India’s creative healing systems are predominantly plant-based (although minerals have a role) and it is estimated that most households rely upon locally available plant material for their pharmacopeia. According to the World Health Organisation (who), between 35,000 and 70,000 plants have been used for medicinal purposes globally at one time or another — and in India today at least 20,000 species are found, 2,000 of which are efficacious in Ayurvedic formulations. Of these, about 600 are commonly used in oils (tailam), powders (choornam), internal medications, teas and tonics. We list some of the most important plants from the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia.
Lawsonia inermis Henna
Henna (mehndi) is commonly used as a dye and an anti-fungal. The leaves produce a red-orange dye molecule that has an affinity for bonding with protein, so has been used to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, silk and wool since the Bronze Ages. In India it is commonly used as a dye on hands, feet and hair, while henna essential oil is used as a scalp stimulator.
Centella asiatica Asiatic pennywort
Brahmi is a small herbaceous annual plant, the leaves of which are reported to be useful in abdominal disorders; a tea is made to help with dysentery in children. Scientific reports have documented its ability to aid wound healing, being particularly helpful with reduction of scarring, and
it is also used in the treatment of leprosy, epilepsy, cardiac debility and mor
Eclipta alba False daisy
Bhringaraja is an annual herb that is commonly used in the treatment of skin diseases and as an anti-inflammatory. It is also reported to be effective in blackening and strengthening the hair and is cooling on the head. It may also be taken as a tonic to help with liver and spleen enlargements.
Ocimum tenuiflorum Holy basil
Known as holy basil, tulsi is an important symbol in many Hindu religious traditions. It is mentioned in the Rigveda and the Charaka Samhita, and has been recognized by the rishis for thousands of years as a prime herb in Ayurvedic treatment. Tulsi extracts are used for common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, poisoning and malaria. Tulsi can be taken as an herbal tea, in dried powder form, fresh or mixed with ghee.
Adhatoda vasica Malabar nut
Also known as the Malabar nut tree, the vasaka shrub has leaves (see left) that are rich in vitamin C and carotene. Fresh or dried leaves are used to make a tea that is good for bronchial and asthmatic troubles. Powdered leaves are used on skin infections, and a preparation made from vasaka flowers is used to treat tuberculosis.
Chrysopogon zizanoides Vetiver
Native to India, vetiver is a Tamil name and old Tamil literature lists medicinal uses for the plant. Similar to other fragrant grasses such as lemongrass and citronella, Chrysopogon zizanoides is a perennial grass. The root has cooling and calming properties, so is effective in the treatment of burns, while oil of vetiver, known as the oil of tranquility, is a key ingredient in perfumes. Vetiver is antiseptic, sedative and stimulating also
Dashmool “Ten Roots”
Datura stramonium L. Thorn apple
The thorn apple or shivpriya grows in India as a wasteland weed. Ancient Hindu physicians regarded it as intoxicant, emetic, digestive and heating. The dried leaves, flowering tops and seeds are used in indigenous medicine in the treatment of asthma and bronchitis, while the whole plant is used as a muscle relaxant. The fruits, when crushed, are used in a paste form to reduce swelling and painEmblica officionalis Indian gooseberry
The Indian gooseberry or amla (overleaf) is a very important Ayurvedic fruit, used in the treatment of liver conditions, jaundice, anaemia and diabetes. It is an immune system booster and is high in vitamin C. Triphala, an Ayurvedic combination of amla, haritaki (Terminalis chebula) and vibhitika (Terminalis belerica) is used as a laxative and for headaches, biliousness, dyspepsia, constipation, piles and enlarged liver.
Coleus zeylanicus No English name
The coleus zeylanicus plant has anti-bacterial, deodorant and cooling properties, and is used in urinary infections and digestive problems. Known as ambu in Sanskrit and hribera in most other places in India, its flat silver leaves are used to reduce body temperature and fever.
Solanum xanthocarpum Poisonberry
This is one of the dashmool (ten roots) of Ayurveda and it is found in 50 percent of Ayurvedic preparations. It is a spiny diffuse herb that grows wild in India: The juice of the berries is used in sore throat. Roots and seeds are administered as an expectorant in cough, while the stem flowers and fruits are prescribed for relief in burning sensation in the feet. It is anervous system regulator, good for the liver and asthmatic conditions.
Maranta arundinacea L. Arrowroot
The creeping rhizome of the arrowroot is used to stop vomiting and it is good for the digestion. It helps relieve acidity, indigestion and colic and exerts a mildly laxative effect on the large bowel. When mixed with hot water, the root starch become gelatinous, so soothes irritated mucous membranes.
Azadirachta indica Nee
The fast-growing neem tree (see page 140) has many medicinal properties, as it is a known purifier and antiseptic. Conditions ranging from digestive disorders to diabetes and from high cholesterol to cancer may be helped with neem, while purifying neem twigs are a traditional tooth cleaner in India. All parts of the tree are used; neem also makes fine soaps, shampoos, balms and creams.
Coconut
Sida cordifolia No English name
The bala plant is associated with the Hindu Goddess of beauty and grace Parvati and it is part of the magical trio of herbs associated with women in Indian herbology (the other herbs that are recommended for beautifying women are ashoka and shatavari). Bala oil is recommended for all
disorders produced by the derangement of vata, and recently an Ayurvedic tailam (containing ashwagandha and bala root and Celastrus oils) was clinically proven to be effective for neuralgia in controlled studies in Germany.
Cocos nucifera Coconut
The name for the coconut palm in Sanskrit is kalpa vruksham translating as “the tree which provides all the necessities of life”. The term coconut refers to the nut (see above), which is widely used in Ayurveda both externally for its oil and internally as food. Charaka said that tender and half-mature coconuts increase the quantity and quality of all seven tissues and are vata pacifying, cooling and strengthening
Oxalis corniculata Yellow wood sorrel
An annual herb, yellow wood sorrel or puliyarila has diuretic and refrigerant properties. It is used to treat disorders of the liver and digestive problems. The leaf pulp is applied over insect bites and burns. It has antibacterial properties and is high in Vitamin
Eupatorium triplinervie No English name
Known as yapana, the leaves of this ground-covering shrub are used for digestive disorders, piles (as it has haemostatic properties), nervine disorders and asthma. It is also used to bring down fevers as it is antipyreti
Calycopteris floribunda No English name
Known as pullani or ukshi, this woody climber is used in Ayurvedic remedies for malaria, dysentery and snakebite. Its essential oil is supposed to be useful for depression as it has grounding properties
Elaeocarpus sphaericus No English name
This small tree is famous for supplying the ridged fruits that are dried and used as medicinal “beads” in rudraaksh or garlands worn to stave off evil or illness. The fruits are used in Ayurveda for mental diseases, epilepsy, asthma, hypertension, arthritis and liver diseases
Pandanus amaryllifolius Pand
The long leaves of the pandan or screwpine plant known as rumbha in south Asia are used as a flavoring in food, but are also known medicinally for aiding digestion. The leaves are also believed to contain an anti-viral protein that may be useful in the case of influent
Bacopa monnieri No English name
Known as bhrami (as are some other herbs) this creeping herb has antioxidant properties and has been used for centuries in cases of epilepsy. It is believed to boost the memory, increase concentration and reduce anxiety. It forms part of an Ayurvedic cure for inflammatory bowel syndrome.
Melastoma malabathricum L. Straits rhododend
A perennial shrub with bright purple flowers, this is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery and piles, and is also useful in uterine diseases.
Aloe barbadensis Aloe vera
Highly prized for the liquid contained in its thick, fleshy blades, aloe vera is revered for its cooling properties. It is used externally for skin rashes, sunburn, itchiness, scarring and psoriasis, as it is antibiotic and antiseptic in nature. It is also a purgative and anti-diabetic, so can be taken internally to aid the digestion.
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