Introduction
Herbs act in almost magical and astonishing ways – spasms may relax, pains vanish, constipation, overcome, nervousness recede, headaches disappear, colds be banished, allergies counteracted, fevers controlled, blood flow arrested, the magic is endless.
In ancient times, man used plants and herbs to heal and restore good health. Even as medical science has progressed, methods and ideas based on herbal health have sustained and grown in different countries, across different cultures, often being used in the same way.
Today, traditional herbs are used in different ‘modern’ herbs, Ashwagandha, and bitter chamomile is the great examples. The results of herbal medicines are slow but effective and they don’t have any side effects if they take in the prescribed manner.
In this post, I have covered most of the herbs which are used in common health ailments, there are home remedies that you can make at home.
Here is the list of herbs with their botanical names, uses benefits, and side effects.
Mimosa Pudica Herb / Lajwanti
Mimosa Pudica , Hindi name is Lajwanti, and some common names are touching me not, sensitive plant, humble plant, shame plant, lajjlu, lajju. It is a flowering plant and is mainly found in South America and India.
Health Benefits
It is tikta (bitter) and kashaya rasa (astringent) in taste and has cold potency. It helps to balance Kapha, and pitta doshas. The plant has possessed antinociceptive, antiandrogenic, antidiabetic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, anticonvulsant, and antioxidant, properties.
Uses with Instructions
For Physical Weakness: Take 2 grams of Mimosa pudica seed powder with Lukewarm milk at night before sleep. This reduces your physical weakness.
To increase Sperm Count: Take 5 grams of each powder mimosa pudica seed powder and rock sugar powder and mix it well. Take this powder with lukewarm water twice a day.
For Jaundice: Make a 5ml juice of Mimosa pudica with water and give it to the patient.
Side Effects of Mimosa Pudica Herb
It is best to avoid constipation and scanty periods, also seek your doctor's advice if you are on allopathic medicines. Not recommended for pregnant women or breastfeeding women.
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Terminalia Arjuna Bark
Arjuna bark botanical name is Terminalia Arjuna and in Ayurveda, it is Arjun ki Chaal, some common names are Arjun, arjuna, arjan, indradru, partha, and white marudah, it is mainly found in India.
Health Benefits
The bark has anti-ischemic, antioxidant, blood pressure-lowering, antiplatelet, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, urinary astringent, and expectorant properties and balances Kapha and Pitta doshas. The Arjuna bark has rich in nutrients and minerals like magnesium, calcium, zinc, and copper.
Uses with Instructions
For Pimples:
Mix arjuna bark powder & fuller earth mix with milk and make a paste. Apply on your face. It helps to reduce pimples (Acne).
For Black Spot:
Take Arjuna bark powder & manjistha herb powder mix it with honey and apply it over the face. It helps to reduce black spots.
For Fracture:
Take arjuna bark powder and make a paste with water and apply it over the fractured area. It has early healing properties.
Side Effects of Terminalia Arjuna Bark
- Not recommended for pregnant women and breastfeeding women.
- If you are on any blood thinner medicine, consult the doctor before starting Arjuna
- If you are on blood pressure or diabetes medicine, consult your doctor starting.
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Indian Gooseberry / Amla
Indian Gooseberry botanical name is Phyllanthus Emblica and its other common name are amla, emblic, emblic myrobalan, myrobalan, Malacca tree, Amalaki. Phyllanthus Emblica or Amla.
Health Benefits
It has high nutritional value, it is a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin B1 and B2minerals, and amino acids, you can say it is an important dietary source of vitamin C, and it is a king of citrusy and vitamin C fruits. The taste of the Amla is bitter, sour, and astringent, it is a juicy fruit, full of fibers.
Uses with Instructions
For Digestion and Constipation
Take 25 grams each carrot, beetroot, tomato, spinach, orange, and Indian gooseberry 3 pcs. Chop them all into small pieces. Take a blender and put all the vegetables in the blender with ½ tsp of black salt or sea salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Blend them all and sieve the juice in a glass, add 1 tsp honey or sugar if you prefer. Drink the freshly made juice after lunch or dinner, do not refrigerate, or keep the juice for a long time.
For Strong & Long Hair:
Take an iron wok, add 1 tbsp each powder, Amla, Reetha, Shikakai, Brahmi, Fenugreek Seeds, Mustard oil, Yogurt. Mix all of them and make a fine paste. Leave it overnight, and apply it to clean hair on the scalp, roots, and tips. Wash after half an hour with normal water.
Side Effects of Indian Gooseberry / Amla
- Excessive use of Indian Gooseberry / Amla can cause acidity and gas problems.
- Do not take Indian Gooseberry / Amla if you are suffering from Leukoderma.
- Do not take Indian Gooseberry / Amla juice or powder on empty stomach it may cause gastritis.
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Rauvolfia Serpentina / Sarpagandha
Sarpgandha botanical name is Rauvolfia Serpentina, its other common names are Indian snakeroot, devil pepper, or serpentine wood. Sarpagandha is a well-known herb in Ayurveda science for its amazing effect.
Health Benefits
It balances Vata and Kapha doshas. It is highly beneficial in detoxifying the poison of snakes, spiders, and Scorpios, it is also helpful in high fever and worm infestation.
Uses with Instructions
For High blood pressure
The root powder of Sarpgandha / Rauvolfia Serpentina is beneficial in hypertension, it was reported that sarpgandha lowers the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
It is helpful to relax the blood vessels and regulate nerve function in the muscles which leads to the heart. It is found to be effective in lower down blood pressure.
For Insomnia
Insomnia is a sleep disorder disease, in which a person is trying to sleep but is unable even if they have sufficient time. According to Ayurveda disturbance of Vata dosha, disrupts the nervous system which leads to Insomnia.
Sarpgandha root powder contains alkaloids and holds a strong sedative that influences an agitated brain. It lowers mental stress, anxiety, and tension, calm the nervous system, and promotes restful sleep.
Side Effects of Rauvolfia Serpentina / Sarpagandha
- If the Indian snakeroot is not used in the prescribed dosage, then it may cause nausea, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, nasal congestion, skin rashes, and drowsiness.
- It is not safe for pregnant ladies, and breastfeeding women.
- It is not safe to take sarpgandha in gallstone condition, it may worst the situation.
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Mucuna Pruriens / Kaunch Beej
Kaunch beej botanical name is Mucuna Pruriens, its other common names are monkey tamarind, velvet bean, Bengal velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, and Mauritius velvet bean.
Health Benefits
Kaunch beej has antioxidants, aphrodisiac, and anti-inflammatory properties and balances all three doshas (Kapha, Pitta, Vata). It is beneficial for immunity, strength, male infertility, and sexual desire.
Uses with Instructions
- You can use dry seed powder which is readily available in the market, or you can grind the seed at home with the help of a mortar and pestle.
- Some medical preparations are also available in the market, you can also try that.
- Seed powder decoction with milk or water can be used.
Side Effects of Mucuna Pruriens / Kaunch Beej
- Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Do not take without consulting your doctor if you are on health supplements.
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Boerhavia Diffusa / Punarnava
Punarnava botanical name is Boerhavia Diffusa, some common names are punarnava, red spiderling, spreading hogweed, or tarvine, it is mainly found in many parts of India.
Health Benefits
Punarnava has antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, anticonvulsant, analgesic, laxative, antibacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-spasmodic properties.
Uses with Instructions
For Digestion
Punarnava is a very well herbal remedy for digestion and inflammation, it helps to treat constipation and irritable bowel syndrome, and it helps in the secretion of digestive juices which increase the absorption of essential nutrients and enhance the digestion process.
For Diabetes
Punarnava is extremely beneficial to maintaining blood sugar levels and controlling diabetes, it has the capacity to rejuvenate pancreatic beta-cells and decrease blood glucose, and a significant increase in plasma insulin levels.
It is also beneficial to reduce the breakdown of starch into glucose which in turn prevents the sudden spike in blood sugar.
Side Effects of Boerhavia Diffusa / Punarnava
- Boerhavia Diffusa can increase blood pressure, if you are on medication for high blood pressure, consult first.
- If you have any ethanol-related allergies, it is not advisable to take Boerhavia Diffusa.
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Terminalia Chebula / Harad
Harad botanical name is Terminalia Chebula, some common names are chebulic myrobalan, myrobalan, haritaki, and harad. It is mainly found in India, Nepal, China, and south Sri Lanka, it is a medium to large size deciduous tree.
Health Benefits
Terminalia Chebula has been used in Ayurveda and other medicine for a long time, it is a well-known and versatile herb. antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antidiabetic, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antiulcer, and wound healing properties.
Uses with Instructions
- Mix Terminalia chebula powder with coconut oil or goat milk and apply it to wound and skin problems.
- Mix Terminalia chebula powder with ghee and consume 1 tsp daily is helpful in joint pain and arthritis.
Side Effects of Terminalia Chebula / Harad
- Over dosages of Terminalia chebula may cause dehydration, diarrhea, and fatigue.
- Do not take Terminalia chebula if you are on diabetes medication, consult the doctor first.
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Vachellia Nilotica / Babool Pods and Bark
Babool botanical name is Vachellia nilotica, some other common names are kikar, gum arabic tree, babul, thorn mimosa, and Egyptian acacia.
Health Benefits
Although all parts of the babool are very important in Ayurveda, babool bark and pods are majorly used for medicinal purposes. It balances Kapha and Pitta doshas, which helps to reduce pain.
Uses with Instructions
- Take 10 grams of babool pod powder with lukewarm water in the morning and evening, gives relief from knee pain.
- Take 5 grams of babool pod powder with lukewarm water or milk in the morning and evening, gives relief from headaches.
Side Effects of Vachellia Nilotica / Babool Pods and Bark
- Do not consume babool powder if you are suffering from a breathing problem, first consult the doctor.
- Do not consume babool powder if you are suffering from a constipation problem, first consult the doctor.
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Withania Somnifera / Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha botanical name is Withania somnifera, some common names are Indian Ginseng and Winter Cherry.
Health Benefits
The roots of Ashwagandha have antipyretic, analgesic, apoptogenic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Roots are used in more than 200 formulations; Ayurveda practitioners used this herb as a general tonic to boost energy and reduce stress and anxiety.
Uses with Instructions
- Take 5 grams of Ashwagandha powder, boil it with 1 ½ cup of water, and reduce it to 1 cup. Strain it and add honey and lemon. Drinking the decoction helps to relieve stress.
- Take 3 grams of Withania somnifera root powder with honey or rock sugar and ghee. Mix it well and take this mixture with lukewarm milk. Helps in male infertility.
- Take 3 grams of Withania somnifera root powder with lukewarm milk at bedtime, helps to increase stamina and sexual health.
Side Effects of Withania Somnifera / Ashwagandha
- Do not take without a doctor’s prescription if you are pregnant.
- If you are on diabetes or on hypertension medication. Consult first the doctor before consuming.
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Tamarind Seed / Imli Beej
Imli beej botanical name is Tamarindus Indica and in English, it is known as Tamarind Seeds. It is mainly found in the Asian part of the world.
Health Benefits
Tamarind seeds have antioxidant, laxative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immune-boosting properties. The antiviral properties of tamarind seeds are extremely effective in preventing diseases such as mosquito-borne chikungunya.
Uses with Instructions
- Take 1 gram of tamarind seed powder and sub on teeth and gums, it makes your teeth shiny, strong, and white.
- Take 2-3 tamarind seed and soak overnight, grind it and separate the juice from the pulp. Put a drop of this juice in your eyes.
Side Effects of Tamarind Seed / Imli Beej
- If you are on any medication, first consult the doctor before starting to take Tamarind Seed
- If you are on any laxative medicine, consult the doctor before taking Tamarind Seed
- If you have sensitive skin or are allergic, consult the skin doctor first before applying it to your face.
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Ficus Religiosa / Peepal
Ficus Religiosa Hindi name is Peepal Tree, some common names are sacred fig, bodhi tree, pippala tree, peepul tree, peepal tree, the pipal tree, or ashvattha tree.
Health Benefits
It has antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antiviral, astringent, and antidiarrheal properties. The chemical composition of stem bark is phenols, tannins, steroids, alkaloids, and flavonoids. It is rich in vitamin K.
Uses with Instructions
- Take 5 grams of fine powder of Ficus religiosa Bark and gently rub on teeth and gums, gives strength and killing bacteria.
- Take 5-10ml of leaf juice and mix it with one cup of lukewarm water, gives relief from constipation.
Side Effects of Ficus Religiosa / Peepal
- If you are on diabetes or high blood sugar medication, consult the doctor first before starting Ficus Religiosa.
- It may interact with some allopathy and homeopathy medicine, consult the doctor if you are taking any of these.
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Note: This post is about educating the benefits and uses of Ayurveda Herbs, consult the Ayurvedic doctor before starting.