India is home to a rich and diverse heritage passed down through generations. From the ancient temples of Ajanta and Ellora to the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World – there is no shortage of incredible places to explore.
But it’s not just about the physical landmarks; India is also a land steeped in history and culture.
Abd, one of its oldest traditions is its herbal systems.
Herbal medicine has been practised in India for centuries. The use of plants and herbs for healing is deeply rooted in the country’s traditional Ayurveda and Unani medical systems.
These systems emphasise using natural remedies, such as herbal medicines, to promote wellness and prevent disease.
There are thousands of different herbs used in Indian medicine, each with unique benefits.
Some commonly used Indian herbs include ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and aloe vera.
These and other herbs are often used in teas, tinctures, powders, and other preparations to treat various conditions.
The herbs of India are some of the oldest known medicinal plants. They have been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years to treat various ailments.
Many of these herbs are still used in traditional medicine systems throughout India, like Ayurveda and Unani.
This post will look at 10 influential Indian herbs and their uses.
Why choose only 10 herbs from India and not more?
Ok, now I know many of you might think that if there are so many herbs, why only choose ten?
Well, here are some key reasons:
1. Ten is a manageable number. It’s not too many to keep track of, and it’s enough to provide a good variety of benefits.
2. Ten herbs can cover a lot of different needs. If you’re looking for specific benefits like immunity-boosting or stress-relieving, there’s likely a herb that can help.
3. Though thousands of Indian herbs are used for treatment, not all are readily available worldwide. Hence we decided to choose some of the most popular and easy to get hold of for this post.
4. These ten Herbs can take many forms, from teas and tinctures to capsules and oils. Additionally, many of these herbs are easy to grow. They can be used in cooking to add flavour and nutrition to your meals. This means you can tailor your herb usage to your preferences and needs.
5. These herbs were selected based on their wide range of healing properties and low incidence of side effects.
Ultimately, they are safe and effective, and that’s what matters.
10 Indian Herbs their benefits and uses
Here are 10 of the most common and valuable Indian herbs:
1. Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri):
Brahmi is an Ayurvedic medicinal herb used in India for centuries. The scientific name for Brahmi is Bacopa monnieri.
It is commonly known as hyssop, herb of grace and Indian pennywort.
It is a perennial herb that grows in marshy areas and has small, blue flowers.
Brahmi Treatments:
Brahmi is used for several conditions:
- The leaves of the Brahmi plant are used to make traditionally drunk tea to improve mental clarity and memory. Hence it is known as the “memory herb.”
- Brahmi is also used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat anxiety and depression.
- Some recent studies have shown that Brahmi may also effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
- It has been used in India for centuries for its cognitive-enhancing properties.
Brahmi research:
- Contains powerful antioxidants (1)
- may help reduce inflammation (2)
- Improve brain function (3)
- Could reduce blood sugar levels (4)
- It might help against cancer (5)
How to use Brahmi:
Brahim can be used in many ways:
- The leaves of the plant are used to make a tea tonic.
- It is commonly taken as a capsule
- It can be added to curries and other foods
References:
- Bacopa monnieri as an Antioxidant Therapy to Reduce Oxidative Stress in the Aging Brain – PMC (nih.gov)
- The Ayurvedic plant Bacopa monnieri inhibits inflammatory pathways in the brain – PubMed (nih.gov)
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11498727/
