10 herbs to include in your Ayurvedic home-Kit

by Nyra Goodhart

Introduction: 

Ayurveda is the ancient science of herbology native to India. Evolved over thousands of years, Ayurveda consists of about 600 herbal formulae and over 260 individual plant remedies. Ayurvedic herbal medicines are often prescribed in combination with holistic lifestyle changes in order to induce health and balance in the body and mind.

The use of natural and traditional solutions, including Ayurvedic herbs, in prevention of diseases and maintenance of health, ranks second only to exercise/physical activity. Many modern homes are increasingly adding an Ayurvedic Kit to their medicine cabinet. And if you want to start building your go-to Ayurvedic home-kit, here are 10 herbs to start with:   

Ashwagandha

Botanical Name: Withania somnifera

English Name: Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Reduces blood sugar
2. Lowers cortisol
3. Calms the nervous system
4. Helps manage stress and anxiety
5. Aids better sleep
6. Improves brain function
7. Enhances memory
8. Anti-carcinogenic
9. Improves heart health
10. Boosts Immunity
11. Improves male fertility
12. Helps in muscle building
13. Lowers cholesterol & triglycerides
14. Reduces inflammation

Brahmi

Botanical Name: Bacopa monnieri

English Name: Water hyssop, Thyme-leaved gratiola, Herb of grace

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Powerful antioxidant properties
2. Reduces inflammation
3. Boosts brain function
4. Helps with ADHD symptoms
5. Prevents anxiety & stress
6. Lowers blood pressure
7. Has anti-cancer properties
8. Helps in insomnia
9. Boosts memory
10. Nourishes hair health
11. Anti-epileptic, analgesic and antipyretic
12. Aids relaxed breathing in asthmatics 

Gotu Kola

Botanical Name: Centella asiatica

English Name: Indian pennywort and Asiatic pennywort

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Boosts cognitive function
2. Helps with alzheimer’s disease
3. Reduces anxiety & stress
4. Acts as an antidepressant
5. Improves circulation
6. Eases insomnia
7. Relieves joint pain
8. Promotes wound healing
9. Prevents scarring
10. Has detox effect
11. Helps in treating varicose veins
12. Regenerates collagen if applied topically 

Haridra - Haridrakhand

Botanical Name: Curcuma longa Linn.

English Name: Turmeric

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Supports a healthy inflammatory response
2. Useful in immune modulation
3. Helps improve metabolism
4. Has antioxidant properties
5. Improves liver function
6. Regulates blood sugar levels
7. Aids digestion
8. Helps in allergic rhinitis
9. Lowers risk of brain diseases
10. Helps in prevention & cure of cancer
11. Benefits arthritis patients
12. Helps in fighting depression

Amalaki

Botanical Name: Phyllanthus emblica

English Name: Indian gooseberry

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Prevents hyperlipidemia (a condition marked by abnormally high levels of cholesterol and other blood fats)
2. Regulates blood pressure
3. Prevents diabetes
4. Fights cancer cells
5. Helps patients with osteoarthritis pain
6. Improves digestion 
7. Rich in vitamin A, which is key to improving eye health
8. Brings relief in IBS 
9. Improves immunity
10. Benefits memory and brain health

Triphala - Triphala Churna / Triphala Tablets

Definition: Triphala is a herbal combination consisting of three ingredients: Emblica officinalis (Amalaki), Terminalia bellerica (Bibhitaki), and Terminalia chebula (Haritaki)

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Anti-inflammatory
2. Protects against cancer
3. Aids weight loss
4. Has natural laxative properties
5. Aids in diabetes management
6. Heals stomach ulcers
7. Helps aid symptoms of arthritis
8. Can reverse stress-patterns in the brain

Arjunaa - Arjuna Tablet

Botanical Name: Terminalia arjuna

English Name: Arjun tree

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Protects against stomach ulcers
2. Fights gastritis and stomach infections
3. Treats diarrhoea and dysentery
4. Controls blood pressure
5. Regulates blood sugar levels
6. Lowers cholesterol
7. Heals wounds
8. Treats heart diseases
9. Reduces risk of urinary disorders
10. Lowers stress
11. Reduces risk of cardiac diseases

Shatavari  - Shatavari Tablets

Botanical Name: Asparagus racemosus

English Name: Buttermilk root, climbing asparagus, wild asparagus

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Supports stress management
2. Helps with stress-related fertility issues
3. Improves female reproductive health
4. Reduces symptoms of menopause
5. Helps with anxiety
6. Helps with symptoms of PMS
7. Beneficial in amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea & leucorrhea
8. Improves pelvic function
9. Aids male reproductive health
10. Balances vaginal PH
11. Helps fight candida
12. Has antioxidant properties
13. Aids in cleansing the gut

Sallaki / Salai Guggul

Botanical Name: Boswellia serrata

English Name: Indian frankincense, Indian oli-banum

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Anti-inflammatory
2. Prevents swelling & pain in joints
3. Reduces osteoarthritis pain
4. Aids digestive health
5. Promotes female reproductive health
6. Aids in asthma
7. Improves skin health
8. Fights cancer
9. Helps in rheumatoid arthritis
10. Acts as an aphrodisiac
11. Beneficial for treating Ulcerative colitis

Guduchi - Guduchi Capsules

Botanical Name: Tinospora cordifolia

English Name: Giloy

Benefits/Uses: 

1. Boosts immunity
2. Helps detox the body
3. Effective against respiratory illnesses
4. Can aid in COVID19 recovery
5. Boosts liver function
6. Improves digestion
7. Improves heart health
8. Has anti-ageing properties
9. Controls blood sugar levels
10. Helps in treatment of arthritis and gout
11. Improves eyesight
12. Helps in managing fever in dengue, hay fever, seasonal flu and/or covid19

Conclusion: 

Although Ayurvedic herbs are derived from natural sources and are usually well tolerated in small quantities, it is important to seek guidance from an Ayurvedic practitioner to find the right dosage and interactions of the herb with specific body conditions and diseases.