Ayurvedic Herbs
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Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) is one of Ayurveda's top herbs for cardiovascular health. Named after a legendary hero, it is said to impart courage and resilience. - Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera or Indian Ginseng) is an adaptogen well-known for its benefits, including a dual capacity to energize and calm at the same time.
- Bacopa monnieri is one of Ayurveda's top herbs for supporting a healthy brain. In this article, we'll explore how bacopa benefits the mind, memory, and more.
- Bhringaraj (Eclipta prostrata) is best known as a powerful hair tonic, but its gifts extend far beyond promoting luscious locks. Learn more in this article.
- Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense and olibanum, is an herbal resin with a long history of use in Ayurveda as a rejuvenative for the joints and mind.
- Brahmi/gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is known for enhancing intellect and mental acuity. Discover the benefits, uses, and history of this remarkable herb.
- Guduchi, or Tinospora cordifolia, is an herb offering such a wide range of benefits that the plant has long been associated with the life-giving nectar of the gods.
- Guggul is a very important herb in the Ayurvedic tradition and while it is rarely taken by itself, an entire class of medicines has been built around the use of guggul. Banyan Botanicals carries several of these traditional Ayurvedic formulas, known as guggulus—compounds made from a base of purified guggul in a synergistic combination of other herbs.
- Hibiscus sabdariffa holds a special place in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. In this article, we'll discuss this unique plant's rich history of benefits and uses.
- Moringa (Moringa oleifera) is a beloved herbal superfood with tremendous nutritious content that supports the body’s overall vitality, immunity, and well-being.
- Mucuna pruriens has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for over two thousand years. There are traditional uses for the root and the trichomes (the irritating hairs themselves), but it is the seed of Mucuna pruriens that is most often employed therapeutically.
- Neem has long been revered for its versatility. Parts of the neem tree have been used to promote a wide range of health benefits and for practical everyday uses.
- Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa) is beloved in Ayurveda for its rejuvenative benefits. In fact, its name loosely translates as "the one that renews the old body."
- Sesame oil is one of history’s most widely used products for overall wellness, and many cultures known for their longevity have held sesame oil in high esteem.
- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) has been used for centuries in Ayurveda to support the reproductive system, especially for females, and to balance excess pitta.
- Shilajit is a key mineral supplement in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. Beneficial on its own, it also improves the potency and effectiveness of other herbs.
- Literally meaning “three fruits,” triphala is a widely-used traditional Ayurvedic formula consisting of three fruits: amalaki (amla), bibhitaki, and haritaki.
- Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), also known as holy basil, is one of the most revered herbs in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia and is considered sacred in many cultures.
- Turmeric is one of the best known and widely researched spices in the world. Commonly used for cooking, this golden root also offers health benefits for the entire body.
Ayurvedic Herbs on the Blog
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What is a “superfood” and why is it so super? Often described as a food with exceptional health benefits, here’s a look at this buzzword from an Ayurvedic lens.
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We harvested the famous adaptogen ashwagandha right here in Southern Oregon. It did exquisitely well in this climate and we were rewarded with an abundant field full of this amazing herb.
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Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) a powerful herb, perhaps best known as one of the “Three Musketeers” of triphala powder, the most popular formula in Ayurveda.
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Moringa oleifera often makes headlines thanks to its superb nutritious content. Rightly so—it truly is a superfood. Its leaves are particularly nutritious.
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Tulsi is one of those herbs that can benefit just about everyone. Get cozy with your tea and join us as we sing the well-earned praises of this Queen of Herbs.
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Coriander just might be one of the most underappreciated herbs out there, in spite of its popularity worldwide as a culinary spice. Most people know coriander by its Spanish name, cilantro, and they either love it or hate it. Read more about coriander's uses and benefits in this article.
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Manjistha is a fantastic first line of defense to keeping pitta in balance, particularly in the summer season when our environment is mirroring the energetics of pitta. Plus, manjistha can be a great friend when working to reduce excess kapha. This purifying herb is known to help the body’s channels flow, and it infuses the physiology with its cooling and cleansing energetics, from the circulatory system to the blood tissue layer, the liver, kidneys, menstrual cycle, and even the mind.
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Pippali, or long pepper, is a close relative to black pepper. This spice is among the most celebrated herbs in Ayurveda with a long list of health benefits.
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While many people associate licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) with the chewy, black candy we knew as children, the licorice plant has a much broader therapeutic appeal and widespread historical fame. Sure, licorice has fifty times the natural sweetness of sugar, making it a powerful confectionary flavoring, but it’s not all about the sweet taste with this incredible herb.
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Vasaka is an ancient herb that supports the lungs’ ability to receive more prana and more oxygen. Learn more about what makes vasaka a steadfast herbal ally.
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While Ayurveda teaches us many fundamentally simple ways to build a healthy immune system, life happens to all of us (and so do holiday parties, travel plans, and the end of another year…fast approaching!). Basic self-care may have taken the wayside, and this is where our herbal allies can lend a helping hand.
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Oh, dear, wonderful ginger! We at Banyan LOVE ginger—and chances are that you do too. After all, this beloved herb is what Ayurveda reverently refers to as vishwabhesaj, “the universal medicine,” and some practitioners consider ginger to be “the herbalist’s best friend.” Please brew yourself your favorite cup of ginger tea and join us as we share a bit about one of our favorite herbal allies.
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Wonderfully balancing to kapha and rejuvenating to pitta, shardunika’s work in the body makes it a true super-herb. With this timeless Ayurvedic herbal ally on our side, we know we can beat our sugar cravings—and this is only the tip of the iceberg of what shardunika has to offer!
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Rejuvenation is a special branch of Ayurveda that promotes longevity. In this article, we'll explore some of Ayurveda's favorite rasayanas, or rejuvenating herbs.
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Okay, raise your hand if you’re familiar with the Ayurvedic herb chitrak. Anyone? Chitrak will give you heroic support, from fueling your digestive fire to aiding in healthy weight management, from destroying ama to revitalizing kapha—and so much more.
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As an herb with a long, rich history of culinary use, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) doesn’t need much introduction. With a nutty, sweet flavor reminiscent of licorice or anise, and its strong, slightly sweet fragrance, fennel seeds have been a favorite ingredient in cuisine for centuries... But have you heard of the numerous healthful benefits that it provides?
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As a tridoshic herb, gotu kola can bring support to all the doshas by grounding vata, tonifying pitta, and reducing kapha. Gotu Kola is the perfect herb to support a healthy mind, promote concentration, memory, and intelligence.
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Amla is used in popular Ayurvedic formulas like triphala and chyavanprash. When and how it is harvested makes a big difference in its long-term sustainability.
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Our bacopa comes from an organic farm in the Western Ghats, where it is grown in paddy fields and irrigated by a stream that flows out of an ancient forest.
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Brahmi, also known as gotu kola, is one of the most powerful brain tonics in Ayurveda. This luscious green herb helps improve mindfulness, revitalize consciousness, and maintain a sharp intellect.
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Shatavari once grew abundantly in the wild, but rising demand has pushed it toward endangerment. Learn more about how we're sustainably growing this beloved herb.
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Ashwagandha is one of the most revered herbs in Ayurveda. Maximizing the body's ability to resist stress, it enables the body to sustain energy throughout the day while promoting sound, restful sleep at night.
