Common herbs for good health

Time-tested Ayurvedic remedies have far-reaching impact on your overall well-being

Eisha Sarkar
Posted on Hello Wellness on Sep 12 2010

From brain tonics to re-vitalizing syrups, from digestive powders to herbal capsules, consumers nowadays are spoilt for choice when it comes to Ayurvedic remedies. With the West looking increasingly at non-allopathic cures to diseases (especially chronic ones such as rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes), the wisdom of the rishis has found its way into labelled bottles mass-produced for a health-conscious audience. 

Here are some commonly found herbs that can do you a world of good:


Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Often called the "Indian Ginseng", Ashwagandha helps the body relieve stress, fatigue and sleeplessness. It is a well-known aphrodasiac. Though smelly like a horse, the Ashwagandha root is rich in phytochemicals such as withenolide, choline, anaferine, tropine, and alkaloids.

Benefits: It helps in cases of arthritic inflammation, anxiety, insomnia, respiratory disorders, nervous disorders, female and male infertility and impotence

Side-effects:  Ashwagandha is slightly difficult to digest and should be avoided in the case of gastric and duodenal ulcers. Very large doses of Ashwagandha taken during pregnancy can result in abortion.


Lasuna (Allium sativum Linn)

Garlic or lasuna is used more as a food ingredient in India than as herbal remedy. But the bulb’s phytochemicals such as allicin show strong medicinal properties.

Benefits: Garlic is said to lower bad cholesterol (though scientific studies have thrown up conflicting results regarding its efficacy), combat bacterial infections, lower blood pressure and sugar levels, rejuvenate and detoxify

Side-effects: Garlic causes bad breath or halitosis and too much of it can damage the digestive tract. It is also a blood-thinner and might be dangerous when combined with anticoagulants such as heparin

Tagara (Valeriana wallichi)

The Tagara rootstock aromatic and yields oil, which contains valeric acid that is said to be a good relaxant and cure for insomnia.

Benefits:  The paste of its roots helps wounds heal better and alleviates pain in rheumatic joints. When consumed internally, Tagara works as a sedative and is used in the Ayurvedic therapy of delirium, insomnia, epilepsy and behavioral disorders. It also helps in digestive disorders such as anorexia, flatulence, abdominal pain and hepatitis. It is diuretic and is an effective remedy for dysmenorrheal (severe uterine pain during menstruation).

Side-effects: Tagara should not be taken for more than two to three weeks at a time. Prolonged use may lead to addiction. Large doses may produce poisoning and extreme high doses may even cause paralysis and weaken the heart


Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)

Also known as Amla, the Indian Gooseberry is the richest natural source of vitamin C. Packed with bioflavonoids, flavones, polyphenols and carotenoids, Amalaki works as anti-oxidant, immunomodulator, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hypotensive, antacid, tonic and mild laxative. It is also a major ingredient in Ayurvedic health remedies such as Triphala and Chyavanprash.

Benefits: Amalaki is used, either as a single herb or in combination with other herbs, for treating acidity, anaemia, baldness, mouth ulcers, cataract, chicken-pox, common cold, constipation, diabetes, dyspepsia, dysentery, premature ejaculation, gout, high blood pressure, indigestion, pimples, piles, poisonous insect-bites, rashes and even restlessness.

Side-effects: None documented



Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)

Brahmi has gained worldwide recognition as a memory booster and is widely used in improving the brain cell functions.

Benefits: The herb has an extremely positive effect on blood circulation and function of the liver, lungs and kidneys. It is taken internally for Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), memory problems, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety disorder,  stress, post-natal depression, mental and physical fatigue, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, increasing sex drive, bronchitis, coughs and hoarseness, asthma and high cholesterol levels.

Side-effects: Brahmi may cause temporary hearing loss in women, especially those who have problems of excess production of estrogen in the body or are under estrogen replacement therapy or are on regular courses of contraceptives


Ayurveda is about holistic healing - balancing your diet and fitness, physical and mental stresses and attaining your spiritual goals. So if you're looking for a cure for high blood pressure by taking half a teaspoon of 'potent' herbal powder everyday without changing your diet, it's not going to help you. Do it the right way, without going overboard and these herbs will bring you health!