Ayurvedic medicine has an unusually rich treasure of medicinal plants. Indian botanists count over forty thousand species. What is special about Ayurvedic herbal medicine is the knowledge of when herbs are best collected or harvested, through which processing procedures their maximum healing power can be uncovered and in which combination the herbs and minerals unfold their optimal effect and complement or potentiate each other. Ayurvedic preparations, when prepared according to the instructions, contain the whole plant and thus all the components given by nature, i.e. the entire "intelligence" of the plant.  In contrast, Western medicine extracts the individual active ingredients, takes them out of the overall context and thus accepts  dadurch side effects. With a few exceptions, good Ayurvedic plant preparations consist of a combination of herbs and minerals  einander that complement each other and support each other in their effects. 

Classification of Ayurvedic medicinal plants

Ayurvedic medicinal plants can be classified according to different aspects. One way is to classify them according to their main mode of action, for example:

• Nerve and Brain Tonics  MA3
• Sleep-inducing plants  MA1778
• Painkillers  MA572
• Antispasmodics MA927 (flatulence and abdominal cramps)
• Plants that strengthen the eyes MA550
• Stimulate diuresis MA2
• support the heart and circulation MA229
• act on the respiratory tract and relieve asthma MA290
• Plants that strengthen digestive fire (MA631) and help burn digestive toxins (ama)  (MA1010).

 Ashwagandha (Sanskrit - translates as "smell of the horse).

The sleeping berry or winter cherry (Withania somnifera) is sometimes also called Indian ginseng. Here, however, it is mainly known as ashwagandha. The roots and leaves of the winter cherry are used. It is a shrub that grows about one to two metres high and bears red, cherry-like fruits that have given the plant its German name. Ashwagandha has a variety of highly valued effects, which is why it is included in many herbal remedy combinations. Above all, it effectively helps to protect and adapt the mind and body against stress factors. It nourishes, strengthens and calms the nervous system and improves mental functions. It improves the three aspects of mental performance "dhi", information intake, "dhriti" retention of information and "smriti" recall of information. Ashwagandha is also a general tonic, a rasayana for rejuvenation and an aphrodisiac of sattvic quality that increases ojas. It nourishes all dhatus, strengthens the immune system, improves the formation and multiplication of seeds and finally even purifies the srotas of ama. Ashwagandha should be taken with other medicinal plants if possible, for example together with liquorice root, to balance its possible heating effect, especially on the heart.

Bacopa monieri - Brahmi - Indian water navel herb

Brahmi, the Indian water navel herb, only thrives in wet soils and can be found all over India. The bitter astringent tasting plant is considered one of the best to strengthen the intellect and improve mental performance. It is also used successfully in the treatment of psychiatric diseases, anxiety neuroses and epilepsy, as well as for heart failure, asthma, hoarseness and as a diuretic. The fresh leaf juice is often used as a home remedy for bronchitis and diarrhoea in children. Externally, a paste of the ground leaves is applied for rheumatic complaints.

This text is an excerpt from the book "Ayurveda Basics and Applications" (Dr. Schachinger and Dr. Schrott). You can find more detailed information in the literature.