Ayurvedainfo.net
Guide to ayurvedic medicines & remedies

Ayurveda and Modern Medicine

Ayurvedic medicines are Prepared from the different plant herbs found in all parts of India. The different plant herbs have all got very distinct medicinal properties which are used for the treatment of myriad diseases. Extracts of many Indian plants have been adopted in modern medicine. Some of these include psyllium seed is used for bowel problems and reserpine is used to reduce blood pressure. The plant Cissampelos Pareira, used in Ayurveda for the treatment of diarrhea, also contains a powerful muscle relaxant. The plant Coleus forskohlii is used in Ayurveda to treat heart diseases. In modern medicine it has been found to reduce blood pressure, it is anti spasmodic, relieves abdominal colic, painful urination, respiratory disease, insomnia and convulsions. Canavalia virosa seed is used to remove the poison of a scorpion or centipede sting. A timber tree known as the Shorea robusta is used for the treatment of dysentery, for fumigations and plasters, to strengthen digestion and as an aphrodisiac.
Amalaki, haritaki and the bibhitaki are the three most important medicinal plants in India, and together they make up a combination known as Triphala.
Amalaki is used for treating respiratory complaints and rejuvenation. It is also a good hair oil to retard graying and baldness.

Haritaki builds up the digestive tract, rejuvenates the colon and the lungs.

Bibhitaki is astringent in taste. In unripe form is a laxative while the dried fruit stops diarrhea. It is also used in piles and skin diseases.

Acacia arabica is used in medicinal wine, in treating diarrhea, dysentery, diabetes and menstrual bleeding.

Areca catechu contains arecoline; it strongly stimulates peristalsis, constricts the bronchial muscles and reduces blood pressure.

Cannabis sativa or marijuana is mentioned in the Atharva Veda but it attained its fame as a medicine only in the medieval times. It is effective in lowering blood pressure and in combination with nutmeg, it controls diarrhea, dysentery, sprue and other intestinal conditions.

Cynodon dactylon dries excessive fluids especially lymph, blood, fat and urine.

Datura metal or datura is a strong poison. Its seed was smoked during the Vedic period to remove the persistent mucus of asthma.

Emelia ribes, also known as the vidanga, kills the intestinal worms like tapeworm and roundworms.

Gymnema sylvestre, is also known as madhuvinashini or the killer of diabetes. Its chewing prevents the tongue from the taste of anything sweet and bitter. The body therefore does not react to the ingested sweet.

Holarrhena antidysenterica, known as kutaja in Sanskrit, purifies the urinary and biliary tracts, strengthen the lungs, cure diarrhea, dysentery, fever, bleeding piles, gas and colic.

Ocimum sanctum is known as Tulasi in Sanskrit, meaning matchless. Tulasi purifies, oxygenates and invigorates the body. It is a heart tonic, removes the effects of poison from the body.

Swertia chirata is a bitter substance that causes bile to flow. It is contained in the ayurvedic powder mahasudarshana churna, which contains chronic fevers and allergies.

Tinospora cordifolia, known as guduchi, is used to control fever and is an aphrodisiac. The juice of the plant is a diuretic and it is given with honey for diabetes.

Withania somnifera, is known as ashvagandha in Sanskrit, which means horse smell. It nurtures and clarifies the mind, calm and strengthens the nerves and promotes sound, restful sleep. It relieves such conditions such as rheumatism, consumption, spermatorrhoea, impotence, paralysis, paralysis, infertility, emaciation and multiple sclerosis.

Shilajit is a black or brownish substance, extracted from rocks. Shilajit acts mainly to purify and strengthen the genitals and the urinary tract. It is also used in the treatment of diabetes, ascites, urinary stone and reproductive disorders.