Herbal Medicine and Supplements

Archive for the ‘Ayurveda’ Category

Sida Cordifolia is an erect hairy plant which grows up to 180 cm. It grows as a weed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of India and Srilanka. Sida Cordifolia belongs to family Malvaceae. It has heart shaped leaves (hence name Cordifolia) and yellow coloured flower. Seeds are black or grey coloured.

Ayurveda acharyas have grouped this plant under Balya (body strengthening herbs), Brimhaniya ( body bulk increasing herbs), Prajasthapana ( herbs used to cure infertility), Madhura skanda (herbs with sweet taste) and Vatasamshamana (Herbs which normalize vata dosha).

According to ayurveda principles the plant Bala is light to digest and increases moistness of tissues. It is sweet to taste and acts as body coolant.

Medicinal properties of Bala (Sida Cordifolia)

This plant normalizes Vata and pitta. Hence it is used in diseases which are caused due to vitiation of vata and pitta.

Bala has anti inflammatory properties. Its preparations are used as external applications in swelling of wounds and inflammation of eyes. Oils prepared using this herb are very useful in arthritis and other diseases which affect joints. These oils help to reduce pain and inflammation.

Bala normalizes vata and sooths excited nerves. For this reason the oil prepared using this herb is used to massage patients who suffer from paralysis, cervical spondylosis, facial paralysis etc.

Sida Cordifolia controls motility of large intestine. It helps to absorb water and nutrients from intestines. Hence its preparations are widely used in Grahani or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

This herb is a very good cardiac tonic and reduces petechial hemorrhage. Ayurveda acharyas recommend use of this plant in these conditions.

Bala is known for its “shukrala” properties. Shukrala means increasing shukra dhatu. Because of this property bala is used in ayurvedic preparations which increase sperm count and sperm motility. It helps to increase quality and quantity of semen. This herb is mainly used in male and female infertility. Texts of ayurveda praise the herb Bala as Vrishya (aphrodisiac). Hence this herb is used in conditions like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

The herbal preparations which are used in Female infertility contain this herb as main ingredient as it acts as a very good uterine tonic.

The diuretic properties of this herb help in cystitis and it rejuvenates urinary system.

Bala is a very good rasayana herb. Hence it is widely used in convalescing patients as it supplies essential nutrients. It helps to build a healthy body and strengthens body immune system.

This herb is used in African folk medicine to treat various conditions like bronchitis, asthma, nasal congestion, stomatitis etc.

The herb Guduchi is a climber. It belongs to Minispermaceae family and has a botanical name Tinospora Cardifolia. This herb usually grows in tropical regions and is available in abundance in India, Myanmar and Srilanaka. The climber bears heart shaped leaves and yellow colored flowers. The fruits are round and turn to bright red color when ripe. It is also known as Giloy in Hindi.

Herbalists all over the world laud the adoptogenic properties of Tinospora Cardifolia. (Adoptogenic herbs boost body resistance; reduce stress, anxiety and fatigue). Diterpene, tinosporone, cardifoliside, berberine, giloin are the important constituents of this herb.

Guduchi is being used in ayurveda system of medicines since ages. According to texts of ayurveda Guduchi has both bitter and astringent tastes. It increases moistness of body tissues, has hot potency and is heavy to digest. Due to these properties this herb normalizes all the three doshas, kapha, vata and pitta when used with honey, ghee and sugar respectively.

Medicinal properties of Guduchi:

External uses: Guduchi is very effective in skin disorders. It helps to boost resistance of skin to microbes and is found effective in leprosy and ulcers formed due to gout. This herb heals the herpes lesions and also accelerates the healing process of wounds in venereal diseases.

Digestive system: Usage of Guduchi is indicated in conditions like indigestion, excess thirst, acidity, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dysentery and vomiting. It is a good anti spasmodic and reduces stomach pain which arises due to intestinal spasms. Giloy is a very good hepatotonic.Preparations of this herb is very effective in jaundice, hepatic fibrosis and other diseases related to liver. This herb expels toxins accumulated in liver.

Circulatory system: Texts of Ayurveda eulogize this herb as a cardiac tonic as it strengthens the heart. Guduchi helps to purify blood and expel the toxins which are circulating in it. Because of this property it is useful in gout to control blood uric acid level.

Respiratory system: It strengthens the lungs and reduces chronic cough.

Reproductive system: Few herbal aphrodisiac preparations contain guduchi as their ingredient. Due to aphrodisiac properties it increases sperm count and sperm motility. Its adaptogen properties revitalize the male reproductive system and help in conditions like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation.

Excretory System: Guduchi strengthens the urinary system and increases the resistance of inner layers of bladder and urethra to fight repeated urinary tract infections.

Giloy is very effective in diabetes and reduces fever. It boosts immunity and increases body energy level. Due to its anti microbial property the growth of micro organisms is inhibited in body. This boosts body resistance to diseases. Herbal preparations of this wonder herb help immensely in diseases of joints like arthritis and gout.