The oil can be used to clear sinus congestion and stimulate fat reduction.
CAUTION
Do not use in high pitta state or in cases of inflammation of the digestive organs. Overuse of stimulant herbs can impair your body’s natural balancing systems. If you find you are attracted to adding pepper to most of your food, then start cutting back.
SANTALUM ALBUM
SANDALWOOD Chandana
Sandalwood is a small tree which grows primarily in southern Asia. While the aromatic wood is used to make scented carvings, the medicinal properties are in the oil, which can be pressed from the wood, or extracted with alcohol or water.
PROPERTIES
Bitter, sweet, astringent, cooling, moisturizing. Sandalwood is alterative, hemostatic, antipyretic, antiseptic, antibacterial, carminative, sedative, antispasmodic, and aphrodisiac. It works as a nervine, an expectorant, a diuretic, a disinfectant, and a moisturizer. It also helps to regenerate tissues.
Part of Plant Used The wood.
Conditions Treated Sandalwood has been used to treat cystitis, urethritis, vaginitis, acute dermatitis, herpes, bronchitis, palpitations, gonorrhea, sunstroke, dry skin, acne, laryngitis, nausea, tuberculosis, depression, insomnia, prostatitis, nervousness, anxiety, and impotence. Sandalwood can cure skin problems that are bacterial in origin.
Form Taken In perfumes and massage oils; as a gargle, lotion, bath, inhalation, compress, or douche.
Used with Other Herbs? Clove, geranium, musk, myrrh, tuberose, vetiver.
HOW TO USE
Reduces pitta and vátha, and has a neutral effect on kapha.
A sandalwood decoction will reduce fever if taken internally; externally, it can be used to treat acne and other skin problems.
To make a decoction, boil 1 heaped teaspoon of sandalwood in 1 cup of water. Cover and boil for several minutes. Strain and cool. Drink 1 or 2 cups a day, a tablespoon at a time. For external use, apply to freshly washed skin, and let dry. Repeat three times a day or as needed.
TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM
FENUGREEK Methica
Fenugreek is another healing herb whose qualities were brought to the attention of humans by animals. Farmers noticed that sick cattle would eat fenugreek plants even when they would not eat anything else.
PROPERTIES
Antiseptic and warming. Fenugreek has expectorant qualities. It is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and soothing. The soothing expectorant qualities aid in promoting menstruation, as well as easing coughs, sore throats, and digestion (encouraging flow in the body).
Part of Plant Used The seeds.
Conditions Treated Constipation, digestive disorders, bronchitis, inflamed lungs, fevers, high cholesterol, eyestrain, sore throats, wounds, boils, rashes. It stimulates the uterus, promotes water retention and weight gain, reduces blood sugar levels, and lowers cholesterol.
Form Taken As a spice, tea, massage oil, inhalant, poultice, or plaster.
Used with Other Herbs? Peppermint, lemon, anise.
HOW TO USE
Fenugreek reduces kapha and vátha, and increases pitta.
Fenugreek helps asthma and sinus problems by reducing mucus.
The seeds can be eaten by nursing mothers to increase milk production.
A fenugreek poultice can be used to treat boils and rashes.
Gargling a fenugreek decoction will soothe sore throats.
CAUTION
Fenugreek seeds may cause water retention and weight gain. Because of its use as a uterine stimulant, fenugreek should not be taken by pregnant women. Do not give fenugreek to children under two.
VATTIVERIA ZIZANOIODES
VETIVER
Vetiver is a grassy plant known for its grounding, centering properties. In India, it is sown wherever there is soil erosion, to hold down the earth and prevent further damage to the land. Modern herbalists use it to enable an individual to connect to the earth and feel his or her purpose. It is helpful during emotionally stressful times and has been used as a tonic for women suffering from PMS.
PROPERTIES
Warming, sweet, and bitter. Vetiver is an antiseptic tonic, grounding, regenerating, and strengthening. It is an aphrodisiac, and can be used to repel moths.
Part of Plant Used The leaves and roots.
Conditions Treated Arthritis, root chakra blockage, nervousness, insomnia, rheumatism, stress, disconnectedness, anorexia, postnatal depression, aging skin, fatigue, menopause, loss of appetite.
Form Taken As a lotion, bath, massage oil, in patches and perfumes.
Used with Other Herbs? Angelica, citrus, cinnamon, lavender, sandalwood, sage, yarrow.
HOW TO USE
Vetiver reduces vátha, and increases both kapha and pitta.
Vetiver oil is particularly useful for jet lag, and for grounding and clarity while traveling.
Use as a base 2fl. oz. (60ml) apricot kernel oil. Add 5 drops vetiver oil, 5 drops geranium oil, and 2 drops juniper or grapefruit oil. Apply this mixture liberally all over your skin before traveling.
CAUTION
Vetiver has a very strong smell. Do not allow it to overpower any blend you are making with it.
ZINGIBER OFFICINALIS
GINGER Ardraka
Ginger is native to India, where the ancient Ayurvedics used it to preserve food, as a digestive aid, and as a spiritual and physical cleanser. Garlic was shunned on the days leading up to religious festivities, but plenty of ginger would be consumed in order to be sweet-smelling and purified for the gods.
PROPERTIES
Ginger is a pungent, sweet herb with warming/drying qualities. It acts as a stimulant, diaphoretic, antidepressant, and expectorant.
Part of Plant Used The root.
Conditions Treated Ginger is recommended for colds, coughs, flu, indigestion, vomiting, belching, abdominal pain, motion sickness, laryngitis, arthritis, hemorrhoids, headaches, impotence, diarrhea, heart disease, and memory loss.
Form Taken As a food, tea, gargle, and compress. Also used as a massage oil.
Used with Other Herbs? Black pepper, eucalyptus, juniper, cedar, coriander, all citrus fruits.
HOW TO USE
Its muscle-relaxant, heating pitta qualities can warm uterine walls, soothing menstrual cramps.
It is also frequently used as an antidote to travel sickness.
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