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Ayurveda's Ancient Tradition
Lord Ganesha
Ayurveda, the ancient medical system of India, is a holistic system that encompasses
the healing of the body, mind and spirit though diet, lifestyle and cleansing.
Medicinal plants and herbs of India accompany these procedures. The tradition
of Ayurveda extends back more than five thousand years and is still widely
practiced in present day India. True understanding of this vast body of knowledge
is beyond the scope of this website. The basic principles are presented here
in hopes that it will spur the reader to pursue deeper knowledge
The Elements: Space, Air, Fire,Water and Earth
The human body and our world are made up of combinations of the elements, and
the physical universe is the interaction of these five elements. Space:The common
factor, or Home for all objects in the universe.
- Air: The vital life force, or prana, essential for all life
- Fire: Fire governs digestion, absorption and assimilation, the flowering, ripening
and decay of plants. The sun is the central source of heat energy.
- Water: Life sustaining, liquid, cool water maintains electrolyte balance and nourishes plants
and animals
- Earth: Solid, dense and hard, Earth is the firm ground that holds all living creatures on the planet, giving them food and shelter.
Tridosas: Vata, Pitta,and
Kapha
Tridosas are dynamic principles that govern the body, mind and consciousness.
Ancient Ayurveda considered Air and Earth to be mostly passive, and incorporated
the three active elements, Air,Fire and Water into the principles of tridosas.
- VATA
represents Air and Space
- PITTA is Fire along with Water
- KAPHA is Water and Earth
Achieving the proper balance of these doshas within each individual
is the foundation of Ayurvedic practice and is the path to optimal health.
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Ajwain Seed |
Trachyspermum ammi |
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The high concentration of essential oils in ajwain seeds, primarily thymol, give them an aroma and flavor resembling thyme, with a stronger bite
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Arjuna |
Terminalia arjuna |
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Arjuna is among the most frequently prescribed herbs for cardiovascular health in ayurvedic medicine
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Asafoetida |
Ferula asafoetida |
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According to ayurvedic medicine, asafoetida is a valuable spice and remedy for nervous disorders, colic, bowel spasms, and for spasmodic coughing.
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Ashwagandha |
Withania sonmiferum |
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It is often touted as the Indian version of ginseng because,like ginseng, ashwaganda is revered as a non-specific tonic, an adaptogen that is used alone or as an ingredient in compounds designed to target a variety of conditions.
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Asparagus |
Asparagus spp |
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There are over 300 species in the asparagus family, many are used medicinally, grown as ornaments or eaten as vegetables, the most well-known species, Asparagus officinalis, commonly referred to as just asparagus.
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Bacopa |
Bacopa monniera |
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A traditional Ayurvedic medicine commonly used to treat mental illness and epilepsy
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Bitter Melon |
Momordica charantia |
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The gourd-like fruit has a long history as a treatment for diabetes. Bitter melon improves the body's ability to use blood sugar and improves glucose tolerances.
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Black Pepper |
Piper nigrum |
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Black peppers are culitivated in malabar, Java, Sumatra, and Penang. Black pepper oil is hot, warming and very yang
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Boswellia |
Boswellia thurifera |
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Boswellia or Indian frankincense is one of the Ayurvedic gum resins which are referred to collectively as guggals.
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Cardamom |
Elettaria cardamonuum |
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Cardamom in known primarily a tonic to the digestive system, kills the bacteria responsible for bad breath, and is well know for relief of nausea. As a decongestant, cardamom is useful in colds and congestion as well.
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Chanca Piedra |
Phyllanthus niruri |
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This traditional native medicine is used to treat kidney stones in both human and veterinary herbal medicine.
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Cinnamon |
Cinnamomum zeylanicum, C. aromaticum |
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The distinct, spicy aroma of cinnamon bark, Cassia, or Chinese cinnamon, is the spice sold as cinnamon in the United States.
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Clove |
Eugenia caryophyllata |
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Clove oil is virtually pure eugenol, a powerful, multifaceted phytochemical that numbs pain and kills bacteria and fungi.
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Coleus Forskohlii |
Plectranthus barbatus |
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Traditional Ayurevedic medicinal plant used to treat high blood pressure, help in losing weight, improving digestion and nutrient absorption, fighting cancer, and immune system support.
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Coriander |
Corlandrum sativum |
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As an aromatic stimulant and spice, it has been cultivated and used since very ancient times. It was employed by Hippocrates
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Cubeb |
Piper cuberba |
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A climbing perennial plant, with dicecious flowers in spikes. Odour is aromatic and taste is pungent and somewhat bitter. Com
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Cumin |
Cuminum cyminum |
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Cumin is aromatic, containing up to 4 percent essential oil, warm, spicy and slightly sweet.
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Fennel |
Foeniculum vulgare |
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The uses for fennel go far beyond the kitchen however, fennel has been used as a medicinal herb by the early Romans and Greeks.
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Garcinia Fruit |
Garcinia cambogia |
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Both Garcinia cambogia and the extracted acid HCA are widely used in weight control formulas.
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Garlic |
Allium sativum |
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Garlic can and should be used liberally in food, either powdered or freshly chopped. Using fresh garlic in your cooking also helps you cut down on the amount of saturated fats you use to season your food. Add it last to soups, stews and vegetable, right before serving, to preserve the medicinal qualities, as heat and boiling destroy them. Garlic infused oils can be used topically.
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Ginger |
Zingiber officinale |
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Perhaps no other herb, except garlic, crosses all barriers, foods versus medicine, Western versus Oriental, scientific versus folk tradition. Ginger is a universal herb in all respects.
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Gurmar |
Gymnema sylvestre |
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Gymnema sylvestre has been used traditionally in India for diabetes for over 2,000 years. It has recently become popluar as a
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Henna |
Lawsonia inermis |
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Bridal couples in India decorate their hands and feet with intricate henna body art, referred to as Mehandi patterns
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Holy Basil |
Ocimum sanctum |
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Holy Basil has been used for thousands of years the traditional medicinal of India, Ayurveda treatment. Known to Hindus as Tulsi the plant is also used in reglious ceremonies.
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Jambul |
Eugenia Jambolana |
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Practitioners of Ayurveda in India value jambul for lowering blood sugar and researchers are investigating its potential as a male contraceptive.
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Jasmine |
Jasminum officinale |
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In aromatherapy, jasmine absolute oil in used to uplift the spirits in cases of apathy, depression, menopausal disorders, and lack of confidence
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Long Pepper, Pippali |
Piper longum |
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Long pepper is known as pippali in India, the word pepper itself is
derived from the Sanskrit word for long pepper, pippali. Pippali is valued in
Ayurvedic medicine and foods for enhancing digestion and metabolism. It is combined
with dried ginger and black pepper to form trikatu , which can be taken
to help regulate cholesterol and help prevent obesity. It is also used to treat
coughs, colds, fevers and rheumatism. Pippali has a folklore reputation as an
aphrodisiac, and is believed to improve vitality.
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Lotus |
Nelumbo nucifera |
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The lotus is one of the worlds most sacred plants, and has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. The rhizomes and leaves are combined with other herbs in China, India and other Asian traditional medicines to treat sunstroke, fever, diarrhoea, and the whole plant is used to treat mushroom poisoning. Lotus flowers are recommened as a cardic tonic, and the stamens are used to treat urinary frequency and premature ejaculations. The flowers have diuretic, astringent, and cooling properties. 2
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Myrrh |
Commiphora myrrha |
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Natural myrrh resin is one of the oldest known perfumery materials. Myrrh has been used as a cleansing, purifying agent since ancient times.
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Neem |
Azadirachta Indica |
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Neem oil is exceptionally rich, has moisturizing and regenerative properties, contains Vitamin E, and has essential fatty acids. Neem is commonly used to treat a variety of skin conditions.
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Noni |
Morinda citrifolia |
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Noni juice, and powder is far from a new fad,, the fruit and other parts of the tree have been used in Ayuverdic medicine and by traditional Polynesian healers for centuries. Traditional uses of noni include diabetes, infectious diseases, and topical applications to treat burns and cuts.
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Saffron |
Crocus sativus |
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Saffron contains more than 150 volatile and aroma-yielding compounds
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Sandalwood |
Santalum album |
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Sandalwood oil has a sweet-woody, warm, balsamic aroma that improves with age. The essential oil blends wonderfully with most
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Sesame |
Sesamum indicum |
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Sesame seeds, and sesame seed oil are used for food, and skin care and have a rich tradition of medicinal use
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Vetiver |
Vetiveria zizanoides |
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Healing to skin, this oil repels insects and reduces stress and tension. The aroma is rich, woody, earthy and sweet.
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- Usha Lad & Dr. Vasant Lad.
Ayurvedic Cooking for Self Healing
(2006)
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Home Remedies for 
