Ayurvedic medicines were designed to strengthen the body to regain balance caused due to any imbalances. The prime requirement of Ayurvedic medicines is that it must not have any side effects. The preparation methods of medicines are described in ancient Ayurvedic texts. The raw materials of medicines are mainly herbs, followed by minerals and metals.

There are specific regulations to pick the plants, minerals or metals and purification methods to make them usable to human body.

The quality of herbs varies with seasonal variations and environment. Dravya Guna Vignan is a branch of Ayurveda that deals with the quality of herbs and minerals used for preparing medicines. This branch of study gives directions to pick the right type of herbs, grown under the right conditions and at the right place.

There are different forms of medicines in Ayurveda. Herbal decoctions (kashaya), massage oils (thaila), tablets (gulika), powders (choorna) and smoke (dhooma) are the main ones. Each one of them is prepared under the guidance of an experienced physician and in strict quality control measures.

The dose of the medicines also varies with the condition of the person and his or her age.

All Ayurvedic medicines are herbal combinations. Single herb remedies are there, but preparatory medicines are always herbal combinations. The reason for herbal combination is for the overall balancing effect of the body. Strengthening one area shall not weaken any other function of the body. That is when treating respiratory diseases; the medicine shall not bring any imbalances to heart or digestive system.

One thing about Ayurvedic medicines is that different medicines are not prepared in a room. The smoke and smell from one vessel can affect the quality of the next medicine. Such a thing shall not be allowed to happen.

The quality of the packing material is also another matter of concern. In modern times, Ayurvedic medicines are found to come packed in plastic jars. Though very difficult it is advisable to use only china jars or glass bottles. There is difficulty in handling medicines when packed in such hard and easy to break materials.

It is not a problem if the medicine is not shipped to very long distances.

The medicines give highest results when different factors like the season and location of the cultivation of the herb, the preparation method, storage method and the right medicine combination and diet adjustment for the person.

Different Acharyas (great teachers) of Ayurveda have classified Ayurvedic medicines differently. According to Charaka, there are 50 groups of medicines, Sushruta classified medicines into 37 categories and Vagbhata classified Ayurvedic medicines into 31 groups.

Here is a list of classification of types of Ayurveda medicines by Acharya Sushrutha.

1. Jeevaneeyam (promoting life)
2. Brimhaneeyam (promoting growth)
3. Lekhaniyam (reducing growth)
4. Bhedaneeyam (promoting evacuation)
5. Sandhaaneeyam (promoting virility and efficiency to produce offsprings)
6. Deepaneeyam (promoting appetite)
7. Balyam (promoting bodily strength)
8. Varnyam (promoting complexion)
9. Kantyam (promoting voice)
10. Hridyam (creating pleasant feeling)
11. Triptighnam (reducing satisfaction)
12. Arsoghnam (treating piles)
13. Kustaghnam (treating skin diseases)
14. Kandughnam (treating itching)
15. Krimighnam (destroying parasites and intestinal worms)
16. Vishaghnam (eliminating toxin of poison effects)
17. Sthanyajananam (inducing lactation)
18. Sthanysodhanam (purifying breast milk)
19. Sukrajananam (promoting sperm production)
20. Sukrasodhanam (purifying sperm)
21. Snehopagam (promoting lubrication by oil secretion)
22. Swedopagam (promoting sweating)
23. Vamanopagam (promoting vomiting)
24. Virechanopagam (promoting purgation)
25. Aasthaapanopagam (non-oily enemata)
26. Anuvaasanopagam (Oily Enemata)
27. Sirovirechaniyam (evicting diseases that affect head)
28. Chardinigrahanam (control vomiting)
29. Trishnaanigrahanam (capable of controlling thirst)
30. Hiccanigrahanam (treating hiccough)
31. Purisha Sangrahaneeyam (reducing faecal matter)
32. Purisha Virajaneeyam (purifying faecal matter)
33. Mutra Sangrahaneeyam (reducing urine secretion)
34. Mutra Virajaneeyam (purifying urine)
35. Mutra virechaneeyam (increasing urine)
36. Kaasa Hara (destroying cough)
37. Swasahara (destroying dyspepsia)
38. Swayathuhara (destroying swelling)
39. Jwaraharam (destroying fever)
40. Sramaharam (relieving exhaustion)
41. Daahaprasamanam (relieving unnatural sensation of thirst)
42. Seethaprasamanam (relieving cold)
43. Udardaprasamanam (relieving rashes)
44. Angamardaprasamanam (relieving pain in body parts)
45. Sulaprasamanam (relieving colic)
46. Sonitaasthaapanam (restoring blood)
47. vedanaasthaapana (relieving pain)
48. Prajaasthaapana (restoring consciousness)
49. Prajaasthaapana (pregnancy care)
50. Vayasthapana (arresting aging)

These 50 are the types of Ayurvedic medicines according to Sushruta Acharya.