Withania Somnifera – Ashvagandha

A combination of the Sanskrit words ‘ashva’, meaning horse, and ‘gandha’, meaning smell, combine to form Ashvagandha, which implies that the Ashvagandha fresh roots have a strong horse-like odor. It also implies to its potential ability to increase strength. Botanical Name: Withania somnifera Family Name: Solanaceae  English Name: Indian ginseng, Poison gooseberry, Winter cherry. Synonyms in Sanskrit: Vajigandha, Hayagandha,, Turagagandha, Varahakarni, Balada, Kushthagandhini, Atishukrala (वाजि-हय-तुरग-गन्धा, वराहकर्णी, बलदा, कुष्ठगन्धिनी, अतिशुक्रला) Categorization in Classical Texts: Charaka: Balya, Bruhmaniya, Madhuraskandha External Morphology Short, tender, perennial herb.Read more about Withania Somnifera – Ashvagandha[…]

First 4 Steps to Get Started in an Ayurveda Lifestyle

Ayurveda encourages the maintenance of health through close attention to balance in your life, right thinking, diet, lifestyle and the use of herbs. It is the world’s oldest health system but is also most relevant for our modern lifestyles. Everywhere people are busy in earning their livelihoods, attending to their families and then striving for social, success and self-recognition needs. In spite of the busy life, people are also becoming more conscious about how toRead more about First 4 Steps to Get Started in an Ayurveda Lifestyle[…]

Centella asiatica – The Brain Food and the Miracle Elixir of Life

An Overview, Benefits, Side Effects and Interactions Best used as a revitalizing herb that strengthens nervous function and memory Family Name: Apiaceae (previously known as Umbelliferae) Botanical Name: Centella asiatica (Linn.) Urban, Hydrocotyle asiatica Linn. English Name: Indian pennywort, Asiatic pennywort, Gotukola Hindi Name: Bengsag (बेंगसाग) Sanskrit Name: Mandukaparni, Mandooki (मण्डूकपर्णी, माण्डूकी) Charaksamhita: Tikta skandh, Prajasthapan, Vayasthapan Sushrutsamhita: Tikta varg Taste: Bitter (Subtaste – Astringent) Nature: Cold Parts Used and Season of collection: All parts of the plant. Flowering in spring and fruiting in summer.Read more about Centella asiatica – The Brain Food and the Miracle Elixir of Life[…]

Soymida febrifuga – Indian redwood

An Overview, Benefits, Side Effects and Interactions Best used for Diarrhea, Wound healing (व्रणरोहण) and as Febrifuge and Antioxidant Family Name: Meliaceae  Botanical Name: Soymida febrifuga A.Juss, Swietenia febrifuga Roxb. English Name: Indian redwood Hindi Name: Rohan (रोहण) Sanskrit Name: Mansrohini (मांसरोहिणी) Charaksamhita: Balya Sushrutsamhita: Nyagrodhadi Taste: Astringent, Pungent Nature: Cold Parts Used: Bark Description S.febrifuga is a medium to large deciduous or evergreen tree growing upto 30 m tall high, with trunk diameter up to 120 cm. The bark is tough, reddishRead more about Soymida febrifuga – Indian redwood[…]

Cissus quadrangularis – Veldt grape

An Overview, Benefits, Side Effects and Interactions Best used for Bone health, Fractures and Rheumatic pains (अस्थिसन्धानीय) Family Name: Vitaceae (grape family) Botanical Name: Cissus quadrangularis Linn. English Name: Edible -stemmed vine, Veldt grape, Devil’s backbone, Adamant creeper Hindi Name: Hadjod (हड़जोड़) Sanskrit Name: Asthishrinkhla, Asthisamharaka, Vajravalli (अस्थिशृंखला, अस्थिसंहारी, वज्रवल्ली) Taste: Sweet Nature: Hot Parts Used: All parts of the plant Description C.quadrangularis is a succulent climbing perennial plant of the grape family that reaches upto 3m. It grows to 5 m (16 ft) by .5 mRead more about Cissus quadrangularis – Veldt grape[…]