Ayurvedic herbs, commonly known as Ayurveda, are one of the oldest systems of Ayurvedic treatments in the world. There are many ayurvedic herbs in the world, out of which we have selected the 7 best ayurvedic herbs that are very popular and beneficial to our health.
Ayurveda is a type of complementary and alternative medicine, the origin of which is linked to ancient Indian medicines or herbs 5000 years ago. (source).
And, according to The National Center of Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH), Ayurveda is a natural whole-body approach to physical and mental health.
There are plenty of health benefits of these ayurvedic herbs, including:
- Treatment of the digestive problems
- Penile enlargement
- Treatment of erectile dysfunction or sexual problems
- Weight loss resistance
- Skin problems
- Diabetes
- Mental health, and many others.
The best part is that most of these ayurvedic herbs are commonly available at your home in your kitchen pantry or cabinets.
These can be in the form of spices or other ingredients that you use in cooking. And, it becomes a win-win situation when you find these herbal remedies straight in your kitchen cabinets at the time of need.
The 7 Best Ayurvedic Herbs:
Here are the 7 best and the most popular ayurvedic herbs for different health problems:
1. Turmeric
Turmeric (Haldi in Urdu/Hindi language) is the main spice that is very popular in Asian countries in different cuisines for color and taste, apart from being one of the widely used Ayurvedic herbs.
Here are the benefits of Turmeric:
- Liver tonic
- Osteoarthritis and associated pain
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM)
- Wound healing
- Antiseptic
- Antibacterial
- Acne & other skin problems
- Alzheimer disease
- Piles or hemorrhoids
It is the ingredient of choice in liver tonics that stimulates metabolism and improves liver function.
Because of its anti-inflammatory support and anti-oxidant properties, it is used in rheumatic diseases such as osteoarthritis and helps relieve the associated pain.
Turmeric helps in reducing the chance of developing type 2 diabetes in patients with pre-diabetes. (source)
Turmeric has natural antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Because of this it heals wounds and prevents further infection.
It is also effective in skin problems and is very popular for the treatment and prevention of acne. Turmeric also prevents hyperpigmentation because it contains curcumin and hence can treat dark spots. It is used with several other ingredients for skin health and flawless beauty.
Turmeric is the natural nerve tonic. This means it may help patients with Alzheimer’s disease and improve the memory issues associated with this disease.
Turmeric is the herb for piles in Ayurveda because of its anti-inflammatory properties. In hemorrhoids or piles, usually, veins around the anus get inflamed. Turmeric can be used with petroleum jelly or Aloe Vera and applied to the affected area, which helps treat the condition of piles.
2. Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is one of the oldest known Ayurvedic herbs in the world with a history of about 6000 years.
It is also known as an Indian ginseng and winter cherry, apart from Ashwagandha which is an Ayurvedic name or herbal name.
Its root is the main component, which possesses many health benefits. Other parts are also used such as leaves and fruits for many other health problems.
The roots of Ashwagandha have several amazing benefits for the human body.
Here are the top benefits:
- Nerve tonic
- Depression & anxiety
- Immunity booster
- Increases libido
- Erectile dysfunction
- Premature ejaculation
- Male Infertility (increase sperm count)
- Sleep tonic
- Calcium deficiency
It has been used thousands of years ago as a nerve tonic. This means it boosts the functioning of the brain and improves your memory, reduces your stress level and anxiety, and improves your concentration.
It strengthens the immune system because of its immunomodulatory effects. It may be very helpful in gaining immunity after chemotherapy.
Ashwagandha is famous for its use in sexual health and is considered the best ayurvedic herb for erectile dysfunction and penile enlargement. It is an aphrodisiac in nature, so it helps patients with low libido. Ashwagandha can be a medicine for premature ejaculation in Ayurveda if used along with other herbs such as Bala and Vidari and mix them in cow milk.
Fertility is another growing issue, specifically in men. In one study, Ashwagandha has shown dramatic results with a 167% increase in sperm counts of patients with less than <20 million/mL semen.
The sleep tonic of Ashwagandha is another cure for people with insomnia (inability to sleep).
Ashwagandha has been used for calcium deficiency in Ayurvedic medicines. Some scientific research studies on animals show the formation of healthy bones. Here is the research study.
3. Cinnamon or Dalchini
Cinnamon or Cinnamomum Verum is the most typical ayurvedic herb you will discover in your kitchen. In India and Pakistan, it’s named Dalchini.
It’s used as an aromatic condiment and flavoring agent in lots of countries for various recipes.
Here are the benefits of cinnamon or Dalchini:
- Regulate blood sugar levels
- Fights free radicles
- Treats acne
- Glowing skin
- Good for hair growth
- Sexual health (aphrodisiac)
- Opens clogged arteries
- Period pains
- Menstrual bleeding
It helps regulate your blood sugar levels. Utilizing a small amount of cinnamon powder each day can considerably enhance your diabetes.
Because it contains antioxidants, it helps combat your body from any sort of internal injury from free radicles.
It improves your general skin and may deal with acne. Are you dropping a glow on your skin? Cinnamon powder can be utilized as a face mask when combined with rose water. This offers your skin a lovely glow.
It improves blood circulation, so it’s used to extend the growth of your hair. Because it is antioxidant and antibacterial, it prevents your scalp from dandruff. It may be used with any hair oil for its advantages to the scalp.
Cinnamon is a pure aphrodisiac and enhances sexual health. It is because it contains manganese. A small quantity of cinnamon oil is sufficient for sexual stimulation (source).
Excessive LDL cholesterol is the number one reason for clogged arteries. Utilizing cinnamon in recommended doses can stop your arteries from depositing dangerous LDL cholesterol.
Cinnamon or Dalchini powder stops bleeding issues in periods. Cinnamon tea could assist regulate your periods and reduces cramps and related pain.
4. Cardamom (Elaichi in Urdu/Hindi)
Cardamom is called “the queen of all spices” due to its broad use in cooking and its extraordinary style with a distinctly sturdy aroma.
It is used in numerous curries, flavored drinks, tea, and bakery items. Pakistan, India, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden are the countries where cardamom is most significantly used.
Here are the benefits of cardamom:
- Helps digestion
- Flatulence (gas problem)
- Prevents aging process
- Antihypertensive
- Diuretic (promotes urination)
- Reduces stress
- Treats cold & flu
- Helps in bronchial asthma
- Helps with breathing issues
It helps digestion with the help of digestive enzymes that assist in indigestion and flatulence (gas). It’s also a really helpful treatment for nausea and morning sickness.
Cardamom has antioxidant activity, which suggests it prevents the development of free radicles within the body; consequently, it might shield you from getting older.
Due to the presence of antioxidants, cardamom could also be useful in hypertension and has proven effective outcomes as the antihypertensive, study suggests.
Cardamom promotes urination, which additionally signifies its effectiveness in managing blood pressure.
The presence of vitamin C and thiamine means that cardamom reduces stress. Because of its antioxidant properties, it prevents brain cell injury from free radicals. It is also a good mood stabilizer.
Cardamom is efficient in patients with bronchial asthma, cold & flu, or some respiratory conditions during which one can develop respiratory issues.
Due to its warm nature, cardamom relieves these situations by increasing the blood supply to the lungs. Because of this, it aids in patients with respiratory problems.
5. Holy Basil (Tulsi)
With 1000 years of history, Holy Basil or Tulsi is among the unbelievable Ayurvedic herbs, in addition to the highly effective adaptogen. Due to its adaptogenic activity, it restores the immune system and the body’s response to stress by modulation of stress hormones.
Tulsi’s adaptogenic nature brings it into the first line of Ayurvedic remedies, which allows it to assist in curing many underlying hormonal issues and different sicknesses. Due to this holistic lifestyle strategy, Tulsi has many health advantages.
Listed below are the benefits of Holy Basil or Tulsi:
- Relieves every type of stress
- Lowers blood sugar
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antifungal
- Antibacterial
- Treats acne
- Hair growth
- Cold & Flu
- Arthritis
- Migraine headaches
- Sinus headaches
Stress is the commonest type of situation that everybody encounters in their life at least once. Holy basil or Tulsi manages virtually every kind of stress with its adaptogenic properties.
Also, one research study reveals that whether or not it’s psychological, bodily, chemical, or metabolic stress, Tulsi shows promising results to handle all forms of stress and anxiety.
It might be efficient in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus. Based on one study on leaves of Holy basil, which was performed on albino rats, there was a 17.6% reduction in fasting blood glucose levels. Whereas there was a 7.3% reduction in random or postprandial (after meal) blood glucose levels.
The anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties of Holy basil make it an ideal remedy for skin issues, similar to acne and different skin-related infections.
The presence of antioxidants and vitamin K in Tulsi shows its effectiveness in sustaining good hair health because it prevents hair loss.
It helps the respiratory system and protects and treats cold & flu, expels phlegm out, eases breathing, and removes bad breath. Tulsi could deal with allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma.
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Holy basil is efficient in arthritis. Eugenol in leaves of Holy basil reduces the inflammatory condition and joint pains related to arthritis.
Tulsi can also be very useful in relieving headaches or migraine-associated headaches. Taking steam of Holy basil leaves or pouring just a few drops of Tulsi essential oil helps in relieving headaches.
The same applies to the tea which you could make by including Holy basil leaves and honey. That is very efficient in treating headaches associated with sinus problems.
6. Neem (Azadirachta indica)
Neem, also called Indian Neem, Persian Lilac, is among the historic bushes. For hundreds of years, individuals are utilizing Neem in Ayurvedic medication for the remedy of a number of health conditions, significantly for the skin.
Particularly people used Neem as the remedy for chickenpox and in addition as an antiseptic. It has a number of uses as an ayurvedic herb.
Listed below are the top advantages of Neem:
- Treats acne
- Helps in eczema
- Helps in the treatment of urticaria
- Anti-inflammatory in nature
- Possesses antibacterial properties
- Acts as a blood purifier
- Treats mouth ulcers
- Helps treat stomach ulcers
- Wormicidal in nature
- Insect repellent
- Helps in the treatment of Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
- Wound healing
- Antidandruff properties
- Promotes hair growth
- Antifungal in nature
Neem fruit syrup (also called Nimboli syrup) is efficient in treating underlying skin conditions and is useful in the purification of blood.
Consequently, it removes poisonous substances from the blood which ends up in glowing and spotless skin. So in Ayurveda, Neem is known as a natural blood purifier.
Neem is quite effective in sustaining oral hygiene and treatment of gastrointestinal problems (issues associated with the digestive tract or stomach).
It’s efficient against oral and abdomen ulcers. Treat boils within the mouth. It’s also a terrific dewormer (kills worms within the gut).
It’s an efficient insect repellent, significantly its leaves are burnt to repel mosquitos using the smoke technique.
Neem can also be efficient in decreasing blood sugar levels.
A study using Neem bark extract shows that Neem is efficient against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.
Its antiseptic properties heal the wound and broken tissues rapidly. In the past, people have used Neem paste and utilized it over wounds for fast healing.
For nearly all forms of hair issues, Neem could be very efficient. Antifungal and antibacterial properties of Neem maintain your hair free from dandruff, itchy scalp, split ends, and gray hair.
Hair growth is another problem amongst all females and Neem formulations in numerous types similar to oil and pastes are as efficient as different costly preparations out there.
7. Saffron (Zafran/Kesar)
Saffron, Crocus sativus L, is among the most luxurious and costly Ayurvedic herbal treatments and spices due to its delicate structure and sophisticated harvesting method, which requires extra labor.
Well, we all know Saffron could be very popular in culinary as a spice in addition to coloring and flavoring agents.
Alternatively, Saffron has many health benefits due to which it’s among the finest in terms of ayurvedic therapy.
Here are the health benefits of Saffron:
- Anti-cancer
- Anti-tumor
- Promotes brain health
- Mood stabilizer
- Immunity booster
- Weight loss
- Good for skin health
- Male infertility
- Erectile dysfunction
- PMS (Premenstrual syndrome)
Since Saffron contains crocin, crocetin, and safranal, it possesses anti-cancer & anti-tumor actions. Undoubtedly, these three elements are important elements to stop most cancers and tumors, the study suggests.
Brain health is essential in terms of depression and anxiety and Saffron deals with this effectively. Saffron contains a number of chemical substances that enhance the production of serotonin (a chemical that’s liable for a comfortable mood), particularly B vitamins and carotenoids.
Moreover, It boosts your immunity due to the presence of a number of potent antioxidants, similar to xanthin, alpha- and beta-carotenes. These enhance the immune system and allow an individual to struggle against cell-damaging diseases, similar to most cancers.
Surprisingly, weight loss is among the key benefits of Saffron and is popular amongst females as they are very conscious about losing weight.
Evidently, now we have a chunk of excellent information that different studies (study 1, study 2) recommend chemical substances in Saffron to result in reducing hunger or urge for food, which ends up in more effective weight loss management.
Skin health improves with the usage of Saffron because it has antioxidant and antifungal properties. It helps you achieve glowing skin tone and improves skin texture. Whereas, consuming Saffron milk may help you obtain your required beauty and eliminates all of your skin-related issues.
Saffron in Male & Female Infertility Issues
Saffron performs a terrific function in enhancing several sexual health issues. It is among the finest ayurvedic medication for erectile dysfunction. Particularly it is extremely useful in Prozac-induced sexual dysfunction.
Male infertility is the main difficulty amongst males across the globe and one of many causes which contribute to that is stress or oxidative stress.
A study on semen analysis of infertile males confirmed that because Saffron contains antioxidants, it has improved the morphology of sperms. However, it doesn’t contribute to sperm counts.
Alternatively, one other review & meta-analysis study was performed and found that Saffron is efficient in sexual dysfunctions, similar to erectile dysfunction.
PMS or Premenstrual Syndrome could also be treated with Saffron as stated in the study which confirmed efficacy in cycles 3 and 4. Consuming saffron tea may also assist you with menstrual issues.
In Summary
Indeed, ayurvedic herbs have an extended historical past of use in medicine and healthcare for the treatment of minor to major diseases. A lot of the Ayurvedic herbal medicines have their origins in India – with a variety of health advantages – together with skincare, haircare, brain, immune system, penile enlargement, sexual dysfunctions, fertility issues, and plenty of others. Science proves these advantages in many factors and instances with proof. Several research studies have proven the efficacy of those best ayurvedic herbs, a few of which now we have talked about above. Nevertheless, at many points research want extra proof to show the efficacy of many herbs for application in human populations.
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