The 100+ Main herbs of Ayurveda

26. Gandhakam
Names:- Latin (English) Sulphur
Tamil Gandhakam
Telugu Gandhakam
Canarese Gandhaka
Malayal Gandhaka
Urdu Gandhak
Gandhakah Katu tiktoshnah
Teevragandho Atigandha Krit
Vishaghnam Kushta Kandooti
Kritchra twak dosha nasanah.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu 
Pittalam Katukah paake
Jantukandoo Visarpajit
Hantikushta Kshaya pleeha
Kapha Vaataam rasaayanam
Gandhaka (Sulphur) is pungent, bitter and penetrating. It has a strong smell. It also creates a strong smell. It increases Pitta and checks Kapha and Vaata. It is useful in the treatment of Visha, Kushta, Kandu (itching), difficulty in passing urine, diseases of the skin, Krimi (worms), Visarpa (Erysipelas), consumption and enlargement of the spleen. It is a tonic (Rasaayana).
Dose:- 5 to 20 grains with ghee or honey.
Action:- Externally parasiticide and internally mild laxative and blood-purifier.
Uses:- Alone its chief use is as an external application as an ointment mixed with oil or ghee. It is an excellent parsiticide and is very useful in itch. It has earned a reputation in certain types of leprosy and it is given in combination with Thriphala and pepper as Gandhaka rasaayana. In combination with mercury, it is very much used in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia as black-sulphide and red sulphide. It is mentioned as veerya-vriddhikaram and rasaayanam.
27. Ghritam
Names:- Latin (English) Ghee
Tamil Ney
Telugu Ney
Canarese Tuppa
Malayal Ney
Urdu Ghee
Smriti Buddhyagni Sukra Ojah
Kapha Medo Vivardhanam
Vaatapitta Kaphonmaada
Sosha Alakshmi Jwaraapaham
Sarwa Snehottamam Seetam
Madhuram Raspaaka Yoh
Sahasra Veeryam Vidhibhih
Ghrutam Karma Sohasrakrit.
Ghee improves memory, intellect, digestive power, sperm, Ojas, Kapha and Medas. It checks Vaata, Pitta, Visha, Unmaada, Sosha, poverty (Alakshmi) and fever. Ghee is the best of all fats; it is cooling, sweet in taste and also after digestion (Vipaaka). When it is prepared in the proper manner in combination with other drugs, its action improves a thousand fold, (i.e.) it assimilates the properties of the drugs with which it is combined.
Dose:- ½ to 1 oz. used along with articles of diet.
Action:- Demulcent, cooling, tonic and aphrodisiac.
Uses:- It is the best of snehas (snehaanam uttamam) and is far superior to cod-liver oil in tissue-building without its disagreeable smell. It is medicated with other drugs and is used in a number of diseases according to the property of the drug. Its daily use is said to improve complexion, strength and mental powers. It is believed to be an aphrodisiac. 
Externally it is much used as an application for burns and wounds of traumatic origin. Satadoutha ghrita, a favourite antiseptic of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, is prepared by churning the melted ghee hundred times with the decoction of Panchavalkalas. It forms a very good dressing to heal up wounds. It is specially useful in highly inflammatory conditions of the skin and as a cooling external application to plague buboes. In combination with Sarjarasa, it makes a kind of butter called Navaneetam, which is popularly used as an external application for burns and ulcers.
28. Gokshura
Names:- Latin Tribulus terrestris
Tamil Nerinjil
Telugu Palleru
Canarese Nigginamuthu
Malayal Nerinjil
Urdu Gokhru
Gokshurah Seetalah Swaaduh
Balakrit Vasti Sodhanah
Madhuro Deepano Vrishyam
Pushtidaschaasmares Harah. 
Gokshura is cooling, sweet and strengthening. It cleans the bladder. It increases appetite and is an aphrodisiac. It promotes plumpiness and cures urinary stones. 
It is given in Rheumatism along with Sonthi regularly every morning as a decoction and as an aphrodisiac boiled with milk and sugar. In consumption along with Aswaghanda and milk. It is combined with guggulu in the treatment of Diabetes and Vaata diseases.
Dose:- ¼ to 1 tola of the seeds of the whole plant to be taken as a decoction boiled with 8 times the quantity of water and reduced to one-fourth or 20 to 60 grains of the churnam or powder to be taken with ghee or honey or cocoanut water or liquid extract of cocoanut roots and flowers and sugar.
Action:- Non-irritant diuretic and urinary antiseptic, alternative, demulcent and aphrodisiac.
Uses:- An infusion or decoction is used to relieve painful micturition, to increase the flow of urine and as a vehicle for diuretic medicines in dysuria, gonorrhoea and other urinary disorders and for the relief of nocturnal emissions and incontinence of urine. In impotence or sexual debility, it is given with milk and sugar or ghee and sugar according to the strength of digestion. The leaf made into a curry is used in dropsy.
29. Guggulu
Names:- Latin Balsomodendron mukul
Tamil Kungiliyam, Mahishaakshi Guggulu
Telugu Guggulu
Canarese Guggulu
Malayal Guggulu
Urdu Guggul
Guggulur visadah Tikto
Veeryoshnah Pittalah Sarah
Pidakaa Grandhi Sophaarso
Gandamaalaa Krimeenjayet.
Brihannighantu Ratnaakaram.
Guggulu is clear, bitter, heating and quickly assimilated. It increases Pitta. It is useful in the treatment of abscesses, Tumours, Glands, Swellings, Piles, Scrofula and worms.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains to be taken with a little ghee or milk.
Action:- Alternative, stimulant, tonic, antispasmodic and emmenagogue.
Uses:- It is often combined with aromatics and given in rheumatism, scrofulous affections and nervous diseases. The compound pill known as Yogaraja-guggulu is used as an alternative in enlarged glands in the neck, chronic rheumatism, dropsy, gleet etc. 
It should be taken for a long period in order to observe its results. It may be given in early tuberculosis, scrofulous glands, late syphilis and in chronic rheumatism when other drugs fail. 
It has got a very good action in cases of low fevers. It appears to increase phagocytosis and the power of resistance of the individual. It is also recommended as an aphrodisiac tonic. In glandular diseases given very early, specially in children, it acts like a specific.
30. Guduchi
Names:- Latin Tinospora cordifolia
Tamil Shindalkodi
Telugu Tippatege
Canarese Amirtaballi
Malayal Amirta
Urdu Gulbel Gilay
Gudoochee Katukaa Tiktaa
Swaadu Paakee Rasaayanee
Samgrahanee Kashaayoshnaa
Laghvee Balyaagni Deepani
Doshatrayaama Trit Daaha
Meha Kaasaamcha Paandutaam
Kaamala Kushta Vaataasra
Jwarakrimi Vamit haret.
Gudoochi is pungent and bitter. By Vipaaka, it becomes sweet. It is a tonic. It is also astringent and styptic. It is light and stimulant (Ushna). It gives strength and improves appetite. It is useful in treatment of the vitiation of the 3 doshas, Aama (unripe condition), thirst, burning sensation, Meha, Kapha, Paandu, Kaamala, Kushta, Vatarakta, Jwara, Krimi and Chardi (vomiting).
Dose:- ¼ to 1 oz, as a swarasam to be taken with honey or ½ to 2 tolas to be taken boiled with 8 times the quantity of water and reduced to one fourth as a decoction with honey or sugar.
5 to 30 grains of the Satwam with honey or sugar and ghee or Draksha swarasam.
Action:- Febrifuge, antiperiodic, alternative, aphrodisiac and bitter tonic.
Uses:- It is very commonly used in fevers of any origin. Fresh stem is more efficacious than the dry one. It is a good bitter tonic, alternative and given in debility caused by repeated attacks of fever. As an alternative, it is given in secondary syphilis, rheumatism, leprosy and in jaundice. The juice of the stem and that of Pashaanabhedi is given with honey in gonorrhoea. It is a good blood-purifier and hence it enters into the combination of blood purifying decoctions. The leaves are recommended to be taken as a vegetable curry as a liver tonic and given in piles and low fevers. (Chakradutta). 
Guduchi satwam, the glucoside extract prepared out of Guduchi, a favourite tonic of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, is much used in practice as an aphrodisiac and s an alternative and tonic after an attack of fever. For its nutritive properties, it is much used in consumption, diabetes and other wasting diseases.
31 Hareethaki
Names:- Latin Terminalia chebula
Tamil Kadukkai
Telugu Karakkaya
Canarese Anilekai
Malayal Kadukka
Urdu Halda, Harade
Pathyaa Pancharasaa Yushyaa
Chakshushyaa Alavanaa Saraa
Medhyoshnaa Deepanee Dosha
Sodha Kushta Jwaraapahaa.
Hareetaki (Pathyaa) has five tastes except salt. It prolongs life. It improves eye sight. It is quick in action (Sara). It improves intelligence. It is comparatively heating and improves appetite. It checks vitiation of the Doshas, Swelling, Kushta and fever.
Dose:- ¼ to 1 tola of the powder to be ground with water, strained through cloth and taken with honey as a laxative. 
5 grains with honey as an application to the sore-throat. 
10 to 30 grains as a tonic. 
¼ to 1 tola as a decoction boiled with 8 times of water, reduced to one-fourth, filtered and taken with honey as an anupaanam to other medicines.
Action:- Laxative, digestive, astringent and tonic.
Uses:- It is a very valuable laxative where a safe drug is required which without irritating the alimentary canal moves the bowels just once or twice. By its astringent property it has peculiar curative action in dysentery and diarrhoea. It is a reputed tonic specially more used as such in the combination of Thriphala and is specially recommended in digestive disorders, diabetes and eye diseases. 
Externally, it is a good antiseptic and slightly caustic. By its astringent action, it is a favourite remedy for eye-sores and granular ophthalmia. A weak decoction is very useful to bathe parts with extensive burns.
32. Haridra
Names:- Latin Curcuma longa
Tamil Manjal
Telugu Pasupu
Canarese Arasina
Malayal Manjal
Urdu Haldi
Haridraa swarase tiktaa
Rukshoshnaa Vishakushta nuth
Kandoomeha Vranaan hanti
Dehavarna Vidhaayinee
Visodhanee Krimiharaa
Peenasaaruchi naasanee.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Haridra is bitter, dry (Rooksha) and heating. It is useful in the treatment of Visha, Kushta, Itching. Mehavrana (Diabetic wounds), Krimi, Peenasaa (Chronic inflammation of the nose) and anorexia. It is a cleaning agent. It gives complexion to the skin.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains of the powder to be taken with water and honey or boiled with milk and taken with honey and sugar.
Action:- Aromatic, vermicide, antiseptic, blood-purifier and tonic.
Uses:- Internally it has been recommended in Prameha, Kushta and Sleepada. In Prameha or diabetes it is to be taken with Amalaki swarasa and honey. In Kushta it is said to be taken with cow’s urine. It is generally used in compound powders along with Daruharidra or in its place. In ulcers due to small-pox and skin diseases it is applied as a paste with oil or with oil and neem leaf. Mixed with chunnm and water and made into a nice paste. It is applied hot to boils as a poultice. It has been recommended as a reliable antiseptic for external application to wounds, as a dressing for washing ulcers and inflamed conjuctiva as a weak lotion. It is also used for washing impervious floors in the same dilution and is a disinfectant and deodorizer. It is reputed to be an antidote to poisons and is specially used to purify the poisoned atmosphere. A large quantity of Haridra is burnt where enemies poison the atmosphere of battle-fields. It is used as a condiment and is believed to be a vermicide and digestive and is a safe coloring agent. In sore-throat it is boiled with milk and taken internally or used as an inhalation from boiling water or as a smoke through a pipe in combination with Omam. The following paste is a very popular antiseptic poultice for inflammatory swellings. Garlic or onion 16 parts, Omam 4 parts, Turmeric 1 part. Grind with water into a nice paste. Boil the paste with oil into a poultice. Apply comfortably hot and cover with a tender plantain or lotus leaf and bandage.
33. Hingu
Names:- Latin Ferula fetida
Tamil Perunkayam
Telugu Inguva
Canarese Ingu
Malayal Kayam
Urdu Heeng 
Hingooshanm paachaum ruchyam
Teekshnam Vaata Balaasa nuth
Soola gulmodaraanaaha
Krimighnam Pitta Vardhanam. 
Hingu (Asafoetida) is heating, it digests food. It improves the taste. It is acute and penetrating. It checks Vaata and Kapha and promotes Pitta. It is useful in the treatment of Soola (colicy pain), gulma, udara (abdominal disease), distention of the abdomen and Krimi Antiseptic and Vermicide). 
Dose:- 2 to 5 grains made into a pill with jaggery or as an emulsion with milk. 
Action:- Carminative, digestive, emmenagogue and antispasmodic. 
Uses:- It is a very good carminative and aids digestion. It is much used in Vaata diseases. It is also used as an expectorant in habitual cough, chronic catarrh, bronchitis, as an antispasmodic in asthma and as a carminative in dyspepsia, colic and other gastric affections and to expel worms. It relieves distension of the bowels. For its special action of increasing the menstrual flow it is given in cases of painful menstruation. It is very useful in hysteria and allied nervous disorders. After delivery, it is given for expulsion of the placenta in 5 grain doses every 15 minutes. As an external application to wounds, dissolved in oil, it is an excellent antiseptic and in diseases of the ear it is a reputed specific used popularly in relieving ear-aches. 
34. Hingulam
Names:- Latin Cinnabar
Tamil Lingam
Telugu Ingileekam
Canarese Ingilika
Malayal Chayilyam
Urdu Singruff
Hingulam Katukam paake
Veeryechoshnam prakeertitam
Visha kushta visarpaadi
Twakdoshaharunam Smitam
Tridosha Dwanda doshottham
Jwaram harati Sevitam
Dhanvanthari Nighantu. 
Hingulam is pungent by Vipaaka and heating. It is useful in the treatment of Visha, Kushta, Visarpa, and diseases of the skin. It checks fevers, caused by the vitiation of two or even the three doshas. 
Dose:- ½ to 2 grains of the powder to be given with honey or along with other anupaanams twice or thrice a day. It is also given enclosed in a raisin or dry Draksha. 
Action:- Febrifuge, antiperiodic, antipyretic, anti-syphilitic and tonic. 
Uses:- This is the cheapest form of administering mercury in small doses. As it is combined with sulphur, it does not seem to affect the mouth as calomel. Given early in syphilis, it is a very cheap antisyphilitic. It is also used in fevers either alone or in combination with other drugs such as aconite and is believed to have a specific action. Though many costly preparations of mercury are in use, I consider that this is almost as good as any other. As an external application for syphilitic ulcers, skin diseases such as ringworm and diseases of the nails, it is made into an ointment with wax and oil or into a paste with lemon juice and applied. It enters into the composition of many compound pills of the Ayurvedic Pharmacy such as Aaandabhairavam, Sannipaathabhairavam, etc. 
35. Ikshuraka
Names:- Latin Hygrophila spinosa
Tamil Neermulli
Telugu Neerugobbi
Canarese Mullankole
Malayal Vayalchullie
Urdu Thalmakhana 
Ikshurakah seetalovrishyah
Swaadwamlah picchilah tadhaa
Tikto Vaataama sodhaasma
Trishnaa Drushtyaa nilaasrajit. 
Ikshuraka is sweet, acid and bitter. It is cooling and aphrodisiac. It is sticky (Picchila lubricating). It is useful in the treatment of Vaata, Aamadosha, swelling, stone in the bladder or Kidney, thirst, defect in eyesight, and Vaatarakta. – Bhavaprakaasa. 
Dose:- Internally 5 to 30 grains of the powder of the seeds with milk and sugar or ghee and sugar.
½ to 2 oz. of the decoction of the leaves or the whole plant.
Externally the ash of the whole plant mixed with cow’s urine or lime water or water. 
Action:- Demulcent, diuretic and aphrodisiac. 
Uses:- It is one of the most reputed aphrodisiacs. It is either given alone or as a compound powder mixed with other drugs such as Vidari, Aswagandha etc., or as a lehyam. It is a cooling diuretic and is of much use in gonorrhoea, dropsy, ascites, liver disease and irritation of the urinary tract. 
External application of the ash over the swollen parts or the whole body, specially over the abdomen and hands and feet, with cow’s urine has, in some cases, remarkable effects in increasing the quantity of urine and reducing the swellings. A diet mainly of milk and salt free is also recommended in the treatment. 
36. Jatiphala
Names:- Latin Myristica fragrans
Tamil Jatikay
Telugu Jajikaya
Canarese Jaikai
Malayal Jatikai
Urdu Jaephal 
Jaateephalam Kashaayoshnam
Katu Kanthaama Yaartijit
Vataateesaara Meghaghnam
Laghu Vrishyamcha Deepanam. 
Jateephala (Nutmeg) is astringent, heating and pungent. It is useful in the treatment of diseases of the throat, Diarrhoea of the Vaata type and Meha. It is light; promotes appetite and is aphrodisiac. 
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains of the churnam to be taken with honey. 
Action:- Astringent, aromatic, carminative, stimulant and aphrodisiac. 
Uses:- In small doses it stimulates digestion, increases appetite, relieves flatulence, dyspepsia and colic. In large doses it causes stupor and delirium. As a carminative, anodyne and astringent it is given in diarrhoea and dysentery and to allay nausea and vomiting. Small doses of it frequently given relieve strangury. A paste of it is used as an external application to the head in headache. The oil taken out of this is given in atomic dyspepsia, diarrhoea and as an adjunct to other medicines. Locally, diluted with bland oil, it is applied in rheumatism. Bhava-prakash advocates its paste as an external application in discolored patches of the face and Vangasena recommends the same in leprotic ulcers of the skin. Chewed with betel leaves, it is an aphrodisic and digestive. 
37. Jatipatri
Names:- Latin Myristica fragrans
Tamil Jatipatri
Telugu Japatri
Canarese Jatipatra
Malayal Jatipatri
Urdu Jounthri 
Japatri (Mace) is light and sweet. It is slightly pungent and heating. It improves taste and complexion. It is useful in treating Kapha, Swaasa, Vomiting, hard breathing (Swaasa), thirst, Krimi and Visha. 
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains of the churnam to be taken with honey. 
Action and Uses:- There is a slight difference in taste and it is more aromatic than the above. It is used along with the same and for the same purpose. 
38. Jatamamsi
Names:- Latin Nardostachys Jatamansi
Tamil Jatamamsi
Telugu Jatamamsi
Canarese Jatamamsi
Malayal Jatamanji
Urdu Sunbulutheeb
Maansee tiktaa Kashaayaacha
Medhyaa Kaanti Bala Pradaa
Swaadvee himaa Tridoshaasra
Daahaveesarpa Kushtanuth.
Jatamaamsi is bitter, astringent and sweet. It is cooling. It improves intellect, complexion and strength. It checks the vitiation of the three doshas, and blood burning sensation Veesarpa (Exysipilas) and Kushta.
Dose:- 10 to 30 grains to be taken with honey.
Action:- Aromatic and is believed to be antispasmodic and is used in nervous diseases such as hysteria, epilepsy etc.
Uses:- I have not used it separately but it is given in combination with other drugs for the above purpose. It is also probably an aphrodisiac and is used to improve intellectual capacity. It is said to act like Valerian of the British Pharmacopoeia. A pure stuff is difficult to get.
39. Jeerakam
Names:- Latin Cuminum cyminum
Tamil Jeerakam
Telugu Jilakarra
Canarese Jeerige
Malayal Jeerakam
Urdu Zeera
Jeeraka thrithayam Rooksham
Katoshnam Deepanam Laghu
Samgraahee Pittalam Medhyam
Garbhasaya Vishudhi Krith
Jwaraghnam Kaachanam Vrishyam
Balyam Ruchyam Paphopaham
Chakshusyam Pavanaa dhmaana
Gulmacchardyatisaarahrit.
All the three Jeerakas, (White, black and big) are dry (Rooksha), pungent, heating, improve appetite and are light. They are contractors (Samgraahi). They increase Pitta, improve intellect. They clean the uterus. They are used to check fever, and are digestive aphrodisiac, strength-giving, improving taste and checking Kapha. They improve eye-sight/ They check wind, distention of the abdomen, Gulma, Vomiting and diarrhoea.
Dose:- 5 to 60 grains of the powder to be taken with honey or as an anupanam to other medicines.
Or made into a bolus with jaggery or honey it is kept in the mouth and the juice is swallowed slowly.
Or cold swarasa is given with 1 in 4 of water either with honey, sugar or alone.
Or as a decoction prepared in the usual manner.
Action:- Cooling, digestive, carminative, aromatic and uterine and nervine stimulant.
Uses:- It is much recommended in Pittavikara. It aids digestion and improves the taste. Its use is also indicated in dysentery and diarrhoea. It is included in some fever decoctions. As a kalka it is used in the hair oils. It is used in atony or weakness of the uterus and also in paralysis and in want of nerve tone. In combination with jaggery or honey it is used in hiccough.
40. Kachoram
Names:- Latin Curcuma zedoaria
Tamil Kichili kilangu, Poolakilangu
Telugu Kachoralu
Canarese Sati
Malayal Kacholam
Urdu Kachor
Sathisyaat tiktaa teeshnoshna
Sannipaata jwara apahaa
Kaphogravrana Kaasaghnee
Vaktra suddhi Vidhayanee.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Sathee (Kachora) is bitter, penetrating and heating. It is useful in the treatment of Sannipaata fevers. It checks Kapha, acute ulcers and Cough. It cleans the mouth.
Dose:- 5 to 30 grains to be taken as a powder.
Action:- Cooling, aromatic, mild expectorant, antiseptic and deodorizer.
Uses:- It is used as a scent for cooling hair oils. It is used as a demulcent, carminative and mild expectorant. It is used as a dusting powder for ulcers and as an aromatic in bathing and toilet powders.
41. Kantakari
Names:- Latin Solanum xanthocarpum
Tamil Kantankattiri
Telugu Vakudu
Canarese Nelabadane
Malayal Kantakari
Urdu Dorla
Kantakaaree Katuh tiktaa
Tadhoshnaa Swaasa Kaasajit
Aruchir Jwara Vataama
Dosha hritgada naasanee.
Kantakaari is pungent and bitter. It is heating. It checks hard breathing and cough. It checks bad taste, fever, Vaata, Aaamadosha and heart diseases.
Dose:- Of the root, 5 to 15 grains of the powder with honey or ¼ to 1 tola of the decoction 1 in 4 when green or double the dose when dry. 
Of the leaf and stem, ¼ to 1 tola of the swarasam when fresh or double the above dose when dry as a decoction. 
Of the fruit ¼ to ½ tola as a swarasam, with 1 in 4 of water, strained and taken with honey. The root mild, stem, is medium and the fruit is very active both s expectorant and emetic.
Action:- Stimulating expectorant and mild laxative. Probably the root is also diuretic.
Uses:- This is one of the most potent drugs for use as an expectorant when phlegm is liquefied and ready for evacuation. Small doses also help to liquefy the phlegm in the chest and prepare it for evacuation. It is therefore a very popular remedy in all fevers attended with phlegm in the chest. In Influenza it has been of immense use. It is one of the Dasamulas and probably the most reliable of the Dasamulas for the relief of Vaata as well as Kapha. When Kapha is very predominant, the emetic doses may be used with advantage. It does not increase Pitta and is therefore very frequently used in Sannipata fevers or fevers of a complicated nature. In asthma and bronchitis, it may be given as a syrup or as a confection for continued use.
42. Karpuram – (Pacchakarpuram)
Names:- Latin (English) Camphor
Tamil Karpuram
Telugu Karpuramu
Canarese Karpura
Malayal Karpuram
Urdu Kafur, Patckafur
Karpoorah Seetalo Vrisyah
Chakshushyo Lekhano Laghuh
Surabhir madurah Tiktah
Kapha Pitta Vishaapaha
Daaha trishnaasya Vairasya
Medo Dourgandhya naasanah.
Karpoora is cooling and aphrodisiac. It is good for the eyes. It is cutting (Lekhama) and light (laghu). It is pleasant sweet and bitter. It checks Kapha, Pitta and Visha. It is useful in the treatment of Daaha (burning, thirst, bad taste in the mouth, Medas (fat), and for overcoming bad smell.
Done:- (1) ¼ to 5 grains.
(2) ½ to 2 oz. as swarasam with water 1 in 1000.
(3) as a syrup with lemon juice, ginger juice, fruit juice, sugar or honey according to taste, ½ to 1 tumbler with or without ice.
Action:- Cooling, aromatic stimulant, expectorant, antiseptic, diuretic, diaphoretic and aphrodisic in small doses and sedative, and depressant in large or poisonous doses.
Uses:- It is very much used as a cooling agent in fevers of summer. Combined with musk, it is used as a stimulant and expectorant in pneumonia, asthma and bronchitis. It is used as an aphrodisiac with thambula, milk or as pill with Jatiphala etc. Alone it is not advisable to use it in large doses but combined with other drugs it is a nice flavouring agent and stimulant. Mixed with Chandanam 1 grain to 1 oz. of the paste it is applied as a cooling agent to the body in fevers, itch, prickly heat and burning sensation due to inflamed nerve terminals and is also given internally for inflammatory conditions of the mucous membranes such as leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea etc. It is used as a cooling stimulating eye ointment for relieving inflammation. It is used as an intestinal antiseptic and also as a blood-purifier and tonic. Mixed with thymol it forms a liquid preparation useful in relieving tooth ache.
It is used as an oral antiseptic and fragrant in tooth powders. The liniment made with 1 in 4 of oil is a pleasing application to boils, ulcers and cuts. It may be applied for headache and other painful ailments as a rubefacient and anodyne as an oil or as a paste with water along with Sati in Pitta types and with dry ginger in Vata and Kapha types. The lotion, 1 in 1000, may be used for washing ulcers or mucous membranes. If stronger solutions are desired it may be mixed with Omam water.
43. Kasisa 
Names:- Latin Ferri sulphas
Tamil Annabedi
Telugu Annabedi
Canarese Annabedi
Malayal Annabedi
Urdu Hira kashish
Kaaseesamtu Kashayoshnam
Amlam Naata Balasajith
Vishanethra rujah switram
Hantikushta Vranaanapi. 
Kaseesam (Ferri Sulphas) is stringent, and acid. It is heating. It checks Vaata and Kapha. It is useful in the treatment of Visha, diseases of the eye, Leucoderma, Kushta and wounds.
Dose:- 1 to 4 grains in pill or mixture with water.
Action:- Astringent haematinic.
Uses:- It is considered in high esteem as a haematinic in cases of anaemi and bloodlessness (Refer Kasisa Basma). It is also given as a substitute for other preparations of iron. For its astringent properties it is given in combination with other drugs in cases of dysentery, diarrhoea and haemorrhage. In certain cases of jaundice and anaemia it is considered as a specific. It improves the colour and vigour of the body by enrichening the blood. 
As an external application it is used as a ghrita for ulcers and as a lotion for irrigation of inflamed mucous membranes.
44. Kasthuri
Names:- Latin Musk
Tamil Kasturi
Telugu Kasthuri
Canarese Kasthuri
Malayal Kasthuri
Urdu Mishik
Kastoorika Katuh tiktah
Ksharooshnaa Sukrals guruh
Kaphs Vaata Vishacchardu
Suta Dourgandhya doshajit.
Bhaavaprakaasa
Kastoori is pungent, bitter and caustic (Kshaara). It is heating and increases sperm. It is heavy (guru). It is useful in checking Kapha, Vaata, Visha, Vomiting, cold and bad smell.
Dose:- ¼ to 5 grains to be given with human milk, milk, honey, betel leaf juice and honey or in combination with other medicines.
Action:- Stimulant, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, digestive, brain tonic and is said to improve eye-sight.
Uses:- It is a powerful diffusible stimulant which may be relied on and which does not subsequently depress the patient like alcohol, if given in proper doses and watched. For this purpose it is used in pneumonia, high fevers, cholera, to women after confinement and as a preventive and cure for cold, influenza and other infectious diseases. It is given in almost all Vaata and Sannipaata diseases, and forms the chief ingredient of aphrodisiac and tonic pills. It is one of the popular constituents of the thambula intended as a tonic and aphrodisiac.
45. Katukarohini
Names:- Latin Pierorhiza kurrooa
Tamil Katukarohini
Telugu Katukarohini
Canarese Katukarohini
Malayal Katukarohini
Urdu Kutki
Katukaa pittajit tiktaa
Katuh Seetaasra Daaha jit
Balaasaa rochakaan hanti
Vishama Jwara naasanee.
Katukarohini checks Pitta. It is tikta and Katu. It alleviates cold,Raktapitta (anaemia) and burning sensation. It checks also Kapha (Balaasa), anorexia, and Malarial fever.
Dose:-5 to 15 grains of the powder to be taken with water or ¼ to 1 tola as a decoction with other drugs.
Action:- Febrifuge, stimulant of the liver and bitter tonic and laxative to children.
Uses:- It is given in dyspepsia, hepatic derangements and jaundice. It is a valuable anti-periodic in low continued fevers and is given to children in worms. It is a mild laxative. It helps to purify the milk of the women (Charaka). In chronic malarial fevers the decoction made as follows is very useful.
Katuki grains 20
Kirata grains 20
Swarnamuki grains 20
Harithaki grains 20
Draksha 1 tola
Guda 2 tolas
Soak all the above as rough powder in water along with Draksha and jaggery over night in a silver or earthen vessel. Strain through cloth and take early in the morning daily. Regulate the dose so as to have only one good motion daily. A decoction of the same may also be given.
The decoction acts as a mild laxative even without Swarnamukhi.
This is very successful in cases where Quinine fails, especially in jaundice of chronic malaria and is also useful in relieving the bad effects of Quinine. Swarnamuki may be omitted in some cases. The decoction of them may be given in divided doses according to constitutions.
46. Khadira
Names:- Latin Acacia catechu
Tamil Karunkali
Telugu Chendra 
Canarese Kaggali
Malayal Karungali
Urdu Khyre
Khardiraa Seetalaa Dantyah
Kandoo Kaasaa ruchi Pramuth
Tiktah Kashaayo Medaghna
Krimi Meda Jwara Vranaam
Switra Sodhaana Pittaasra
Paandu Kushta Kapham Haret.
Khadira is cooling and strengthens the teeth. It checks itching, cough and anorexia. It is bitter and astringent. It checks medas, Krimi Meha, Jwara and Vrana. It is also useful in the treatment of Leucoderma, Swelling, Rakta pitta, Paandu, Kushta and Kapha.
Babboola – Babool tree has similar properties but is a less degree. When Khadira is not available, Babboola bark may be used instead.
Dose:- ¼ to 1 tola of the brk as a decoction prepared in the usual manner.
Action:- Astringent, blood-purifier and tonic.
Uses:- This is very much mentioned in the treatment of leprosy. Thuvaraka seeds are boiled in the decoction of Khadira and the oil so extracted is specially mentioned for use both internally and externally in the treatment of leprosy. (Dose 5 to 15 minims). The decoction of the bark or compounds containing the bark or stem is used as blood-purifier in skin diseases and in syphilis. It is also used in diarrhoea, dysentery ad haemorrhage ad as a general tonic. As an antiseptic gargle for ulcers in the mouth, throat or tonsils or diseases of the gums and teeth, the same decoction is very useful with a little honey. 
Externally the decoction forms an astringent lotion for cleaning ulcers and for vaginal irrigation. It is also used in the preparation of tooth powders. 
The dry extract of Khadira is called Kadirasaram and is sold in the bazaar as hard pieces, called Kaachu (Kaachukattie). This extract is very useful as a powerful astringent and may be used in the place of the above drug in a very dilute solution or as a powder in combination with other drugs.
47. Kirata
Names:- Latin Andrographis paniculata
Tamil Nilavembu
Telugu Nelavemu
Canarese Nelabevu
Malayal Kiriatu, Nelavepu
Urdu Chiraita 
Kiraatah Saarako rookshah
Seetalah tiktako laghuh
Sannipata Jwara Swaasa
Kapha Pittasra daahanuth
Kaasa Sodha Trishaa Kushta
Jwara Vrana Krimi Pramuth. 
Kirata (Chirata) is bitter, rooksha (dry) and light. It is cooling. It liquefies the excretions (Saarakah). It checks Kapha and Pitta. It is useful in the treatment of Sannipaata fevers, Swaasa, Raktapitta, Daaha, Kaasa, Sodha, Thirst, Kushta, Fevers generally, Vrana nd Krimi.
Dose:- 10 to 30 grains of the powder with hot-water or honey or as decoction with Rasna, Bhaarngi, Sunti and castor oil in vaata diseases, with Katuki, Triphala, Draaksha, and sugar in Pitta diseases and with Sunti, Kantakari, Vaasa and honey in Kapha diseases.
Action:- Febrifuge, antiperiodic, antipyretic, hepatic stimulant, blood-purifier and tonic.
Uses:- It has a great reputation as one of the best remedies for Malaria, even better than Quinine. Its advantage probably lies in its action on the liver. It forms 50% of Sudarsana churna, the popular remedy for all kinds of fevers and is one of the chief ingredients of the popular decoctions or powders used in serious ailments due to the vitiation of all the three doshas (Sannipaata) exhibiting the symptoms of Vaata, Pitta or Kapha or their various combinations. 
In combination with Seetamsurasa or Sannipaata-bhairava rasa or other fever pills it seems to act better in acute diseases. As an external application for itch or skin diseases, it is used with ghee or oil and powdered pepper.
48. Krishna Jeeraka
Names:- Latin Nigella sativa
Tamil Karunjeerakam
Telugu Nallajirakara
Canarese Karijirigae
Malayal Karunjirakam
Urdu Kulanjan
“Kaalaajaajeetu Sagudaa
Vishama Jwara Naasanee”
Pratisyaaya Ghreyamva
Kristna Jeerakam
Bhaava Prakaasa
“Black Jeera with jaggery cures malarial fever.” Krishna Jeeraka is tied in a piece of cloth, crushed and smelt in nasal catarrh.
Dose:- 5 to 20 grains of the powder or as a decoction or swarasam of ¼ to 1/8 tola of the seeds ground, with 2 oz. of water strained and given with honey or as a powder in combination with other anthelmintics and antispasmodics.
Action:- Anthelmintic, galactagogue, emmenagogue and carminative.
Uses:- A decoction or swarasam of the seeds is given just after delivery to stimulate the uterus to contract and to increase the secretion of milk. It is one of the chief ingredients of vermicide powders and decoctions. It is mixed with other carminatives such as Chitraka, Hingu etc., and it is given in cases of dyspepsia, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and intermittent fevers. It is given as an emmenagogue in amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea and is said ot cause abortion when given in large doses. The seeds are tied in a piece of cloth, crushed between fingers and inhaled in nasal catarrh.
49. Kumari
Names:- Latin Aloe vera
Tamil Sotthukattaalai
Telugu Kalabanda
Canarese Naulisara
Malayal Kattuvaya
Urdu Gheekuwar
Kumaaree Bhedinee Seetaa
Tiktaa Netryaa Rasaayanee
Madhuraa Brimhanee Balyaa
Vrishyaa Vata Visha Pranuth
Gulmapleeha Yakrit Vriddhi
Kapha Jwara Haree bhavet
Grandhyagni Daghdha Vispota
Pitta Rakta twagaamayaan.
Kumaaree is purgative, cooling, bitter, good for the eyes and is tonic. It is sweet, promotes growth, gives strength, aphrodisiac. It checks Vaata and is anti-toxic. It is useful in the treatment of Gulma, Pleeha vriddhi, Yakrit vriddhi, Jwara, Grandhi, burns blebs, Raktapitta and skin diseases.

Along with pepper and Vishamushti wood in equal parts, it is used in Malaria in 5 grain pills, 2 or 3 times a day. I generally give these pills with decoction of Nirgundi – See below.
Dose:- 1 to 5 grains of the dry extract (Moosaam-baram) made into a pill.
Action:- Liver stimulant, cathartic, emmenagogue and vermifuge.
Uses:- It stimulates the mammary glands, liver and the pelvic organs giving rise to abortion. The milk of mother acquires purgative quality. It enters into the composition of purgative and emmenagogue pills. It has a griping action. It is generally given in combinatien with equal parts of the dry extract, Kasisa Sinduram, Hingu and Tankanam known as Rajapravartani vati. Externally it is used as a paste, which when dry acts like a tight bandage and decreases swelling. It secure rest for the part applied. It is antiseptic and antiphlogistic.
50. Kuraasaani Yavaani
Names:- Latin Hyoscyamus niger
Tamil Kuraasaani omam
Telugu Kuraasaani omam
Canarese Kurasino omam
Malayal Krosani omam
Urdu Kusaasaani ajwain
Paaraseeka Yavaaneethu
Yavaanee sadrusaagunaih
Viseshaat paachanee ruchyaa
Graahinee maadinee guruh. 
Paaraseeka Yavaani (Kuraasaani Omum – or Yavaani) is similar to omum generally, but it is better as a digestive (paachaanee) and for improving the taste (Ruchyaa). It is heavy (guru), and intoxicating (Maadinee).
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains as a swarasam or decoction with honey or sugar and 1/8 to ¼ tola for single administration.
Action:- Anhelmintic, sedative, anodyn and intestinal antiseptic.
Uses:- This is used in cases of colic, generally in cases of indigestion in children. Mothers give it with human milk to children, who do not sleep well at night. It is much safer than opium. It does not constipte nor lessen the secretion of urine. In elderly people suffering from pain or hard breathing due to asthma, it may be given combined with other drugs in order to produce sleep and relieve suffering. It is also used along with other anthelmintics and purgatives. It allays pain due to griping. On the whole, it is a safe anodyne used in proper doses. In large doses it is a poison and acts like Dhathura.
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