Ayurvedic
herbs are categorized according to their herbal properties and
functions. Each herbs are used for each specific disease or treatment.
It is important for the Ayurvedic practitioner to know, which herb
should be used for a particular disease. By analyzing the symptoms and
constitution of the patient, one determines the prevalence of each of
the physical manifestations of the doshas (and the degree of influence
exerted by the non-material aspects of each of the doshas), and selects
herbs or prepared herbal formulas to harmonize the influences and
correct the physical imbalances, based on the characteristics of the
herbal materials. A single herb may have multiple properties and one
specific property may be present in many herbs. Based on their
characters they are classified into three main groups: Vaisheik gunas (related to the sensory organ)
Samanya gunas (general)
Atma gunas (related to the soul)
One of the major descriptions of herb properties is based on the taste of the herbs, i.e. Sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent. The effects of each of the taste group are as follows:
Sweet: it improves the complexion, strengthens the body, heals wounds and ulcers, and purifies the rasa and the blood.
Sour: carminative, digestive and accumulates secretive impurities (waste material that is secreted) in the tissues to aid elimination.
Salty : purifies tissues, digestive, relaxing, separates impurities, accumulates excretions in the system, causes the body to lose tone (relaxes it), clears the outlets of the system, produces softness of all the structures of the body
Pungent: increases digestive power, purifies the body, prevents obesity, causes relaxation of the ligaments and of the system in general; diminishes formation of milk, semen, and fat
Bitter : separates the doshas, appetizing, digestive, and purifying, improves secretion of breast milk, and reduces the quantity of feces, urine, perspiration, fat, marrow, and pus
Astringent: heals ulcers, checks all discharges, separates impurities from tissues, reduces obesity and excessive moisture.
The properties of herbs and effects of the doshas are taken into account in designing the Ayurvedic herb formulas. So it is important to know the details of the herbal properties so that it can apply for a specific treatment area.
