Herbal Therapeutics
In
Naturopathy
Ph. D, NDDY
o An herb simply means Plant material used in Treatment (in any form).
o Herbs are any plants "with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or
perfume" or parts of such a plant as also used in cooking. (Oxford Definition-Different
from Botany Definition)
CONCEPT
OF
Naturopathy believes…………..
Allow this vital energy to work proper (up to till end), can only become a
fundamental treatment.
Naturopathy believes…………..
Naturopathy refuses using any type of material in the form of medicine-said to,
Confuses body- as symptoms are the best possible way that body can follow.
Medicines suppresses this best possible way.
Converts acute illnesses in chronic ones, many time.
Make the person irresponsible, towards needs of body during disease condition.
Herbs can be helpful in natural processes of toxic removal, if use appropriately. They can
be either augment cleaning processes or at least retain body endurance (stamina) in
natural cleaning.
Herbs may sometime works like allopathic medicine, in the case they can replace or lessen
the allopathic medicine and thus its side effects.
• Herbs can serve as a best food containing combinations of nutrition & functional elements
(having protective and supportive role) during illness.
• Herbs can repairs the end functional damage occurs in disease, if used gradually after
naturopathic modalities.
Conditions …
Herbs are not the naturopathy; even they are from the natural source. They may be a one
part of naturopathy system. Not maintaining healthy life style and taking herbs, is the
same as taking allopathic medicines during disease. It will not give a fundamental cure.
Herbs should not be regarded as medicine. It can create dependency by which natural
healing process may not run far.
For best results and radical cure, suggested herbs should be used after natural cleaning
process finished or about to finish
Conditions …
Herbs may be supportive if used after toxin elimination, and may be harmful and
interruptive also if used before toxic elimination. This can be regarded as a golden rule
related to use of herbs in naturopathy.
If the results not produced in the treatment, blame should be made on lacks in natural life
style and enough toxins elimination, and not on herbs. Otherwise natural healing cannot
be made, in spite of symptomatic relief.
Many Herbal and so called ayurvedic preparations are commercialized with false and
unrealistic claims. Users discretion required in such cases.
Ayurvedic Terminology
रसपंचक- रस, गण
ु , वीयय, ववपाक, प्रभाव
रस- मधुर,अम्ऱ,कटु,तिक्ि,ऱवण,कषाय
गण
ु - रूक्ष-स्निग्ध,ऱघ-ु गरु
ु ,शीि-उष्ण (up to 20)
वािशामक
वपत्िशामक
कफिाशक
Modern Clinical Terminology
• Anti-inflammatory
• Analgesic
• Anthelmintic
• Anti-hypertensive
• Anti- hyperlipidaemic
• Anti-convulsant
• Anti hyperglycemic
• Anti diabetic
• Anti-rheumatic
• Anti-septic
• Cardiac tonic
• Immunomodulator
• Digestive
• Galactogogue
• Hepatoprotective
• Nephroprotective
• Carminative
• Constipating
• Expectorant
• Demulcent
• Laxative
• Purgative
Regional name
Botanical name
Part Used
Rhizome
Ayurvedic attributes
रस- कटु,ऱवण,
गण
ु - गरु
ु , रूक्ष, िीक्ष्ण (Fresh Form)
वीयय- उष्ण
Resin present is in unscrapped and scrapped rhizome powder. Mainly contains gingerin
Volatile oil present more in unscrapped powder- contains zingiberene
Dry Ginger contains only 10.6 % water and loss in volatile oil.
Therapeutic Aspects
Diarrhea
RA
Edema
Fever
Dose
Special Aspects
Contra indication In Ulcer (any), Bleeding Conditions (Epistaxis, Piles), Burning Condition,
Pitta Prakruti, Pitta Season (Grishma & sharad)
Ayurvedic Formulations
Regional name
Kuvari (Hindi)
Botanical name
Part Used
Gel, Juice
Aloe Vera
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक
गण
ु -स्निग्ध, गरु
ु ,
वीयय-शीि
ववपाक- कटु
वािशामक
वपत्िशामक
Aloe Vera
Gel rich in complex polysaccharides, sugars which functions as skin protective and anti-
infective, immune enhancer
Found useful in number of animal and clinical study as anti-inflammatory, anti infective,
immune-modulator, and restorative to many functions of body.
Aloe Vera
Therapeutic Aspects
• Wound Healing
Aloe Vera
Dose
Special care
Ayurvedic Formulations
Kumari-asava
Turmeric
Regional name
Botanical name
Part Used
Rhizomes
Turmeric
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक-
रस- कटु,तिक्ि
गण
ु -रूक्ष,ऱघ,ु उष्ण
वीयय-उष्ण
ववपाक- कटु
वािशामक
कफिाशक
Turmeric
Anti-diabetic
Studies shows absorption can be increase with use of piperine (mari, lindipiper
constituent)
Turmeric
Therapeutic Aspects
Anti edema
Wound Healing
Cholesterol
Turmeric
Dose
Special care
Ayurvedic Formulations
Amla
Regional name
Botanical name
Part Used
Amla
Ayurvedic attributes
रसऩंचक
रस- मधुर,अम्ऱ,कटु,ऱवण,कषाय
गण
ु -रूक्ष, ऱघ,ु शीत
वीयय-शीत
ववऩाक- मधुर
कमय
Amla
Modern science attributes
Contains Vit. C, micronutrients and tannin in rich amount. Also embelicanin and many.
Proven Highly anti-oxidant and thus useful in many disease prevention and progression
like cancer, RA, diabetes, Atherosclerosis, and hormonal Imbalance.
Direct effect on pancreas, liver, heart, blood vessels, brain, skin, Immune system etc
Amla
Therapeutic Aspects
• Burning Sensation
• Eye tonic
• Leucorrhoea
• In Fever
Amla
Dose
Special care
Ayurvedic Formulations
Galo
Regional name
Guduchi (San), Tinospora (Eng), Giloy (Hindi)
Botanical name
Part Used
Stem, Leaves
Galo
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक
रस- तिक्ि,कषाय
गण
ु -स्निग्ध,ऱघ,ु उष्ण
वीयय-उष्ण
ववपाक- मधुर
वािशामक
वपत्िशामक
कफिाशक
Galo
Various terpenes, complex sugars and alkaloid reported. (more than 50 actives)
Studies shows excellency in RA, Fever, Cancer, Hepatoprotection, Allergy, Diabites and
Hyperlipidaemia.
Galo
Therapeutic Aspects
Fever/chronic fever
Diabetes
Allergy
RA
Liver ailments
Recurrent infections
Skin Diseases
Galo
Dose
Special care
Grahi-according to ayurveda
Ayurvedic Formulations
Rasayana Churna
Amritarishta
Methi
Regional name
Botanical name
Part Used
Methi
Ayurvedic attributes
रसऩंचक
रस- ततक्त, कटु,
गण
ु - स्ननग्ध,ऱघ,ु उष्ण
वीयय- उष्ण
ववऩाक- कटु
वातशामक
कपनाशक
Methi
Anti-hyperlipidaemic
Methi
Therapeutic Aspects
Vatshamak
Anti inflammatory
Analgesic
Anti Hyperlipidemic
Anti RA
Diabetes
Obesity
Methi
Dose
5-7 gm/2-3 times a day
Special care
Ayurvedic Formulations
Hing
Regional name
Botanical name
Part Used
Gum-Resin
Hing
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक- रस, गण
ु , वीयय, ववपाक, प्रभाव
रस- कटु,
गण
ु - स्निग्ध, ऱघ,ु उष्ण
वीयय- उष्ण
ववपाक- कटु
वािशामक
कफिाशक
Hing
Ferulic acid in combined form, contain sulphides like compounds, vol.oil, oleogum resin
Hing
Therapeutic Aspects
Digestive, Strong carminative, Locally for gas trouble, colic pain, constipation, Anthelmintic
Dysmenorrhoea, amenorrohoea
Diuretic
Hing
Dose
Special care
Ayurvedic Formulations
Hingvastak churna
Kapurhingu vati
Rajpravartini vati
Ardusi
Regional name
Botanical name
Leaf
Ardusi
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक
गण
ु -रूक्ष,ऱघ,ु शीि
वीयय-शीि
ववपाक- कटु
वपत्िशामक
कफिाशक
Ardusi
May have oxytocic like effect but not problematic when use orally
Absorption greatly increase when use with piperine (Black piper fruit active)
Ardusi
Therapeutic Aspects
Kaphapitta nashak
Tuberculosis
Fever
Ardusi
Dose
10-20 ml fresh juice or fresh water decoction/2-5 times a day
Special care
Ayurvedic Formulations
Vasarishta,
Vasadi kwath
vasavaleha
Garlic
Regional name
Botanical name
Allium sativum,liliaceae
Part Used
Underground Parts
Garlic
Ayurvedic attributes
रसऩंचक
रस- मधुर,कटु,ततक्त,ऱवण,कषाय
गण
ु -स्ननग्ध, ऱघ,ु उष्ण
वीयय-उष्ण
ववऩाक- कटु
वातशामक
कपनाशक
Garlic
Modern science attributes
Alicinase present in outer layer and activates other constituents, so crushing of outer layer
is important.
Also exhibits inhibition of platelet aggravation and anti infective action (dysentery, TB &
other)
Garlic
Therapeutic Aspects
Analgesic,Anti inflammatory
Anti edema
Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea
Ear pain
In Tuberculosis
Bone injury
Cholesterol
Garlic
Dose
Special care
Ayurvedic Formulations
Lasunadi vati
Lasunkshirpak
Drumstick Plant
Regional name
Botanical name
Part Used
Drumstick Plant
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक
रस- कटु,तिक्ि,
गण
ु -रूक्ष,ऱघु
वीयय-उष्ण
ववपाक- कटु
वािशामक
कफिाशक
Drumstick Plant
Therapeutic Aspects
Anthelmintic
Anti-oedema
Diuretic
Amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea
Perspirative
RA, OA
Obesity
Fever-sitajwar
Garmalo
Regional name
Argvadha (San),(Hindi)
Botanical name
Part Used
Garmalo
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक
गण
ु -स्निग्ध, गरु
ु
वीयय-शीि
ववपाक- मधुर,
वािशामक
वपत्िशामक
Garmalo
Therapeutic Aspects
• Vatpitashamak
• Carminative, laxative
• Diuretic (little)
Garmalo
Dose
Special care
Not any
Ayurvedic Formulations
Kutaj
Regional name
Botanical name
Part Used
Bark, seed
Kutaj
Ayurvedic attributes
रसऩंचक
गण
ु -रूक्ष,ऱघु
वीयय-शीत
ववऩाक- कटु
वऩत्तशामक
कपनाशक
Kutaj
Kutaj
Therapeutic Aspects
Kaphapittavikar,
Anti amoebic
Kutaj
Dose
Special care
Ayurvedic Formulations
Kutaj ghanvati
Kutajarishta
Isabgol
Regional name
Ashwagol (san)
Botanical name
Part Used
Seed, Husk
Isabgol
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक
रस- मधुर,कषाय
गण
ु - स्निग्ध, गरु
ु
वीयय- शीि
ववपाक- मधुर
वािशामक
वपत्िशामक
Isabgol
Therapeutic Aspects
Vatkaphanashak
Fever-later stage
Isabgol
Dose
Special care
Ayurvedic Formulations
Cumin (Jeera)
Regional name
Botanical name
Cuminm cyminum (Umbeliferae) & others
Part Used
Fruits
Cumin (Jeera)
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक
रस- कटु
गण
ु -रूक्ष , ऱघु
वीयय-उष्ण
ववपाक-कटु
कमय
वािशामक
कफिाशक
Cumin (Jeera)
Therapeutic Aspects
Cumin (Jeera)
Dose
Special care
Hingvastak churna
Jirkadhya taila
Black Piper
Regional name
Botanical name
Part Used
Black Piper
Ayurvedic attributes
रसपंचक
रस- कटु,
गण
ु -ऱघ,ु उष्ण
वीयय-उष्ण
ववपाक-कटु
कमय
वािशामक
कफिाशक
Black Piper
Significantly increase absorption of nutrients and actives from food and medicines
Also produces anti infective, and thyroid hormone like effect on metabolism
Black Piper
Therapeutic Aspects
Digestion
In dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea
Preventive to maleria
Black Piper
Dose
Special care
Pitta aggravation
Ayurvedic Formulations
Jethimadh
Regional name
Botanical name
Part Used
Jethimadh
Ayurvedic Properties
रसऩंचक
गण
ु - गरु
ु
वीयय- शीत
ववऩाक- मधुर
कमय
वातशामक
वऩत्तशामक
Jethimadh
Jethimadh
Therapeutic Aspects
Anti ulcers
Wound healing
Burning mituration
Weight gainer
Jethimadh
Dose
Ayurveda hasn’t mention such effect however grahi gun of ayurveda resembles this
Ayurvedic Formulations