HOW TO USE
Saffron can be used to balance all three doshas.
A saffron infusion can be helpful for irregular menstruation and menstrual pains.
Steep 6–10 stigmas in ½ cup of boiling water. Take 1 cup a day, unsweetened.
CAUTION
Do not use during pregnancy, as the herb can promote miscarriage.
Saffron can be narcotic in large doses—do not exceed the medicinal amount indicated. A dose of ½oz. (10–12g) can be fatal for humans.
CUMINUM CYMINUM
CUMIN Jeera
Cumin seeds are pungent, savory brown seeds with a flavor common to Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. Heating the seeds, by cooking or infusing, aids the digestive power of the cumin. Cumin is very rich in vitamins and minerals, and is an antidote to weakness and fatigue.
PROPERTIES
Cumin has a pungent, bitter effect, with neutral to cooling properties. It acts as a blood cleanser, a carminative, aiding in the absorption of nutrients to the system. Cumin is a physical and sexual stimulant. It is antispasmodic, alterative, and acts as a lactagogue and immune builder.
Part of Plant Used The seed.
Conditions Treated Digestive disorders and gas pains, anemia, migraine, allergies, nervous conditions, low breast milk, and lack of sexual drive. Cumin builds up the immune system of people who suffer severe allergies.
Form Taken In a compress, as a spice and infusion, in massage oil, and as an inhalation.
Used with Other Herbs? Because of its overpowering smell, use cumin in small amounts when mixing with other herbs. Cumin is frequently used with lemon, black pepper, coriander, lavender, and rosemary.
HOW TO USE
Cumin reduces kapha and pitta, and increases vátha.
To relieve abdominal pain, add the seeds to food.
Abdominal pain can also be treated with a cumin seed poultice.
Strain, dry, then crush the seeds with a heavy object (a clean stone, rolling pin, or hammer).
CAUTION
An excess of cumin may cause nausea.
CURCUMA LONGA
TURMERIC Haridra, Haldi
Turmeric holds a place of honor in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a symbol of prosperity, and was believed to be a cleanser for all the systems in the body. Turmeric was prescribed as a digestive aid, a treatment for fever, infections, dysentery, arthritis, jaundice, and it has been used as a basic ingredient in curries for thousands of years.
PROPERTIES
Antiseptic, warming, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Turmeric acts as a stimulant, an alterative, and carminative, with vulnerary, antibacterial properties. Turmeric rhizomes are ground to make the familiar yellow powder.
Part of Plant Used The roots.
Conditions Treated Indigestion, poor circulation, cough, amenorrhea, pharyngitis, skin disorders, diabetes, arthritis, anemia, wounds, bruises, and all immune system deficiencies. Because of its energizing effect on the immune system, turmeric is being studied for use in the treatment of HIV and AIDS.
Form Taken As a massage oil, in facial creams and lotions, in compresses, or as a food or spice.
Used with Other Herbs? Ginger, musk, wild sunflower.
HOW TO USE
Reduces kapha and vátha, and increases pitta.
Reduces fat, purifies blood, and aids circulation.
It benefits digestion, and can help rid the body of intestinal parasites.
CAUTION
Do not use in cases of hepatitis, extremely high pitta, or pregnancy.
Turmeric is said to reduce fertility, and would not be recommended for someone trying to conceive.
ELETTARIA CARDAMOMUM
CARDAMOM Elaichi
Cardamom is a stimulating plant which eases the brain and the respiratory and digestive systems. Its sweet, warming energy brings joy and clarity to the mind, and is particularly good for opening the flow of prana, or vital energy, through the body. Added to milk, cardamom will neutralize mucus-forming properties; added to coffee, it detoxifies caffeine.
PROPERTIES
Cardamom is a stimulant, an expectorant, a diaphoretic, and has aphrodisiac properties. Its qualities are pungent and sweet, with heating/moisturizing effects on the doshas. Cardamom aids in the digestion of fats and starches, stimulates, and calms acid stomach and acid regurgitation.
Part of Plant Used The seeds and root.
Conditions Treated Cardamom aids respiratory problems, such as coughs, colds, bronchitis, asthma, and loss of voice. It also benefits the digestive system in cases of vomiting, belching, and indigestion. Cardamom’s stimulating effects bring mental clarity and good humor.
Form Taken Tea, as an additive to milk and food, as a bath, inhalation, or massage oil.
Used with Other Herbs? Cardamom blends well with orange, anise, caraway, ginger, and coriander.
HOW TO USE
Cardamom reduces kapha and vátha, and stimulates pitta.
Because of its soothing nervine properties, it will calm a fluttery high vátha state by kindling agni (fire).
Cardamom removes excess kapha mucus from the stomach and lungs.
Basundi, a milk-based digestive aid, is also a dessert.
CAUTION
Do not use with ulcers, or in high pitta states.
EUGENIA CARYOPHYLLATA
CLOVES Lavanga
Clove is the bud of a tropical evergreen tree. Now common as a kitchen spice, clove was a rare, prized substance for thousands of years.
PROPERTIES
Clove has pungent and heating properties. It functions as an analgesic, expectorant, stimulant, and carminative. Clove has antifungal properties useful for treating athlete’s foot, and it deodorizes the mouth and breath.
Part of Plant Used Dried flower buds (either whole or powdered).
Conditions Treated Clove is recommended for colds, coughs, asthma, laryngitis, pharyngitis, toothache, indigestion, vomiting, hiccups, low blood pressure, and impotence. Clove tones muscles, and expectant mothers are recommended to eat cloves in the last month of pregnancy to strengthen the uterus.
Form Taken As an oil, compress, inhalation, massage oil, lotion, spice, and tea.
Used with Other Herbs?