Materia Medica

Bacopa / Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) growing in a wetland setting
Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) — Brahmi, Water Hyssop
Bacopa / Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) covering botanical identity, Ayurvedic actions and energetics, practical powder, fresh-juice, tincture, liquid-extract, decoction and tea preparation methods, the official Brahmi Ghrita formula, adult and clearly... Read more...
Acacia Babul / Babool (Vachellia nilotica) with yellow flower heads, bipinnate leaves, paired spines and constricted pods
Acacia Babul (Vachellia nilotica) — Babool, Egyptian Thorn, Nile Acacia
Acacia Babul / Babool (Vachellia nilotica) materia medica covering botanical identity, traditional astringent uses, historical bark decoction and doses, gum and bark ranges, constituents, oral-care research, cultivation, propagation, harvesting, and... Read more...
Acacia Catechu / Khadira (Senegalia catechu) with cream-white flower spikes, bipinnate leaves, hooked prickles and straight brown pods
Acacia Catechu (Senegalia catechu) — Khadira, Cutch Tree, Black Catechu
Acacia Catechu / Khadira (Senegalia catechu) materia medica covering Ayurvedic actions and energetics, heartwood and bark preparations, documented dosage ranges, catechu/cutch processing, classical formulations, constituents, oral-health research, cultivation, propagation, harvesting,... Read more...
Acalypha indica / Indian Copperleaf with serrated ovate leaves and slender green axillary flower spikes
Acalypha (Acalypha indica) — Indian Copperleaf, Kuppaimeni
Acalypha / Indian Copperleaf (Acalypha indica) materia medica covering Ayurvedic and Siddha energetics, traditional respiratory and skin uses, pharmacopoeial and historical doses, the 2024 human pilot study, documented hemolysis and... Read more...
Justicia adhatoda Vasaka shrub with white purple-marked flowers and opposite lanceolate leaves
Adhatoda / Vasaka / Malabar Nut (Justicia adhatoda) — Vasa / Adulsa
Adhatoda / Vasaka / Malabar Nut (Justicia adhatoda; syn. Adhatoda vasica) materia medica covering Ayurvedic energetics, respiratory uses, classical and historical preparations and doses, vasicine and related alkaloids, human research,... Read more...
Aquilaria malaccensis branch with narrow glossy leaves and small yellow-green flowers
Agarwood / Aloeswood / Oud (Aquilaria malaccensis) — Agaru / Gaharu / Eaglewood
Agarwood / Aloeswood / Oud (Aquilaria malaccensis) materia medica covering botanical identity, Ayurvedic and Chinese energetic traditions, resin formation, species confusion, traditional indications, preparations and dose context, pediatric limits, classical... Read more...
Trachyspermum ammi ajwain plant with finely divided leaves and white compound umbels
Ajwain / Carom (Trachyspermum ammi) — Yavani / Ajowan
Ajwain / Carom (Trachyspermum ammi) materia medica covering Ayurvedic energetics, botanical identity, culinary and digestive traditions, preparations and dose context, thymol-rich essential-oil chemistry, human combination trials, safety, pregnancy cautions, cultivation... Read more...
Boswellia serrata Indian frankincense original botanical visualization: serrated pinnate leaves, peeling bark and golden resin
Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) — Indian Frankincense, Salai
Boswellia serrata (Sallaki / Indian Frankincense) Materia Medica: separate from Arabian frankincense species, resin and boswellic-acid identification, five precise topical/aromatic/extraction preparation methods, knee-osteoarthritis study doses, sustainable resin harvest and historical... Read more...
Alangium salviifolium flowering branch with cream recurved flowers, simple leaves and short spines
Alangium / Ankol (Alangium salviifolium) — Ankola / Sage-Leaved Alangium
Alangium / Ankol (Alangium salviifolium) materia medica covering botanical identity, traditional part-specific uses, alkaloids including cephaeline, preparations and dose limitations, preclinical anti-inflammatory and other research, reproductive and alkaloid safety, cultivation,... Read more...
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) bush growing in Nepal, realistic botanical photo
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) — Indian Ginseng, Winter Cherry
A whole-plant guide to Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) covering identification, roots, leaves, berries, seeds, powders and extracts, Ayurvedic tradition, modern stress and sleep research, thyroid and liver safety, growing, folklore, magical... Read more...
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) — Indian Saffron, Haldi
A guide to Curcuma longa covering turmeric food traditions, curcumin research, absorption-enhanced supplements, gallbladder, bleeding and kidney-stone cautions. Read more...