HOW TO USE
Onion reduces kapha and vátha, and increases pitta. Its stimulating effects aid in the secretion of digestive juices.
Onion juice has been used to treat infected wounds, amebic dysentery, and, at one time, juice applied to the ear was said to cure deafness!
Onion may be used directly on the skin for natural relief from burns.
CAUTION
Nursing mothers beware: onion in your breast milk may cause colic in your infant.
Some people have allergies to onion and may develop a skin rash. If one appears, discontinue use.
Consult a physician before consuming large quantities of onion for medicinal purposes.
Some people have trouble digesting raw onion. If this is the case, steam or blanch the onion before eating.
ALLIUM SATIVUM
GARLIC Lashuna
Garlic is one of the oldest-known medicinal plants. Ayurvedic practitioners prescribed garlic liberally for cancer and leprosy.
PROPERTIES
Garlic is an excellent stimulant, carminative, and expectorant. The juice is disinfectant, rejuvenative, and antispasmodic. Garlic has a rejuvenating effect on all tissues and systems.
Part of Plant Used The bulb.
Conditions Treated Garlic has been used to treat a broad spectrum of ailments, including colds, skin disease, parasites, joint problems and arthritis, cysts and growths, and fluid retention. Like onion, garlic helps eliminate lead and other heavy metals from the body. It is beneficial to diabetics and cancer patients.
Form Taken Garlic cloves can be chewed, cooked, powdered, taken as a tea, decoction, infusion, in food, and as an infused oil.
Used with Other Herbs? Ginger, black pepper, cumin, coriander, eucalyptus.
HOW TO USE
Garlic reduces kapha and vátha, and increases pitta.
Its stimulating effect aids digestion.
Garlic juice has been used to treat infected wounds and amebic dysentery.
Garlic may be used as a natural antibiotic.
CAUTION
Nursing mothers beware: garlic in your breast milk may cause colic in your infant.
Some people have allergies to garlic and may develop a skin rash. If one appears, discontinue garlic use.
Consult a physician before consuming large quantities of garlic for medicinal purposes.
ALOE VERA
ALOE VERA Kumari
Aloe’s fame as a treatment for burns and scalds goes back to Alexander the Great, who used an island off Somalia for the sole purpose of obtaining the “amazing wound-healing” plant.
PROPERTIES
Aloe vera has bitter, cooling, sweet qualities. It is astringent, and an excellent blood cleanser.
Part of Plant Used The leaf, the gel, the juice.
Conditions Treated Aloe vera relieves inflammation, soothes muscle spasm, purifies the blood, and cleanses the liver. Fresh aloe gel scooped or expressed from the spongy leaves of the plant can be spread on the skin to heal burns, scalds, scrapes, sunburn, and wounds.
Form Taken Drink aloe juice for internal conditions, and apply the gel externally. To soothe wounds, clean the wound with soap and water. Cut several inches off an older leaf, slice it lengthwise, and apply the gel to the wound.
Used With Other Herbs? Barberry, cinnamon, cloves, licorice, St. John’s wort.
HOW TO USE
Aloe vera is good for all doshas; it will bring balance equally to kapha, pitta, and vátha.
Cover the leaves with vegetable oil. Any vegetable oil can be used as the base. Allow the mixture to soak for 60 days, then strain. Keep the oil in a dark glass container. The oil will keep indefinitely.
CAUTION
Aloe vera gel can cause skin irritation in some people. If irritation occurs, discontinue use.
Aloe vera contains a powerful laxative—anthraquinone—which can cause diarrhea and intestinal cramps. If you use aloe juice or supplements as a laxative, use under the guidance of a physician, and never exceed the recommended dosage.
ANGELICA
ANGELICA Choraka
In the West, angelica has been associated with magic and sorcery for centuries. Chinese angelica, or dong quai, has been used in Asia for thousands of years, and is enjoying renewed popularity as a gynecological aid.
PROPERTIES
Angelica is pungent, sweet, heating, and moisturizing. It is stimulant, expectorant, tonic, emmenagogue, carminative, and diaphoretic. It has antibacterial properties, and has been used to induce menstruation and abortion.
Part of Plant Used The roots, leaves, and seeds.
Conditions Treated Amenorrhea, menstrual cramps, PMS, anemia, headaches, colds, flu, hiccups, arthritis, rheumatism, poor circulation, adrenal excess, digestive disorders, heartburn, bronchitis, poor blood clotting, poor liver function.
Form Taken As an inhalant, nose drops, in a vaporizer, tea, tincture, massage oil.
Used with Other Herbs? Rose, St. John’s wort, yarrow, vetiver, fennel, cumin, chamomile.
HOW TO USE
In general, angelica balances all three doshas. If used in excess, or in high pitta states, it will increase pitta.
It is a wonderful expectorant and digestive aid.
You can prepare the leaves and seeds as an infusion for a mild treatment, or use the root in a decoction for a stronger effect.
CAUTION
Fresh angelica roots are poisonous. Drying eliminates all danger.
Do not use with hypertension or heart disease.
Angelica can increase photosensitivity; use a sunscreen if spending time outdoors.
Pregnant women should avoid angelica because of its history as an abortifacient.
APIUM GRAVEOLENS
CELERY SEED Ajwan
Celery seed, or ajwan, grows wild in India all year round. Traditional Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe celery seed to reduce high vátha states—indigestion, nervous stomach, and ungrounded emotions. In aromatherapy, celery seed oil can be used to counteract jet lag and exposure to smog and toxic environments.
PROPERTIES
Celery seed has pungent, salty qualities, and a heating/moisturizing effect. It is used as a stimulant, expectorant, antispasmodic, and lithotrophic.