The Ayurvedic medical tradition emphasizes prescribing remedies based on the compatibility of the energy pattern of herbs, or prakriti, with the energy pattern of a patient's medical condition, or vikriti. The characteristics that define an herb's energy pattern include the taste, its heating or cooling quality, its sattvic, rajasic or tamasic characteristics, and its effect upon the doshas.
Ginger
Ginger's stimulating and warming qualities dictate its applications. Acupuncturist and yoga therapist Scott Blossom recommends drinking ginger tea with honey and lemon before meals for warming the digestive system and improving assimilation and elimination. Ginger prevents digestive problems, and it also treats disorders including indigestion, nausea and stomach aches.
Turmeric
Since ancient times, Ayurvedic medical practitioners have prescribed turmeric for alleviating inflammation related to arthritis, digestive problems and skin diseases. The herb's active ingredient curcumin destroys free radicals and protects the body's tissues from their damaging effects. The herb also improves cardiovascular conditions by inhibiting blood clots that cause heart attacks and preventing oxidized cholesterol that causes atherosclerosis.
Ashwaganda
The ancient Ayurvedic herb ashwagandha's epithet "Indian ginseng" refers to its function as an adaptogen, which confers nonspecific support to the body systems that are imbalanced due to physical or psychological stress. Ashwagandha's adaptogenic functions include stimulating the activation of the immune response, alleviating inflammation, and improving brain function.
Gotu Kola
Ayurvedic practitioners first used the herb gotu kola thousands of years ago. Today, the herb primarily functions as a remedy for chronic venous insufficiency. The disorder's principal symptom, blood pooling in the legs, responds to the circulation stimulating action of the herb. Gotu kola ointments treats psoriasis and heals small wounds.
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