Medicinal plants of Ayurvedic medicine

Medicinal plants of Ayurvedic medicine

By Andrea Zoller and Hellmuth Nordwig

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine, is one of the oldest healing methods and is also very popular in the West. The standard work “Medicinal Plants of Ayurvedic Medicine” is one of the most comprehensive compendia and describes in detail over 220 of the most important medicinal plants in clear table form. The authors give a lively introduction to Ayurvedic healing, its basics and the special understanding of diseases. The individual plants are described in detail, such as their effect on dosas, ingredients and origin. In particular, the precise information on preparation, dosage and application as well as information on side effects make the descriptions of the remedies easy to use, even for Western therapists. The effect of medicinal plants on the body systems such as the respiratory tract, digestion, skin, cardiovascular system, urogenital tract and nervous system is described in detail. The applications include, for example, Ocimum tenuiflorum for colds, coconut for inflammation of the gastric mucosa, saffron for migraines or Pluchea lanceolata for rheumatic complaints. Clinical tips on individual plants from western practice from experienced Ayurveda therapists are particularly valuable. This new edition has been enriched by a description of the dosage forms and recipes. This involves forms of preparation such as the production of medicinal powders and oils, fermented juices, plant extracts, jams and resins. Numerous color photos illustrate the medicinal plants. A reference work that is unsurpassed in scope and practicality. "The special feature of this book is that the authors have divided the medicinal plants into around 100 effect groups. It is probably the only book that describes so many effects in detail. This representation is of great use for practical use. This book is particularly valuable because it is based on the work of the highly respected Indian scholar Prof. P. V. Sharma. Its publication comes at a time when the need for a deeper understanding of Ayurvedic medicine is growing in Germany. As far as the effects and uses of medicinal plants are concerned, I am sure that this book will quench the thirst of the readers for knowledge." Prof. Dr. Subhash Ranade Introduction to Ayurvedic Medicine The energetics of medicinal plants The nervous system, the sensory organs, skin and Hair, heart and circulation, respiratory system, digestive system, kidneys and urinary tract, reproductive organs, defense system, body temperature and fever, general effects Effects on tissue (dhatus) and body channels (śrotas) Effects on the individual dosas The 223 medicinal plants (main part) The preparation forms at a glance : Svarasas: Fresh plant juices Kalkas: Pastes Kvathas: Decoctions Himas: Cold extracts Phanthas: Hot water extracts Asavas and Ari as: Herbal wines Sattva: Solid plant essences Panakas: Syrup preparations Guggulus: Resins and much more Quote from Traditional South Asian Medicine "This is a phytotherapeutic manual that presents about 225 Ayurvedic medicinal plants, their methods of use and their effects in an exemplary manner.” Prof. Dr. Subhash Ranade