30 AP Exam herbs that are not in 38 colorful flash cards

Question 1

Anantamula

HemidesmusIndicus

Krishna Sariva (black Variety);
Sveta Sariva (White Variety)

Answer 1

Both varieties are sweet

Unctuous Produces semen
Hard to digest

Cures Dyspepsia, loss of taste; dyspnea, cough, Amavisha (endotoxin)

Mitigates all three doshas (Tridoshahara), Bleeding diseases, menorrhagia, fever and diarrheas’.

Primarily used to pacify Pitta dosha.

Question 2

Asoka

Saraca Indica Linn

Answer 2

Rasa is Bitter, Astringent

Virya is Cooling.

Causes Constipation.
imparts color/Complexion

Kapha Pitta Shamaka
Cures Gotre, thirst, Burning sensation, Worms, Consumption, poison and bleeding disorders including Female reproductive system

Question 3

Bala

Sida Cardifolia

Four Varieties: 1. Bala; 2. Mahabala; 3. Atibala; 4. Nagabala

Answer 3

Rasa is Sweet

Virya - All the four Varieties are cooling

Main Benefits: bestow strength and brilliance, unctuous and constipating.
Cures Gout, bleeding disease and wounds.
Powder of root of Bala and sugar cures Polyuria
Mahabala cures dysuria and acts as laxative.
Atibala consumed with milk and sugar cures diabetes.

Question 4

Bhumyamalaki

Phyllanthus amarus

Answer 4

Rasa: It is bitter, astringent, and sweet in taste

It increases Vata

Virya is Coolness

Cures thirst, Cough bleeding disease

Mitigates Kapha, itching and wounds

Question 5

Citraka

Plumbago Zeylanica

Kindles digestive fire, easy for digestion

Notes: All the synonyms of Agni are applicable to this plant such as vahni, sikhi, pavaka, dvipi etc.

Answer 5

Rasa: Pungent
Vipaka: Pungent
Virya: Hot

Cures diseases of the duodinum, , leprosy and other skin diseases, dropsy, haemorrhoids, worms, cough.
Cures diseases of Vata, Kapha and Pitta.

Mitigates Vata and Kapha, Water absorbant (constipating)

Question 6

Dharuharidra

Berberis Aristata

Note: Darvi is its synonim.
Decoction of darvi added with equal quantity of milk is boiled and reduced to one fourth of the total quantity and allowed to cool. After it becomes thick jelly it is called Rasanjana (darvirasanjana) and is highly beneficial to the eyes (when used as collerium)

Answer 6

Rasa: Bitter, Kashaya (Astringent)

Virya: Hot

Vipaka Katu, Pungent

Balances Kapha and Vata
Cures diseases of Eyes

Rasanjana (Rasot in Hindi)
Rasa : Pungent, Bitter
Virya: hot
Mitigates Sleshma (Kapha), poison, diseases of the eyes, rejuvinator,
Punctures hard covering doshas and clears the doshas from the wounds

Question 7

Eranda

Ricinis Communis

Caster oil

Sukla Variety (white)
Rakta Rubuka (Red)

Answer 7

Rasa: Both varieties are Sweet

Virya: hot

Kaphavatashamaka

Cures pain, swelling, pain of the waist, bladder, head and abdomen

Question 8

Goksura

Tribulus Terrestris

Gokharu (common Name)

Answer 8

Rasa: Sweet

Virya: Cold

Vipaka: Sweet

Mitigates Vata

Purifies Urinary Bladder, urinary Calculii

Question 9

Hingu

Ferula Northex Boiss

Common Name: Asafoetida

It is the resin obtained by scratching the roots of the plant Ferula Northex Boiss. In Medicinal recipes, asafoetida fried in oil or ghee only should be used and never in its raw state.

Answer 9

Rasa: Enhances taste, Sweet

Virya: hot

Mitigates Vata and kapha and aggravates Pitta

Cures Colic, abdominal tumor, enlargement of abdomen, flatulance and worms.

Topical application: Joints, abdomen, hemorrhoids

Question 10

Jatamamsi

Nardostachys jatamansi

Common Name: Indian Spikenard

VImproves intelligence, bestows radiance, complexion and strength

Answer 10

Rasa: Bitter, Astingent

Virya: Sweet Cold

Mitigates all 3 doshas

Cures diseases of blood, burning sensation, herpes and leprosy and other skin diseases.

Question 11

Jyotismati

Celastus paniculatus

Bestows good digestive fire, intelligence and memory

Answer 11

Rasa: pungent, bitter

Virya: very hot

Laxative, Mitigates Kapha and Vata

Produces vomiting, penetrating

Question 12

Kapikatcchu

Mucuna Pruriens

Its seed is Great aphrodisiac, bestows strength

Answer 12

Rasa: Sweet, Bitter

Mitigates Vata, Kapha, pitta and asra (blood)

Bestows strength, Its seed alleviates vata and known as a best aphrodisiac

Question 13

Katuki

Picrorhiza kurroa

Easily digestible, mild purgative, increases digestive fire, good for the heart

Answer 13

Rasa: Bitter

Virya: cold

Vipaka: Pungent

Causes dryness, Cures fever caused by kapha, Pitta; diabetes, dyspnoea, cough, diseases of blood, leprosy and other skin diseases and worms.

Question 14

Kirata Tikta

Swertia chirata

It is a laxative, causes dryness, easily digestable

Answer 14

Rasa: Bitter

Virya: cold

Cures sannipata jwara (Fever caused by all te three doshas together); dyspnoea, diseases of kapha, Pitta, blood, burning sensation, cough, dropsy, thirst, leprosy (and other skin diseases) fever, ulcers and worms

Question 15

Kutaja

Holarrhena antidysentirica

Common name Kuda

Causes dryness, increases digestive fire,

Answer 15

Rasa: Pungent, astringent

Virya: cold

Cures Hemorrhoids’, diarrheas’, bleeding diseases, diseases kapha, thirst, ama and leprosy (and some other skin diseases),

Question 16

Lodhra

Symplocos Racemosa

Two varieties and they are grahi (water absorbent, Constipating), easy for digestion; good for eyes (Vision)

Answer 16

Rasa: Astringent

Virya: Cold

Mitigates Kapha and Pitta

Cures bleeding disease, fever, diarrheas’, and dropsy

Question 17

Manjista

Rubia cordifolia

Bestows good voice and color complexion; hard for digestion

Answer 17

Rasa: bitter and astringent

Virya: hot

Mitigates Kapha (Sleshma)

Cures poison, dropsy, Diseases of Vagina, eyes and ears, diarrheas’, with bleeding, leprosy (and other skin diseases), Herpes, wound and diabetes.
Note: (Dropsy: An old term for the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess water. In years gone by, a person might have been said to have dropsy. Today one would be more descriptive and specify the cause. Thus, the person might have edema due to congestive heart failure.)

Question 18

Padmaka

Nelumbo nucifera

Easy for digestion, helps maintain pregnancy, taste perception,

Answer 18

Rasa : tringent bitter

Virya: Cold

Increases Vata,

Cures diseases caused by Sleshma (Kapha) and asra (blood)
Cures herpes, burning sensation, small pox, leprosy and other skin diseases
Cures vomiting, wounds and thirst

Question 19

Rasna

Alpina officinarium

Rasna is Ama pachana, hard for digestion.
Cures eighty diseases arising from Vata and skin diseases

Answer 19

Rasa: bitter

Virya: hot

Mitigates Kapha and Vata
cures dropsy, dysphonia; diseases of Vata and blood; Colic produced by Vata, enlargement of abdomen; cough, fever, poison

Question 20

Saindhava Lavana

Increases digestive fire, easy for digestion, unctuous, helps taste perception

Answer 20

Rasa: Sweet

Virya: Cold

Mitigates all three doshas
Subtle (enters through minute pores), good for the eyes

Question 21

Sallaki

Boswella Serrata

Note: Resin of Boswella Serrata is called Kunduru (niryasa) called in English as Frankinsence that cures fever (excess of), persipiration, diseases of mouth, Kapha and Vata.

Answer 21

Rasa: Astringent

Virya: cold

Mitigates Pitta and Kapha.

Cures diarrheas’, bleeding diseases like ulcers and gives nourishment

Question 22

Sankhapushpi — Reference: Dravyaguna
Vignyan (Vaidya VMGodke)
P505-506

Convolvulus pluricaulis

Three varieties: White, reddish and bluish. Whitish is used in medicine. Bluish called Neelpushpi is referred as Vishnukranta (latin: Evolvulus alsiniodes)

Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Vatashamam
Dhatu: Majja (brain tonic, insomnia)
Mala: Purusha (laxative)
Organ: brain
Manovaha srotas: Epilepsy, Schizophrenia

Answer 22

Guna: Snigdha, Pichchil, guru, sara
Rasa: Kashaya (Astringent), katu (Pungent),
tikta (bitter)
Virya: Shita
Vipak: Madhur
Prabhav: medya (specific)

Karma: tridoshahar but specifically Vatapittashamak.
Snigdha, pichchil, guru gunas and madhur vipak makes it vatashamak
Sheetha virya makes it Pittashamak
Kashaya, katu and tikta rasa makes it kaphashamak
Katu(pungent), tikta (bitter)

Question 23

Tagara
C.N: Valerian

Valeriana Wallichi

It is mainly useful for Bell’s palsy, hemiplegia, epilepsy, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. It reduces pain, convulsions and nourishes the central Nervous system.
It is also useful in cough, asthma, retention of urine, impotency and dysmenorrhea
External Use: Local application in wound healing, fractures and rheumatoid arthritis. it is useful as analgesic. DG-G (P 621)

Answer 23

Guna: Laghu, snigdha, sara
Rasa: tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent)
Virya: Ushna
Dosha: Tridoshahara

Dose: Root powder 1 to 3 gms
Overdose causes fainting. Antdote - dried black grapes (raisins)

Question 24

Taruni

Rosa centifolia

External Uses: It improves complexion and acts as wound healing, deodorant and anti inflammatory.
Internal use: It acts as a brain tonic as well as increases the tone of GI tract. It is a hepatoprotective and is useful in all digestive disorders like diarrheas’ and dysentery. It is useful in diseases of the heart, bleeding disorders and other blood diseases.

Answer 24

Guna: laghu, snigdha
Rasa:tikta, katu, kashaya, madhur
Virya: cold
Vipaka: madhur
Prabhav: Heart tonic

Srotogamitva:
Dosha: tridoshaghna
Dhatu: Shukra, majja, rakta, raktamamsa
Mala: Sweda (deodorant), purisha

Question 25

Tavaksiri

Maranta arundinacea

Question 26

Tila
C.N: Sesame

Sesanum Indicum

Uses: It is an excellent snehan and analgesic and very useful for wound healing, dental health, skin and hair.It is very useful in dry skinand bodyache as vatashaman. Its sngdha guna increases oleation by overcoming dryness. Decoction of its roots and leaves is used for washing the hairwhich is helpful in hair growth and making them black and soft.
This is a brain tonic and is aphrodisiac.
Among all the available oils, tila oil is considered the best for nourishing all the 7 dhatus of the body. It is useful as both food as well as medicine.

Answer 26

Guna: guru, snigdha
Rasa: Mathur and Uparasa : Kashaya (astringent)
Virya:
Vipak: madhur (sweet)

Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Vatashamak, Kaphapittaprakopak, Kaphapittavardhak, tridoshaghna
Dhatu: All 7 dhatus
Mala: keshya (hair), purisha (increasing bulk), mutra (antidiuretic)

Question 27

Vibhitaki
(Bibhitaki or Bibhieetaka)

Terminilia Belirica

Purgative, cures cough, creates dryness, good for eyes (vision) and haireetaka is s, destroys worms, cures disorders of voice (by keeping the rind of the fruit in the mouth).

Vibhitaki Marrow (majja of the nut) cures thirst, vomiting, mitigates kapha and vata, easily digestable, astingent in taste and causes intoxication. Its properties are similar to Dhatri (Amalaki marrow)

Doses: o.75 to 1.5 gms.

Answer 27

Gunas: Ruksha and Laghu
Rasa: Kashaya (astringent)
Virya: hot, cold to touch
Vipaka: Sweet

Doshas: Mitigates Kapha and Pitta. It is kaphagna because of its Ruksha, laghu and Kashaya guna.. It is pittagna by kashaya and madhur rasa . It is vatashamak by ushna guna. Thus bhibhitaki is tridoshanashak but mainly Kaphanashak. Haritaki is vatanashak, Amalaki is Pittanashak and Bibheetaki is kaphanashak and together as triphala is tridoshanashak)

Srotogamitva:
Dosha: tridosha
Dhatu: Majaja (intoxication), , rakta (homeostatic), shukra (aphrodisiac),rasa - mansagami
Mala: Purisha (laxative), hair tonic (bibheetaki Majja taila)
Organs: Eyes and respiratory system

Question 28

Usira - Virana root is Usira

Vetiveria Zizanoids

Answer 28

Guna:
Rasa: tikta (bitter), madhur (sweet)
Virya: cold

Mitigates Kapha and pitta
easy for digestion
relieves fever, vomiting, intoxication
Cures thirst, bleeding poison, herpes, burning sensation, dysuria, and ulcers.

Question 29

Vidanga

Embelia ribes

Answer 29

Guna: Katu (pungent)
Rasa:
Virya: hot (Ushna)
Vipaka:

Shrotogmita:
Dosha: Because of its Hot virya, it is Kaphagna, vata and constipation
Dhatu: Rakta (Kushta - Krimis (worms), meda (prameha), rakta (reduces shirorog), rasayan
Mala: Purisha (laxative, tapeworm), mutra
Organs: intestine, anus

Dose: 1-2 gm( for worms - 10gm)

Question 30

Yavani
C.N: Ajwain

Trachispermum amani - AP sheet: Carum Copticum

Used in Kaphavata diseases.

External: Being analgesic, anti inflammatory, laxative, anti bacterial, complexion enhancer and antidote, its external application reduces edema and pain, skin diseases, scorpion bite.
Internal:Being appetizer, deepana, pain killer, antitheminitic, it is used in anorexia, loss of appetite, indigestion, flatulence, abdominal pain, lumpspleenic enlargement and intestinal worms. It stops recurrence of worms. It is diuretic, useful for retention of water (urine). Being diaphoretic , it is used in skin disorders; In doudenitis, also used in morphine addiction.

Answer 30

Guna; Laghu, ruksha, tikshana
Rasa: katu (pungent), tikta (bitter)
Virya: hot
Vipak: Katu

Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Kaphavatanashak by tikshna guna and ushna virya; Pittavardhak
Dhatu: shukra, rakta (spleen)
Mala: Purisha (shodhan)
Organ: dental diseases, alimentary system (appetizer)

Doses: powder 1-3 gms; oil 15-30 drops; decoction- 15to30 mil, ark: 25-50 mgs