Everyone one of us is well familiar with the term Ayurveda. But do you know what things are used in the treatment process of this healing method. Only few would have known that all the spices and herbs we used daily in our food cooking have medicinal properties used in ayurveda for e.g. onion, garlic, turmeric, clove, cardamom, cumin, coriander etc. Besides this, a no of medicinal plants found in India have very important role in ayurvedic treatment.
Ayurveda believes that body is made up of three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Generally one or two is dominant in the body. Their imbalance is the root cause of all diseases in the body. The basic tenet of ayurveda is to treat body with holistic and natural therapies. Ayurvedic medicines mainly strive to keep a balance of physical body with mind and spirit to achieve inner harmony.
During the preparation of ayurvedic medicines mainly parts of plants are used such as stems, leaves, twigs, roots, flowers. Sometimes some animal products like milk, bones gallstones can also be used. Some minerals like arsenic, gold, copper, lead are also added. The practice of adding minerals is known as rasa shastra. In case of operation, alcohol is used as a narcotic.
Some of the important medicinal plants used in ayurveda are-
Tulsi: Along with being worshiped, its leaves are used in gastric disturbances. Its juice is used during cold and cough and also applied to skin in ring-worm. Root decoction is very good during malarial fever.
Amla: Its round pale yellow fruit has many properties like being digestive, carminative, anti-pyretic and tonic. It is mainly used in jaundice, hemorrhages and many other disorders.
Sarpagandha: It provides very effective remedy in hypertension due to the alkaloid reserpine present in its roots. It gives significant results in high blood pressure, insanity and schizophrenia.
Brahmi: Its fleshy stem and leaves are very helpful in dealing with brain problems. Brahmi products are used during rheumatism, mental disorders, constipation.
Ashwagandha: found in drier parts of country this small shrub is nerve tonic and has aphrodisiac properties.
Neem: often referred as “sarva rog nivarak”, as every part this tree has medicinal value.
Villagers still use its twig to brush their teeth. Its oil is added in soaps, shampoos, balms, toothpastes to keep away the diseases. Neem has its uses from skin ailments to cancer.
The addition of minerals in these plants products is becoming a safety concern as could cause certain adverse effects. Although, practitioners reduce the lethal effects of minerals through purification but now a rule has been made to mention the percentage of mineral content in Ayurvedic medicines.
All the above described drugs, like the western medicines do not have any negative impact. An ayurvedic doctor mainly recommends a natural course of herbs, proper diet, meditation, yoga to bring back the harmony. Initially detoxification drugs are given to make body free of negative toxins then herbs are used to bring the three doshas in harmony. With this harmony an individual can live a more pleasant and harmonious life.
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