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 →