100+  Main Herbs of Ayurveda

51. Kushtam
Names:- Latin Aplotaxis auriculata
Tamil Chengalvakoshtam
Telugu Chengalvakoshtam
Canarese Koshtam
Malayal Kottam
Urdu Kust, Koshtam
Kushtamushnam Katu, Swaadu
Sukralam tiktakam laghu
Hanti Vaatasra Veesarpa
Kaasakushta marut Kaphaan
Kushtaa (Changalvakoshta) is heating, pungent and sweet. It increases sperm. It is also bitter and light. It checks vaatarakta, Visarpa, Kaasaa and Kushta.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains with honey.
Action:- Stimulant, antispasmodic and tonic.
Uses:- As a stimulant, it is given in spasmodic diseases such as cough, asthma, cholera and deranged digestion. As an alternative, it is sued in chronic skin diseases and rheumatism. Locally, a paste of it made in rose water is applied to swollen hands and feet and to swelled abdome in obesity ad a a cooling lotion to sprains and contusions. As a reliever of headache, it has been adveated by Kautilya in his Artha sastra. Koshtam, Vidanga and dravanti are to be powdered and used as a snuff. Vangasena advises a lepa or application of the paste obtained by grinding the roots of Kushta and Eranda with kanjika to be applied for headaches. Externally, it is used as an astringent ointment for ulcers and along with Maadhiphala juice ad honey as an ointment for the face. Charcoal made of Kushta root is mixed with oil and applied to exzematous patches.
The proper drug is not available easily in the south and therefore my experience with this drug is very little. It is much used in asthma, hysteria, epilepsy, insanity and other nervous diseases. It is one of the ingredients of the prepared oils and dusting powders, and is mixed both for its fragrance and antiseptic and soothing properties. Along with Vacha, it is highly recommended in epilepsy (Charaka).
52. Kutaja Thwak
Names:- Latin Holarrhena antidysentrica
Tamil Veppaalai
Telugu Kodisapaala
Canarese Kodasige
Malayal Kutakapaala
Urdu Indrajav
Kutajah Katuko Rooksho
Deepanah tuvaro himah
Arsoteesaara Pittaasra
Kapha Tristnaama Kushta jit.
Kutaja is pungent and also astringent. It is dry and cooling. It improves appetite and checks Kapha. It is useful in the treatment of Piles, Diarrhoea, Raktapitta, thirst, Aama and Kapha.
Dose:- 10 to 60 grains of the powder of the bark with honey or sugar or thakram (buttermilk) or ½ to 1 tola of the bark boiled with 8 times the quantity of water, reduced to one-fourth, filtered and taken with honey. Seeds – same as above.
Action:- Antiperiodic and anidysenteric.
Uses:- It has earned much reputation as a specific in cases of dysentery and is used in the place of Ipecacuanha. It is also said to be very useful in cases of Raktapitta. Chakradutta recommends a paste of the bark to be used in cases of kushta.
53. Laaksha
Names:- Latin Coccus lacca
Tamil Kombarakku
Telugu Lacca
Canarese Arakku
Malayal Kolarakku
Urdu Lac
Laaksha Varnyaa himaa balyaa
Snigdhaacha tuvaraa laghuh
Anushnaa Kapha Pittaasra
Hikkaa Kaasa Jwara Pramuth
Vranorakshata Veesarpa
Krimi Kushta Gadaapahaa.
Laksha improves complexion. It is cooling. It gives strength. It is snigdha (lubricating). It is astringent and light. It is not heating. It checks Kapha, Raktapitta, Hikka, Kaasa, Jwara. It is useful in the treatment of ulcers, Urakshata (consumption with blood spitting), Veesarpa (Erysipelas), Krimi (Vermicide) and Kushta.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains to be taken with honey or ghee or Kushmaanda swarasam and sugar.
Action:- Astringent, haematinic, blood-purifier and tonic.
Uses:- In Raktapitta or bleeding from any portion of the body, the powder is given either alone or in combination with other drugs. It probably produces chemical changes in blood which increase coagulation. It is used as a specific for haemorrhage, in uterine disorders and in epistaxis or bleeding from the nose and lungs. It is also used in chronic dysentery and anaemia. In case of Urakshata, it is given internally with honey, with much success. The oil medicated with this is considered to be much useful in cases of all chronic fevers for external use and massage.
54. Lankesa
Names:- Latin Piper cubeba
Tamil Vaalmilagu
Telugu Chalavamiriyaalu
Canarese Gantamenasu
Malayal Vaalmilagu
Urdu Dhumkimirch; Kavabchini
Dose:- 5 to 20 grains of the powder to be given with cocoanut water or with any other diuretics. 5 to 15 minims of the oil.
Action:- Cooling in small doses, aromatic, diuretic, urinary antiseptic, carminative, antiseptic and stimulant to mucous membranes.
Uses:- It is very largely used to alleviate sore throat in pill or powder mixed with sugar and honey. As a digestive it is used with betel leaf. In Gonorrhoea and in bronchitis it acts as a stimulant to mucous membranes and as an antiseptic. In large doses, it may irritate. It is also used as an oral anispetic.
55. Lavangam
Names:- Latin Caryophyllus aromaticus
Tamil Lavangam, Kraambu
Telugu Lavangaalu
Canarese Lavanga
Malayal Kariambu
Urdu Loung
Lavanga Kusumam Hridyam
Seetalam Pittanaasanam
Cakshushyam Vishahritvrishyam
Maamgalyam Moordhwarogahrit 
Lavanga is pleasing and cooling. It checks Pitta. It is good for the eyes. It is anti-toxic and a aphrodisiac. It is auspicious. It is useful in the treatment of disease of head and neck.
Dose:- 1 to 15 grains of the powder to be taken with honey or in combination with other drugs.
Action:- Internally – Carminative, aromatic, antispasmodic, expectorant and stimulant. Externally – rubefacient, local anaesthetic and antiseptic.
Uses:- Intenally, it stimulates circulation and raises the blood-pressure. It promotes digestion and nutrition and relieves gastric and intestinal colic and spasm. Its external use relieves local pain and specially the pain of the head. A paste of them applied to the forehead and to the nose is a popular remedy in headache and coryza. Kept in the mouth, it is an oral antiseptic and stimulant to the throat. It increases the secretion and helps to relieve congestion of the throat. It is used in combination with sugar or kalkanda to promote expectoration from the lungs. It is included in tooth powders for its fragrance and antiseptic properties. It stimulates the skin, salivary glands, kidneys, liver and bronchial mucous membranes. It is a valuable home remedy and is used as a condiment to improve digestion. In large doses, it is an irritant.
56. Lodhra
Names:- Latin Symplocos racemosa
Tamil Vellaloddi pattai
Telugu Lodduga
Canarese Pachettu
Malayal Pachoti
Urdu Lodh
Lodhra dwayantu tuvaram
Chakshusyam Seetalam laghu
Ateesaara aruchi Visha
Pradaraani Vinaasayet. 
Both the Lodhas (white and red) are astringent, cooling and light. Lodhra is good for the eyes. It is useful in the treatment of Ateesaara, Visha and Pradaara.
Dose:- ½ to 1 oz. of the bark as a decoction boiled with 8 times the quantity of water, reduced to one fourth, strained and taken with honey.
Action:- Astringent and uterine tonic.
Uses:- It is highly recommended as a specific in cases of Pradara and other uterine affections. For its astringent property, it is very much used in cases of dysentery and haemorrhage. It is recommended as a dusting powder for wounds. It is also mentioned in Kushta and diseases of the eye. The decoction is used as a gargle with a little honey in relaxed uvula and bleeding gums and as a wash for ulcers. Applied as a plaster it is said to promote maturation of boils.
57. Madhu 
Names:- Latin Mel 
Tamil Thene 
Telugu Thene 
Canarese Jenutuppa 
Malayal Thane 
Urdu Shahadh 
Vaatalam guru Seetamcha
Raktapitta Kaphapaham
Sandhaatru cchedanam rooksham
Kashaaya Madhuram Madhu.
Madhu (honey) is guru, dry (rooksha), astringent and sweet. It is cooling (seetam). It is useful in the treatment of Raktapitta and Kapha. It is very good for joining the edges of cut wounds and for cutting proud flesh in ulcers.
Dose:- 1 to 4 drams with water for a single dose and 5 to 30 minims for repeated administration.
Action:- Astringent, antiseptic, nutritive, aphrodisiac and tonic.
Uses:- It is a pleasant vehicle for other medicines of the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. It itself is reputed to remove phlegm. For its nutritive properties and its pleasat taste it is used in all lehyams. It is also given mixed with betel leaf juice as a Vehicle for other medicines.
It is specially recommended in Kapha diseases when phlegm is predominant. Taken early in the morning with equal parts of cold water it is reputed to cure obesity. It is not contraindicated in diabetes according to Ayurveda. Mixed with milk and ghee, it is specially recommended in consumption as a tissue builder. The same is also given as an aphrodisiac along with Gudoochisatwam, Vidaari or Aswagandha. It is given to children along with fresh juice of betel leaves as a carminative. To the new born baby, a few drops may be given every two or three hours as a diet for first few days. It is also recommended as an antiseptic dressing for burns and cuts. It is used either alone or mixed with ghee. Made into a paste with a little chunnam, it is used as a poultice for abscesses. Honey ad betel leaf juice are both said to conain certain valuable Vitamins and honey is said to posses, hygroscopic property which destroys microbes.
58. Madhusnuhi
Names:- Latin Smilax china 
Tamil Parangi pattai 
Telugu Pharangichekka 
Canarese Chinipavu 
Malayal Pavu 
Urdu Chopcheeni
Dweepaantara Vacha Kinchit 
Tiktoshna Vahnideeptikrit 
Vibandhaadhmaana soolaghnow
Sakrit mootra Visodhinee
Vaatavyaadheena pasmaara
Munmaadam tanuvedanaam
Vyapohati Viseshena
Phirangaamaya naasanee
Bhaavaprakaasa.
Dweepaantaravacha (Madhushnuhi) is slightly bitter and slightly heating. It improves the appetite. It removes constipation (Vibandha), checks distention of the abdomen and colic. It purifies faecal matter and urine. It is useful in the treatment of Vaata Vyaadhis, Apasmaara (Epilepsy). Insanity, pains in the body (tanuvedana). It is specially useful in the treatment of Syphilis (Phirangaamaya).
Dose:- ¼ to 1 tola of the powder with ghee and sugar or in combination with other drugs.
Action:- General tonic.
Uses:- It is very much used in late stages of syphil is and leprosy as a tonic and alternative. It enters into the composition of lehams intended for tissue-building and as aphrodisiacs. It is also used in scrofula and chronic rheumatism.
59. Madhoochista
Names:- Latin Cera flaa (Bees wax) 
Tamil Thane mezhugu 
Telugu Mainam 
Canarese Jenumena 
Malayal Mezhugu 
Urdu Moum
Sikdhakam Snigdha Madhuram 
Bhootaghnam bhagna Sandhikrit 
Hanit Veesarpa Kandwaadeen 
Vranaropana muttamam 
Bhedanam picchilam Swaadu 
Kushta Vaatasraji mridu.
Madhoochista (Sikdhakam) is lubricating (Oily-Snigdha), sweet and soft (mrudu). It check infection (Bhootaghnam) and unites broken parts. (Bhagna Sandhikrit) of bone. It checks Veesarpa (Erysipelas), itching, etc. It is the best for healing ulcers. It loosens bowels; it is sticky. It is useful in the treatment of Kushta and Vaata Rakta.
Action:- Antiseptic, emollient, lubricant and is used mostly externally in ointments.
Uses:- Its chief property is to solidify oils at ordinary temperature. It has got a special reputation in promoting union in fractures and in giving a healthy tone to the skin. It makes a soothing ointment to chronic ulcers.
60. Manjishta
Names:- Latin Rubia cordifolia 
Tamil Manjishti 
Telugu Manjishta 
Canarese Manjishta 
Malayal Manchatti 
Urdu Manjit
Manishta Madhuraa tiktaa 
Kashaayaaswaravarna krith 
Gururushna Visha sleshma
Sodha Yonyaakshi Karnaruk
Raktaateesaara Kushtaasra
Visarpa Vrana Meha nuth 
Bhaavaprakaasa.
Manjishta is sweet, bitter and astringent. It improves voice and complexion. It is heavy. It checks sleshma. It is useful in the treatment of Visha, Sodha (swelling), diseases of the uterus, eye, ears, dysentery (Raktaateesaara), Kushta, disease of the blood, Veesarpa, Vrana, and Meha.
Dose:- 10 to 30 grains of the drug with 1 or 2 oz. of water or along with other drugs.
Action:- Blood-purifier.
Uses:- It is a reputed blood-purifier and is used in skin diseases and in some cases of leprosy and leucoderma. Its internal administration is believed to alter discoloration of the body and to improve complexion (Vyangeshu Manjishta – Chakradutta). It is also said that it works well in eliminating the poison from the body. Sushruta prescribes a decoction of Manjishta with Chandanam in cases of Manjishtameha. It is used as an antiseptic and coloring aget in ointments as in Pindataila and in the preparation of hair oils.
61. Maricham
Names:- Latin Piper nigrum 
Tamil Milagu 
Telugu Mirayaalu 
Canarese Menasu 
Malayal Kurumilagu 
Urdu Kalimirch
Maricham Katukah teekshnam
Deepanam Kapha Vaata jit
Ushnam Pittakaram rooksham
Swaasa soola Krimim haret.
Maricham (pepper) is pungent, acute, and improving appetite. It checks Kapha and Vaata. It is heating. It promotes Pitta and is dry (rooksha). It is useful in the treatment of Swaasa, Sula (colic), and Krimi.
Doses:- 5 to 15 grains of the powder to be taken with honey or ghee or sugar or jaggery, or ¼ to ½ tola as a decoction boiled in the usual manner with a little honey or ghee or as a rasam or chutney prepared with lemon juice, tamarind and other condiments.
Actions:- Febrifuge, antiperodic, antipyretic, stimulant to heart, carminative, anthelmintic and parasiticide. In small doses, it is a urinary antiseptic and in large doses an irritant.
Uses:- It is very commonly used in the early stages of all feves and also as a preventive of further troubles in cold, catarrh and influenza. It is a very good digestive and carminative. Hence it is given in cass of diarrhoea, dyspepsia, latulence and atony of the stomach. It relieves suffering in intermittent fevers by causing perspiration. It also seems to have a specific action in curing Malaria. In cough, cold asthma and other pulmonary affections, it is given as a powder with ghee, sugar and honey or as decoction with milk, like coffee or tea. It acts as a stimulant to the heart and increases expectoration. As an anthelmintic, it is given along with other drugs. It is also given internally as a pill along with Aristolochia bracteata (Aadutinnapaalai) in doses of 5 grains of the powder, with the mass of the leaf of about a marble size, in eczema and syphilis of the three stages. The same prescription is used as a secret remedy in cases of cholera and in appendicitis by some physicians. Milk boiled with pepper and taken at night is a excellent recipe for improving blood (“Marichaikvathitham dugdam pane raathrow prashasyathe, rasaayanam thena vriddhi syaathi” Haareetha.) It is advisable to give it in elephantiasis daily. In gonorrhoea and gleet it acts as a stimulant and urethral antiseptic in small doses and may be given along with milk and kalkanda churnam.
Externally, it is a local irritant and causes burning sensation of the skin. It is used to relieve headache and is applied as a pste with water comfortably hot or ground with equal parts of rice and a little water and applied as a hot paste to the forehead. A local application relieves pain due to neuritis. In night-blindness a paste of pepper with curd is recommended for application into the eyes as an ointment by Vagbhata. In skin diseases, particularly eczema, pepper powder is applied with ghee or kuppameni leaf juice or as an ointment made up of Aadutinnapaalai (Gadidegadapaaku and butter.)
62. Musta
Names:- Latin Cyperus rotundus 
Tamil Koraikilangu 
Telugu Tungamustalu 
Canarese Badramushtie 
Malayal Muttangya 
Urdu Nagarmotha
Mustam Katugraahi
Tiktam deepana paachanam
Kashaayam Kapha Pittaasra
Trut Jwaraaruchi Jantunut.
Musta is cooling, pungent, astringent, and bitter. It is graahi (constrictive). It improves appetite and is also digestive. It checks Kapha, Pitta and Raktapitta. It is useful in the treatment of thrist, fever, anorexia and Krimi.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains of the powder to be taken with honey or ¼ to 1 tola to be taken as a decoction or infusion prepared in the usual way or ½ tola boiled with a seer of water or soaked over-night as a seetakashaaya.
Action:- Diaphoretic, demulcent, diuretic, aromatic, stimulent and galactagogue.
Uses:- In fevers pitta of type i.e. when predominant symptoms are thirst, burning sensation of the body, delirium, jaundiced eyes etc., its use is specially indicated. It is also given in cholera for suppression of urine. The drink is recommended as a diuretic and for relieving thirst in fevers and in diabetes of pitta type or it may be given as Shadanga kashaya (“Ghanachandana suntyambu parpatoseer saadhita” – Vagbhat.)
It is used as an ingredient of dusting and bathing powders on account of its fine fragrance and also of its antiseptic and Wormicide properties. It is very popular with the ladies of South India for its fragrance. It also forms a component of hair oils.
63. Naagakesaram
Names:- Latin Mesua ferrea 
Tamil Sirunagappu 
Telugu Naagakesaramulu 
Canarese Naagakesara 
Malayal Nagappu 
Urdu Naagakesar
Naagakesaram alposhnam
Laghu tiktam Kaphaapaham
Vastiruk Visha Vaataasra
Kandhooghnam Sopha naasanam.
Naagakesaram is slightly heating. It is bitter and light. It checks Kapha. It is useful in the treatment of diseases of the urinary bladder, poisons, Vaatarakta, itching and swelling.
Dose:- 10 to 30 grains of the powder to be taken with honey or sugar and butter.
Action:- Cooling, carminative and aromatic.
Uses:- It enters into the composition of almost all lehams of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia, a a digestive, carminative and aromatic. It is a mild febrifuge. In bleeding piles and dysentery attended with blood, the powder is given, with butter and sugar. In Swetapradara or leucorrhoea, a paste of this with curd followed by a diet of rice and butter-milk is recommended by Bhaavaprakaash.
64. Navaasaaram
Names:- Latin Ammonii Chloride 
Tamil Navaacaaram 
Telugu Navaasaaramu 
Canarese Navaasaagara 
Malayal Navasaram 
Urdu Navasaagar
Rasendra jaararam loha,
Draavanam jatharaagni Krith
Gulma Pleehasya soshaghnam
Bhutktamaamsaadi jaaranam
Biddakhyamcha Tridoshaghnam
Choolikaa lavanam matam
Navaasaaram is useful for digesting mercury and for liquefying loha. It improves digestion. It is useful in the treatment of Gulma, Pleeha, diseases of the mouth and wasting of the body (sosha). It helps in digesting food uch as flesh. That which is called Bida is tridoshaghnam. It is also called choolikaa lavana.
Doses:- 5 to 15 grains to be taken with the decoction of Gokshura or any other diuretics.
Action:- Diuretic and hepatic tonic.
Uses:- As a diuretic, it is used in liver disorders, ascites, retention of urine etc. Mixed with chunnam, it evolves ammonia, which in solution with water is applied as an external application to injured joints and to corpion bites. It is used in the preparation of Sankhadraava and Swarnavanga. It is also used externally as a paste with cow’s urine or lime water or lemon juice along with Sunti and Devadaru, renewed every 4 hours to relieve deep seated inflammation, and poison.
65. Nimba
Names:- Latin Melia azadirachta 
Tamil Vembu 
Telugu Vepa 
Canarese Bevu 
Malayal Vepu 
Urdu Neem
Nimbah Seeto laghu graahi
Katupaako Agni Vaatamuth.
Vrana Pitta Kapha Chardi
Kushta hrillaasa meha nuth.
Nimba (neem) is light, cooling and constrictive. It is pungent by Vipaaka. It checks heat and Vaata. It is used in the treatment of Vrana, vitiation of Pitta and Kapha, Vomiting, Kushta and Hrillaasa – Vomiting Sensation.
Dose:- ¼ to 1 tola as a decoction boiled with 8 times the quantity of water and reduced to one fourth.
3 to 10 minims of the oil with milk and sugar or in a capsule or pill.
¼ to 1 oz of the juice of the tender leaves with honey.
As a kalka of the leaves with salt and peppet of a marble size.
Of a mixture of root, stem, leaf, flower ad fruit crushed together, in dose of ¼ to ½ tola as an infusion or decoction with honey or sugar.
A handful of the leaves to the boiled with 40 to 80 oz. of water for an enema.
Action:- Febrifuge, antiperiodic, antipyretic, anthelmintic, antiseptic, blood-purifier and bitter tonic and specific in leprosy.
Uses:- The bark is used in intermittent and remittent fevers, general debility and convalascence. It is a reputed blood-purifier and hence it is given as a specific in cases of Kushta (Leprosy), Vaatarakta and other diseases of the blood. The tender leaves ground into mass with pepper and salt are given as a carminative and anthelmintic and in leprosy. The juice of the leaves is used with honey in Kaamala or jaundice and worms. The seeds are anthelmintic and alterative. The oil extracted from it is bitter, anthelmintic and stimulant and has a specific action in leprosy both internally and externally. The toddy which naturally oozes out of the tree is used as a tonic and also in leprosy. The gum is used by some in chronic gonorrhoea.
A decoction of the leaves with a little salt is very good for a enema to expel worms and also to remove wind. The decoction of the bark is used as an antiseptic lotion for cleaning ulcers. The leaves are disinfectant and local stimulant and are used as poultices to indolent glands and swellings. The paste of the leaves, ground with turmeric, is used as a popular remedy for ulcers in Small-pox. The foam obtained by churning the tender shoots with cold or ice water is applied to the body to reduce the high temperature in fevers. The external application of the oils is antiseptic and healing. This is very useful in leprosy.
Neem leaves are used dry in libraries to keep off book-eating worms. They are placed in between the books in the shelves.
66. Nirgundi (Sindhuvaara)
Names:- Latin Vitex negundo 
Tamil Nochhi 
Telugu Vaavili 
Canarese Nokki 
Malayal Nochhi 
Urdu Shembali
Dose:- ½ to 1 oz. of the Swarasam to be taken with honey. ½ to 2 tolas of the leaves as a docoction boiled in the usual manner or the leaves made into a mass with pepper and taken in doses of 5 to 15 grains three times a day.
Action:- Alternative, antiperiodic, antipyretic and anodyne.
Uses:- The decoction with pepper or the swarasam is used by some as a specific in Malaria. It is also used in colic, dyspepsia, rheumatism, and worms. The crushed mass is tied to the head in heaviness of the head and in fevers of the complicated or nervous type.
The boiled leaves are used for fomentation of painful joints in rhematism. The joints are bathed in the hot water in which the leaves were boiled. The oil prepared with the Swarasa of the leaves is very popular for relieving pains. Taludaali ilai (Prasaarini) in Madras is also very much used for similar purposes externally and is very effective in relieving pains of acute rheumatism.
The herb is available in hedges very commonly all over India, Nirgundi is described in Bhaavaprakaash, Dhanvantari Nighuntu, Raja Nighutu, Charaka, Susruta and Vaghbhata.
Sindhu Varas sveta Pushpah
Sindhukassindhu Vaarakah
Neela Pushpee to Nirgundee
Sephaalee suvahaacha sa (Bhaava Prakaasa).
It is generally described as having Tikta, Katu and Kashaya tastes and as Vaata and Kapha Hara and having Krimighna properties. Chakradatta describes it as useful in Kapha feves.
Sindhuvaara Dala Quaadhah
Soshanam Kaphaje Jware
Dhanvantari Nighantu says that it curses enlarged spleen. I have been using it exclusively in Malarial fever from 1927. Recently, a forest officer from Assam published an article in the Illustrated Weekly of India, that Nirgundi is available in abundance in Assam and that the tribesmen use it very efficiently in blackwater fever.
Sushruta recommends its use in Rakta Pitta. Charaka includes it in Krimighna Group. (Sutra – ch.4) The following Recipe has been found by me to be very useful in Malaria.
Take of:- Nirgundi leaves – 10 Tolas.
Pepper seeds powdred – 1 Tola.
Gudam (Jaggery) – 10 Tolas.
Water – 40 Tolas (1-lb)
Boil and reduce to 1 Tola 4- ozs.
Give one or two ozs as a dose, 2 or 3 times a day. The bowels should be kept free by any medicne previously or an enema may be given. An over dose of the medicine does not have any bad effects. It is most useful in Malaria of Vata Kapha type in which the predominant symptoms are severe chill and brain symptoms Three or four doses a day may be taken for the first 3 or 4 days and then 2 doses a day may be repeated. In almost all cases, the fever subsides with 4 days. In alternate fevers, a second attack may be much less severe and on the third turn day, the temperature does not usually rise.
Diet – Very light liquid diet or absolute starvation, giving only water to drink, is the best. Barley water, fruit juice, thin butter milk may be give till the fever subsides.
Remarks:- The plant grows in the poorest soils and even in gravelly places. A branch is cut and planted in the rainy season and it requires no further attention. It does not require watering in the hot whether. It is not destroyed by goats and cattle and so it is used for edges in Southern India. Nirgundi has 2 varieties – white and black accoding to the colour of the leaf and flower. The leaf is Trifoliate or Penta foliate. It is very popular here for its Vaatahara properties. Water boiled with the drug is used for baths for women after confinement. The drug is best used as a fresh or dry leaf in decoction. I do not therefore recommend its use as a commercial product as it can be collected locally and can be easily grown and made popular all over the country.
67. Parpatakam
Names:- Latin Mollugo cerviana 
Tamil Parpaatakam 
Telugu Parpaatakamu 
Canarese Parpatakam 
Malayal Parpatakam 
Urdu Hazardhana
Parpatohanti Pittaasra
Jwara trishaa Kapha bhramaan
Samgraahi seetalah tikto
Daaha nuth Vaatalo laghuh
Parpataka is bitter and light. It is cooling. It is a constrictor. It checks Kapha and it increases Vaata. It is useful in the treatment of Raktapitta. Jwara, Trishna, Bhrama (Giddiness), Daaha (burning sensation).
Dose:- ½ to 2 tolas as a decoction with or without sugar or as a compound with other drugs (Refer Shadanga Kashaaya).
Action:- Cooling, diuretic, febrifuge, relieves thrist and burning sensation of the body.
Uses:- It is often used for the same purpose as and along with Musta in high fevers (Refer Musta No 61). This drug alone is enough in Pitta fevers. (Eka parpataka sreshtah pitta jwara vinaasanah. – Chakradutta). Water boiled with 1 in 120 parts nd cooled, or water in which the drug is soaked overnight is an excellent drink for relieving urethral burning sensation and acute inflammation in cystisis and gonorrhoea. It is also recommended in vomiting along with honey.
68. Patola
Names:- Latin Trichosanthes dioica 
Tamil Peppudal 
Telugu Chedupotla 
Canarese Kaipotala 
Malayal Padolam 
Urdu Kichunda
Kaphaasrik Kandu Kushtaam
Jwara daahaacha naasayeth
Patola in pungent, and penetrating. It checks sevee heat. It is useful in the treatmen of Kapha, diseases of the blood, itching, Kushta, Fevers and burning sensation.
Dose:- ½ to 2 tolas to be taken as a decoction with sugar or honey.
Action:- Febrifuge, blood-purifier and bitter tonic.
Uses:- The decoction is much used as a febrifuge and antiperiodic. It purifies the blood. The green leaves are advised to be taken as a vegetable in cases of poisons and after fevers. In the treatment of small-pox, the decoction is much recommended by Bhaavpprakaash. The properties and uses are almost the same as Nimba and is used in compound decoctions for all kinds of fevers.
69. Patrakam
Names:- Latin Cinnamomum zeylanicum 
Tamil Lavangapatri 
Telugu Aakupatri 
Canarese Lavangapatri 
Malayal Lavangpatram 
Urdu Tejpat
Patrakam Kapha Vaatarso
Hrillaasaa rochakaa paham.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Patrakam checks Kapha and Vaata. It is used in the treatment of watering from mouth and in anorexia.
Dose:- 10 to 60 grains of the powder with honey or as a decoction along with other drugs.
Action:- Aromatic, mild febrifuge, mild expectorant and diuretic.
Uses:- It is rarely used alone. Bu, it enters into the composition of most of the lehams, where it is chiefly added to give aroma. It is also included in febrifuge and diuretic decoctions.
70. Pippali
Names:- Latin Piper longum 
Tamil Thippili 
Telugu Pippallu 
Canarese Thippili 
Malayal Thippili 
Urdu Pippal 
Pippalee Katukaa Swaaduh
Hima Snigiha tridosha jith
Trit Jwarodara jantwaana
Naasaneecha rasaayanees.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Pippali is pungent and sweet. It is cooling and oily. It checks the three doshas. It is useful in the treatment of thirst, fever, abdominal diseases and worns. It is also useful as a tonic.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains as powder with honey or ghee or ghee and sugar. 
or 10 to 60 grains as decoction or boiled with milk, 
or with equal parts of Saindava lavanam and ghee, 
or with water, milk and sugar or butter milk in increasing doses starting with 5, increasing daily by 5, till the number reaches 50 and reducing by 5 daily (Vardhamana pippali-Charaka).
Action:- Digestive, carminative, stimulant, febrifuge, alternative and tonic.
Use:- In consumption and in ascites goat’s or cows milk is recommended to be used, boiled with Pippali churnam. It makes the milk more easily assimilable. In piles it is used with butter-milk. It is milder than Sunthi in relieving abdominal distension or pain. It is less pungent than pepper. It is used alone wherever a milder drug is required and a combination of the above two, when more powerful action is required. It is generally combined with Sunti for Vaataharatwam and with pepper for Kaphaharatwam. Itself, is mainly Pittahara and is used alone in kevala pitta vikaara. The combination of the three is therefore very popularly used in all the three conditions.
71. Pippalimoolam (Root of the above).
Katooshnam Pippalee moolm
Sleshma Sanghaata naasanam
Vaatcchittikaram hanti
Krimeen Vahni pradeeptikrit.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Pippali moolam is pungent and heating. It checks accumulations of Kapha and Vaata. It improves appetite. It is useful in the treatment of Krimi.
Dose:- Action and Uses similar to the above but milder.
It is more a favourite of pregnant women and is used both in pregnancy and after child-birth. Its uses are probably digestive and tonic. It is reputed to be Vaataharam. As an anthelmintic, it is given with goat’s urine (Vaagbhata). As a galactagogue, it is given along with milk and sugar (Maricham pippaleemoolam ksheeram ksheera Vivriddhaye – Haareetha). In Nidraa naasa, Haritha prescribes a powder of this to be taken with Gudam.
72. Punarnava
Names:- Latin Boerhaavia diffusa 
Tamil Chattarani 
Telugu Galijeru 
Canarese Gajjeru 
Malayal Taludama 
Urdu Peescopra
Punarnavaa Bhavedushna
Tiktaa rooksha Kaphaapaha
Sasopha Paandu hrid roga
Kaasorakshata Soolajit.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Punarnava is bitter and heating. It is non oily (dry). It checks Kapha. It is useful in the treatment of diseases with swelling (sasopha), Paandu (Anaemia), Hridroga (heart diseases), cough, blood spitting (Urakshata), and colic (soola).
Dose:- 10 to 60 grains of the powder with hot-water. 
Or ¼ to 1 tola as a decoction, 
or ½ to 2 tolas of the juice of fresh root or the swarasam of the dry root.
Action:- Diuretic, leaf – laxative as a sakam (curry).
Uses:- Its very name is sophagni (that which cures swellings). It is used in a variety of diseases and is one of the most useful drugs in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia. It is useful both in heart and kidney diseases and remarkable results are observed, swellings in the hands, feet or face or on the whole body disappearing promptly. The patient is also put on salt free diet during the treatment. The leaf used as a vegetable removes constipation. I have given below the summary of its uses as found in Vanoushadi Gunadharpana.
1. A paste of the root with Dadhimanda (water floating on curd) may be used as an application for all kinds of kushta. 
(Chikitsa-Ch. 7. Charaka).
2. Decoction prepared with punarnava in Asmari. 
(Chikitsa-Ch. 7. Sushruta).
3. Either the decoction or the kalka of Punarnava with Sunthi followed by an anupanam of milk in Sotha. 
(Chikitsa-Ch. 23. Sushruta).
4. Powder of the root with honey in Mushika Visha (Rat-bite). 
(Kalpa-Ch. 6. Sushruta).
5. Swetapunarnava and Dathura in Alarkavisha (Rabid dog-bite). 
(Kalpa-Ch. 6. Sushruta).
6. Milk boiled with the root in Jwara. 
(Uttara Ch. 36. Sushruta).
7. Ghee medicated with milk, Punarnava kashaya and yashti-kalka is nutrient and removes intoxication. 
(Madaatyaya Chikitsa-Vrinda).
8. ½ pala of the kalka taken with milk for half a month or two months or six months or one year as a Rasayanam. 
(Rasaayanaadhikaara-Vrinda).
9. Ghee medicated with the kalka and kashaaya of Punarnava for Sotha. 
(Sotha chikitsa-Chakradutta).
10. The root of Sweta punarnava as a decoction for apakva Vidradhi. 
(Vidradhi Ch. Chakrudutta).
11. The root taken with water obtained by washing rice for Visha.
(Visha chikitsa-Chakradutta).
12. Urakshata chikitsa – As in Sopha. (Haareetha).
13. Decoction of Punarnava for producing sleep.
(Chikitsa-Ch. 16. Hareetha).
14. Decoction of Sathi, Sunthi and Punarnava used continuously for seven nights in Aamavata (Bhaavaprakaash).
15. Use of Punarnava in eye-diseases:-
“Dugdhena kandoom kshoudrena netrasravancha sarpishaa Pushpam, thailena thimiram, kanjikaena nisaandhatham, Punarnavaa harathyaasu bhaaskarasthimiram yatha.”
With milk in itching of the eyes, with honey in discharges, with ghee in pushpam (white patch), with oil in timira (Immature cataract), with rice-washings in night-blindness-Phnarnava is useful in eye diseases.
(Bhaavaprakaasa).
16. The powder with milk for Pitta fevers and with thaambula for Chathurthika fevers.
(Jwara chikitsa-Vangasena).
17. Oil medicated with Sweta punarnava to be rubbed in the foot in Vaatakantaka.
(Vaatavyaadhi chikitsa-Vangasena).
18. The leaves as saaka for amavaata.
(Amaavaata chikitsa-Vangasena).
73. Raktachandanam
Names:- Latin Pterocarpus santalinus 
Tamil Sigappu chandanam 
Telugu Errachandanamu 
Canarese Raktachandana 
Malayal Raktachandanam 
Urdu Sandalai suruk
Raktam Seetam Guru Swaadu
Chardi trishnaasra pittahrit
Tiktam netrahitam Vrishyam
Jwara Vrana Vishaapaham.
Raktachandana is sweet and bitter. It is heavy (guru) and cooling. It is useful in the treatment for Chardi, Trisna, Rakta, Pitta, Jwara, Vrana and Visha. It is good for the eye. It is an aphrodisiac.
Dose:- ¼ to 1 tola as decoction.
Action:- Refrigerant, antiperiodic, antipyretic, febrifuge, astringent and bitter tonic.
Uses:- Properties almost the same as Sweta chandanam (Refer page 22).
It is used in many fever mixtures including mixtures for plague (D. Gopalacharlu’s Haimaadi Paanakam) and it is probably specially useful in relieving thirst and burning sensation of the body. It is also specially mentioned in Visarpa (Erysipelas) and as a blood-purifier in skin diseases.
74. Rasna
Names:- Latin Alpinia officinarum 
Tamil Chittarattai 
Telugu Sannaraashtramu 
Canarese Rasagadde 
Malayal Aratta 
Urdu Kulanjan
Raasnaa tiktoshnagurvee syaath
Visha Vaataasra Kaasajit
Sopha Vaatodara sleshma
Samanyaamasya paachanee.
Rasna is bitter, heating and heavy (to digest). It checks Vaata, Raktapitta and cough. It is useful in the treatment of swellings and abdominal distention. It subdues Kapha and matures Aama dosha.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains of the root rubbed in honey or of the powder or swarasam prepared as usual with honey,
Or ¼ to ½ tola as decoction with honey or sugar,
Or boiled with milk, strained and taken with sugar.
Action:- Expectorant and carmiantive and vaatahara.
Uses:- There is a great doubt about the identification of this drug in different parts of India. The root used in the Madras Presidency is very popular and is specially used in sore-throat and cough due to throat troubles. The root is rubbed with honey and licked slowly morning and evening.
It is specially reputed as Vaataharam. Charaka mentions a pill made up of 1 part of Rasna, and 1¼ part of Guggula, to be given with ghee in Gridhrasi vaata or sciatica. Rasnaadi Quathams are many and contain among other drugs Rasna, Sunthi, Devadaaru, Gudoochi and Dasamoolams. The decoction of this compound powder is generally given with castor oil. It is recommended in hydrocele and hernia (“Mootra vriddhim….. Vriddhim antrodbhavan Jayet” Saarangadhara). It is used in intestinal distention, in pulmonary troubles as well as for relief of nervous pain. It is a very popular drug in Southern India for the treatment of rheumatism (Aamavaata) and it is combined with castor oil.
75. Rasona
Names:- Latin Allium sativum 
Tamil Vellaipoondu 
Telugu Vellulli 
Canarese Bellulli 
Malayal Vellulli 
Urdu Lasun
Rasono brimhanah Vrishyah
Snigdhoshnah paachanah Sarah
Rase paakecha Katukah
Teekshno Madhurako Matah
Bala varnakaro medhaa
Hito nethryo Rasaayanah
Hridroga jeerna jwara Kukshi Soola
Vibandha gulmaaruchi Kaasa Sophaan
Durnaama Kushtaa nalasaada jantu
Sameerana swaasa Kaphaan cha hanti.
Bhaavaprakaasa.
Lasuna (Rasona-garlic) is oily, heating and digestive. It quickly penetrates. In rasa and vipaaka, it is pungent and it is also sweet. It is teekshna (acute). It is aphrodisiac and makes one plumpy (Brimhanam). It improves strength and complexion. It is good for eye sight, intellect and as a tonic. It is useful in the treatment of heart diseases, chronic fevers, colic, constipation, Gulma, anorexia, kaasa, sopha, piles, Kushta, loss of appetite, Jantu (Vermicide) and swaasa. It checks Vaata and Kapha.
Dose:- Of the oil ½ to 2 minims.
Garlic 1 part, oil 8 parts, milk 32 parts. Boil till the oil remains.
Or,Garlic 1 part, oil 8 parts. Heat the oil and strain.
Dose:- 3 to 10 minims of the oil with milk and sugar.
The swarasam of Lasuna is generally extracted by crushing the bulbs along with bran and expressing through thick cloth. 1 to 3 minims with milk and sugar.
Garlic ½ to 1 tola, milk 4 to 16 oz, water double the quantity of milk, mix and boil down till the milk remains, filter, add honey or sugar and take every morning.
Action:- Internally, stimulant, diuretic in small doses, galactagogue, emmenagogue, intestinal antiseptic, expectorant, antimalarial, antifilarial, antitubercular, antispasmodic in asthma, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac and tonic in proper doses.
Externally, antiseptic, rubefacient, counter-irritant and blistering.
In large doses, it is an irritant and produces flatulence, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea etc.
Uses:- Garlic is used in a variety of diseases, specially as a stimulant in Vaata diseases. It is a reputed home remedy and is popularly called the musk of the poor man.
Its action on the bronchial mucous membrane and as an antispasmodic in asthma, is marvelous in some cases. It is also used in consumption and in the early stages, it acts as a specific. Milk boiled with Lasuna has been very much extolled as a tonic. It is the regulation of the dose that is the most difficult part in the administration of Lasuna. The same dose does not suit all constitutions and in some cases disagreeable symptoms are noted which necessitate withholding of the drug. Charaka recommends its use in elephantiasis.
An external application of the oil is antiseptic and stimulant to the wounds. The swarasam of Lasuna is powerfully caustic and when introduced into sinuses produces inflammation and powerful reaction resulting in a high temperature, some times upto 1050. In some cases, the sinus is healed by one application. In ear-ache, the oil is prepared along with Hingu (Refer Hingutrigunataila) and dropped comfortably warm into the ear. As a poultice ground with Omum, turmeric and castor oil ad boiled with water, it makes a nice application for relieving inflammation. As an external application in pneumonia and pleurisy, it has produced excellent results, sometimes cutting short the duration of the diseases. It is mixed with camphor and turmeric and rubbed all over the body when the limbs become cold due to collapse or in hysteria. It is a favourite of old physicians in the after treatment of puerperal women. If properly used, Lasunam is one of the most useful drugs of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia.
In Malarial fevers, Lasuna has been used with great success. It is used as a secret remedy in many villages in South India. Grind equal parts of Arka (Calotropis gigantia), lasuna and pepper into a mas and make into 5 grain pills. One to 3 pills may be given two or three times a day for the treatment of Malarial attacks. It is a bit heating and so the effects must be carefully watched in each case. Ordinarily, it is good to stop its use temporarily after using the pills for 2 or 3 days. It is most useful in Vaata and Kapha types.
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