Ayurveda Materia Medica
Ancient Ayurvedic Herbs and 
their Traditional Uses

The Top 24 Most Commonly-Used Ayurvedic Herbs

Any of these herbs are available for purchase from our Ayurvedic Herb Store.  Simply click on any of the herbs below to find out more information.

1. Amalaki  (Emblica officinalis)
2. Haritaki  (Terminalia chebula)
3. Bibhitaki  (Terminalia belerica)
4. Shatavari  (Asparagus racemosus)
5. Punarnava  (Boerrhavia diffusa)
6. Ashwagandha  (Withania somnifera)
7. Bala  (Sida cordifolia)
8. Brahmi  (Hydrocotyl asiatica)
9. Guduchi  (Tinospora cordifolia)
10. Kutki  (Picrorhiza kurroa)
11. Licorice  (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
12. Jatamamsi  (Nardostachys jatamamsi)
13. Pippali  (Piper longum)
14. Tagar  (Valeriana wallichi)
15. Vidhari  (Ipomomea digitata)
16. Vidanga  (Embelia ribes)
17. Shardunika  (Gymnema sylvestre)
18. Neem  (Azadirachta indica)
19. Manjishta  (Rubia cordifolia)
20. Sandalwood  (Santalum album)
21. Chitrak  (Plumbago zeylanica)
22. Bhringaraj  (Eclipta alba)
23. Gokshura  (Tribulus terrestris)
24. Guggulu  (Commiphora mukul)
25. Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)

Embelia ribes-Vidanga-Embelia.htm

Terminalia arjuna-Arjuna-Arjuna Myrobalan.htm

Ayurvedic and Western Herbs List with Energetic Indications and Doshic Effects

Click here to view a detailed (936 Kb) document listing 237 Ayurvedic and Western herbs listing their botanical Latin name, Indian Sanskrit name, common name, effects on vata, pitta, and kapha, their taste in the mouth (rasa - sweet [madhura], sour [amla], salty [lavana], pungent [katu], bitter [tikta] or astringent [kashaya]), heating [ushna] or cooling [shita] energy (virya), and post digestive effect (vipak).   

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Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)

Click here to view a graphical (41 Kb) Acrobat document containing a beautiful drawing by Dr. Vasant Lad B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc., Ayurvedic Physician, describing the healing effects of the Indian herb shatavari including its botanical Latin name, vata and pitta soothing and kapha provoking effects, its bitter and sweet taste in the mouth (rasa), cooling energy (virya), and sweet post digestive effect (vipak).   

Vidari (Ipomea digitata)

Click here to view a graphical (40 Kb) Acrobat document containing a beautiful drawing by Dr. Vasant Lad B.A.M.S., M.A.Sc., Ayurvedic Physician, describing the healing effects of the Indian herb shatavari including its botanical Latin name (Ipomdea digitata), vata and pitta soothing and kapha provoking effects, its sweet taste in the mouth (rasa), cooling energy (virya), and sweet post digestive effect (vipak).   

Asphaltum-Shilajit-mineral pitch.htm
Compound-Abhrak Bhasma-Mica Ash.htm
Compound-Dashamula-Ten roots.htm
Compound-Kaishore Guggulu-.htm
Compound-Maha Sudarshan-.htm
Compound-Sitopaladi-.htm
Compound-Triphala Guggulu-.htm
Compound-Yogaraj Guggulu-.htm

Acorus calamus-Vacha-Sweet Flag.htm
Adhatoda vasica-Vasaka-malabar nut.htm
Aegle marmelos-Bilva-Bael Fruit (bark).htm
Aegle marmelos-Bilva-Bael Fruit (ripe).htm
Allium cepa-Palandu-Onion.htm
Allium sativum-Lashuna-Garlic.htm
Aloe barbadensis-Kumari-Aloe.htm
Alum-Kangshi-Alum.htm
Alum-Kyngshi-Alum.htm
Amygdalus communis-Badam-Almond Meal.htm
Anacyclus pyrethrum-Akarakarava-Akarkarabha.htm
Anethum graveolens-Mishreya-Dill.htm
Angelica glauca-Choraka-Angelica Root.htm
Apium graveolens-Ajamoda-Wild celery.htm
Apium gravolens-Ajmoda-Wild Celery.htm
Arctium lappa--Burdock.htm
Asparagus racemosus-Shatavari-Asparagus Root.htm
Asphaltum-Shilajit-mineral pitch.htm
Azadiracta indica-Neem-Indian Lilac.htm
Bacopa moniera-Herpestis-Bacopa (Brahmi).htm
Bacopa moniera-Mandukaparni-Thyme Leaved Gratiola.htm
Baking Soda-Alka-Baking Soda.htm
Bambusa arundinacea-Banslochan-Eye of Bamboo.htm
Bauhinia variegata-Kanchanara-.htm
Black Salt-Krishna Black Salt-Salt, Black.htm
Boerhaavia diffusa-Punarnava-Spreading Hogweed.htm
Brassica juncea--Mustard Seed Brown.htm
Cardiospermum halicacabum-Jyotismati-Balloon Vine.htm
Carum copticum-Ajwain-Wild caraway.htm
Caryophyllus aromaticus-Lavanga-Clove.htm
Cassia acutifolia-Sonymukhi-Senna.htm
Catharanthus roseus--Periwinkle.htm
Cedrus deodara-Deodara-.htm
Centella asiatica--Gotu Kola.htm
Cinnamomum camphora-Karpura-Camphor.htm
Cinnamomum zeylanicum-Twak-Cinnamon.htm
Citric Acid-Nimbu-Citric Acid.htm
Commiphora mukul-Guggulu-Indian Bedellium.htm
Commiphora myrrha-Bola-Myrrh.htm
Compound--.htm
Compound-Abhrak Bhasma-Mica Ash.htm
Compound-Agni Churna-.htm
Compound-Avipattikar-.htm
Compound-Chandanadi Bati-.htm
Compound-chandra prabha-.htm
Compound-Chandradayavarti Bati-.htm
Compound-Chitrakadi Bati-.htm
Compound-Chopchini-.htm
Compound-Chopchinyadi-.htm
Compound-chyavanaprash-.htm
Compound-Dardol Bati-.htm
Compound-Dashamula-Ten roots.htm
Compound-Dashamula-Ten roots2.htm
Compound-drakshava-.htm
Compound-Dugdha Pashan Bhasma-Silicate of Magnesia.htm
Compound-Gandharva Haritaki-Haritaki and Castor Oil.htm
Compound-Garam Masala-.htm
Compound-Gokshuradi Guggulu Bati-.htm
Compound-Gokshuradi Guggulu-.htm
Compound-Hingwastak Churna Bati-.htm
Compound-Hingwastak Churna-.htm
Compound-Kaishore Guggulu Bati-.htm
Compound-Kaishore Guggulu-.htm
Compound-Kamadudha Ras-.htm
Compound-Kampillaka-.htm
Compound-Kanchanar Guggulu Bati-.htm
Compound-Kanchanara Guggulu-.htm
Compound-Khaidiradi Bati-.htm
Compound-Kumari asava-.htm
Compound-Kumari asava-aloe vera geljuice.htm
Compound-Laghumalini vasant-.htm
Compound-Lakshami Vilas-.htm
Compound-Lasunadi Bati-.htm
Compound-Lavanbaskar-.htm
Compound-Lavangadi Bati-.htm
Compound-Llakshmi vilas-.htm
Compound-Loha Bhasma-Iron Ash.htm
Compound-Maha Sudarshan-.htm
Compound-Mahanaryana Tel-.htm
Compound-Mahasudarshan Ghana Vati-.htm
Compound-Makardhvaja-.htm
Compound-Moti Bhasma-.htm
Compound-Moti Pishti-.htm
Compound-Mutral-.htm
Compound-Pachak Bati-.htm
Compound-Pradarantak Bati-.htm
Compound-Praval bhasma-.htm
Compound-Prawal Bhasma-.htm
Compound-Prawal Panchamrit-.htm
Compound-Prawal Pishti-.htm
Compound-Punarnavadi Guggulu Bati-.htm
Compound-Punarnavadi Guggulu-.htm
Compound-Sanjivani-.htm
Compound-Sanshamani Bati-.htm
Compound-Sarasvati-.htm
Compound-Saraswati paryaya-.htm
Compound-Saraswati-.htm
Compound-Shanka Bati-.htm
Compound-Shankha Bhasma-Conch Ash.htm
Compound-Shilajit Bati-mineral pitch.htm
Compound-Shringa Bhasma-Deerhorn Ash.htm
Compound-Sinhanad Guggulu-.htm
Compound-Sitopaladi Churna Bati-.htm
Compound-Sitopaladi-.htm
Compound-Sudarshan Bati-.htm
Compound-Talisadi-.htm
Compound-Tankan Bhasma-Borax Ash.htm
Compound-Tikta Churna-.htm
Compound-Trikatu-.htm
Compound-Triphala Churna Bati-.htm
Compound-Triphala Guggulu Bati-.htm
Compound-Triphala Guggulu-.htm
Compound-Triphala-.htm
Compound-Vacha (paryaya)-.htm
Compound-Yogaraj Guggulu Bati-.htm
Compound-Yogaraj Guggulu-.htm
Coriandrum sativum-Dhanyaka-Cilantro leaf.htm
Coriandrum sativum-Dhanyaka-Coriander.htm
Coriandrum sativum-Dhanyaka-Coriander2.htm
Crataegus oxyacantha-Ban-sangli-Hawthorn (Berry).htm
Cuminum cyminum-Jiraka-Cumin.htm
Cuminum cyminum-Jiraka-Cumin2.htm
Curcuma longa-Haridra-Turmeric.htm
Curcuma longa-Haridra-Turmeric2.htm
Cymbopogon citratus-Bhustrina-Lemon grass.htm
Cyperus rotundus-Musta-Nut grass.htm
Echinacea angustifolia--Echinacea.htm
Eclipta alba-Bhringaraj-False Daisy.htm
Elettaria cardamomum-Ela-Cardamom.htm
Embelia ribes-Vidanga-Embelia.htm
Emblica officinalis-Amalaka-Indian Gooseberry.htm
Ephedra vulgaris-Somalata-Ephedra.htm
Evolvulus alsinodes-Shankapushpi-Dankuni plant.htm
Ferula foetidanarthex-Hing-Asofoetida.htm
Foeniculum vulgare-Shatapushpa-Fennel.htm
Foeniculum vulgare-Shatapushpa-Fennel2.htm
Garcinia pedunculata-Amala Vetasa-Indian Rhubarb.htm
Gardenia gumifera-Hingunadika (Nadihingu)-Dikamali.htm
Ginkgo biloba--Ginkgo.htm
Glycyrrhiza glabra-Yasti Madhu-Licorice Root.htm
Gymnema sylvestre-Shardunika Madhunashini-.htm
Hemidesmus indicus-Anantamul-Indian Sarsparilla.htm
Herpestis monniera-Brahmi-.htm
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis-Japa-Hibiscus.htm
Hitchenia caulina-Tavakhirr-Arrow Root.htm
Holarrhena antidysenterica-Kutaj-Conessi Bark.htm
Hordeum vulgare--Barley Green.htm
Hydrastis canadensis--Golden Seal.htm
Hydrocotyle asiatica-Brahmi (North Indian)-Brahmi.htm
Hypericum perforatum--St. John's Wort.htm
Inula helenium-Pushkaramula-Elecampane.htm
Ipomoea digitata-Vidari-Wild Yam Root.htm
Laurus nobilis--Bay Leaf.htm
Lawsonia spp.-Mendhi-Henna (Persian Red).htm
Ligusticum porteri--Osha.htm
Linum usitatissimum--Flax Seed.htm
Mallotus philippensis-Kampilaka-.htm
Mallotus philippensis-Kapila-Indian kamala (rottlera).htm
Matricaria chamomilla-Babuna-Chamomile.htm
Mentha piperata-Gamathi phudina-Peppermint.htm
Mentha spicata-Phudina-Spearmint.htm
Mineral Salts-Papadkhar-mineral salts.htm
Mucuna pruriens-Kapikacchu (Atma Gupta)-Cowitch Plant (Kuhili).htm
Myristica fragrans-Jatiphala-Nutmeg.htm
Nagakeshara-Nagkeshar-.htm
Nardostachys jatamamsi-Jatamamsi-Indian spikenard.htm
Nelumbo nucifera-Padma-Lotus.htm
Ocimum basilicum-Tulsi-Basil, common.htm
Ocimum sanctum-Tulsi-Holy Basil.htm
Ocimum sanctum-Tulsi-Opal Basil.htm
Papadkhara-papadkhara-.htm
Passiflora incarnata-Krishna Kamala-Passion Flower.htm
Phyllanthus niruri-Bhumyamalaki-Feather-foil plant.htm
Picrorhiza kurroa-Katuka-Kutki (Hellbore).htm
Piper longum-Pippali (whole)-Indian Long Pepper.htm
Piper longum-Pippali Mul-Indian Longpepper root.htm
Piper longum-Pippali-Indian Long Pepper.htm
Piper methysticum--Kava Kava.htm
Piper nigrum-Marich-Pepper, black.htm
Plantago psyllium-Sat Isabgol-Psyllium Seed Husks.htm
Plumbago zeylanica-Chitrak-White Leadwort.htm
Psoralea corylifolia-Bakuchi-Babchi seeds.htm
Pterocarpus santalinus-Chandana (Rakta)-Red Sandalwood.htm
Rawolfia serpentina-Sarpagandha-.htm
Rheum palmatum--Turkey Rhubarb.htm
Rock Candy-Sita-Rock Candy.htm
Rock Salt-Saindhava-Salt, Rock.htm
Rosa spp.-Taruni Shatapatri-Rose petals.htm
Rosa spp.-Taruni Shatapatri-Rose petals2.htm
Rubia cordifolia-Manjishtha-Madder Root.htm
Rumex crispus--Yellow Dock.htm
Saccharum officinarum-Sakhara-Cane Sugar.htm
Santalum album-Chandana-Sandalwood.htm
Saraca indica-Ashoka-Ashoka.htm
Sarpagandha-Sarpagandha-.htm
Scutellaria lateriflora--Skullcap.htm
Sida cordifolia-Bala-Indian Country Mallow.htm
Smilax china-chopchini-.htm
Solanum xanthocarpum-Kantakari-Indian solanum.htm
Spirulina--Spirulina.htm
Swertia chirata-Kirata-Tikta-Chiretta.htm
Symphytum officinale--Comfrey.htm
Taraxacum officinalis-Dughdapheni-Dandelion Root.htm
Terminalia arjuna-Arjuna-Arjuna Myrobalan.htm
Terminalia bellerica-Bibhitaki-Beleric Myrobalan.htm
Terminalia chebula-Haritaki-Chebulic Myrobalan.htm
Tinospora cordifolia-Guduchi-Heartleaf moonseed.htm
Tinospora cordifolia-Gulwel Satva-.htm
Tribulus terrestris-Gokshura-Puncture vine.htm
Trigonella foenum-graeceum-Mehti-Fenugreek.htm
Ulmus fulva--Slippery Elm.htm
Valeriana wallichi-Tagara-Lindian Valerian.htm
Valeriania officinalis--Valerian.htm
Vetiveria zizanioides-Ushira-Vetiver.htm
Vitex negundo-Nirgundi-five-leaved chaste tree.htm
Vitis vinifera-Drakhasava-.htm
Withania somnifera-Ashwagandha Bati-Winter Cherry.htm
Withania somnifera-Ashwagandha-Winter Cherry.htm
Zanthoxylum americanum-Tumburu-Prickly Ash.htm
Zingiber officinale-Shunthi-Ginger (dry).htm
Zingiberis officinalis-Shunthi-Ginger (dry).htm