Materia Medica

The Herbs of Ayurveda

द्रव्यगुण

Every healing plant the tradition names — its nature, its actions, and the remedies it becomes. Begin with a name, or with what you’re looking for.

20 entries published · 150+ on the way
How Ayurveda reads a herb See it in practice →
Rasa रस

Taste — the first clue to a herb’s nature and its effect on the doshas.

Virya वीर्य

Potency — whether it warms or cools the body.

Vipaka विपाक

The lasting effect once digested — building or lightening.

Dosha effect कर्म

Which of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha it calms — and which it can stir.

Browse by what you’re looking for

No herbs match that yet — try a broader term or another category.

Ashwagandha अश्वगन्धा
Withania somnifera

Calm, strength, and restful vitality — the great grounding rasayana.

Vitality
Brahmi ब्राह्मी
Bacopa monnieri

The herb of intellect — memory, focus, and a settled mind.

Mind
Tulsi तुलसी
Ocimum sanctum

Sacred basil — immunity, the breath, and the spirit.

Immunity
Haridra हरिद्रा
Curcuma longa · turmeric

The golden healer — skin, blood, and balance for all.

Skin & Blood
Guduchi गुडूची
Tinospora cordifolia · giloy

“The protector” — immunity and gentle detoxification.

Immunity
Shatavari शतावरी
Asparagus racemosus

The cooling rasayana for women’s wellness in every season.

Women’s
Amalaki आमलकी
Phyllanthus emblica · amla

The supreme rasayana — rejuvenation, and the heart of Triphala.

Vitality
Neem निम्ब
Azadirachta indica

The bitter purifier — clear skin and clean blood.

Skin & Blood
Ginger शुण्ठी
Zingiber officinale

The universal medicine — kindles agni and eases the gut.

Digestion
Pippali पिप्पली
Piper longum · long pepper

Kindling for digestion and the breath; a classic rasayana.

Digestion
Yashtimadhu यष्टिमधु
Glycyrrhiza glabra · licorice

Sweet and soothing — for the throat, breath, and a calm gut.

Respiratory
Gotu Kola मण्डूकपर्णी
Centella asiatica

For the mind and the skin — clarity within and without.

Mind
Manjistha मञ्जिष्ठा
Rubia cordifolia

The great blood and lymph cleanser — luminous skin.

Skin & Blood
Arjuna अर्जुन
Terminalia arjuna

The heart’s ally — strength and rhythm for the cardiovascular system.

Heart
Bhringraj भृङ्गराज
Eclipta alba

“King of hair” — for the hair, scalp, and the liver.

Skin & Blood
Shankhpushpi शङ्खपुष्पी
Convolvulus pluricaulis

A calming nervine for memory and a peaceful mind.

Mind
Haritaki हरीतकी
Terminalia chebula

“King of medicines” — digestion, elimination, and rejuvenation.

Digestion
Cardamom एला
Elettaria cardamomum

Fragrant and cooling — digestion, breath, and freshness.

Digestion
Fennel मिश्रेया
Foeniculum vulgare

Cooling seed for easy digestion and a settled stomach.

Digestion
Punarnava पुनर्नवा
Boerhavia diffusa

“The renewer” — fluid balance and support for the kidneys.

Vitality

This is the beginning of the library. Over 150 herbs are on the way, each with its full energetics, uses, safety, and the remedies it becomes. See a complete entry →