L10 Ayurveda Herbs - Qualities

Question 1

What quality is associated with marshmallow?

Answer 1

Moist

Marshmallow is classified as a moist herb.

Question 2

What quality is associated with witch hazel?

Answer 2

Dry

Witch hazel is classified as a dry herb.

Question 3

What quality is associated with ashwagandha?

Answer 3

Heavy

Ashwagandha is classified as a heavy herb.

Question 4

What quality is associated with cardamom?

Answer 4

Light

Cardamom is classified as a light herb.

Question 5

What quality is associated with pepper?

Answer 5

Penetrating

Pepper is classified as a penetrating herb.

Question 6

What is the Ayurvedic term for moist herbs ?

Answer 6

Snigdha (= soft, oily)

This term indicates their moistening and lubricating properties.

Question 7

What are the primary functions of moist herbs?

Answer 7

Moisten, lubricate, strengthen

These functions help balance dry, deficient, inflamed tissues.

Question 8

How do moist herbs support the body?

Answer 8

Support and heal skin and mucous membranes, increase fertility

They promote health in tissues that require moisture.

Question 9

What type of action do moist herbs have?

Answer 9

Demulcent, moistening, mucous-promoting action

These actions are beneficial for various bodily functions.

Question 10

Which taste is considered the most moist?

Answer 10

Sweet

Examples include liquorice, shatavari, marshmallow, and slippery elm.

Question 11

Which other tastes are also considered moist?

Answer 11

Salty and sour

These tastes contain the water element.

Question 12

What doshas do moist herbs reduce and increase?

Answer 12

Reduces Vata and Pitta, increases Kapha (VP-K+).

Note that salty or sour tastes do not reduce Pitta as they contain fire.

Question 13

What are the key chemical components of moist herbs?

Answer 13

• Polysaccharides
• Essential fatty acids
• Mucilage

These compounds contribute to the moist properties of the herbs.

Question 14

What is the primary effect of dry herbs on tissues?

Answer 14

Balance damp, sluggish, mucous- and fluid-congested tissues and mucous membranes, reduce moisture in the body

Question 15

What is considered the driest taste among herbs?

Answer 15

Astringent

Question 16

Name three examples of astringent herbs.

Answer 16

• Haritaki
• Green tea
• Cinnamon

Question 17

Which tastes are also considered drying?

Answer 17

• Pungent
• Bitter

Question 18

How does the pungent taste dry tissues?

Answer 18

By heat

Question 19

How does the bitter taste affect fluids in the body?

Answer 19

By draining fluids

Question 20

What doshas are reduced by dry herbs if tissues are damp and inflamed?

Answer 20

• Kapha
• Pitta

Question 21

What dosha is increased by dry herbs?

Answer 21

Vata

Question 22

What key chemical components are found in dry herbs?

Answer 22

• Tannins
• Essential oils
• Bitter principles

Question 23

What is the primary function of heavy herbs?

Answer 23

Nourish, build, strengthen

Heavy herbs help balance lightness, ungroundedness, and weakness.

Question 24

What effect do heavy herbs have on digestion?

Answer 24

Difficult to digest, reduce Agni, sinking effect

Agni refers to the digestive fire in Ayurveda.

Question 25

Which taste is considered the heaviest among the tastes?

Answer 25

Sweet ## Footnote Examples include shatavari, ashwagandha, and liquorice roots.

Question 26

What other tastes are classified as heavy besides sweet?

Answer 26

Salty and sour ## Footnote Can be easier to digest than sweet tastes

Question 27

What dosha imbalance can heavy herbs reduce?

Answer 27

Reduces Vata (V-) ## Footnote Heavy herbs can also reduce Pitta (P-)

Question 28

What is the effect of heavy herbs on Kapha?

Answer 28

Increases Kapha (K+)

Question 29

What are some key chemical components found in heavy herbs?

Answer 29

* Polysaccharides * Proteins * Saponins * Resins ## Footnote These compounds contribute to their heavy nature.

Question 30

What is the primary function of light herbs?

Answer 30

Ascend, reduce, clear channels ## Footnote Light herbs help balance sluggishness, heaviness, Kapha congestion, brain fog, and low motivation.

Question 31

How do light herbs affect Agni?

Answer 31

Increase Agni ## Footnote Light herbs are easy to digest and help bring enthusiasm and alertness.

Question 32

Which taste is considered the lightest among herbs?

Answer 32

Bitter ## Footnote Examples include gentian and wormwood.

Question 33

What type of taste, besides bitter, is also considered light?

Answer 33

Pungent ## Footnote Aromatic spices such as cardamom are included in this category.

Question 34

What are the effects of light herbs on the three doshas?

Answer 34

Reduces Kapha, increases Vata and Pitta (K-VP+)

Question 35

What are some chemical components found in light herbs?

Answer 35

Bitter principles Volatile oils Oleoresins Alkaloids ## Footnote These components contribute to the properties of light herbs.

Question 36

What are penetrating/sharp herbs known for?

Answer 36

They spread fast and deeply into tissues, open and clear channels

Question 37

What imbalances do penetrating herbs address?

Answer 37

Balance coldness, contraction, stagnation, slowness, dampness

Question 38

What is a key role of penetrating herbs in herbal medicine?

Answer 38

* Transport other herbs into tissues * Increase Agni

Question 39

Which taste is considered the most penetrating?

Answer 39

Pungent

Question 40

Give examples of pungent herbs.

Answer 40

* Ginger * Chilli * Calamus * Cardamon

Question 41

What doshas do penetrating herbs reduce and increase?

Answer 41

Reduces Kapha and Vata, increases Pitta (KV-P+)

Question 42

What are the main chemical components of penetrating herbs?

Answer 42

* Volatile oils * Oleoresins * Alkaloids