List of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda

Ayurveda (Devanagari: ) is a form of traditional medicine in use primarily in India. Ayurveda believes that various materials of vegetable, animal, and mineral origin have some medicinal value. The medicinal properties of these materials are time tested and have been used for centuries in ayurvedic medicines to cure illness and/or help maintain health.

Ayurvedic medicaments are made from herbs or mixtures of herbs, either alone or in combination with minerals, metals and other ingredients of animal origin. The metals, animals and minerals are purified by individual processes before being used for medicinal purposes. Impurified materials are not allowed to be used as medicine.

The forms of Ayurvedic medicaments are:

Fresh juice of herbs

Quath : Crushed herbs, used as decoction or tea for internal and external uses

Churna : Fine powdered herbs, used as medicine with water or in food for internal and external uses

Taila : Herbs cooked in edible oil according to rules laid down for internal and external uses

Ghrat/Ghrit : Herbs cooked in clarified butter

Asav/Arista/Sura : a kind of light wine obtained from fermentation of herbs

Arka : A distillation of herbs

Rasausadhi/Kharliya Rasayan : Herbs mixed with metals, minerals and animal ingredients

Bhasma : Ashes

Parpaty : combinations of Metals, Minerals, Animal ingredients and Herbs

Kshar/Lavan/Salt/Drava : these are specially prepared medicaments

Guggula based medicaments

Lauha Bhasam : Mandoor Bhasam based medicaments

Avaleha/Modak/Paak/Prash : Herbs cooked in Jaggery or sugar

Bati/Gutika/Goli : Mixtures of medicines shaped in pills, pillules or tablets for ease of administration

Pralep/Anjan/Varti/Dhoop : Liniments, drops, paint, paste etc. for external uses

Commonly used herbs and minerals

(Names ref.)

Botanical (Latin) Name	Common (English) Name	Sanskrit Name	Claimed Therapeutic Use (According to Ayurveda)
	Acacia	Shikakai	Useful in bilious affections, jaundice, malarial fever, preventive to flatulence, mild laxative
	Indian Gum Arabic Tree	Babool	Demulcent, astringent, gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, styptic, diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes,
	Sweet Flag	Vacha	Bitter tonic, ague, habitual constipation, atonic dyspepsia, flatulence, paralytic nervous affections, colic, epilepsy, dropsy, glandular diseases, rheumatoc swellings, useful for children's ailments teething etc.
	Malabar Nut	Vasaka	For comfort from bronchitis, whooping cough & bronchial asthma. To support lung functions. Has immune system-boosting properties.
	Bael Tree	Bael	For intestinal problems such as amoebic dysentery & diarrhoea. Is digestive, anthelmintic, & anti-inflammatory, useful in irritable bowel syndromes and inflammatory condition of bowels.
	Garlic	Lasuna	To control excess conversion of lipids & cholesterol.
	Indian Aloe	Kumari	Useful in ophthalmic disorders, mild laxative, tonic, increases semen quality, cure vata dosha, poisonous effects, hepatospleenomegaly, spleen and liver disorders, cystic formation, hydrocele, kaphha fever, glands, anomalies of blood, anomalies of skin.
	The Creat	Yavatika	Used in malaria fever, enlargement of liver, chronic and obstinate fever, dropsy, edema, removes constipation, appetiser, useful in infant's disorders such as diarrhoea, colic, vomiting etc.
	Indian Dill	Satahva	Useful in improving hunger, good appetiser, anti-febric, vermifugal, digestive, abdominal colic, intestinal colic, ophthalmic disorders, pelvic inflammatory disease conditions, analgesic, body pain .
	Asparagus	Shatavari	To nourish the female reproductive system, promote lactation.
	Neem	Neem	For skin disorders. Has blood purifying & immune-boosting properties. as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal agent.
	Bacopa	Brahmi	For improving alertness. As an anti-anxiety agent.
	Indian Bdellium Tree	Guggulu	Anti-spasmodic, emmenagogue, stimulant, tonic, alterative demulcent, useful in rheumatism, nervous diseases, glands and scrofulous diseases, blood purifier, useful in chronic wounds which do not heal easily.
	White Pumpkin	Kushmanda	As a food nourished body, vigour, purifies blood, appetiser, easy to digest, removes constipation, normalise bowel movements / as a remedy useful in mental disorders, epilepsy, mania, psychological disorders and helps to cure all mental diseases and their conditions.
	Himalayan Birch	Bhurjapatra	In ear disorders, bile disorders, anomalies of blood, psychological disorders, anti-obesity, anti-toxin.
	Boerhaavia	Punarnava	For efficient kidney & urinary functions. In urinary tract infections.
	Red Pepper	Katuvira	Aroused digestive fire, removes kaphha dosha, produce burning sensation, removes indigestion, anti-cholera, helps to heal obstinate wounds, removes hoarseness, sleepiness and perversion of taste, useful in loss of senses and weak pulse condition.
	Golden Shower Tree	Aragvadha	FRUIT-BODY:Mild laxative, Anti-fever, useful in Cardiac or Heart problems, Rakta Pitta, Hematemesis, Hemorrhages, Arthritis, Vatavyadhi, Colic, , Acidity and acidic eructations, ROOTS: Very strong purgative, should not be used alone
	Deodar Cedar	Devadaru	BARK and STEM is used: creates sweating, creates urination, Anti-vata, eliminates Skin disorders, Anti-febril, Anti-edema, Arthritis, Joints pain, Joints swelling, Antitussive, Vermifugal, anomaly of Blood, anomaly of urine etc.
	Camphor	Karpoora	useful in kaphha, thirst, obesity, burning sensations, throat problems, intestinal worms, mouth freshener, analgesics, antitusive, antipyeratic, excessive sweats, beneficial effects when taken in small quantity [50mg]in Low blood pressure and asthma,
	Pomelo	Mahanimbu	Vata-kaphha nashak, mild laxative, digestive, appetiser, loss of appetite, abdominal colic, worms, vomiting, nausea
	Lemon	Nimbaka	use as food, increased taste, increased hunger, digestive, help to pass abdominal wind, flatus
	Citron	Bijapura	useful in heart disorders, abdominal colic, Gulm, vomiting, nausea, indigestion, haemorrhoids
	Cucumber	Trapusha	Diuretic, useful in heamatamesis, haemorrhages, bleeding, cold in nature, as a food to renal stone patient
	Cumin	Shvetajiraka	SEEDS: smell increasing the taste of food, increased taste, appetiser, Cholagogue, useful in abdominal colic, flatulence, wind formation, offensive flatus, vermifugal, dysentery, diarrhoea, Gulma, indigestion, inflammatory condition of bowels, renal calculus, gonorrhoea, obstruction of urine, nausea, vomiting etc.
	Carrot	Garjira	SEEDS: useful in flatulence, renal disorders, pathophysiology of small and large intestines, salpingitis, Impotency, Female genital disorders, ROOT: vermifugal, spleenomegaly, physical weakness, cholecystitis, problem before delivery, cardiac problems, piles, colic burning sensation, asthma, hiccough, mouth freshener, EXTERNAL: Burns, abscess
	Thistles	Bhringaraja	JUICE:useful to teeth, skin and hairs, indicated for the treatment of Kaphha-vata disorders, cough, bronchitis, worms, asthma, skin diseases, oedema, mucous disorders, anemia, digestive, support and nourished body, choleggue, hepatomegaly, liver disorders, loss of appetite, vertigo, hepatospleenomegaly, piles, indigestion, HeadAche, weak vision, EXTERNAL; Burns, skin diseases, leucoderma, hair falling, alopecia
	False Black Pepper	Vidanga	FRUITS:carminative, anthelmintic, stimulant, alterative, anti-dyspeptic, anti-flatulent, skin diseases, rheumatisma, diuretic, laxative, purgative
	Eucalyptus	Nilgiri Taila	EXTERNAL:deodorant, useful in skin disorders, anti-vermicular, wounds us cervix, wounded piles, smells in Cold and coryza, muscular and joints pain, myopathy: INTERNAL; for excessive salivation, digestive, antipyeretic
	Banyan tree	Vata	Kaphha pitta shamak, ,nausea, diarrhoea, bloody dysentery, haemorrhages, bleeding, dysentery, anomaly of blood, bleeding from all orifices, discoloration of skin, bloody leucorrhoea, leucorrhoea, white discharges feom vagina, help in pregnancy, anomaly of urine, Prameha, ueful for childless women, increased fertility of women
	Fennel	Shatapushpa	used in Vata-pitta dosha, useful in mental weakness, weakness of eyesight, nausea, vomiting, weak appetite, Flatulence, abdominal wind, abdominal colic, dysentery, piles, cardiac disorders, anomaly of blood, cough, bronchitis, pulmonary disorders, anomaly of urine and urination, fever, skin disorders, weakness, burning sensations
	Indian Wintergreen	Gandapura	OIL:cures Vata, pain, stimulant, antipyeretic, brings sweats, diuretic, antispasmodic, removes pain of all nature, useful in cardiac disorders, joints pain, sciatica, flatulence, wind formation in abdomen, Rheumatic pain, myolitis
	Seabuckthorn		BHASAM [Ashes]: used in respiratory disorders, hiccough, asthma, cough, cardiac pain, glandular swellings, rheumatism, arthritis, tuberculosis, pulmonary disorders, joints pain, increases [...] desire in male and female both, Impotency EXTERNAL: paste is applied in Pleuritis, Pneumonia, backache, painful inflammatory condition with swelling
	Jasmine	Jati	cold nature, bitter taste, increases Vata and Kaphha Dosha, useful in Burning pain wounds, anomaly of blood, Oral problems, Tooth problems, Eyes disorders, Headache, migraine, antitoxic, OIL: cold, heals wounds, anomaly of blood, useful in skin, head and ophthalmic disorders, stomatitis
	Walnut	Akschota	useful in facial paralysis, cervical lymphadenitis, adenitis, ringworm, edema, dropsy, swelling, fistula, opium poisoning, devermicular, purgative, laxatives, provides strength, pulmonary tuberculosis, cardiac disorders, uric acid diathesis, gout, burning sensations, rheumotoid arthritis, syphilis, gonorrhoea, dermatitis, skin disordres and anomaly of blood, blood purifier,
	White Lily	Kshirakakoli	useful in increasing the quantity of semen, condensed semen, increasing lactations in feeding mothers, creates [...] excitement both in male and female, increases vitality, vigour
	Sensitive plant	Lajjalu	for gynaecological disorders, skin disorders, bleeding piles, amoebic dysentery, diarrhoea.
	Mango	Amra	RAW MANGO: sour, tasteful, increases Vata & Pitta Dosha, RIPED MANGO: sweet, increases semen quality, appetiser, increases taste, wound healer, anomaly of blood,
	Tea Tree	Kayaputi	useful in Hyperpyerexia, gout, uric acid, diarrhoea, skin disorders, bronchitis, cough, dermatitis, joints pain, muscular pain,
	Honey	Madhu	sweet, cool, easy to digest, removes constipation, better for eyes & voice, beneficial to heart, ripes wounds quickly, useful in obesity, frequent urination, hiccough, asthma, bronchitis, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, emaciation, excessive thirst, haemorrhagic tendency, faintness, burning sensation, healing wound
	Mint	Putiha
	Peppermint		OIL and CRYSTALS: carminative, cool, analgesic, relives painful muscular conditions, smells in Cold and coryza, relives headache, sinusitis, uses both internally and externally. very powerful in action, while use internally, use very small quantity [one drop in four divided doses] with precautions
	Musk	Jatamansi
	Chir Pine	Shrivasa
	Indian Long Pepper	Pippali
	Almond	Vatadha
	Pomegranate	Dadima
	Apple	Seva
	Rosemary
	Silk Cotton Tree	Shalmali
	Sandalwood	Chandana
	Soapnut Tree	Arishta
	Sesame	Til
	Egyptian Rattle Pod	Jayanti
	Sal Tree	Shala
	Tomato
	Fenugreek	Medhika
	Common Wheat	Godhuma
	Poppy	Ushira
	Five-leaved Chaste Tree	Nirgundi
	Grape	Draksha
	Sweet Indrajao	Hyamaraka
	Toothache Tree	Tumburu
	Ginger	Sunthi	in digestive disorders like low appetite, indigestion, nausea, vomiting & motion sickness.
	Alum	Saurashtri	INTERNAL:Bloody dysentery, Dysentery, worms, Remittent and intermittent fever, anti-tussive, EXTERNAL: Piles, wound, traumatic wounds and conditions, stings, itching, eczema, conjunctivitis, leucorrhoea, otorrhoea, gonorrhoea, gargles in pharyngitis, tonsillitis, throat problems
	Conch Shell	Shankha	BHASAM [Ashes]: Loss of appetite, indigestion, peptic ulcers, dueodenal ulcers, hyperacidity, bronchitis, hepatospleenomegaly, Gulm, Asthma, cough, respiratory disorders
	Sodium carbonate	Svarjikshara	INTERNAL:useful in constipation, Diuretic, Gulmanashak, Colic, pain abdominal, worms intestinal, flatulence, eructations, abdominal winds, tympenitis, Irritable bowel syndromes EXTERNAL: promotes suppuration of boils, burns, pimples, leucoderma, white patches of skin
	Sodium Bicarbonate	Tankana	First purify according of Ayurveda directions: Increased digestive fire, Kaphha nashak, antitoxic, cough, bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary resoiratory disorders, antipyeritic, Gulm nashak, colic, bodyache, sensation of chilliness etc. spleenomegaly hyperacidity, diminished hunger, stomatitis EXTERNAL:eczema, ringworm, itching of skin, mouth pain in aphthea, vaginal itching, leucorrhoea, hydrocele, mammary gland inflammation, toothache, black spot on face etc.
	Cowrie Shell	Varatika	BHASAM [Ash]: used in colic of all nature, mucous colitis, dysentery, hyperacidity, weak assimilation, diarrhoea, gastritis, gas formation, flatulence, excessive thirst, tympenitis, rumbling in abdomen, loss of appetite, Irritable bowel syndromes, improves digestive power, asthma, bronchitis, otorrhoea, dry cough, Tuberculosis, exhaustive disease conditions, aphthea, stomatitis etc.
	NATURAL Zinc	Yashad Bhasma	BHASAM [Ash]: used in ophthalmic disorders, night blindness, kaphha-pitta disorders, jaundice, liver disorders, hepatitis, anomalies of urine, diebetes, asthma, cysts, glands, diarrhoea, mucous colitis, dhatu kshaya, tuberculosis, bacillary dysentery, gonorrhoea, impotency, improves digestion, beneficial in vomiting and nausea.
Botanical (Latin) Name	Common (English) Name	Sanskrit Name	Therapeutic Use (According to Ayurveda)

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List of herbs and minerals in Ayurveda

Commonly used herbs and minerals

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