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.

One moola (root) of dasamoola (ten Ayurvedic herbal roots), yellow berried nightshade, commonly called in the names Choti Katheri, Kantakari, Kateli, Kanda kathiri or kandan kathiri in Malayalam, Nelamulaga in Tamil etc is seen in all parts of India.

The main medicinal part is its roots. It forms the main constituent for medicines for cough, asthma, etc. It is also a medicine for toothache. It is also used in the treatment of constipation.

In ancient times, it was used to promote female fertility.

Solanum Xanthocarpum is in the plant family Solanaceae.

Tejpatra is an Ayurvedic herb that makes a condiment of different medicines. It is effective in regularizing blood circulation and also used in treating obesity. It enhances fat metabolism and reduces bad cholesterol from the blood.

It comes in the plant family lauraceae.

Thiruppan pullu is an annual creeper found in wastelands.

It has use as a fodder for goat and sheep.

As an Ayurveda herb, it is a tonic. It is used in the treatment of rheumatism, piles and urinary problems. A decoction prepared from the roots is also useful in treating toothache.

Merremia tridentate belongs to the family convolvulaceae.

Triphala literally means three fruits. In Ayurveda, triphala has a wide range of applications. The three fruits are amalaki (Indian gooseberry, Emblica officinalis), vibhitaki (Belleric Myrobalan, terminalia belerica) and haritaki (chebulic myrobalan, Terminanlia chebula).

Triphala is a balanced combination of all the three doshas – vata, pitta and kapha. It contributes to the balance of the doshas. Amalaki for pitta, vibhitaka for kapha and haritaki for vata. Ama, the accumulation of waste products in the body is the major reason for many diseases and physical conditions. Triphala, when used as a mild laxative uses the properties of haritaki, the third fruit of triphala and associated with vata, will remove the malas or wastes from the body, immediately reliving from indigestion, constipation, cold, etc.

The main advantages associated with triphala are good digestion, colon cleaning, blood purification, radiant skin, mental alertness, better eyesight etc.

Triphala is usually a combination of equal parts of all the three fruits in powdered form. When treating diseases affecting specific dosha, one can use an increased quantity of the fruit related to that specific dosha. For example while treating vata related diseases, one can use an excess of haritaki.

Triphala is mentioned in many parts of ancient Ayurvedic scripts. They are used for different purposes like blood cleansing, and as a laxative. Triphala is taken alone or in combination with other medications for a range of diseases and conditions.

Triphala is highly priced and comes as a fine powder. Water, ghee, honey etc are common mixtures for triphala. It also forms a major component for a range of decotions, medicated oils and medicines. Triphala is a main component for rasayanas.

It is generally agreed that small doses (2 grams) can be taken for longer periods, while a high dose (10 to 15 grams) on a very short term. The high dose will act as a laxative and is safe for even children. The laxative is brought in by haritaki. Other two fruits – amalaki and vibhitaka – strengthen the digestive tract. Amalaki is the factor of triphala that strengthens eye and improves eyesight.

Triphala, when not part of other medicines can be taken with honey, milk, ghee or warm water. If the person is suffering from vata related condition, he/she can take it with two parts ghee and a part honey. If pitta, it is ghee only and for kapha related conditions, only honey is used. One can take warm water a few minutes after ingesting triphala.