Trayodashang Guggulu is an Ayurvedic herbal concoction made with Shuddha Guggulu or Commiphora Mukul and thirteen other ingredients which is why it is named ‘trayodashang.’ Majorly used for the treatment of joint-related disorders, Trayodashang has many therapeutic uses like treatment of chronic pain and extreme body weakness. The herbal medication is widely available in the market as tablets. Composition and...
Narasimha Rasayanam is an ayurvedic Rasayana or precisely an ayurvedic medicated product. With butter as a base product, it has a buttery or jam-like texture. The Rasayana is not only used for the treatment of many disorders but as a full body tonic or a dietary supplement for enhanced general well-being. It forms a major part of the Panchakarma...
Abha Guggulu is one miraculous Ayurvedic herbal mix which is majorly used to repair a fracture. Described in Govind Das’ Bhaisajya Ratnavali, Abha Guggulu has amazing healing power which speeds the physiological processes of the body and increases nutrient absorption resulting in faster and complete healing. However, it would be a mistake to limit its benefits to just bones,...
Katuki is a small hairy perennial herb with elongate, stout creeping rootstock and withered leaf base. The botanical name is Picrorhiza kurroa, and the Hindi name is kutaki, usually pronounced, kutki. The Sanskrit name 'Katuki' means 'That which envelops diseases'. It is usually found in the Himalayas and belongs to the family of Scrophulariaceae. Its leaves are 4 to...
Ayurveda places Harad at the highest pedestal which is why it is also called the ‘King of medicines.’ Ancient medicine systems claim that Harad holds the power to cure all diseases. Even the Tibetan medicine system reveres Harad in the same amount as Ayurveda does. Although the two systems classify the herb differently, the accepted number of varieties of...
Moringa Oleifera belongs to a drought-resistant family of tree known as Moringaceae. It is also known as Moringa or drumstick tree. It is a fast-growing tree generally found in tropical or subtropical regions of South Asia. India is the largest producer of moringa. Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan are a few other places where moringa is found and cultivated. It...
Hibiscus or Gudhal is a flowering plant commonly known as China rose. Hibiscus, also known as Japa in Ayurvedic texts, is less widely referred to as Rose Mallow. It is an evergreen plant which is approximately 150-270 cm in height. The leaves are alternate and have an ovular outline (also known as ovate to lanceolate) often having a toothed...
Nagfani (in Hindi) commonly known as Prickly Pear or Opuntia in English is a cactus plant belonging to Cactaceae family. The most commonly used species of Nagfani is the Indian fig opuntia or Opuntia ficus-indica (botanical name). The name Nagfani is because the pad of this cactus resembles the face of a serpent. The plant is called Nagfada in...
Ever heard of sage Agastya? He is one of the seven rishis (Saptarishi) mentioned in the Vedas. Commonly known as Vegetable Humming Bird in English, the Agastya (Sanskrit name) plant derives its name from rishi Agastya. One of the theories states that rishi Agastya, also considered as the father of the Siddha system of medicine held a deep love...
Gond Katira is a crystalline herb that is extracted from the sap of the Gond/Locoweed plant. This herb is obtained from the stems and roots of the plant and is then dried to form crystal-like balls. It acts as a natural gum for all intents and purposes. Note that this ingredient is tasteless and odourless, and swells up on...