Herbs Used in Ayurveda

Details

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 February 2025

Written by And-El

Introduction to Herbs Used in Ayurveda

Emerging from the ancient wisdom of India, Ayurveda, known as the "science of life," is a holistic healing tradition that's been around for over 5,000 years.

It seeks to harmonize the mind, body, and spirit using nature's gifts. As natural healthcare gains traction, more people are uncovering the profound health benefits of herbs central to this ancient practice. These herbs, meticulously chronicled in foundational texts such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, serve not only as remedies but as sacred companions in promoting wellness, longevity, and inner peace.

From Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), revered for its stress-reducing and energy-boosting qualities, to the widely acclaimed Turmeric (Curcuma longa), known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, Ayurvedic herbs connect ancient practices with today's wellness trends. Below, we translate these traditional uses into modern terms to make their benefits understandable to everyone.

Following this introduction, you'll encounter a concise list of herbs integral to Ayurveda, alongside their contemporary applications. Each herb aligns with Ayurveda's core principles, like balancing the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), and collaborates with the body’s natural wisdom. Modern science is now confirming what Ayurvedic scholars knew long ago, marrying tradition with scientific validation. Whether consumed in teas, powders, oils, or complex formulations like chyawanprash, these herbs are sparking a worldwide resurgence in natural healing.

Delve into the enduring legacy of Ayurvedic herbs—where ancient knowledge meets modern healing, and wellness starts with nature's gentle touch.

With the surge in popularity of natural healthcare, an increasing number of individuals are exploring the health benefits of herbs that are vital to the millennia-old healing system known as Ayurveda.

acorus_calamus

crocus_sativus

asparagus_racemosus

datura_metel

artemisia_absinthium

Latin Name	Sanskrit Name	Main Indications in Ayurveda
Acorus calamus	Vacha	nervine, antispasmatic, sedative, stomachic, expectorant, emetic, laxative, diuretic
Acacia catechu	Khadira	astringent, anti-inflammatory, used for skin diseases, blood purification
Adhatoda vasica	Vasaka	bronchitis, asthma, jaundice, antispasmodic
Aegle marmelos	Bel	digestive, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, diabetes
Andrographis paniculata	Kalmegh	liver disorders, fever, anti-inflammatory, antiviral
Alstonia scholaris	Saptaparni	asthma, bronchitis, skin diseases, digestive issues
Alpinia galanga	Rasna	anti-inflammatory, analgesic, used in arthritis, respiratory conditions
Apium graveolens	Ajmoda	digestive aid, anti-flatulent, diuretic, helps in kidney stones
Artemisia absinthium	Indhana	anthelminthic
Artemisia vulgaris	Nagadamni	anthelminthic, expectorant
Asparagus racemosus	Shatavari	galactogogic, antispasmodic, antidiarrhetic, demulcent
Ashwagandha root	Ashwagandha	adaptogen, stress relief, enhances immunity, improves vitality
Azadirachta indica	Neem, Arishta	skin disease, blood disease, antibacterial
Bacopa monnieri	Brahmi	nervine tonic, diuretic, sedative
Boerhaavia diffusa	Punarnava	diuretic, expectorant, laxative
Boswellia serrata	Shallaki	antiarthritic, analgesic, antiinflammatory
Buchanania lanzan	Piyala	skin disease, laxative
Butea monosperma	Palasa	diarrhea, flatulence, anthelminthic
Callicarpa macrophylla	Pringu	joint pain, skin disease, blood disease
Calotropis gigantea	Alarka	bronchitis, diarrhea, tonic
Cannabis indica	Bhanga	insomnia, cachexia, dysmenorrhea
Capiscum annum	Katuvira	rubefacient, stimulant, tonic
Carum carvi	Krishnajira	flatulence, stomachic
Carum copticum	Yamani, Ajowan	spastic bowel, flatulence, dyspepsia
Caesalpinia crista	Kantakari	analgesic, anti-inflammatory, respiratory issues
Cassia angustifolia	Markandika	constipation, liver disease, joint pain
Cassia fistula	Arghbada	ringworm, constipation, fever, antibacterial
Cedrus deodara	Devadaru	fever, diarrhea, urinary disorders
Centella asiatica	Mandukaparni	tonic, sedative, alterative, anxiolytic
Cichorium intybus	Kasni	emmenogogue, digestive
Cinnamomum camphora	Karpoor	diarrhea, nervousness, muscular pain, fever
Crocus sativus	Kumkuma	nervine sedative, emmenogogue, aphrodisiac
Cinnamomum zeylanicum	Twak	dyspepsia, flatulence, diarrhea, menorrhagia
Cissampelos pareira	Laghu Patha	spastic bowel, uterine prolapse, alterative
Clerodendrum indicum	Bharangi	respiratory conditions, skin disorders, fever
Clitoria ternatea	Aparajita	constipation, edema, anthelminthic, demulcent
Cocos nucifera	Narikela	fever, pharyngitis, skin disorders, alterative
Coleus aromaticus	Pashanbheda	kidney stones, conjunctivitis, spastic colon
Commiphora mukul	Guggulu	anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, thyroid conditions
Cordia myxa (obliqua)	Shleshmataka	expectorant, colic, dyspepsia, ulcers, cough
Coriandrum sativum	Dhanyaka	flatulence, colic, joint pain, antiseptic
Crinum deflexum (asiaticum)	Sudarshan	emetic, inflammatory conditions
Cuminum cyminum	Jeeraka	diarrhea, dyspepsia, antiseptic, hookworm
Curculigo orchiodes	Talamulika	hemorrhoids, asthma, kidney stones, skin
Curcuma longa	Haridra	arthritic pain, antiinflammatory, skin disease
Curcuma zedoaria	Shati	cough, asthma, leukorrhea, tonsillitis
Cynodon dactylon	Doorwa	diuretic, styptic, hematuria, hemorrhoids
Cyperus rotundus	Mustaka	antiinflammatory, flatulence, fever, estrogenic
Datura metel	Dattura	antispasmodic, joint pain, asthma, dysmenorrhea
Daucus carota	Garijara	blood purifier, nervine tonic, jaundice
Dolichos biflorus	Kulitha	edema, kidney stone, asthma, dysmenorrhea, tumors
Eclipta alba	Bhringaraj	hepatic deobstruent and tonic, alterative, emetic, purgative, antiseptic, antiviral
Elettaria cardamomum	Ela Chhoti	bronchitis, flatulence, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids
Emblica officinalis	Amalaki	cooling, laxative, stomachic, tonic, diuretic
Enicostemma littorale	Vayu-vidanga	diabetes, fever, skin disorders
Evolvulus alsinoides	Shankapushpi	anxiety, diarrhea, bronchitis, memory loss, fever
Ferula foetida	Hingu	flatulence, cough, constipation, palpitations, aphrodisiac
Ficus religiosa	Aswatha	ulcers, skin disease, diabetes, constipation
Ficus racemosa	Udumbara	diarrhea, hemorrhoids, bleeding disorders, antiseptic
Foeniculum vulgare	Satupuspa	cough, flatulence, dysmenorrhea, hookworm, edema
Fumaria parviflora	Parpata	liver disorders, skin diseases, fever
Glycyrrhiza glabra	Yashtimadhu	expectorant, anti-inflammatory, digestive issues, adrenal support
Gmelina arborea	Gambhari	general tonic, to increase strength, antiviral, indigestion
Grewia hirsuta	Nagbala	diarrhea, wounds, heart disease, fever
Gymnema sylvestre	Meshasringa	diuretic, astringent, hypoglycemic, refrigerant, stomachic
Hedychium spicatum	Kapur Kachri	anti-inflammatory, analgesic, used in respiratory conditions, skin diseases
Hemidesmus indicus	Sariva	excellent alterative, to increase appetite, cough, skin
Holarrhena antidysenterica	Kutaja	diarrhea, dysentery, amebiasis, anthelminthic
Hyoscyamus niger	Yavani	chronic dementia, hysteria, palpitations, asthma, sedative
Hyssopus officinalis	Zupha	cough, asthma, bronchitis, amenorrhea
Inula racemosa	Pushkarmool	heart conditions, respiratory issues, anti-inflammatory
Ipomoea digitata	Vidari	cough, hoarseness, respiratory stimulant, tonic
Justicia adhatoda	Vasaka	bronchitis, asthma, jaundice, antispasmodic
Linum usitatissimum	Uma	cystitis, bronchitis, boils, expectorant, demulcent
Luffa acutangula	Koshataki	splenomegaly, emetic, excellent for skin disease, expectorant
Madhuca longifolia	Madhuca	tonsillitis, cough, rheumatic joints, diabetes, appetizer
Michelia champaka	Champaka	gastritis, chronic arthritis, emmenagogue, diuretic, colic
Mimosa pudica	Lajjalu	menorrhagia, hemorrhoids, skin wounds, diarrhea
Mimusops elengi	Bakula	tonic, cardiotonic, urogenital disease, snakebite, skin sores
Momordica charantia	Karela	diabetes, digestive issues, skin conditions, fever
Morinda citrifolia	Ach	acne, eczema, hyperlipidemia, bronchitis, diarrhea
Moringa oleifera	Sigru	source of vitamin C, colds, boils, fever, joint pain, gout
Myrica nagi	Katphal	digestive, antibacterial, useful in respiratory conditions
Mucuna pruriens	Kapikachchha	nervine tonic, aphrodisiac, parkinsonism, hypercholesterolemia
Nardostachys jatamansi	Jatamansi	nervousness, anxiety, dysmenorrhea, insomnia, hair tonic
Nelumbo nucifera	Parijata	refrigerant, sedative, demulcent
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis	Parijata	liver diseases, constipation, anthelminthic, antihistaminic
Ocimum sanctum	Tulasi	demulcent, expectorant, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic, anthelminthic
Paederia foetida	Prasarini	rheumatic joint pain, edema, bladder stones, inflammation
Papaver somniferum	Ahiphenam	anxiety, diarrhea, aphrodisiac, sedative
Peucedanum graveolens	Satapushpi	flatulence, colic, abscesses, digestive
Phyllanthus fraternus	Bhumiamalaki	jaundice, liver disease, fever, genitourinary disease, edema
Phyllanthus emblica	Amalaki	cooling, laxative, stomachic, tonic, diuretic
Picrorhiza kurroa	Katuki	hepatitis, asthma, anorexia
Piper nigrum	Maricha	dyspepsia, cough, pharyngitis, headache, diarrhea
Pimpinella anisum	Shatapushpa	digestive, carminative, expectorant, used in colic
Pistacia integerrima	Karkatshringi	respiratory conditions, cough, asthma, expectorant
Plantago ovata	Isaphgol	constipation, colitis, irritable bowel, cystitis
Plumbago zeylanica	Chitraka	abortifacient, warts, rheumatic joint pain
Premna integrifolia	Agnimantha	flatulence, fever, arthritis, liver deobstruent
Prunus amygdalus	Badama	mental energy, general tonic esp. nerve & kidney, semen
Pterocarpus marsupium	Bijasal	diabetes, wounds, skin diseases, anti-inflammatory
Pterocarpus santalinus	Rakta Chandana	skin tonic, liver disorders, fever
Punica granatum	Dadima	anthelminthic (esp. tapeworm), diarrhea, dyspepsia
Randia dumetorum	Madana	fruit and rind are emetic, diaphoretic, and antispasmodic; bark is sedative and nervine calmative
Rauwolfia serpentina	Sarpagandha	hypertension, anxiety, insomnia, colic
Rubia cordifolia	Manjishtha	blood purification, skin disorders, anti-inflammatory
Sida cordifolia	Bala	strength, nervous disorders, rheumatism, respiratory issues
Smilax china	Madhusnuhi	skin diseases, gonorrhea, syphilis, diuretic
Swertia chirata	Kiratatikta	fever, malaria, diabetes, skin diseases
Syzygium cumini	Jamun	diabetes, digestive issues, antibacterial, tonic
Terminalia belerica	Bibhitaki	respiratory issues, constipation, eye disorders, astringent
Terminalia chebula	Haritaki	digestive, anti-aging, detoxifying, used in multiple conditions
Tinospora cordifolia	Guduchi	immunity booster, fever, diabetes, skin diseases
Trachyspermum ammi	Ajwain	digestive, carminative, respiratory issues, anti-inflammatory
Tribulus terrestris	Gokshura	urinary tract infections, kidney stones, aphrodisiac, diuretic
Trigonella foenum-graecum	Methi	diabetes, digestive aid, galactagogue, cholesterol management
Vitex negundo	Nirgundi	anti-inflammatory, analgesic, used in rheumatism, skin diseases
Withania somnifera	Ashwagandha	adaptogen, stress relief, enhances immunity, improves vitality
Zingiber officinale	Shunthi	digestive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-emetic

Herbs Used in Ayurveda

Conclusion: Embracing Ayurvedic Herbal Wisdom

The herbs listed here embody Ayurveda's timeless approach to health, offering solutions from stress relief to immunity boost. As science validates these ancient practices, we're reminded of healing's holistic nature. However, tread carefully—consult professionals and consider sustainability. This list is your gateway to exploring a legacy that promotes harmony between us and nature. Here's to thriving with nature's gifts.

The original article is copyrighted by the author listed above and is posted on CrystalWind.ca © 2010-2025. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or use of this content, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited without prior written permission. Discover the wisdom of CrystalWind.ca! Since 2008, we've been dedicated to awakening, enlightenment, and self-help to empower your spiritual journey. Dive in and grow with us—your next step awaits! #CrystalWind #SpiritualJourney