| Everyone one of us is well familiar with the term | | | | is mainly used in jaundice, hemorrhages and many |
| Ayurveda. But do you know what things are used in | | | | other disorders. |
| the treatment process of this healing method. Only | | | | Sarpagandha: It provides very effective remedy in |
| few would have known that all the spices and herbs | | | | hypertension due to the alkaloid reserpine present in its |
| we used daily in our food cooking have medicinal | | | | roots. It gives significant results in high blood pressure, |
| properties used in ayurveda for e.g. onion, garlic, | | | | insanity and schizophrenia. |
| turmeric, clove, cardamom, cumin, coriander etc. | | | | Brahmi: Its fleshy stem and leaves are very helpful in |
| Besides this, a no of medicinal plants found in India | | | | dealing with brain problems. Brahmi products are used |
| have very important role in ayurvedic treatment. | | | | during rheumatism, mental disorders, constipation. |
| Ayurveda believes that body is made up of three | | | | Ashwagandha: found in drier parts of country this small |
| doshas: Vata,Pitta, and Kapha. Generally one or two is | | | | shrub is nerve tonic and has aphrodisiac properties. |
| dominant in the body. Their imbalance is the root cause | | | | Neem: often referred as "sarva rog nivarak", as every |
| of all diseases in the body. The basic tenet of | | | | part this tree has medicinal value. |
| ayurveda is to treat body with holistic and natural | | | | Villagers still use its twig to brush their teeth. Its oil is |
| therapies. Ayurvedic medicines mainly strive to keep a | | | | added in soaps, shampoos, balms, toothpastes to keep |
| balance of physical body with mind and spirit to | | | | away the diseases. Neem has its uses from skin |
| achieve inner harmony. | | | | ailments to cancer. |
| During the preparation of ayurvedic medicines mainly | | | | The addition of minerals in these plants products is |
| parts of plants are used such as stems, leaves, twigs, | | | | becoming a safety concern as could cause certain |
| roots, flowers. Sometimes some animal products like | | | | adverse effects. Although, practitioners reduce the |
| milk, bones gallstones can also be used. Some minerals | | | | lethal effects of minerals through purification but now a |
| like arsenic, gold, copper, lead are also added. The | | | | rule has been made to mention the percentage of |
| practice of adding minerals is known as rasa shastra. | | | | mineral content in Ayurvedic medicines. |
| In case of operation, alcohol is used as a narcotic. | | | | All the above described drugs, like the western |
| Some of the important medicinal plants used in | | | | medicines do not have any negative impact. An |
| ayurveda are- | | | | ayurvedic doctor mainly recommends a natural course |
| Tulsi: Along with being worshiped, its leaves are used in | | | | of herbs, proper diet, meditation, yoga to bring back the |
| gastric disturbances. Its juice is used during cold and | | | | harmony. Initially detoxification drugs are given to make |
| cough and also applied to skin in ring-worm. Root | | | | body free of negative toxins then herbs are used to |
| decoction is very good during malarial fever. | | | | bring the three doshas in harmony. With this harmony |
| Amla: Its round pale yellow fruit has many properties | | | | an individual can live a more pleasant and harmonious |
| like being digestive, carminative, anti-pyretic and tonic. It | | | | life. |