Botanicals

Featured Herb for Spring Renewal: Punarnava

As we move closer to spring, it’s a good idea to revitalize our body by reducing the kapha buildup that occurs during the winter. Expelling kapha from our system will get us in shape for the change of season, supporting our natural resistance to colds and flu, allergies, excess mucus, and other kapha-related conditions.  

The featured Ayurvedic herb for April is Boerhaavia diffusa, commonly known aspunarnava. This water-loving perennial creeper flowers during monsoon season and grows all over India and Sri Lanka. The whole plant is highly valued for its medicinal properties. The Sanskrit name punarnavameans “the plant that makes one new again.” Its rejuvenative action works through its capacity to open channels and clear blockages, allowing essential nourishment to reach the tissues, making it perfect for spring cleansing and renewal. 

Punarnava’s combination of rejuvenative, diuretic, and expectorant properties enables this medicinal plant to play a broad range of therapeutic roles, from supporting efficient kidney, liver, and urinary function to nourishing the heart and alleviating coughs and colic. As a blood purifier, punarnava boosts immunity and improves functioning of lungs. Because of its positive impact on kidney function and blood sugar levels, the herb can also be helpful in managing diabetes.

As a diuretic and mild laxative, punarnava promotes detoxification and prevents fluid retention, making it helpful for health problems such as edema, congestive heart conditions, and gout. Symptoms of kapha-related arthritis such as pitted skin, swollen joints, and the sensation of extreme cold, also respond favorably to the herb.    

Punarnava increases the digestive fire and helps stimulate a sluggish digestive system. Because the herb absorbs fluids from the digestive tract, it can result in constipation when taken in excess. Punarnava  prevents intestinal spasms and pain, reduces flatulence and bloating, and helps expel intestinal worms. It can also be taken in conjunction other herbs and spices to target specific conditions. For instance it can be combined with arjuna, guggulu, and turmeric for heart issues stemming from excess vata and kaphaor used with coriander, gokshura, and kalamegha for urinary tract infections. 


Ayurvedic Energetics:

  • Taste: bitter, sweet, and pungent

  • Energy: cooling

  • Quality: dry and light

  • Doshas: vata and kapha reducing (in excess it increases vata)

  • Tissues: plasma, blood, fat, nerve, and reproductive

  • Channels: digestive, urinary, and plasma

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of Ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any

Nettles, an Ayurvedic Perspective

Nettle (Urtica urens) grows in many climates, sprouting in the spring and spreading widely in the summer. It’s often called stinging nettle because the leaves sting at the lightest touch. If you can bear the prickling sensation, nettle is a great boon to the circulatory system; traditional Mexican healers rub handfuls of nettle on the body to promote healthy circulation.

Nettle is also considered a superfood because of its rich supply of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, D and K; calcium; potassium; phosphorous; iron; and sulphur. Its sedative and nervine properties make it  an excellent support for the nervous system. Use a compress of nettles to relieve arthritis and muscular pain, as well as sciatica.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, nettle serves as a nourishing and rejuvenative (rasayana) tonic,particularly for the kidneys and adrenals. The herb increases ojas (vitality), making it particularly useful for individuals who are run down from stress or illness or need extra nourishment during convalescence, old age, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. The baby leaves at the top of the plant have been used throughout history in food and drinks to nourish and detoxify the body in the spring. By stimulating the action of the liver and the kidneys, nettle helps clear ama(toxins from undigested food) and wastes from the body via the bowels and the urinary tract (mutravaha srotas). 

Nettle’s mild astringency and general nourishing action tightens and strengthens blood vessels, helps maintain arterial elasticity, and improves venous resilience. By reducing excess pitta in the blood (rakta dhatu) and in watery secretions like lymph and plasma (rasa dhatu), nettle helps clear inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. The herb also helps keep kapha levels in check, improving overall vitality. Its carminative properties relieve intestinal gas, and its capacity to promote peristalsis is helpful for some common vata-related intestinal problems; however, it can result in excess vata when taken in high doses. Ayurvedic practitioners also recommend taking nettle to stop diarrhea. 

Energetics

  • Taste: astringent  

  •  Energy: cooling

  •  Post-digestive effect: pungent

  • Dosha: pacifies pitta and kapha/stimulates vata 

Nettle Infusion

  •  1 liter of water

  •  1 ounce of dried nettle leaves (2 ounces fresh)

Add the dried nettle leaves to a 1 liter glass jar. Boil the water and pour into the jar; cover and let steep for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drink the herbal infusion during the next 36 hours. You can pour any remaining liquid over your hair after shampooing—it’s a great hair tonic!

 

 

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of Ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. 

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15 Reasons Why You Should Take Triphala Daily

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One of Ayurveda’s most frequently used herbal formulation, triphala is made from the dried fruits of the haritaki, bibhitaki, and amalaki trees. The three dried fruits are ground into powder and blended in equal parts to maximize the formulation’s efficiency. Its popularity as a digestive aid, bowel cleanser, and wellness support derives from the Ayurvedic teachings that suggest a healthy digestive system leads to a healthier life. 

According to some Ayurvedic teachings, triphala’s power to optimize digestive health and promote wellness lies mainly in its gentle, effective laxative action. Unlike many other laxatives, triphala doesn’t stress the digestive system by forcing the liver and gall bladder to secrete digestive juices. Instead, it works like a sponge that helps not only clean out the intestinal tract but also detoxify the liver and blood. Many Ayurvedic experts hold a broader view of triphala, arguing that its many health diverse benefits stem from its rich store of potent nutrients.

Top 15 Benefits of Triphala

1.     Normalizes and improves digestive functioning.

2.     Alleviates constipation.

3.     Tones the gastrointestinal tract.

4.     Cleanses the bowels.

5.     Purifies the blood.

6.     Removes excess fats from of the body.

7.     Cleanses the liver. 

8.     Builds immunity and contains high levels of vitamin C

9.     Maintains good male and female reproductive health. 

10.  Nourishes and strengthens the respiratory tract. 

11.  Improves eyesight.

12.  Boosts voice quality. 

13.  Enhances hair color and strengthens hair roots.

14.  Provides polyphenols and other powerful antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress on the body.

15.  Contains anthraquinone, which helps stimulate peristalsis.


For optimal results, take no more than 1 ½ teaspoons of triphala 45 minutes after having dinner or just before bed. It’s best to boil the powder for 5 minutes in 1 cup of water, but it also can be taken with a spoonful of honey or in milk. Boiling the herbs helps break down the molecules, allowing for better absorption. Triphala is also available in tablet form. Consult an Ayurvedic practitioner for more detailed advice on how to use triphala to support optimal health.

Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these articles is to provide information about the tradition of Ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease.