Henna, popularly known for the temporary tattoos is obtained from an evergreen plant known as Madayantika. It is widely used in Ayurveda for it’s ropan i.e healing and sita i.e soothing property. The leaves of this tree are dried, crushed and made into a powder for use. This powder is then mixed with water to make a paste that is used to draw designs on the human hand or body. The red-orange dye molecule called Lawson present in the herb, leaves the imprint on the skin.

The Henna powder is also applied to the scalp and used as a natural hair pack, it imparts luster, conditioning and healthy texture to the hair. Henna keeps the hair dry and prevents excessive oil production on the scalp due to it’s Kashaya (astringent) and Ruksha (dry) properties.
Henna is known for its cooling effect and is often used in Ayurveda to soothe the burning feet and eyes especially during summers. Applying henna paste to feet helps in promoting balanced sleep. It is also used to promote healthy eyes.

Henna has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties and is often used in treating itching, skin rashes, abrasions and wounds.

Common forms of Henna

Leaves, Flowers, Seeds, Powder

Henna is commonly used for:

Relieving headaches
Easing arthritis pain
Treating skin conditions
Promoting healthy hair
Curing fevers
Promoting healthy gums
Reducing pitta
Treating diaper rash
Curing dysentery
Detoxifying
Regulating blood pressure

Henna Dosage

Powder: ¼-½ teaspoon
Fresh Juice: 1-2 teaspoon

Henna Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Can cause, redness, itching, burning sensation especially if accidentally applied around eyes. It is also found to cause runny nose and wheezing.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant and Nursing Mothers: Avoid.
Children: Not known.

Where to Buy Henna in US?

Aprajita (Butterfly Pea)

Apr 17, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

Aprajita Scientific Name

Clitoria ternatea

Aprajita Other Names

English: Butterfly pea
Hindi: Koyala
Bengali: Aprajita
Unani: Mezereon
Sanskrit: Vishnukranta, Girikarnika, Yoni Pushpa, Kokila

What is Aprajita?

Aprajita is an ancient Indian herb used in Ayurveda as a memory booster and brain tonic. This herb is found to have certain chemicals that soothe and calm the nervous, circulatory and psychological systems of the body. Aparajita is widely used in Panchakarma Ayurvedic Treatments, which aim at balancing the doshas and focused on internal and external detoxification.

Common forms of Aprajita

Root, Bark, Seeds, Tea

Aprajita is commonly used for:

Improving memory and learning
Improving voice quality
Treating throat problems
Strengthening the heart and respiratory system
Purifying blood and improving skin conditions like breakouts, pimples, acne etc.
Treating Fever
Treating diarrhea, vomiting and gastritis

Aprajita Dosage

Root Powder: 1 to 3 gm.
Roasted Seed powder: 1 to 3 gm.

Aprajita Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Not Known
Not so common side-effects: Not Known.
Pregnant or Nursing Mothers: Not Known.
Children: Not Known.
Warning:
Excessive intake can be counter-intuitive and may cause diarrhea.

Where to Buy Aprajita in US?

Black Pepper (Kalimirch)

Apr 16, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Black Pepper Scientific Name

Piper nigrum

Black Pepper Other Names

English: Peppercorn, Madgascar Pepper
Hindi: Kalimirch, Maricha, Vellaja
Sanskrit: Marichum

What is Black Pepper?

Black Pepper is obtained from the same plant as white pepper. The color of the seeds depend up on the level of ripeness at the time of harvesting. The piperine content of the plant gives it a pungent taste. This herb belongs to the Piperaceae family.

Traditionally, in Ayurveda black pepper is used in combination of other herbs and medicines, as a bioavailability enhancer, to increase the absorption of the active components into the cells of the right organs. Black Pepper is a potent anti-oxidant and a powerful cleanser that helps the body in getting rid of toxins and impurities. It also promotes healing and stimulates healthy organ function.

Common forms of Black Pepper

Fine powder, Coarsely ground powder, Whole black pepper seeds.

Black Pepper is commonly used for:

Treating cough, cold
Treating bloating and abdominal pain
Treating heart trouble
Managing asthma
Treating congestion and sinusitis
Improving liver function
De-toxifying
Treating recurrent fever
Fighting cancer
Aiding weight-loss
Poor Circulation
Nausea and Vomiting

Black Pepper Dosage

Powder: 250mg to 2gm in divided doses per day.

Black Pepper Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: High doses can cause burning aftertaste and heartburn.
Not so common side-effects: Not known.
Pregnant women: Avoid therapeutic doses as it can induce abortion.
Children: Safe when taken by mouth in amounts commonly found in foods. However, lower doses are advisable.
Warnings:
Large doses of black pepper powder by mouth may get into lungs causing accidental death.

Where to Buy Black Pepper in US?

Check out the Recipes that use Black Pepper

Aloe Vera

Apr 16, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Aloe Vera Scientific Name

Aloe barbadensis miller

Aloe Vera Other Names

English: Indian Aloe, True Aloe
Hindi: Ghee kumari, Ghritkumari
Sanskrit: Grita Kumari

What is Aloe Vera ?

Aloe vera is a common indoor succulent. It has fleshly green leaves that are filled with gelatinous sap. The sap is bitter in taste and is usually combined with other ingredients in Ayurvedic formulations that require ingestion. It is a soothing herb and is applied externally as skin treatment to prevent acne and treat sunburns. It adds bulk to the diet and helps in healthy bowel movement.

Aloe vera is a “queen” medicinal plant that is used in a variety of treatments especially to promote healthy digestion, skin and hair.

Common forms of Aloe Vera

Powder, Gel, Capsule, Juice

Aloe Vera is commonly used for:

Acidity and Heartburn
Maintaining youthful glowing skin.
Treating skin burns and sunburns.
Improving digestive health.
Treating and preventing constipation
Promoting oral health
Treating acne, blemishes and skin discoloration
Colitis
Cellulite
Eye Irritation
Relieving anal fissures
Sunburn
Sciatica
Vaginal Yeast Infections
Gallbladder Problems
Preventing and treating Baldness
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Menopause Problems
Menstrual Difficulties

Aloe Vera Dosage

Gel: 15 mL daily for up to 42 days
Capsule: 600 mg daily for up to 8 weeks

Aloe Vera Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: excessive intake can cause muscle weakness, diarrhea and cramping.
Not so common side-effects: Not Known
Pregnant and nursing mothers: Avoid, as Aloe Vera was found to cause miscarriage in some cases
Children: Not Known

Where to Buy Aloe Vera in US?

Bhumyamalaki (Stonebreaker)

Apr 16, 2021 by Chinmayi Kulkarni Leave a Comment

Bhumyamalaki Scientific Name

Phyllanthus niruri

Bhumyamalaki Other Names

English: Stonebreaker & Seed-Under-Leaf
Hindi: Bhumi amla
Sanskrit: Bhumyamalaki

What is Bhumyamalaki?

Bhumyamalaki or Phyllanthus amarus is used in many Ayurvedic formulations especially for treatment of Liver disease. This herb is an incredible anti-oxidant and works as a miracle in maintaining healthy liver function. It is one of the major ingredients of Chyawanprash. It is bitter in taste and is often prescribed in combination with other herbs in the form of powder or decoction, along with milk. It has a soothing effect on the body and is found to work wonders in treating severe liver disorders like Jaundice. Bhumyamalaki is mainly found in the Bundelkhand region of India.

Common forms of Bhumyamalaki

Powder, Leaf Juice

Bhumyamalaki is commonly used for:

Treating jaundice
Treating eye irritation/painful eyes.
Curing Edema/Swelling caused by water retention
Stopping blood haemorrhage
Treating chronic dysentry
Curing typhoid

Bhumyamalaki Dosage

Leaf Juice: 10 to 20 ml in a day
Powder: 3-6 grams in single or divided doses depending up on the severity of symptoms or as prescribed by the doctor.

Bhumyamalaki Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Large doses can cause diarrhea and stomach upsets
Not so common side-effects: Not known
Pregnant and Nursing Mothers: Not enough evidence. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Not enough evidence. But should be avoided.
Warnings:
Avoid taking Bhumyamalaki if suffering from Wilson’s disease, as it may increase the levels of uric acid and can cause liver damage.

Where to Buy Bhumyamalaki in US?

Bibhitaki (Beach Almond)

Apr 15, 2021 by Avi Kumar Leave a Comment

Bibhitaki Scientific Name

Terminalia bellirica

Bibhitaki Other Names

English: Belleric myrobalan, Beach Almond, Bedda nut tree
Hindi: Baheda
Sanskrit: Vibheeta

What is Bibhitaki ?

Bibhitaki (Terminalia berecilla), is a large broad-leafed plant commonly used in Ayurvedic treatments. It is also known as Vibheeta in Sanskrit, which means destroyer of fear of disease. The fruits for the plant are dried and powdered to be used in Ayurvedic formulations. It is one of the fruits in Triphala formulation, which helps to balance kapha dosha. Bibhitaki has anti-microbial and anti-allergic properties known to help combat diseases. It promotes longevity and increases stamina. It is found to improve digestion, aid in curing cold, constipation and bloating. It is found to have mildly sedative compounds that help in treating insomnia.

Common forms of Bibhitaki

Powder, Tablet, Capsule

Bibhitaki is commonly used for:

Relieving cough, cold
Promoting healthy eyes
Urinary Tract infection (Cystitis)
Improving hair health and hair growth
Relieving worm infestation
Relieving hoarseness of voice caused in throat infections

Bibhitaki Dosage

Powder: ¼ to ½ teaspoon twice a day
Capsule: 1-2 capsule twice a day

Bibhitaki Side-effects and Warnings

Common side-effects: Not known
Not so common side-effects: Not known
Pregnant and Nursing Mothers: Not enough evidence. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Children: Not known, but lower doses are recommended.

Popular

Henna Scientific Name

Henna Other Names

What is Henna?

Common forms of Henna

Henna is commonly used for:

Henna Dosage

Henna Side-effects and Warnings

Where to Buy Henna in US?

Aprajita Scientific Name

Aprajita Other Names

What is Aprajita?

Common forms of Aprajita

Aprajita is commonly used for:

Aprajita Dosage

Aprajita Side-effects and Warnings

Where to Buy Aprajita in US?

Black Pepper Scientific Name

Black Pepper Other Names

What is Black Pepper?

Common forms of Black Pepper

Black Pepper is commonly used for:

Black Pepper Dosage

Black Pepper Side-effects and Warnings

Where to Buy Black Pepper in US?

Check out the Recipes that use Black Pepper

Aloe Vera Scientific Name

Aloe Vera Other Names

What is Aloe Vera ?

Common forms of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is commonly used for:

Aloe Vera Dosage

Aloe Vera Side-effects and Warnings

Where to Buy Aloe Vera in US?

Bhumyamalaki Scientific Name

Bhumyamalaki Other Names

What is Bhumyamalaki?

Common forms of Bhumyamalaki

Bhumyamalaki is commonly used for:

Bhumyamalaki Dosage

Bhumyamalaki Side-effects and Warnings

Where to Buy Bhumyamalaki in US?

Bibhitaki Scientific Name

Bibhitaki Other Names

What is Bibhitaki ?

Common forms of Bibhitaki

Bibhitaki is commonly used for:

Bibhitaki Dosage

Bibhitaki Side-effects and Warnings

Where to Buy Bibhitaki in US?