Khus khus (cuscus) is grown almost throughout India. It is mainly used for its effects on circulatory and nervous sytem. It sooths the circulatory system and helps in regulating circulating system. It is pleasantly aromatic and forms a major constituent for some soaps.

Its Malayalam name is ramacham, Sanskrit name is ushira. It is related to lemon grass.

Vetiveria zizanoides is in the plant family poaceae.

Safed musli (chlorophytum borivilianum) is another plant in liliaceae plant family. Reference to safed musli as an Ayurvedic herb is not visible in any ancient texts. However, the medicinal value of this plant is identified and this herb is used in a large scale for a variety of treatments and cures.

Modern researches have suggested the potential of safed musli (safed=white and musli=a tuber) as a rich source of proteins, alkaloids, vitamins, carbohydrates and other nutrients. Safed musli has aphrodisiac properties. There are aphrodisiac products coming in the market with safed musli as the main component.

It is a general body tonic and pain reliever. It also increase lactation. Ayurveda and Unani now recognize safed musli as an important component for many medicines.

It is widely cultivated in northern and western parts of India, but the demand far exceeds supply, hence the prices are on the high end now.

Safed musli is also spelt safed moosli and safed mosli.

Saffron (Crocus sativus) is an Ayurvedic herb used in the treatment of variety of physical and mental conditions. Saffron is called India’s royal spice, because of the exclusivity of the flowers of this herb that grows richly in Kashmir valley, but rarely in the plateau and plains. It is also estimated that it takes approximately 200,000 flowers to make a kilogram of saffron. Imagine the efforts one would require to produce saffron.

In Ayurveda, saffron, which is commonly called kum kum, kumkuma, kumkumam, etc, has a prominent position as a very special Ayurvedic herb. According to Ayurveda, saffron is capable of balancing all three doshas of tridosha. It also helps in providing nutrition to dhatus and release of ama or toxic bodily wastes. It is also an aphrodisiac and provides vitality to overall human system.

Sandalwood is a medium sized tree seen in the forests of India. Sandalwood oil extracted from the wood is the main usable part. The color of sandalwood core is white or light yellow when it is young and becomes dark saffron as it becomes old.

Its main application is in cosmetic purposes – it can moisturize skin that is dry and flaky. It can also relieve inflammations and itching.

Santalum Album appears in the plant family santalaceae.

Sarpagandhi (Rauwolfia serpentina) is an Ayurvedic herb, effective in reducing high blood pressure. The term sarpagandhi means something that has the smell (gandha) of a snake (sarpa). It is used in the treatment of snake bites and also for mental illnesses.

An extract from sarpagandhi root, named reserpine is used in the mental clinics as an alternative to electric shock treatment.

Rauwolfia serpentine is in the plant family apocynaceae.

Shilajit (Asphaltum) or mineral pitch is not an herbal product, but a unique mineral deposit found in high mountain rocks of the Himalayas. Ayurveda recognize shilajit as the most powerful rejuvenating substance available to humankind. Shilajit is known to give the physical power and actually reducing the apparent age of a person. Shila means a rock and shilajit means ‘rock borne’ or ‘rock like’.

Shilajit gives high levels of physical endurance, libido, enhanced nervous system and brain functioning. It is also a good medicine for blood sugar control. Its healing property makes it an additive to medicines used for healing wounds and broken bones. It revitalizes immune system, reduces instances of arthritis, reduce hypertension. It is often said that shilajit can be a component of almost any curable disease that affects man.

Bala (sida cardifolia) is an Ayurvedic herb that protects heart. Ancient Ayurveda practitioners used this herb as a medicine since more than 2000 years ago.

It is believed to possess aphrodisiac properties. It cures coughs, infections in urinary tract, fever, etc. Jaundice, tuberculosis, rheumatism, gonorrhea, nervous disorders, chronic dysentery etc are treated with this herb. It is also a treatment for insect bites and even snakebites.