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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

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