Ashwagandha(Withania somnifera)
Ashwagandha is a shrubby plant, which offers tremendous potential as an energizing medicinal herb. Ayurvedic practitioners have used the roots of this plant for centuries with success as a tonic to increase vitality and longevity, as well as to treat health conditions as diverse as tumors and arthritis. Recent laboratory studies have begun to confirm what Ayurvedic practitioners have known for years – that Ashwagandha deserves attention as an herbal therapy to ease or even eliminate many of today’s common health problems.
Research on Ashwagandha has shown it to be a stress adaptogen, to promote healing and to have diuretic and anti-cancer properties. I have used Ashwagandha extensively in my practice for insomnia, fatigue, stress, depression, anxiety and cancer. My son uses it for bodybuilding. It can also be used as an adjuvant in chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Ashwagandha was tested for its anti-aging properties in a double-blind clinical trial. A group of 101 healthy males, 50-59 years old, were given the herb at a dosage of 3 grams daily for one year. The subjects experienced significant improvement in hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hair melanin, and seated stature. Serum cholesterol decreased and nail calcium was preserved. Seventy percent of the research subjects reported improvement in sexual performance.1
Amla(Emblica officinalis)
Amla is an excellent rejuvenator. It has powerful antioxidant properties and counters the toxicity of heavy metals such as nickel, cobalt, arsenic and mercury. It also provides protective properties after one has been exposed to toxic or carcinogenic chemicals. It has powerful anti-cancerous properties and, like Ashwagandha, has been used in cancer therapy to cut down the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. According to ancient Ayurvedic texts, one who consumes a rasayana with Amla as the main ingredient, one will "live for a hundred years without any sign of decrepitude."
My experience with Amla bears out this claim. The father of one of my co-workers in India lived to be 107 years of age. He walked 3-5 miles a day, he had all his own teeth, his eyes were only slightly refracted, he had never had surgery, and he recognized people right up until just before his death. His secret? He ate Amla every day! Among other things, Amlais one of the richest sources of natural vitamin C available and is well-known as a powerful immune support.2
Sitawari(Asparagus racemosus)
Shatavari has tonic, adaptogenic, alterative (curative) and aphrodisiac activities. It is used to treat debility and chronic diseases like infertility, impotence, menopause, lung abscesses and chronic fevers.
Shatavari has a number of indications in traditional Ayurveda. It is used to treat stomach ulcers, hyperacidity, and hormonal imbalance and diarrhea. Decoctions of the herb have a soothing effect on dry and irritated membranes, making it useful in treating bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. As a rasayana, and is believed to bring into balance all of the body's fluids.3 Ancient Ayurvedic texts recommend Sitawari as a remedy for nervous disorders, inflammation, liver disease and certain infectious diseases.
Trifal(Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica and Emblica officinalis)
Trifal is another prized adaptogen. The combined herbs are synergistic and have digestive and eliminative actions. It has anti-parasitic, anti-yeast, anti-bacterial and antihistaminic properties. It improves the flow of bile, lowers cholesterol and can be used as adjuvant in chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Trifal, or “three fruits,” is an ancient blend of three highly-valued Ayurvedic herbs – Terminalia chebula (Haritaki), Terminalia bellerica (Bahera), and Phyllanthus emblica (Amla). Traditionally, Trifala is highly valued as a rasayana, or rejuvenating formula. Rasayanas are used in Ayurveda to balance all body types.
Although Trifalahas many health benefits, it has primarily been used as a digestive aid and intestinal cleanser. Unlike many products of its kind, Trifala acts gently, promoting regularity without irritating the bowels. Regular users of Trifala report a natural regularity, in contrast to the forced bowel evacuation experienced with other laxatives. This combination of fruits is also frequently used to relieve indigestion.
Shilajeet-mumiyo(Mineral pitch)
Shilajeet is a rich source of naturally occurring minerals. Russian athletes used it as non-steroidal body builder and a stamina enhancer. Ayurvedic medicine considers it as an aphrodisiac, a tonic for the kidneys and prostate. It helps with benign prostate enhancement and is an immune enhancer. In Ayurveda, Shilajit is considered a rasayana herb and an adaptogen.4 The substance has been found to contain at least 85 minerals in ionic form, as well as humic acid and fulvic acid. Clinical research has been conducted to determine Shilajit’s pharmacological activity, and the results have confirmed its traditional uses in treating impotence, sterility, mental diseases, and for improving memory and learning.
Pippli (Piper longum)
Pippli helps in digestion, enhances acid and enzyme secretions. It significantly enhances the absorption of nutrients, herbs and drugs and has shown anti-allergic, anti-asthmatic and powerful anti-parasitic actions.
Ancient Ayurvedic texts list Pippli as one of the most powerful rasayana herbs, which means that it is a valuable longevity enhancer. It is also considered a purifying herb, with soothing qualities that help improve the quality of sleep. Ancient texts and contemporary studies point to the wide-ranging effectiveness of Pippli in respiratory, liver, digestive, metabolic, parasitic, and malignant conditions.5
By Dr. Virender Sodhi
Ashwagandha is a shrubby plant, which offers tremendous potential as an energizing medicinal herb. Ayurvedic practitioners have used the roots of this plant for centuries with success as a tonic to increase vitality and longevity, as well as to treat health conditions as diverse as tumors and arthritis. Recent laboratory studies have begun to confirm what Ayurvedic practitioners have known for years – that Ashwagandha deserves attention as an herbal therapy to ease or even eliminate many of today’s common health problems.
Research on Ashwagandha has shown it to be a stress adaptogen, to promote healing and to have diuretic and anti-cancer properties. I have used Ashwagandha extensively in my practice for insomnia, fatigue, stress, depression, anxiety and cancer. My son uses it for bodybuilding. It can also be used as an adjuvant in chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Ashwagandha was tested for its anti-aging properties in a double-blind clinical trial. A group of 101 healthy males, 50-59 years old, were given the herb at a dosage of 3 grams daily for one year. The subjects experienced significant improvement in hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hair melanin, and seated stature. Serum cholesterol decreased and nail calcium was preserved. Seventy percent of the research subjects reported improvement in sexual performance.1
Amla(Emblica officinalis)
Amla is an excellent rejuvenator. It has powerful antioxidant properties and counters the toxicity of heavy metals such as nickel, cobalt, arsenic and mercury. It also provides protective properties after one has been exposed to toxic or carcinogenic chemicals. It has powerful anti-cancerous properties and, like Ashwagandha, has been used in cancer therapy to cut down the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation. According to ancient Ayurvedic texts, one who consumes a rasayana with Amla as the main ingredient, one will "live for a hundred years without any sign of decrepitude."
My experience with Amla bears out this claim. The father of one of my co-workers in India lived to be 107 years of age. He walked 3-5 miles a day, he had all his own teeth, his eyes were only slightly refracted, he had never had surgery, and he recognized people right up until just before his death. His secret? He ate Amla every day! Among other things, Amlais one of the richest sources of natural vitamin C available and is well-known as a powerful immune support.2
Sitawari(Asparagus racemosus)
Shatavari has tonic, adaptogenic, alterative (curative) and aphrodisiac activities. It is used to treat debility and chronic diseases like infertility, impotence, menopause, lung abscesses and chronic fevers.
Shatavari has a number of indications in traditional Ayurveda. It is used to treat stomach ulcers, hyperacidity, and hormonal imbalance and diarrhea. Decoctions of the herb have a soothing effect on dry and irritated membranes, making it useful in treating bronchitis and other respiratory ailments. As a rasayana, and is believed to bring into balance all of the body's fluids.3 Ancient Ayurvedic texts recommend Sitawari as a remedy for nervous disorders, inflammation, liver disease and certain infectious diseases.
Trifal(Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica and Emblica officinalis)
Trifal is another prized adaptogen. The combined herbs are synergistic and have digestive and eliminative actions. It has anti-parasitic, anti-yeast, anti-bacterial and antihistaminic properties. It improves the flow of bile, lowers cholesterol and can be used as adjuvant in chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Trifal, or “three fruits,” is an ancient blend of three highly-valued Ayurvedic herbs – Terminalia chebula (Haritaki), Terminalia bellerica (Bahera), and Phyllanthus emblica (Amla). Traditionally, Trifala is highly valued as a rasayana, or rejuvenating formula. Rasayanas are used in Ayurveda to balance all body types.
Although Trifalahas many health benefits, it has primarily been used as a digestive aid and intestinal cleanser. Unlike many products of its kind, Trifala acts gently, promoting regularity without irritating the bowels. Regular users of Trifala report a natural regularity, in contrast to the forced bowel evacuation experienced with other laxatives. This combination of fruits is also frequently used to relieve indigestion.
Shilajeet-mumiyo(Mineral pitch)
Shilajeet is a rich source of naturally occurring minerals. Russian athletes used it as non-steroidal body builder and a stamina enhancer. Ayurvedic medicine considers it as an aphrodisiac, a tonic for the kidneys and prostate. It helps with benign prostate enhancement and is an immune enhancer. In Ayurveda, Shilajit is considered a rasayana herb and an adaptogen.4 The substance has been found to contain at least 85 minerals in ionic form, as well as humic acid and fulvic acid. Clinical research has been conducted to determine Shilajit’s pharmacological activity, and the results have confirmed its traditional uses in treating impotence, sterility, mental diseases, and for improving memory and learning.
Pippli (Piper longum)
Pippli helps in digestion, enhances acid and enzyme secretions. It significantly enhances the absorption of nutrients, herbs and drugs and has shown anti-allergic, anti-asthmatic and powerful anti-parasitic actions.
Ancient Ayurvedic texts list Pippli as one of the most powerful rasayana herbs, which means that it is a valuable longevity enhancer. It is also considered a purifying herb, with soothing qualities that help improve the quality of sleep. Ancient texts and contemporary studies point to the wide-ranging effectiveness of Pippli in respiratory, liver, digestive, metabolic, parasitic, and malignant conditions.5
By Dr. Virender Sodhi
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