lightness can increase vata if used in excess. Gynaecology Jasmine has an affinity for rakta dhatu and it moves blood in the uterus; it is beneficial premenstrually for impending cramps and reducing clots. It circulates prana and apana vayu in the lower abdomen. Its bitterness and astringency are useful at treating excessive menstrual bleeding. It has a nourishing effect on ´sukra dhatu and is an effective aphrodisiac. Liver Its cooling, antibilious nature helps to regulate ran˜jaka pitta and heal the liver in hepatitis and cirrhosis. Blood Jasmine helps to reduce skin and mucous membrane inflammations in high pitta kapha imbalances via its blood cooling effect on rakta dhatu and bhrajaka pitta. External Washing the eyes with a cold infusion can relieve burning and irritation. The oil is good for the ears and hearing.

Indian spikenard (E):

Jatamamsi means 'whose flesh is like a dreadlock'; it is known as jatamamsi because its roots resemble the matted hair of the Himalayan ascetics. It has a superb rejuvenating effect on the mind. It is a sought-after nervous relaxant and antispasmodic.

Nerves Hysteria, nervousness, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease and insomnia. It cools and nourishes a 'hot' and 'exhausted' nervous system; clears pitta, calms vata, reduces kapha. By virtue of its benefiting majja dhatu-agni it enhances the intellect and induces mental clarity. Its 'penetrating quality' is useful in clearing headaches and 'muzzy' head syndrome. Heart Palpitations, angina, essential hypertension . When vata pushes pitta it causes it to rush in the channels and this is especially aggravating to the sites pitta can influence, hence the connection between the heart, the blood and pitta, causing palpitations. Digestion Digestive cramps, borborygmus, flatulence, bloating and vata constipation with dry, hard and gaseous stool. It relaxes the bowel and encourages peristalsis inhibited by tension. Its aromatic nature 'dries' ama and kapha and helps to circulate samana vayu. Gynaecology Jatamamsi's penetrating and warm quality is useful in dysmenorrhoea with dragging pain, ovarian discomfort, lower abdominal distension and pain. Lungs Helpful in spasmodic cough, asthma, whooping cough; high vata–kapha lung problems. Hair It has a special use for promoting hair growth, preventing hair loss and greying hair. Skin It is highly valued for skin disorders with a nervous component. It acts on rakta dhatu and via the nervous system, especially beneficial in itching and burning sensations.

King of bitters (E), Andrographis (E):

Kalamegha literally means 'black cloud' perhaps attesting to its harvest time just before winter. Also known as bhunimba meaning 'Neem of the earth' referring to its bitter neem-like taste and effects. Kalamegha is a very bitter tasting herb with a renowned immunestimulating effect. It is used to treat infections, fevers and septic conditions of the blood.

Immunity Lowered immunity in acute and chronic infections. Kalamegha is an immune stimulant rather than solely being antibacterial and has a proven use in treating influenza, upper respiratory tract infections, sore throat, parasite infestation in the GIT and also for urinary infections (Bone 1996, WHO monograph 1999). These recommendations include treating the common cold, high fevers, malaria, coughs, sinusitis, mouth ulcers, herpes zoster, HIV, otitis media, vaginitis and cystitis. It treats sannipata jvara, a type of fever involving all three dosa. Liver It increases bile flow and offers liver protection. Its bitter and cooling qualities clear liver infections and inflammation, as kalamegha is a specific for pitta in the blood and an aggravated ran˜jaka pitta. As it has very effective hepatoprotective as well as antiviral activity it should be considered in hepatitis and all forms of sluggish liver where there is a reduced ability to digest fats or alcohol. Digestion It is historically used in bacillary dysentery and enteritis. The bitterness is useful for ulcers as well as removing parasites and intestinal infections with protozoal, fungal or bacterial infestations. Especially useful where pacaka pitta is aggravated causing colitis, sensations of burning in the abdomen and diarrhoea from high pitta. Combine with warming aromatic herbs such as cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and cinnamon (Cinnamonum zeylanicum) to prevent aggravation of vata and stimulate the appetite and reduce mucus. Lungs Useful in respiratory infections with high pitta with green mucus, thirst and fevers. Its bitter, light, dry and penetrating properties help to cut through thick phlegm from high kapha.

Mountain ebony (E), Kan˜chanara (H):

The skin of the bark of kanchanara is specifically used for treating glandular swellings especially in the lymphatic system. It is commonly used in gynaecological conditions caused by uterine congestion.

Gynaecology It is especially useful for congestion and accumulations in the pelvic cavity; fibroids, endometriosis and cysts. The dry, light and astringent properties all help to reduce kapha. It is effectively used to treat menorrhagia and leucorrhoea. Tumours Kanchanara's ability to remove accumulations in the lymphatic system indicates its use in all forms of swellings, lumps and growths; it specifically treats gandamala (cervical adenitis), apachi (chronic swollen glands) and granthi (lit. 'knot' meaning any abnormal growth). Palpable and impalpable masses are reduced. It directly reduces medas dhatu and kapha and so treats the root cause of swellings and growths and is commonly used to treat cancer and lymphadenitis. Digestion Its astringent quality works directly on purisavahasrotas and treats diarrhoea and dysentery. It has the ability to reverse prolapses and haemorrhoids. Blood Its haemostatic qualities help to stop bleeding throughout the body. It treats all forms of rakta pitta bleeding disorders from high pitta causing blood to move out of its correct channel. Lungs Its mild expectorant action coupled with its dry quality reduces avalambaka kapha in the lungs. A gargle of the decoction is useful for treating sore throats. Skin Kanchanara clears swollen, oozing and inflamed skin conditions as it is cooling and drying. It is an effective alterative and anti-inflammatory. Bones It has a direct affinity for strengthening ashti dathu and is used to treat osteoporosis (asthikas´aya).

Cowhage (E), Kapikacchu (H):

This broad-bean-sized seed is a superb restorative to the reproductive system. Like many seeds it has the ability to potentiate the reproductive tissue as well as the nervous system. It is also used to treat tremors and spasms. The surface of the seed-pods is 'velvety' like a monkey's skin. It is also an allergenic which causes an itch, hence the name 'one who scratches like a monkey'. A - tmagupta- means 'secret self' referring to its therapeutic seed concealed within the irritating bean pod.

Reproduction Kapikacchu is a tonic to the whole ´sukra dhatu system treating low libido, infertility, impotence, spermatorrhoea, premature ejaculation. It is considered to be one of the ultimate Ayurvedic reproductive tonics for both men and women. Nerves As it contains L-dopa, an essential precursor of dopamine, it is a specific remedy for Parkinson's disease (noted for the severe loss of dopamine from the basal ganglia). Its overall influence on the nervous system indicates its use in paralysis, spasms, twitching and cramps treating all vata disorders in majja dhatu. Digestion Its digestive and antispasmodic function can help alleviate intestinal spasms, pain and gas. Its sara or flowing quality can help with constipation.