MEDICAL USES (Dravya karma)

Medicinal substances are classified according to groups that have different physiological actions. These Ayurvedic pharmacological concepts offer deep insight into how herbs work to balance the doshas, dhatus, and malas. They tie together the concepts of taste (rasa), energetics (virya) and post-digestive effect (vipaka) as well as incorporating prabhava so that we can have a clear understanding of the primary action of the herb.

Abhishyandi:

These substances block the channels and cause heaviness. The flow of rasa is hindered and stagnation occurs when too much of these substances are used. They are mainly unctuous and heavy in nature; eg. yoghurt obstructs the flow in the channels.

Anuloma:

These herbs help vayu to move in its appropriate direction. They are often mild aperients and help with flatulence and constipation. They are usually aromatic and carminative herbs, commonly from the Umbelliferacea family, such as Fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare) or Ajmoda (Apium graveolens).

Balya:

This means strengthening and these herbs are tonics. They are usually heavy and filled with the earth element, like Bala (Sida cordifolia).

Bhedaniya:

These are purgative herbs that forcibly expel the solid and liquid parts of faeces. Kutki (Picorrhiza kurroa) has this effect at a high dose.

Brmhaniya:

These are nourishing herbs that are full of the water element; eg. Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa).

Chaksushya:

These herbs improve eyesight; eg. Amalaki (Emblica officinalis).

Chedana:

These herbs actively draw out toxins by scratching them from the tissues; Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Shilajit (Asphaltum) and Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) all help to detoxify the deeper tissues.

Dipaniya:

These herbs enkindle the digestive fire. They indirectly digest ama. They are usually pungent, hot and dry; for example Long pepper (Piper longum), Black pepper (Piper nigrum)and Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanicum).

Garbashaya: These herbs have an affinity for the uterus, such as Ashoka (Saraca indica) and Roses (Rosa centifolia)

Grahi: These herbs dry the moisture of the body and of the wastes; Ginger (Zingiberis officinalis), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)

Hridaya:

These herbs have a tonic effect on the heart; Arjuna (Terminalia arjina) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).

Jeevaniya:

These herbs are life-giving and rejuvenative herbs such as Amalaki (Embelica officinalis).

Kanthya:

These herbs are renowned for their affinity for the throat; for example Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Long pepper (Piper longum).

Krumighna:

These herbs are specifically for removing parasites and worms; for example Neem (Azadiracta indica).

Lekhaniya:

These herbs ‘scrape’ the waste residues out of the body by a drying action. They are usually bitter and pungent in flavour; for example Guggul (Commiphora mukul), Myrrh (Comiphora myrrha), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Triphala, Barley and Honey.

Madakari:

These are substances that cause intoxication, such as alcohol.

Mutravirechana: These herbs are diuretics that increase the flow of urine, such as Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) and Coriander (Coriandrum sativum).

Pachana:

These herbs directly ‘digest’ ama. They do not necessarily stimulate digestion as well; eg Triphala.

Pramathi:

These herbs remove the accumulated doshas from the cells; eg Vacha (Acorus calamus) and Black Pepper (Piper nigrum).

Rakta shodhana:

These herbs specifically clean the blood and ‘alter’ its chemistry so that it does not cause inflammatory problems; for example Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia).

Rechana:

These herbs are cathartics. They forcibly expel faeces as semi-solid diarrhoea; Eg. Castor oil (Ricinis communis) or Rhubarb root (Rheum palmatum).

Rasayani:

These herbs rejuvenate the cells and extend life. They are anti-oxidants and also remove diseases; eg Guduchi (Tinosporia cordifolia), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula).

Sandhaniya:

These herbs heal broken bones and hasten the repair of broken bone tissue. Guggul (Commiphora mukul) is famous for this. Resins have a significant role here because resins in general are considered to relate to the blood part of plants just as the bark of trees is said to relate to bone tissue. The analogy is that just as resin heals the bark so it heals the bone.

Shamana:

These are herbs that reduce the pathogenic level of a dosha to a more healthful level. The dosha is not expelled from the body, it is calmed. These are ‘palliative’ herbs; eg Guduchi (Tinnosporia cordifolia).

Shodhana:

These herbs actually clear the excess doshas out of the body; eg. Triphala, Castor oil (Ricinis communis) or Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia).

Shramshana:

Herbs that are laxatives and clear faeces before complete digestion is complete; eg. Trivrut (Operculina turpethum).

Shukrala:

Herbs that increase semen and/or give force to its ejaculation; eg Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Aswagandha (Withania somniferai) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa).

Stambhana:

These are astringent herbs that are constipating, stop bleeding and are drying. They have the properties of vata and so increase it. Manjishta (Rubia cordifolia) is a renowned astringent.

Stanya:

These herbs can increase lactation; for example Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa).

Sukshma:

These herbs are penetrating herbs that can travel through the minutest channels, such as Salt, Neem oil (Azadiracta indica) and Gotu Kola (Hydrocotyle asiatica).

Vajikarana:

These are aphrodisiacs that increase sexual desire, strengthen the reproductive system and nourish shukra dhatu; for example Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).

Vamana: These are emetic herbs. They work specifically on pitta and kapha that have accumulated in the stomach. They move upwards and outwards. High doses of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) are emetic as is Madanphala (Randia dumentorium).

Varnya: These herbs benefit the complexion and skin lustre. Aloe vera (Aloe spp), Sandalwood (Santalum album) or Rose water (Rosa centifolia).

Vikasi: These herbs destroy the tone of the joints by loosening the ligaments; eg Betel nut (Areca catechu).

Virechana: These herbs are purgatives that move downwards. They dissolve undigested foods and expel them; eg Haritaki (Terminalia chebula).
Vishaghna: These are anti-toxin herbs that destroy ‘poison’ in the system; eg Neem (Azadiracta indica), Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa) and Sariva (Hemidismus indicia).

Vyavayi: These herbs spread everywhere in the body and are then digested; eg Ganja (Cannabis sativum) and Opium (Papaver somniferum).
Yogavahi: These are catalyst herbs. When they are mixed with another herb they enhance its action; eg Ginger (Zingiberis officinalis) and Ghee