Amritha (Tinospora cordifolia)
It is also known as giloy and gudduchi. It is a very good rasayan. All the parts of the plant can be used but the stem is thought to be the best. It has a thikta taste and a ushna veerya. After digestion it develops a madhura taste. It increases agni, digests ama and acts on reducing kapha. It is one of the best herbs to treat jwara (fever). It can also be used to treat kamala (jaundice), prameha and skin diseases.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha gets its name from the smell of the roots, which smell like a horse. It is also known as Indian ginseng. It has a thikta rasa and once digested is madhura. It is a rasayan and is considered an aphrodisiac. It also increases strength and is used to nourish and build up the dhatus. It is also useful in vatha rogas and in swasa and other respiratory conditions. It is also a very good nervine tonic and has been found to be useful in managing stress. The seeds of this plant have an antihelminthic property
Haridra (Turmeric, haldi, curcuma longa)
It has become the in thing today!! Everything including coffee and tea have it. You even get turmeric shots which are nothing but turmeric solutions. It is one of the most common ingredients in Indian cooking. Usually in a house where a death has occurred haldi will not be used till purification procedures are completed. Its taste is thikta and katu. It also has a ushna veerya and can cause dryness if used in excess. It is very good for the complexion and in India women usually apply a paste of it on their face. It has very good anti-infective agent and since Covid people tend to take haldi drinks to boost their immunity. It is very useful in prameha, kusta rogas and in non-healing ulcers. It is also very useful in poisonous bites.
Yastimadhu (Liquorice glycyrrhiza glabra)
Yasti means wood and madhu means honey. It has sweet roots. It is commonly called as muleti. It has a madhura rasa and is seetha and guru. It is one of the best medicines for the throat and any respiratory infection. It is nourishing and is good for all the three dosas. It is also good for ulcers. It has been found to be of help to patients who develop mucositis after radiation or chemotherapy treatments. It is also very effective against hair fall. It improves the scalp and stimulates hair growth. It is also found to be effective in maintaining blood sugar levels. It boosts immunity and is also effective in reducing weight.
Vacha (Acorus calamus)
The roots of this rhizome have a very strong smell and is normally used for fumigation. It is a very important medicine to improve intelligence, memory and speech. It is hence given to babies with honey and ghee. It has a tikta taste and after digestion it becomes katu and it has a ushna veerya. It improves agni, digests ama and reduces kapha and vata. It is a strong emetic and used in vamana (vomiting) therapy in panchakarma. A paste of vacha made with honey is applied on the tongue to improve clarity.
Nimba (Neem, azadirachta indica).
It is considered a purification medicine. The bark is mainly used. A paste of the leaves is usually taken in skin disorders. It is also good for mouth ulcers. It has a tikta taste and is seetha and laghu (light). It is good for diabetes, swelling and used to get rid of worms.
Thulasi (Ocimum sanctum)
It is very aromatic and in India it is used for worship. In the olden days every house used to have a tulsi plant growing in front of the house. Before leaving the house people used to go around it. It has a kashaya and tikta taste and after digestion becomes katu. It has a ushna veerya and is teekshna. It reduces kapha and vata. It is a very good medicine for any respiratory illness. Its juice is taken for coughs.
These are just a few important medicines which are commonly used in Ayurveda.
Mrs. Mira Swami, Department of Ayurveda