What is Ayurvedic Medicine?

Ayurveda is a type of natural healing that focuses on the connection between the body and the mind. According to ancient texts written in Sanskrit, it is believed to have been started thousands of years ago by men in India who were sages. These sages received valuable medical knowledge from Hindu gods who wanted to help humans. The Hindu god of medicine named Dhanvantari seemed to have the greatest influence since he is mentioned frequently as being the god of Ayurveda. While the legends say that Dhavantari offered copious amounts of invaluable advice to the sages, one of the main ways in Ayurveda in which humans are shown to help heal their body is with the use of Ayurvedic herbs. Some of the most important Ayurvedic herbs to know about include:

Ashwagandha
In Ayurvedic medicine, ashwagandha is considered to be a type of herbal adaptogen. That means it helps the body to handle stress more easily. Many people find it particularly helpful whenever they are struggling to handle all of the pressure from their day-to-day responsibilities.

Boswellia
Boswellia serrata is an Ayurveda tree that produces a special fragrant resin that most people know as frankincense. Due to excessive harvesting, pure forms of this type of Ayurvedic medicine have become harder to find in recent years. It works best for soothing the skin and relieving inflammation and pain in the joints.

Calendula
Closely related to the daisy, calendula flowers produce an oil that is remarkably useful for treating skin disorders, such as eczema and poison ivy rashes. It is also known to be helpful in Ayurveda for its wound healing and anti-inflammatory abilities.

Curcumin
In Ayurvedic medicine, there are several different plants that contain curcumin, such as cumin, curry, and turmeric. The compound is considered to be highly important because it may be able to reduce the risk of developing certain cancers. It also aids in the reduction of damaging inflammation in the body that is a result of a person's immune system not functioning properly.

Dandelion
The small dandelion flower is considered to be a nuisance in most yards because it is so difficult to get rid of. But if it is made into a tea or taken in a capsule form, it can aid in reducing bloating in those who are struggling with water retention. It can also purify the blood.

Elderberry
The elderberry tree produces clusters of small, purple berries that can be eaten fresh, dried for preservation purposes, or made into jellies. The reason that so many people always want to keep a good supply of them handy is that they help to bolster the immune system, especially whenever they are combined with zinc. This makes them highly useful for treating bad colds.

Evening Primrose
Evening primrose flowers contain an oil that is primarily used by women for balancing their hormones. It is also helpful in Ayurvedic medicine for soothing rashes, treating acne, and reducing inflammation.

Fennel Garlic
In Ayurveda, fennel garlic can be eaten as part of a healthy meal to aid in keeping certain body types healthy. But the plant's seeds are the most valuable since they can be used for soothing the digestive system whenever a person is suffering from gas, nausea, or stomach cramps.

Ginger
There are many different purposes in Ayurveda for ginger. The delicious root is mainly known for its ability to soothe an upset stomach whenever a person has the flu. However, it has also been shown to affect testosterone levels too though. So men who are struggling with low testosterone because of aging can use it to help reverse some of the symptoms that their condition causes.

Gotu Kola
A plant that commonly grows along the edges of streams and river beds is called gotu kola. Some may also know it as pennywort or Brahmi. It is frequently used to help boost memory and improve a person's ability to concentrate.

Gravel Root
Gravel root is a tall, flowering plant that prefers wet areas with a good amount of trees for shade. It is mainly used for the treatment of conditions of the prostate, bladder, and kidneys.

Juniper
The berries of the juniper tree have numerous health properties. They can reduce edema, treat bacterial and fungal infections, and act as a decongestant. Sometimes, they are combined with eucalyptus and camphor.

St. Johns Wort
St. Johns wort is a natural antidepressant that works by increasing the neurochemical called serotonin in the brain. In Germany, doctors currently offer it as the first line of defense in treating mild depression in their patients.

Tribulus
The Tribulus plant is a low-growing weed that prefers poor soil conditions. In the summertime, it produces thorny seed pods that are ground up and used to help men who are suffering from a low sex drive. It seems to work because of the way that it can quickly boost a man's testosterone level.

Valerian
Valerian has a sedative effect that makes it helpful for calming a person down who is struggling with anxiety. It is also an effective sleep-aid for treating insomnia. Sometimes, it is combined with passion flower and kava.

Watercrest
Watercrest is a vitamin-rich leafy plant with a delicate flavor. So many restaurants include it in their best dishes. Some of its medicinal purposes include treating skin problems, removing toxins from the liver, and helping with weight loss.

Wormwood
Those who have a parasite infection can turn to the silvery wormwood plant for help. It has a bitter taste that isn't easily tolerated, but it works quickly to rid the body of tapeworms and hookworms.

Turmeric
A cup of warm milk with a spoonful of turmeric in it can easily calm the body and mind. This golden spice can also help to boost the immune system, improve digestion, and decrease inflammation in the body.

Uva Ursi
Uva ursi is best known for its ability to treat bladder and urinary tract infections. However, it can flush out kidney stones and reduce swelling too.

Check our range of Ayurvedic products online which includes a vast range of turmeric products which are hugely popular. Top brands include Solgar's Full Spectrum Curcumin and Solgar No 7 which is a next-generation award-winning formula. You will also find NZ's favourite Good Health Turmeric 15800 complex.