Herbs
Healing herbs from Ayurvedic, Western, and traditional medicine — properties, preparations, and dosha guidance.
Medicinal herbs are the oldest form of medicine, used across every culture for thousands of years. This guide covers herbs from Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Western herbalism — their properties, preparations, and traditional applications for supporting health and balance.
Ajwain
Balances Vata and Kapha, may increase Pitta in excess
Aloe Vera
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara), especially Pitta and Kapha
Amalaki
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara), especially Pitta
Arjuna
Balances Pitta and Kapha, may slightly increase Vata in excess
Ashoka
Balances Pitta and Kapha, may increase Vata in excess
Gokshura
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara), especially pacifies Vata and Pitta. Generally does not aggravate Kapha due to its diuretic properties.
Gotu Kola
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara). Primarily pacifies Pitta and Kapha. Can increase Vata if used in excess due to its light, dry qualities.
Guduchi
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara). Its bitter taste pacifies Pitta and Kapha, while its heating virya and sweet vipaka prevent Vata aggravation.
Guggulu
Balances all three doshas when used appropriately. Primarily reduces Vata and Kapha. May aggravate Pitta if used in excess due to its heating nature.
Haritaki
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara). Especially effective for Vata due to its heating virya and sweet vipaka. The only herb said to balance Vata despite its astringent taste.
Jatamansi
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara). Primarily pacifies Pitta and Kapha. Especially effective for calming aggravated Pitta in the mind and nervous system.
Kalonji
Balances Vata and Kapha. May aggravate Pitta in excess due to its heating nature. Best suited for Vata-Kapha conditions.
Kapikacchu
Balances Vata strongly. Pacifies Pitta moderately due to its sweet taste. May increase Kapha in excess due to its heavy, nourishing nature.
Kutki
Strongly pacifies Pitta and Kapha. May aggravate Vata if used excessively or for prolonged periods due to its cold, dry, and light qualities.
Licorice
Balances Vata and Pitta. May increase Kapha in excess due to its sweet, heavy, and moist nature.
Long Pepper
Balances Vata and Kapha. The sweet vipaka prevents excessive Pitta aggravation despite the pungent taste, though it can still increase Pitta if used in large amounts long-term.
Manjistha
Balances Pitta and Kapha primarily. May slightly aggravate Vata in excess due to its bitter and astringent taste, though the heating virya provides some mitigation.
Moringa
Balances Vata and Kapha. May aggravate Pitta in excess due to its heating, pungent nature. The leaves are somewhat milder than the bark and root.
Musta
Balances Pitta and Kapha. May aggravate Vata if used excessively due to its dry, light qualities.
Neem
Strongly pacifies Pitta and Kapha. Aggravates Vata if used excessively or for prolonged periods due to its cold, dry, and light nature.
Punarnava
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara). Particularly effective for Kapha due to its diuretic and Lekhana (scraping) properties. Suitable for Vata due to heating virya. Generally safe for Pitta in moderate doses despite heating nature.
Shankhpushpi
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara). Primarily pacifies Pitta and Kapha in the mind. Its cooling, calming properties particularly benefit Pitta-type mental agitation.
Bakuchi
Balances Kapha and Vata. May aggravate Pitta due to its heating nature, especially in excess.
Bibhitaki
Balances all three doshas, especially Kapha. Its astringent and heating qualities strongly reduce Kapha, while its sweet vipaka pacifies Vata and Pitta.
Black Pepper
Strongly reduces Kapha and Vata. Increases Pitta. One of the most potent Kapha-reducing spices in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia.
Chyawanprash
Tridoshahara — balances all three doshas. The multiplicity of ingredients creates a formula that is warming enough for Kapha and Vata without aggravating Pitta, due to the heavy Amalaki base.
Dashamoola
Primarily pacifies Vata, also reduces Kapha. May slightly increase Pitta in excess due to its heating nature, though the bitter and astringent tastes provide some Pitta-balancing effect.
Lodhra
Balances Pitta and Kapha. Its cooling and astringent qualities strongly pacify Pitta, while its drying action reduces Kapha. May slightly increase Vata in excess due to its dryness.
Nirgundi
Strongly pacifies Vata and Kapha. May increase Pitta in excess. Considered one of the most effective single herbs for Vata-type pain and inflammation.
Sariva
Tridoshahara — balances all three doshas, with particular affinity for Pitta. Its sweet, cooling nature strongly pacifies Pitta, while its bitter taste helps reduce Kapha, and its sweet vipaka nourishes Vata.
Turmeric
Tridoshahara — balances all three doshas when used appropriately. Reduces Kapha strongly, pacifies Vata, and despite its heating nature, also helps manage Pitta through its bitter taste and blood-purifying action.
Ashwagandha
Balances Vata and Kapha, may increase Pitta in excess due to heating virya
Bala
Balances Vata and Pitta, may increase Kapha in excess due to its heavy, sweet nature
Bhringaraj
Balances Vata and Kapha, may increase Pitta in large doses but generally considered tridoshic due to its liver-cooling effect
Brahmi
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara), especially Pitta and Kapha; its cooling and nourishing qualities also calm Vata in the nervous system
Cardamom
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara); particularly effective for Vata and Kapha without aggravating Pitta
Chitrak
Strongly balances Vata and Kapha, significantly increases Pitta -- must be used with care by Pitta types
Cinnamon
Balances Vata and Kapha, may increase Pitta in excess
Coriander
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara); particularly effective for Pitta, and gentle enough for Vata and Kapha
Cumin
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara), especially Pitta and Kapha; mildly pacifies Vata due to its digestive action
Fennel
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara); especially effective for Pitta and Vata, mildly pacifies Kapha
Fenugreek
Balances Vata and Kapha, may increase Pitta in excess due to heating nature
Ginger
Balances Vata and Kapha; fresh ginger may increase Pitta, dried ginger (Shunthi) is milder and better tolerated by Pitta in moderation
Shatavari
Balances Pitta and Vata; may increase Kapha in excess due to its heavy, moist, sweet nature
Shilajit
Balances all three doshas when purified (tridoshahara), particularly Kapha and Vata; supports Pitta when taken with cooling adjuncts
Trikatu
Strongly reduces Kapha and Vata, increases Pitta; contraindicated in Pitta-excess conditions
Triphala
Balances all three doshas (tridoshahara); one of the few truly tridoshic formulations in Ayurveda
Tulsi
Reduces Kapha and Vata, may increase Pitta in excess; sattvic despite heating nature
Vacha
Strongly reduces Kapha and Vata, increases Pitta; opens and clears all channels
Vidari Kanda
Strongly reduces Vata and Pitta, may increase Kapha in excess due to heavy, sweet, nourishing quality