Along with modern medical branches and regimes, many people are seeking alternatives in the form of Ayurveda with its not-so-costlier and not-so side-effects like treatments. Ayurvedic treatments mainly integrate herbs and spices to find solutions to health problems. Ayurveda works on the principle of keeping the balance of three main doshas with the help of food items and gaining balance within the mind and body for overall well-being. Appreciation for Ayurveda has not only been limited to India (where the origin is known to be) but across the world. Learn what are the top 10 Ayurvedic herbs that bring harmony to your life without bombarding you with pills or medicines.
What Is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a system of medicines that originated in the Indian subcontinent more than 5000 years ago. It is purely based on the belief that human health and well-being depend on a delicate balance between mind, soul, and body. Entire ayurvedic treatments are based on three categories of fundamental regulatory principles – Vata, Kapha, and Pitta. The traditional medicine method balances all these doshas and creates harmony to prevent illness, and acute conditions, and offer a hale and healthy life.
What are the Top 10 Ayurvedic Herbs & Spices that are beneficial for our Health?
Many of the ingredients found in the kitchen are the base for ayurvedic treatment and thus we need to know them so that we can include them in our daily diet. Here are 10 powerful Ayurvedic herbs that will help to lead a healthier life:
1. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is a popular herb in Ayurvedic treatment and is known for its numerous benefits. This means the herb can influence your body to manage stress and establish peace at mental levels. It reduces cortisol, which is directly linked with stress. Ashwagandha is consumed in the form of powder or capsules to fight against anxiety and sleep disorders. The roots of this ashwagandha emit the smell of a horse and enhance muscle growth, memory, and male fertility as well. One can consume the prescribed amount of this herb to lower blood sugar levels and reduce inflammatory triggering in the body.
2. Saffron
This valuable spice always adds a distinctive factor to ayurvedic remedies with its unique flavour, aroma, and orange-reddish hue. Applying saffron along with milk or honey on the face may bring the desired glow to the face and thus is an integral ingredient of several face packs and creams. Not only face but saffron can bring positive effects on brain function and vision. Enriched with antioxidant properties, saffron shields your body from free radical damage and your response to stress.
3. Triphala
Triphala is another add-to name in the immensely popular Ayurvedic treatment. Triphala has been used to treat constipation and improve gut health for thousands of years. This ayurvedic remedy consists of three small medicinal fruits: amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki. This trio remedy works as a natural laxative and reduces abdominal pain, acidity, and flatulence while improving bowel movements. Mouthwash containing Triphala also improves oral health by reducing plaque build-up and preventing the growth of mouth bacteria.
4. Amla
Indian Gooseberry or commonly known as amla is a popular name in the Ayurvedic herbs list. Amla is mostly known for its enchanting benefits for hair growth, treating dandruff, and dry scalp. Amla is also consumed in powder form and many of us take it as a first thing in the morning to treat constipation, reduce flatulence, and improve gastrointestinal health. It is also effective for heartburn, ulcers, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Consuming amla regularly can show a significant effect on lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels. With a power source of Vitamin C, amla is bliss for curating vision, and tone liver, and kidney problems.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most commonly found spices names of Ayurvedic herbology. Turmeric brings a unique taste, colour, and aroma to curries, stews, veggies, and other dishes. Curcumin present in turmeric is the hero behind this. Enriched with anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties, turmeric is often kept in handy in treating bruises and wounds. Turmeric prevents the body from free radical damage with its anti-oxidant properties and keeps would be occurring health problems such as cancer, inflammation, and cardiovascular problems at bay.
6. Brahmi
Brahmi is a staple herb that possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. Various ayurvedic medicines like kadha and oil are made up of this herb to improve attention, memory, and information processing in the learning age. Brahmi may also show affirmative results in the treatment of ADHD such as impulsivity, poor self-control, and restlessness. Brahmi may decrease cortisol levels and enables the body to manage stress levels.
7. Cardamom
This queen of spice has been an integral part of several ayurvedic treatments since long ago. Using it as a mouth freshener or adding to sweet dishes, doesn’t fail to take things to the next level. Cardamom is used as a whole or in powder form, and sometimes in extract oil form, too. It may help to reduce elevated levels of blood pressure and increase the uptake of oxygen into the lungs during physical exercise. It may also treat stomach ulcers and also people with hypertension.
8. Boswellia
Boswellia or known as Indian Frankincense aids a lot in ayurvedic treatments with its enriched medicinal profile. It is highly effective with its anti-inflammatory properties and thus it can cause a reduction in leukotrienes. When combined with other medicines, it can improve digestive health and lowers the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. It can also be used to treat chronic asthma by improving breathing patterns. Prescribed consumption of Boswellia can elevate oral health and reduce the risk of infections in the oral cavity. One can use this magical plant to treat joint pain and improve mobility in diseases like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
9. Cumin
Various spices take Indian cuisines to the next level and cumin seeds are ranked among the top. Use of these earthy and nutty flavoured seeds in medicines as well as a spice is common with its in-built properties, such as cholesterol-lowering, antibacterial, and anti-oxidants. It may also help in controlling blood sugar and lowering cholesterol. Cumin seeds soaked overnight and drinking in the morning is considered an effective weight loss remedy. If spices names that are frequently used in Ayurveda are listed, cumin is going to hit a ranking position for sure!
10. Manjistha
Manjistha is commonly used as a blood purifier and ayurvedic treatment. It also features several therapeutic properties, like calcium channel blocking, anti-stress, and anti-platelet. Along with inner body strengthening, manjistha is also effective for skin whitening and treating various skin disorders. It helps to remove pimples, and uneven pigmentation, and repairs damaged skin tissues.
Our inner body strength contributes more to our health than our outer body and thus what we eat becomes most important when we are talking about health. To sustain our health status, we need nutrition-rich food and sufficient exercise. Ayurveda concentrates on the intake of our food and recommends some super herbs and spices for optimum health.
Depending on your doshas, ayurvedic treatment is suggested and thus specific ingredients are blended for your medicines. If you are an Indian, learn how our grandparents used to live a healthy life without relying on modern medicines. Let Ayurveda take care of your health in the most natural way and we; Organic Gyaan be your herb delivery partner! Explore our catalogue for getting organic ayurvedic herbs to your doorsteps!
