Common name Bishop’s weed (E), Ajwain (H) Sanskrit Yavani, Yavanika, Agnivardhana Latin Trachyspermum ammi syn. Trachyapermum copticum, Carum copticum/roxburghianum/ajowan, Ptychotis ajowan–Semen (Umbelliferae Family) Deliciously aromatic, ajwain is a wonderful remedy for sluggish digestion and coughs. A truly warming seed. ENERGETICS Rasa (taste) Pungent, bitter Virya (energy) Heating Vipaka(post-digestive effect) Pungent Guna(quality) Light, dry,…
Common name Indian berberry (E), Daruhaldi (H), Darvi (H) Sanskrit Daruharidra Latin Berberis aristata/chitria–Radix (Berberidaceae)Daruharidra means ‘tree turmeric’ after its yellow-coloured roots and trunk visible after the bark is peeled from this thorny bush. It is a remarkable remedy for regulating the liver and clearing high pitta from the system. ENERGETICS Rasa (taste) Bitter, astringent…
Common name Cloves (E), Lavang (H) Sanskrit Lavanga Latin Syzygium aromaticum–Flos (Myrtaceae)Cloves are the dried flower buds of this evergreen tree. They have very effective antiseptic and fungal properties that benefit digestion. ENERGETICS Rasa (taste) Pungent, bitter Virya (energy) Cold Vipaka(post-digestive effect) Pungent Guna (quality) Unctuous, light, penetrating Doshaeffect KPV– Dhatu(tissue) Plasma, blood,…
Common name Castor oil (E), Rendi (H) Sanskrit Eranda a Latin Ricinus communis–Semen/Folium (Euphorbiaceae)Castor oil is considered the king of medicinals for curing vata and arthritic diseases. It is warm, oily, heavy, and acts as a laxative. ENERGETICS Rasa (taste) Sweet, pungent, astringent Virya (energy) Heating Vipaka(post-digestive effect) Sweet Guna(quality) Unctuous, heavy, penetrating and subtle…
Chirayita is an especially bitter herb that is renowned for cleansing the blood and liver of inflammation and high pitta. Chirayita is derived from ‘kirata’ meaning bitter. Common name: White chirayita (E), Chiretta (H), Kirat (H) Sanskrit Kiratatikta, Bhunimba Latin Swertia chirata–Folium (Gentianaceae) ENERGETICS Rasa (taste) Bitter Virya (energy) Cooling Vipaka(post-digestive effect) Pungent Guna(quality) Light, dry,…
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine developed about 3,000 years in the Indian Subcontinent. In Sanskrit Ayurveda means “Science of life” as the knowledge was illustrated in the sacred textbooks called “veda”. Many of the ancient textbooks of Ayurveda, are still in the process of proper interpretation and understanding. During the last few decades,…
Ashwagandha generally called winter cherry(English), Indian ginseng (English). Its Latin name is Withania somnifera–Radix (Solanaceae). The word ashwagandha means ‘the aroma of a horse’ which means the aroma/smell alike to horse urine. As well it is an aphrodisiac which increases sexual stamina like horse. It has been an important herb for various Ayurveda formulations and…
Health Benefits of Honey: Honey is one of most important component in our kitchen. Everyone loves sweet taste and aroma of honey. It is used in various preparations in kitchen. Beside, nutritional value honey has various other benefits. Some of the health benefits of honey are illustrated below. Nutritional supplement: Honey is a natural sweetening…
Garlic is the most more common medicative herb employed in our kitchen, is a native herb to central Asia. It is used as a flavoring agent in the kitchen although it has its own medicinal importance. Garlic can be used as an adjuvant drug along with antibiotics as it posses antibiotic property(mainly bacteriostatic). Also has…
