Conditions Treated Cayenne alleviates colds, gastrointestinal and bowel problems, and is used as a digestive aid. Externally, cayenne treats arthritis and muscle soreness. Creams containing cayenne are frequently used in the treatment of shingles.
Form Taken Raw, powdered, as a spice, oil, tea, or plaster.
Used with Other Herbs? Garlic, onion, coriander, lemon, ginger.
HOW TO USE
Externally, cayenne can be used for arthritis and muscle soreness, and internally as a digestive aid and a treatment for colds, fever, toothache, diarrhea, and constipation. For a pain-relieving muscle rub, mix ½ of a teaspoon of cayenne powder or puréed fresh cayenne to 1 cup of warm vegetable oil.
CAUTION
Do not give to children under two years old.
Use rubber gloves when chopping cayenne peppers, as they may burn. If burning does occur, wash with vinegar several times, rinsing carefully.
Pepper oil will cause severe pain on contact with sensitive tissues, such as eyes or genitals.
CASSIA ANGUSTIFOLIA
SENNA
The Chinese name for this herb is Fan-Hsieh-Yeh, or “foreign-country laxative herb.” Senna has a very strong laxative effect on the body. Indian senna (C. angustifolia) is a close relative of North African and American senna, but its properties are much milder.
PROPERTIES
Bitter, pungent, cooling, and purging. It is cathartic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, cholagogue, and cleansing. Senna acts mostly on the lower half of the body.
Part of Plant Used The leaves and whole seed pods.
Conditions Treated Senna is the most powerful herbal treatment for constipation, especially when it is chronic. Do not use if you suffer from hemorrhoids. Senna has sometimes been used to reduce fevers, and is an ingredient in sore throat remedies.
Form Taken Used as a powder, tea, or supplement.
Used with Other Herbs? Anise, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, fennel, ginger, nutmeg, orange.
HOW TO USE
Senna reduces kapha and vátha, and increases pitta.
A senna infusion will give you the benefits of senna’s laxative power.
For children or the elderly, senna pods have a more gentle laxative effect.
CEDRUS DEODARA
CEDAR Devadaru
The wood we know of for its insect-repellent qualities (the cedar chest which protects woolens from moths) is also, according to the Ayurvedics, an excellent treatment for dandruff. Considered a soothing tonic to the skin, cedar is often used in men’s perfumes and toiletries, particularly aftershave lotions.
PROPERTIES
Cedar is bitter and pungent, with antiseptic, diuretic qualities. It is useful as a nervine and expectorant. Cedar has a heating, drying effect on the body. The astringent, tonic qualities in cedar make it an excellent antidote to oily skin, oily scalp, and dandruff.
Part of Plant Used The wood and bark.
Conditions Treated Bronchitis, urinary infections, fear and nervous tension, oily hair, hair loss, oily skin, dandruff, sensitive skin, as a rub for sore joints and muscles, and to provoke sluggish menstrual cycles.
Form Taken Oil for massage and inhalation; made into a tea or an infusion.
Used with Other Herbs? Blends well with camphor, sandalwood, vetiver.
HOW TO USE
Cedar will reduce pitta and kapha, while increasing vátha.
Cedar is an excellent air freshener, deodorizer, and insect repellent—add oil of cedar to water in an atomizer and spray the room, or add 10 drops to a tablespoon of vegetable oil and rub it onto skin.
CAUTION
Cedar should not be taken by pregnant women, as it will stimulate the menstrual cycle, and acts as a possible abortifacient.
CENTELLA ASIATICA
GOTU KOLA Brahmi
According to tradition, the natives of Sri Lanka were the first people to use gotu kola. They noticed that elephants, animals renowned for their longevity, loved to eat the rounded gotu kola leaves. Hence the proverb “Two leaves a day keeps old age away.” The Ayurvedics used gotu kola like ginseng, as a tonic for longevity.
PROPERTIES
Bitter, stimulating, cooling, and moistening. Gotu kola neutralizes blood acids and may lower body temperature. It acts as a nervine, a diuretic, and a rejuvenating tonic. It is excellent for hair growth and as a treatment for baldness.
Part of Plant Used The seeds, nuts, and roots.
Conditions Treated Gotu kola stimulates the central nervous system. It aids in the elimination of fluids, shrinks tissues, decreases fatigue and depression, and stimulates sexual appetite. Gotu kola is recommended for rheumatism, blood disease, mental disorder, high blood pressure, a sore throat, tonsillitis, cystitis, venereal disease, insomnia, and to relieve stress.
Form Taken Used as a massage oil, shampoo, poultice, tea, and skin cream.
Used with Other Herbs? Sandalwood, lemon.
HOW TO USE
Gotu kola has a balancing effect on all three doshas.
Gotu kola infusions, taken as a beverage, will improve circulation in the legs and treat varicose veins.
They will also act as a soporific in cases of insomnia.
Used as a compress, the infusion will relieve psoriasis.
To make an infusion, pour 2 cups of boiling water over 1 teaspoon of the herb. Let steep for 10 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups a day, adding lemon or honey to taste if desired. If the results of a compress are disappointing, try strengthening the infusion used.
CINNAMOMUM CAMPHORA
CAMPHOR Karpura
When camphor is steam-distilled, it is fractionalized into blue, brown, and white camphors. Blue camphor is the heaviest and weakest, and it is used mostly in perfume distillation. Brown camphor contains strong carcinogens and should be avoided. White camphor has medicinal qualities and is the most readily available.
PROPERTIES
Cinnamon is a pungent, sweet astringent, with stimulating, heating qualities. It acts as a diaphoretic, parasiticide, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, analgesic, and diuretic.
Part of Plant Used The twigs and leaves. Both have a strong camphor smell. Make sure that you purchase camphor which has been steam-distilled from natural sources.
Conditions Treated Camphor clears the mind and eases headaches. It alleviates joint and muscle pain. It acts on the nervous system and tissues, as well as the respiratory system. Camphor is indicated for bronchitis, asthma, coughs, arthritis,