General Ayurveda Information

Ayurveda is a complete health care science, focused on restoring and maintaining balance of the mind, body and spirit. The tools of Ayurveda are powerful in both preventing disease in those who are healthy and curing disease in those who are ill. The practice of Ayurveda involves working with all five senses utilizing diet, herbs, aroma, yoga, meditation and much more to restore harmony and balance. The wonders of Ayurveda come from universal guidelines elegantly fit to serve the needs of the individual. It is timeless and unbound by region or culture as it reflects the individual and all his/her aspects. Ayurveda, or the “Science of Living” is one of the oldest complete medicinal systems still in practice today. Rooted in the Vedas, which are ancient Indian text, Ayurveda teaches the fundamentals and protocols that help one achieve optimum health on a daily basis. Ayurveda provides us with a map to our natural basic rhythms and can bring balance to the body..

Articles & Selected Writings

Building Ojas by Jill Talve
Hypertension & Lifestyle by Lori Williams, RN, A.H.P.
Brahmi: “Herb of Grace” by Dhara Patel, A.H.P
Challenges in the West by Marina Heaney

Herb Glossary

Ajwain

Herb Name: Ajwain or Ajowan
Latin Name: Apium graveolens
Energetics: KV-P+
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Alfalfa

Herb Name: Alfalfa
Latin Name: Medicago sativa
Energetics: PK-V+
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Cooling

Aloe

Herb Name: Aloe
Latin Name: Aloe
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Bitter, astringent, pungent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Amla (Amalaki)

Herb Name: Amla (Amalaki)
Latin Name: Emblica officinalis
Energetics: PV-K and Ama+
Rasa: All tastes but salty, predominantly sour
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Bhumyamalaki

Herb Name: Bhumyamalaki
Latin Name: Phyllanthus niruri
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Bitter, astringent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Bibhitaki

Herb Name: Bibhitaki
Latin Name: Terminalia belerica
Energetics: KP-V
Rasa: Astringent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Black Pepper

Herb Name: Black Pepper
Latin Name: Piper nigrum
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Brahmi

Herb Name: Brahmi
Latin Name: Bacopa monniera
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Bitter, astringent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Burdock

Herb Name: Burdock
Latin Name: Arctium lappa
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, pungent, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Calamus Root

Herb Name: Calamus Root
Latin Name: Acorus calamus
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Pungent, bitter, astringent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Camphor

Herb Name: Camphor
Latin Name: Cinnamomum camphora
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Pungent, bitter
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Cardamom

Herb Name: Cardamom
Latin Name: Elettaria cardamomum
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Pungent, sweet
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Cayenne Pepper

Herb Name: Cayenne Pepper
Latin Name: Capsicum annuum
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Chamomile

Herb Name: Chamomile
Latin Name: Anthemis nobilis
Energetics: KP-V
Rasa: Bitter, pungent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Chitrak

Herb Name: Chitrak
Latin Name: Phambago zeylonica
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Chrysanthemum

Herb Name: Chrysanthemum
Latin Name: Chrysanthemum indicum
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Cinnamon

Herb Name: Cinnamon
Latin Name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Pungent, sweet, astingent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Cloves

Herb Name: Cloves
Latin Name: Caryophyllus aromaticus
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Comfrey

Herb Name: Comfrey
Latin Name: Symphytum officinale
Energetics: PV-K
Rasa: Sweet, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Coriander

Herb Name: Coriander
Latin Name: Coriandrum sativum
Energetics: PKV=
Rasa: Bitter, pungent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Dandelion

Herb Name: Dandelion
Latin Name: Taraxacum officinale
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Echinacea

Herb Name: Echinacea
Latin Name: Echinacea angustifolia
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, pungent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Ephedra

Herb Name: Ephedra
Latin Name: Ephedra vulgaris
Energetics: K-P
Rasa: Pungent, astringent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Fennel Seeds

Herb Name: Fennel Seeds
Latin Name: Foeniculucm vulgaris
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Sweet, pungent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Fenugreek

Herb Name: Fenugreek
Latin Name: Trigonella foenumgraeceum
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Bitter, sweet, pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Flaxseed

Herb Name: Flaxseed
Latin Name: Iinum usitatissimum
Energetics: V-PK
Rasa: Sweet, astringent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Fo-Ti

Herb Name: Fo-Ti
Latin Name: Polygonum multiflorum
Energetics: PV-K and Ama
Rasa: Sweet, bitter, astringent
Virya:Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Garlic

Herb Name: Garlic
Latin Name: Allium sativum
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: All but sour, mainly pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Gentian

Herb Name: Gentian
Latin Name: Gentiana
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Ginger

Herb Name: Ginger
Latin Name: Zingiber officinale
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Pungent, sweet
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Ginseng

Herb Name: Ginseng
Latin Name: Panax ginseng
Energetics: VPK=PK
Rasa: Pungent, bitter, sweet
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Gokshura

Herb Name: Gokshura
Latin Name: Tribulis terrestris
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Sweet, bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Golden Seal

Herb Name: Golden Seal
Latin Name: Hydrastis canadensis
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Gotu Kola

Herb Name: Gotu Kola
Latin Name: Centella asiatica
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Guduchi

Herb Name: Guduchi
Latin Name: Tinospora cordifolia
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Bitter, astringent, sweet
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Guggul

Herb Name: Guggul
Latin Name: Commiphora mukul
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Sweet, bitter, pungent, astringent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Haritaki

Herb Name: Haritaki
Latin Name: Terminalia chebula
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Astringent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Hawthorn Berries

Herb Name: Hawthorn Berries
Latin Name: Crataegus oxycantha
Energetics: V-P
Rasa: Sour
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sour

Hibiscus Flowers

Herb Name: Hibiscus Flowers
Latin Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Astringent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Horsetail

Herb Name: Horsetail
Latin Name: Equisetum
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Irish Moss

Herb Name: Irish Moss
Latin Name: Chondrus crispus
Energetics: VP-K
Rasa: Salty, sweet, astingent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Jasmine Flowers

Herb Name: Jasmine Flowers
Latin Name: Jasminum grandiflorum
Energetics: KP-V
Rasa: Bitter, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Jatamamsi

Herb Name: Jatamamsi
Latin Name: Nardostachys jatamamsi
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Bitter, astringent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Kapikacchu

Herb Name: Kapikacchu
Latin Name: Mucuna pruriens
Energetics: KV-P=
Rasa: Sweet, bitter
Virya: Warm
Vipak: Sweet

Katuka(Kutki)

Herb Name: Katuka(Kutki)
Latin Name: Picrorrhiza kurroa
Energetics: KP-V=
Rasa: Bitter, pungent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Licorice

Herb Name: Licorice
Latin Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
Energetics: VP-K
Rasa: Bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Lodhra

Herb Name: Lodhra
Latin Name: Symplocos racemosa
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Lotus

Herb Name: Lotus
Latin Name: Nelumbo nucifera
Energetics: PV-K
Rasa: Sweet, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Manjishta

Herb Name: Manjishta
Latin Name: Rubia cordifolia
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Marshmallow

Herb Name: Marshmallow
Latin Name: Althea officinalis
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Mint

Herb Name: Mint
Latin Name: Mentha
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Mugwort

Herb Name: Mugwort
Latin Name: Artemesia vulgaris
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Bitter, pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Mullein

Herb Name: Mullein
Latin Name: Verbascum thapsus
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, astringent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Musta

Herb Name: Musta
Latin Name: Cyperus rotundus
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Pungent, bitter, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Myrrh

Herb Name: Myrrh
Latin Name: Commiphora myrrha
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Pungent, bitter, astringent, sweet
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Neem

Herb Name: Neem
Latin Name: Azadiracta indica
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Nutmeg

Herb Name: Nutmeg
Latin Name: Myristica fragrans
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Parsley

Herb Name: Parsley
Latin Name: Petroselinum
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Pungent, bitter(herb), sweet, bitter(root)
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Pennyroyal

Herb Name: Pennyroyal
Latin Name: Mentha pulegium
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Pippali

Herb Name: Pippali
Latin Name: Piper longum
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Pungent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Pomegranate

Herb Name: Pomegranate
Latin Name: Punica granatum
Energetics: Sweet variety is said to alleviate all three doshas
Rasa: The sour variety may aggravate Pitta, the common pomegranate is the sweet variety and may increase Ama, astringent bitter (fruit rind and rootbark), sweet sour (fruit)
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Poppy Seeds

Herb Name: Poppy Seeds
Latin Name: Papaver spp
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Pungent, bitter, astringent
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Prickly Ash

Herb Name: Prickly Ash
Latin Name: Xanthoxylum spp
Energetics: VK-P
Rasa: Pungent, bitter
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Psyllium

Herb Name: Psyllium
Latin Name: Plantago psyllium
Energetics: PV-K
Rasa: Sweet, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Purnanava

Herb Name: Purnanava
Latin Name: Boerhaavia diffusa
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Bitter, sweet
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Pungent

Raspberry

Herb Name: Raspberry
Latin Name: Rubus spp
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Astringent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Red Clover

Herb Name: Red Clover
Latin Name: Trifolium pratense
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Rehmannia

Herb Name: Rehmannia
Latin Name: Rehmannia glutinosa
Energetics: PV-K and Ama
Rasa: Sweet, bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Rhubarb

Herb Name: Rhubarb
Latin Name: Rheum spp
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Rose Flowers

Herb Name: Rose Flowers
Latin Name: Rosa spp
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Astringent, bitter, pungent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Saffron

Herb Name: Saffron
Latin Name: Crocus sativus
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Bitter, pungent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Sage

Herb Name: Sage
Latin Name: Salvia officinalis
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Pungent, bitter, astringent
Virya: Peating (slightly)
Vipak: Pungent

Sallaki(boswelia)

Herb Name: Sallaki(boswelia)
Latin Name: Boswellia seffata
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Bitter, astringent, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Sandalwood

Herb Name: Sandalwood
Latin Name: Santalum album
Energetics: PV-K and Ama
Rasa: Astringent, bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Senna

Herb Name: Senna
Latin Name: Cassia acutifolia
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Sesame Seeds

Herb Name: Sesame Seeds
Latin Name: Sesamum indicum
Energetics: V-PK or Ama
Rasa: Sweet
Virya: Heating
Vipak: Sweet

Shankha Pushpi

Herb Name: Shankha Pushpi
Latin Name: Evolvus alsinodes
Energetics: VPK=
Rasa: Astringent
Virya: Warm
Vipak: Sweet

Shatavari

Herb Name: Shatavari
Latin Name: Asparagus racemosa
Energetics: PV-K
Rasa: Bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Shilajit

Herb Name: Shilajit
Latin Name: Santalum album
Energetics: PV-K and Ama
Rasa: Astringent, bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Skullcap

Herb Name: Skullcap
Latin Name: Cassia acutifolia
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Solomon’s Seal

Herb Name: Solomon’s Seal
Latin Name: Polygonatum spp
Energetics: VPK= or Ama
Rasa: Sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Turmeric

Herb Name: Turmeric
Latin Name: Curcuma longa

Valerian

Herb Name: Valerian
Latin Name: Veleriana

Vamsha Rochana

Herb Name: Vamsha Rochana
Latin Name: Bambusa arundinaceae
Energetics: PV-K
Rasa: Sweet, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Vidanga

Herb Name: Vidanga
Latin Name: Embelia ribes
Energetics: KV-P
Rasa: Astringent, pungent
Virya: Warm
Vipak: Pungent

Wild Cherry Bark

Herb Name: Wild Cherry Bark
Latin Name: Prunus ssp
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Bitter, astringent
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Wild Yam

Herb Name: Wild Yam
Latin Name: Dioscorea
Energetics: VP-K
Rasa: Bitter, sweet
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Sweet

Yarrow

Herb Name: Yarrow
Latin Name: Achillea millefolium
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Astringent, pungent, bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

Yellow Dock

Herb Name: Yellow Dock
Latin Name: Rumex crispus
Energetics: PK-V
Rasa: Astringent, bitter
Virya: Cooling
Vipak: Pungent

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