By Volunteer | Posted: April 02, 2020
In the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda, herbs and spices are viewed as the spiritual essence--the Kundalini--of plants. Traditionally, plants and herbs aren’t just healthy for your body, but carry in their cells the wisdom of cosmic intelligence and the healing vibrations of nature.
Since ancient times, humans and plants have had a very spiritual connection--plants capture solar energy and convert it into nutrients that humans can digest, connecting us to the vastness of the universe.
Health benefits of Ayurvedic herbs and spices
According to Ayurvedic herbology, herbs and spices have a multitude of benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. They can be used internally or externally (through the skin), or even used in aromatherapy. The health benefits of consuming Ayurvedic herbs and spices includ:
Aiding weight loss
Helping to prevent cancer
Detoxifying the body
Purifying the blood
Improving digestion and other bodily functions
Helping to retain glowing and youthful looking skin
Improving overall vitality
Boosting mental health
Here are ten herbs and spices that Ayurveda recommends incorporating into your daily routine for a healthy lifestyle. These herbs can be used with other Ayurvedic approaches, which may also include modifying one's diet, lifestyle choices, and activity levels.
1. Ajwain for digestion
Ajwain, or carom seed, is a strong digestive and nerve stimulant. It functions as a weight loss herb by drawing out deep-seated toxins from the body. Ajwain also heals pained joints, and is an excellent herb to address vata issues.
Ajwain can be taken as a tea to assist with weight loss: simply boil 1 tsp of ajwain seeds in 16 ounces of water.
2. Ashwagandha for vitality
One of the best anti-aging herbs, Ashwagandha enhances vitality. This herb is crucial for people suffering from too much stress or who are overworked.
Ayurvedic herbs are able to go deeper into the tissues and cells when consumed with healthy fats, such as ghee, butter or raw whole milk. Stir 1/2 teaspoon of Ashwagandha into steamed milk, and sweeten with 1 tsp of raw honey.
3. Brahmi as a brain tonic
According to Ayurveda, Brahmi is the best herb for the brain and nervous system. Brahmi also balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain and decalcifies the pineal gland. It is tridoshic (good for all three doshas), but is especially beneficial for balancing high pitta conditions. Brahmi removes toxins and blockages from the nervous system. It helps with depression, enhances intelligence, and improves memory and concentration. It also happens to be great for hair growth!
Consume Brahmi every morning to rejuvenate the body and mind. Boil Brahmi leaves in water (drink as a tea), boil it in milk, or make Brahmi ghee. It can also be used as a medicated oil for hair.
4. Cardamom for calm
Cardamom is a natural tranquilizer, bringing clarity and joy to the heart and mind. It neutralizes the acidity of coffee and caffeine, and also neutralizes the mucus-forming properties in milk. Cardamom removes excess kapha energies from the stomach and lungs.
For the best results, add some cardamom pods or powder to coffee as you are brewing it, or boil cardamom in warm milk and drink before bed.
5. Cumin for digestion
Cumin enhances the digestive system and metabolism, and helps the body in nutrient absorption. Cumin can be especially useful for new moms, as it cleanses the reproductive organs and improves milk secretion.
Use cumin while cooking to assist in the assimilation of micronutrients.
6. Licorice for rejuvenation
Licorice is a rejuvenating herb that is commonly used in both the East and West. It rejuvenates all systems of the body, soothes the throat, and reduces acidity. It calms the mind and nurtures the spirit.
Add licorice root to hot tea as a sweetener instead of honey or sugar. You could also boil powdered licorice root in milk decoction and consume before bed.
7. Manjistha for purification
Manjistha is probably the best blood-purifying herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It is anti-inflammatory and cleans the blood and liver, lowering pitta disorders in the skin and helping to clear acne. It cools and detoxifies the blood, and cleanses and regulates liver and kidney functions.
Take this herb in capsule form (two capsules in the morning, and two capsules at night) if you have any pitta-related skin disorders. Alternatively, you can take it with warm milk before bed. Manjistha can also be used as an external application in face masks!
8. Neem for detoxification
Neem is one of the most powerful blood purifiers and detoxifiers in Ayurvedic herbology. It is ideal for wound healing and curing skin diseases and damage, especially from the sun. Neem is useful for all pitta disorders. It works wonders for eczema and psoriasis, and is useful for joint and muscle pain. Use neem on the skin in medicated oil.
9. Shatavari for female vitality
Shatavari is the best Ayurvedic root for female-specific issues. Shatavari even translates to ‘she who possesses a thousand husbands!’ It nourishes and cleanses the blood and especially the female reproductive organs.Shatavari is readily available to consume in pill and powder form or it can be taken in ghee or cooked in milk, which is the preferred form.
10. Turmeric as a blood cleanser
Turmeric purifies the blood and the channels of the body. It improves complexion, bringing circulation and nutrition to the skin. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory and is a perfect remedy to treat acne-prone skin. Turmeric balances all the doshas, but it balances pitta the most because of its blood-cleansing and liver-cleansing properties.
Ideally, consume 1 tsp of turmeric per day, whether in capsule form, directly on the skin, or as a part of your diet.
Boil some turmeric in goat milk with honey and consume before bed. If you consume turmeric on a regular basis, you will notice your health improve in a multitude of areas.
This article first appeared on the Art of Living India blog.
