Ayurvedic Herbalism: Herbal Therapeutics


♦ Home Part I: Ayurveda ♦ Introduction & History ♦ Indian Cosmology ♦ The Human Body ♦ Health & Sickness Part II: Ayurvedic Herbalism ♦ Humans & Plants ♦ Food Energies ♦ Plant Classification ♦ Herbal Preparations ♦ Herbal Usage ♦ Common Herbs Part III: Future of Ayurveda ♦ Limits to Ayurveda ♦ Ayurveda-Western Medicine Comparison ♦ Ayurveda as CAM ♦ Conclusion		Plant Classification: Herbal Therapeutics Medicinal herbs are often classified by their therapeutics. Therapeutics is a common term used to explain the medicinal functions of herbs. In other words, it is used to describe how herbs are used to treat illnesses. The herbal therapeutics of Ayurvedic herbalism is very similar to Western herbalism. The herbs themselves and their medicinal functions are also similar in both systems. This is a brief, descriptive list of the common types of herbal therapeutics used in Ayurveda (1) (2): Alteratives purify the blood, eliminate toxins and waste products, stimulate digestion, and are usually anti-bacterial. They mainly work on the kidneys, liver, lungs, skin, and colon. Rasa: Bitter, astringent Virya: Cooling Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Decrease Pitta and Kapha; Increase Vata Examples: burdock, nettles, aloe vera, dandelion, echinacea, plantain, neem, red clover Anthelmintics destroy and dispel worms from the digestive system. In Ayurveda, “worm” is a loose term for all parasites, bacteria, fungus, and yeast infections. Rasa: Pungent, bitter Virya: Heating, cooling Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Hot, pungent anthelmintics increase Pitta; Cold, bitter anthelmintics increase Vata Examples: cayenne pepper, cloves, garlic, golden seal, pomegranate, thyme, wormwood Antipyretics reduce high fevers caused by infection or internal overheating. They also destroy the pathogens that cause the fever. Rasa: Bitter Virya: Cooling Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Decrease Pitta; Increase Kapha Examples: aloe vera, gentian, golden seal, neem Astringents condense and compact the skin, internal tissues and organs. They dry up mucous discharges, stop bleeding, heal skin, and eliminate stagnant substances. Rasa: Astringent Virya: Cooling Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Decrease Pitta and Kapha; Increase Vata Examples: cattail, golden seal, mullein, tumeric, yarrow Carminatives are rich in aromatic oils and are fragrant. They help relieve intestinal gas, heal the degraded intestines, and dispel water and mucus. They open the nervous system and relieve nervous pain and spasms. Rasa: Pungent Virya: Heating Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Increase Vata; Decrease Kapha Examples: basil, bay leaves, cardamom, cloves, garlic, ginger, juniper, valerian Diaphoretics promote sweating to encourage elimination of waste products stuck in the skin. They improve circulation, reduce fevers, and enhance inflammation to eliminate toxins. Rasa: Pungent Virya: Heating Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Increase Pitta; Decrease Kapha and Vata Examples: angelica, basil, cardamom, cinnamon, ephedra, ginger, thyme Diuretics promote urination and healing of the urinary organs. They stimulate the kidneys by increasing blood flow to the kidneys and removing toxins from them via urine. Rasa: Bitter, astringent, pungent Virya: Cooling Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Increase Vata; Decrease Kapha and Pitta Examples: asparagus, barley, burdock, coriander, dandelion, fennel, spearmint Emmenagogues promote healthy menstruation and increase circulation, especially to the female reproductive organs. They relieve problems relating to the female reproductive system such as PMS, uterine infections, and bleeding. Rasa: Pungent, bitter Virya: Heating, cooling Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Heating emmenagogues increase low Pitta; Cooling emmenagogues decrease high Pitta Examples: pennyroyal, yarrow, angelica, licorice, myrrh, lotus seeds, wild yam Expectorants help remove excess mucus and phlegm from the respiratory system. They cleanse the lungs, sinuses, and also the stomach. They cure colds, flus, asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Rasa: Pungent Virya: Heating Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Increase and liquefy Kapha and Pitta; Decrease Vata Examples: comfrey root, licorice, raw sugar, slippery elm, ephedra, thyme Laxatives stimulate bowel movements to promote removal of waste products. They dispel constipation and help reduce waste product accumulation in the intestines. Strong laxatives are called purgatives. Rasa: Bitter Virya: Cooling Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Increase Vata and Pitta; Decrease Kapha Examples: aloe vera, ghee (clarified butter), raisins, mandrake, rhubarb, senna Nervine Sedatives suppress the nervous system to reduce spasms of the muscles. They promote relaxation of the nerves, sleep, and the reduction of cramp and tremors. Rasa: Bitter Virya: Cooling Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Increase Vata; Decrease Pitta Examples: catnip, chamomile, jasmine, mullein, passion flower, peppermint, sandalwood Nervine Stimulants excite the nervous system. They build up degraded nervous systems caused by nutrient deficiency. They help the person become more alert and irritable. Rasa: Pungent, Sour Virya: Heating Vipaka: Pungent, Sour Energy: Increase Vata and Pitta; Decrease Kapha Examples: basil, calamus, camphor, garlic, mugwort, myrrh, nutmeg, sage, valerian Stimulants generally excite all organs and functions, but have an extra effect on the circulatory system. They increase digestion, metabolism, and circulation. They increase heat and detoxify the body. Rasa: Pungent Virya: Heating Vipaka: Pungent Energy: Increase Pitta; Decrease Vata and Kapha Examples: black pepper, cayenne, cinnamon, garlic, ginger, horseradish, mustard, onions Tonics in general restore tissues and improve degraded organs. They nourish the body by repairing tissues and increasing weight and mass. They cure weakness, anorexia, and debility. Rasa: Sweet Virya: Cooling Vipaka: Sweet Energy: Increase Kapha; Decrease Vata Examples: almonds, dates, ginseng, honey, sesame seeds, sugar References: 1. Frawley, David and Lad, Vasant. The Yoga of Herbs. Lotus Press: Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. 2001. Pg. 49-75. 2. TheDance.com. “The Herb Pages: Glossary of Terms Used to Describe Herb Functions”. http://www.thedance.com/herbs/hbfn.htm. Date Unknown. (Accessed: December 1, 2005).

Plant Classification: Herbal Therapeutics