Most Common Ayurvedic Herbs

Ayurvedic herbs are used to create remedies for various illnesses and to pacify the doshas, what Ayurveda calls each body's constitution. The basic premise of Ayurvedic medicine is that the doshas must remain in balance for the body to heal itself and to remain healthy. When one dosha becomes aggravated or begins to dominate your constitution, your health is threatened, but when you take action to bring that dosha back under control, your body can heal and strengthen itself.
By following an Ayurvedic diet and using Ayurvedic products, you can tame the aggravated dosha and bring your body back into balance.
The most commonly used Ayurvedic herbs are the following:

Ashwagandha : Ashwagandha root is used to strengthen weakness. It can help a person struggling with mental or physical exhaustion and is sometimes used to help overcome impotence or low sperm count. It is often compared to ginseng in its ability to naturally energize a person.

Coleus forskohli : The root of coleus forskohli is used for several purposes. It is believed to improve circulation, restore heart health, treat congestive heart failure and aid in pulmonary circulation problems. It is often used in conjunction with other herbs.

Ginger : Ginger root is used to aid in digestion, especially to treat nausea, upset stomach, and flatulence. It is often used in Ayurvedic teas aimed at stimulated healthy digestion and elimination; it is also included in many Ayurvedic cooking recipes.

Gotu kola : Gotu kola is often eaten as a salad or eaten as a medicinal plant leaf. It is used to promote healthy skin, hair and nails; it is also reputed to heal lesions of the skin and eczema.

Tumeric : Tumeric has been long used by Ayurvedic practitioners to treat obesity, but it is now being used also as an anti-inflammatory to treat those who suffer with arthritis. Studies have shown tumeric helps break down dietary fats and helps protect against blood clots. Most Ayurvedic supplements are available in a variety of forms, from pills to tonics to teas. Check with an Ayurvedic practitioner near you for a proper diagnosis and prescription of herbal remedies.

Ayurvedic Principles:

Ayurveda is a science based on detailed theories and principles. These theories explain evolution and define the environment, human beings, and how they relate to each other. The main principles are:

Three primordial forces (Triguna):
The three forces (gunas) represent the phases of creation, as well as the qualities of the mind. Everything in the universe is influenced by the triguna (sattva, rajas and tamas). In the theory of evolution, sattva brings into creation and is pure consciousness, rajas is a maintaining and moving force and tamas represents the cohesive unity or destructive force. In the human mind, sattva is purity or goodness, rajas is action and passion, and tamas is ignorance or darkness.

Five Elements (Panca Mahabhuta):
The universe is composed of five elements. Everything in the universe, including human beings, are made up of different combinations of the same five elements. These elements are earth (prithvi), water (apa or jala), fire (tejas or agni), air (vayu) and space (akash).

Three biological forces (Tridosa):
In humans, the five elements combine to produce three primary life forces, or three "biological humors". The Ayurvedic term for this is dosa. As there are three, they are referred to as the tridosa (tri meaning three). The three dosas are vata, pitta and kapha. Each dosa is made of the five elements, however each has a predominance of one or more elements. Vata has a predominance of the elements of air and space and is responsible for movement, Pitta has fire as the dominant element and controls transformation, and Kapha has predominance of water and earth and represents cohesion.All humans have the three dosa present in different proportions. This unique combination of tridosa is responsible for our unique natures. Knowing your constitution assists both in preventing as well as curing the diseases. (see fact sheet on constitution for more information).

Naturopathy and Ayurveda

What is Naturopathy?
Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine, is a system of medicine based on the healing power of nature. Naturopathy is a holistic system, meaning that naturopathic doctors (N.D.s) or naturopathic medical doctors (N.M.D.s) strive to find the cause of disease by understanding the patient as a totality of body, mind, and spirit. Most naturopathic doctors use a wide variety of therapies and techniques (such as nutrition, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and acupuncture).