Author: Vaidya Preeti Bhosle

HERB HERITAGE: CINNAMON Dalchini is not just a spice for enhancing flavour—it is a multifaceted medicinal plant with a long history of use in both traditional Indian medicine and folk remedies. From digestive health to cardiovascular support, its healing properties are vast and well-documented. Whether used for its therapeutic effects, its ability to promote overall well-being, or its importance in rituals and beauty treatments, it is commonly known as cinnamon and is a popular spice derived from the bark of Cinnamomum verum trees. Cinnamon continues to hold an essential place in Indian culture and medicine. It is native to Sri…

HERB HERITAGE: LONG PEPPER / PIPPALI Herbs are botanical remedies that offer a natural approach to treating illnesses with a superior safety profile and effectiveness. India boasts a rich history of traditional herbal medicine through Ayurveda, which includes a wide array of potent herbs. One such significant herb is Pippali, considered a gift of nature to humanity. When it comes to bracing yourself against the winter chill, warming Ayurvedic herbs play a vital role in keeping your body balanced and cozy during the colder months. Among these herbs, Pippali stands out as a powerhouse, known for its heating properties that…

Black pepper (Piper Nigrum), commonly known as Kali Mirch in India, holds a remarkable position in the historical annals of Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine renowned for its holistic approach to health. Its use as a medicinal plant dates back to centuries, manifesting its inclusion in the rich texts of Ayurveda like the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita, which underscore its significance in healing practices. Ayurveda has long cherished black pepper for its ability to enhance digestive fire, or ‘Agni’, which is considered crucial for maintaining a balanced body and spirit. The vigorous nature of black pepper,…

HERB HERITAGE: SHUNTHI Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine of India, emphasises the use of natural ingredients to promote holistic well-being. The masala box kept in your kitchen is a treasure trove of health benefits. Indian spices not only enhance the taste of your food items but also benefit your body in various ways. Among these ingredients, dry ginger holds a significant place in Ayurvedic remedies due to its various health benefits. In winters, embracing the power of the warming dry ginger or Sonth or Shunthi can be a game-changer for overall well-being. Its natural heat-producing properties help to stoke…

HERB HERITAGE : LOTUS Think about a flower that can thrive in the dirtiest of waters, but still come out clean and bright. A flower that can maintain its own warmth even in the most frigid of environments. A flower that has sparked innumerable myths, legends, art forms, and healing practices in various cultures and religions. A fragile flower that drifts on top of the water, with petals that glisten like gems under the sun. An aroma that brings a sense of tranquillity and sweetness to the atmosphere. A star-shaped figure with a concealed core containing a mystery. The lotus…

HERB HERITAGE: CUMIN Ayurveda focuses on various diets and daily routines to achieve optimal health for an individual. It revives metabolism, revitalises cells, enhances memory, maintains balance of physical and mental dosha, and overall fortifies the basis of health. Certain Ayurveda medications, known as Ahara Aushadhi, are also utilised as flavourings in cooking and combined into dishes which assist in restoring the body with essential nutrients. Jeera or cumin in English, a common spice used in everyday cooking since the Vedic era, is among the many spices used in different dishes. Jeeraka is a fragrant plant primarily utilised for enhancing…

HERB HERITAGE: AMLA In the Vishnu Puran, it is mentioned that when Lord Vishnu witnessed the world being enveloped in water during the Varaha avatar’s incarnation, when Hiranyaksha engulfed the earth in the cosmic sea, he was moved to tears. These tears landed on the ground and transformed into an Amla tree. Another tale suggests that this tree was born from the Amrit, or the elixir of eternal life, which was scattered across the earth during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean). It is also believed that the Amla tree was the inaugural tree to appear on the earth,…

Castor seeds have been a main component of many different types of medications for millennia. Castor seed has several uses, and while it is most generally associated with treating rheumatism and arthritis, it also has cosmetic applications and is used for a variety of other conditions. Known in Hindi as Eranda, castor is botanically identified as Ricinus communis Linn, and has been used by Ayurvedic physicians for the management of different disease conditions. Eranda is mentioned as ‘Tajadabhanga’ in Sayan Bhashya, Sankhayan Aranyaka, and Keshav Padhati from the Vedic era. The word ‘Tajadbhanga’ refers to something that shatters audibly. This…

Once upon a time, when lord Indra was consuming Amrit, a few drops fell on the earth. Those drops were converted into a medicinal herb known as Haritaki. Also known by the name of Terminalia chebula, Haritaki is one of the most widely used medicinal plants. The Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, gives a detailed description of harad or Haritaki but Acharya Bhavamishra in the 16th century AD elaborated for the first time the complete profile of Haritaki in his work, the Bhavaprakash Nighantu which is an important text of Ayurvedic pharmacology. This text focuses on the source, types, flavours,…

The plant without which Shiva Puja cannot be considered complete is also one of the most marvelous medicinal plants described by Ayurveda literature. Also known as Shivadruma (the tree of lord shiva) and another form of Lord Kailashnath, Bael is considered sacred in Hinduism and medicinal in the Indian system of medicine. It is believed that Lord Shiva lives under Bilwa tree and Goddess Laxmi resides in its leaves. The three leaflets in Bael leaf’s trifoliate structure are believed to represent the three gunas/ attributes — Satwa (morality), Rajas (superiority) and Tamas (immortality) along with three Gods (Brahma: the creator, Vishnu: the…