Embracing Local Herbs in Ayurvedic Practice

Anne McIntyre FNIMH MAPA

The rose
was not searching for the sunrise:
almost eternal on its branch,
it was searching for something else.
The rose
was not searching for darkness or science:
borderline of flesh and dream,
it was searching for something else - Frederico Garcia Lorca (1899-1936)
The practice of Ayurvedic medicine is well established now in the West. As more Ayurvedic
practitioners are incorporating the use of herbal medicines into their work, we could question
the wisdom and sustainability of using herbs grown out of sight thousands of miles away in
India or Sri Lanka. There is a growing need to ensure that our plant medicines are of the best
quality, free from pollution and contamination, that their identity is correct and we also need
to give some thought to reducing their carbon footprint. Even though we are trained in the
Eastern tradition, we can benefit from the healing qualities of the herbs around us in the West
and use them to prepare medicines for ourselves and others. We are literally surrounded by
amazing medicines.Rosemary, sage, lavender, marigolds, thyme, mint and roses perfume
and adorn our gardens, while nettles, daisies, hawthorn, dandelions, meadowsweet,
elderflowers, cleavers and burdock abound in fields and hedgerows; they are easily accessible,
under the radar and free!!
As a Western herbalist as well as an Ayurvedic practitioner for the last 35 years, I have always
grown my own herbs and harvested many from the hedgerows and countryside around
mewhich actually has been an absolute delight and one of the highlights of my work. I have
prepared many medicines from these herbs, preferring to do that rather than rely on imported
or ready-made products, whose origins and contents as well as quality it can be hard to
ascertain.
When I first began studying Ayurveda in the early 1980s, I was not inclined to use herbs from
India, committed as I was to using those I knew and loved. But over years of study and
incorporating Ayurvedic wisdom into my practice, the exotic names and extraordinary benefits
of herbs from the East began to entice me and one by one I started to try them out on myself
and my patientsfirst Ashwagandha of course, then Shatavari and Gotu kola and then
Guduchi, Bhringaraj and Manjishta. This led me to search them out so that I could get to
know them in their natural habitat; I was able to find many of them in the plantations of the
tropical rain forests in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, as did my good friend Sebastian Pole
whose excellent herb company Pukka Herbs has enabled me to have access to high quality
Ayurvedic herbs since we both studied Ayurveda together. I also started to grow those I could
in my garden in England. Slowly but surely my practice as well as my dispensary and my
writing began to represent an equal blend of East and West. Now however, for reason I will
outline below, I would like to invite you as Ayurvedic practitioners to acquaint yourselves with
the herbs growing locally around you.

Reasons for Embracing Local Herbs in Ayurvedic Practice

1. Sustainability and Availability
The use of herbs as medicines on physical as well as subtle levels is common to all cultures as
far back as we know. It has survived and sustained us through millennia, in fact herbal
medicine is the oldest recorded healing art. We can trace the link between human life and
healing plants at least as far back as Neanderthal man 60,000 years ago.. that is a
sustainable source of medicine! Globally herbal medicine is still one of the main forms of
medicine used throughout diverse cultures and environments today; according to the World

Health Organisation about 4 billion people, (80% of the worlds population) presently use
herbal medicine for primary healthcare. Even modern medicine still relies on many medicinal
plants: over 199 compounds used today are extracted from or based on plant compounds;
about 74% of these are used in modern medicine in ways that correlate directly with their
traditional uses in native cultures.
Happily too, herbs are still available to all regardless of economic status. Modern packaged
natural medicines require resources to source and package them which can make them
prohibitively expensive for many, while herbs can be grown from seed or sustainably gathered
from the wild for comparatively little cost.
Carbon footprint
The long supply chain of Ayurvedic herbs from India and Sri Lanka raises the question about
the carbon footprint of these medicines used in the West. Growing and using local herbs
means that we can adhere more closely to the increasing need for us all to live more
sustainably and is a way of reducing the carbon footprint of the tools of or trade. There is the
traditional concept of authentic regional medicinal products that herbs should be grown in
their traditional and natural habitat but there is no reason that this should be strictly adhered
to if climatic and soil conditions can be replicated in Europe and the USA. A comparison of the
biochemical profile of herbs grown in their traditional habitat and those grown elsewhere can
be made using modern assessment techniques such as high performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC).
Ecological Concerns
I personally feel it is important to pass on what I have learned about medicinal plants and
inspire others to use local herbs in an ethical way as my contribution to a more sustainable
way to live, but even this has be thought out carefully.
There are some aspects of using local herbs that raise concerns for herbalists and
conservationists alike. The increasing demand for wild plants such as juniper, liquorice,
elderberry and frankincense as ingredients for food, cosmetics and natural medicines is posing
ecological problems. It is estimated that 85% of medicinal and aromatic (MAP) plant species
used in herbal medicine are wild crafted. At the moment, trade in medicinal plants is largely
unmonitored and many harvesting practices are currently unsustainable, threatening
populations of medicinal plants including Goldenseal, False unicorn, Jatamamsi and some
species of Echinacea and their habitats.
Even if we gather local non-endangered herbs, we need be mindful of not over picking, to
harvest our herbs with respect for the plants life and to use sustainable techniques such as
reseeding, root division and pruning. Growing organic herbs more widely is probably the way
forward as opposed to over-harvesting from the wild. Those working in the herbal industry
need to be encouraged to invest in and support the cultivation of medicinal plants by fostering
partnerships with small scale growers/local farmers if we cannot grow them ourselves.
Social Concerns.
The growing interest in medicinal and aromatic plants has opened up new economic
opportunities; gathering plants from the wild is providing a source of income for many poor
rural households. However, while the herbs collected can fetch a high price once on the shop
shelves, those collecting them typically receive only a small percentage of this. So if we source
plants that have been wildcrafted, we need to bear in mind the sustainability of the
ecosystems and plants and that we or our suppliers are not taking advantage of the collectors.
These issues need to be addressed by the herbal industry through creating and agreeing clear
guidelines on promoting sustainability and fair trade. Perhaps those who were supporting
themselves through wildcrafting could be encouraged to grow herbs instead so that they do
not lose valuable income. We need access to advice on where to buy sustainably produced or
sourced herbs, and also information about sustainable harvesting and cultivation of medicinal
plants for ourselves.

2. Legislation - To ensure we continue to have access to the tools of our trade.

As Ayurvedic practitioners we have a responsibility to provide our patients with the best
possible care, and this includes the use of herbal medicines. Ayurvedic doctors through
millennia have have the knowledge to access their tools of healing from the natural world
around them and translate them into health care. For countless generations we have had the
privilege as well as the right to forage, cultivate and harvest herbs to make preparations for
our patients.
Until now, in the UK anyway, we have enjoyed the freedom to prescribe the herbs and
formulae that we choose, with no or little restriction or any that has been actually enforced.
We have practiced relatively unhampered, but this will not remain the same for much longer.
Without statuary regulation, our rights to use the medicines we need, including even Triphala,
is restricted.all formulae are required to be made up by us on our own premises; we cannot
legally buy them in already combined from India or anywhere else. With imminent new
legislation regarding the use of medicines as opposed to foods, our right to use any herb
classified as a medicine may well be taken away, leaving our practices impoverished without
many of the valuable tools of our tradeAshwagandha is on the hit list!
Of course this would mean disappointment and frustration for us, faced with the challenges of
helping our patients every day. We could see it as the end of herbal medicine as we know it, or
we can keep fighting for regulation ..or it could represent an opportunity and invitation to
look beyond the restrictions of politics to embrace a wider perspective, to delve into the
incredible healing power of herbs growing here, right on our doorsteps, where no one can
interfere!

3. Prana/Quality - How can we be assured of the quality of our herbs imported from
India and Sri Lanka?
If we cultivate herbs organically or harvest them sustainably from the wild, we know much
more about the quality of our medicines, we reduce the risk of pollution and adulteration and
concerns over sustainability, safety and efficacy.
There has been considerable discussion about the potential contamination of Indian herbs and
formulae with, for example, heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury, but what about air
and soil pollution? Do we know where the herbs we are using have been grown and harvested?
Do we know how long ago they were harvested, how they have been treated and where they
have been stored?
According to the Economist February 2015, the air in India is dangerously toxic. The WHO
assessed 1,622 cities worldwide and found India had 13 of the 20 cities with the most polluted
air. Especially to blame are low standards for vehicle emissions and fuel. In rural communities
pollution from dung-fuelled fires and paraffin stoves and lights also poses problems. Heavy
metals such as mercury released into the air by coal-fired power plants as well as other
particulates are captured by rain which then falls on all plant life including medicinal herbs. It
is also carried into the soil and groundwater.
Most rivers, lakes and surface waters in India are polluted and the main source of water
pollution in India is untreated sewage. Groundwater can also be polluted by agricultural and
industrial runoff from factories, mining operations and unregulated small scale industry, and
then used by farmers downstream to irrigate their crops. There are around 3 million small
scale industries in India which dont have or cannot afford proper sanitation or pollutant
disposal systems that are using pollutants such as fabric dyes, cadmium, cyanide and other
toxic chemicals. In rural areas heavy use of fertilisers which often contain high levels of
metals, especially cadmium, can contaminate the water. In the many rudimentary sewagetreatment systems in India, organic waste is routinely mixed with industrial waste and when
this is recycled into fertiliser, it may contain metals and other toxic materials. Flooding during
the monsoon aggravates the pollution problem as it washes solid waste and contaminated soils

into the rivers and wetlands. Would we feel happy using the herbs grown in these soils and
environments?
And what about plant consciousnessdo you remember the book the Secret Life of Plants?
Ann Ambrecht, an American herbalist, researcher and film maker, has been looking into the
harvesting and production of herbs worldwideyou would be amazed at some of the
harvesting and preparing conditions in Eastern Europe that she has documentedherbs being
smashed on the floor, shoved through old, dilapidated machines.it probably goes on
everywhere..well maybe not at Pukka or Banyan Botanicals!
From Field and Hedgerow to MedicineMaking our own preparations from fresh,good quality
herbs with confidence
Here in the West as Ayurvedic practitioners we have largely relied on importing Ayurvedic
herbs and formulae from India or Sri Lanka and may have little or nothing to do with their
growing, harvesting or preparation. By contrast, imagine foraging for wild herbs or harvesting
them from your back yard on a summers evening, drying them and making preparations with
them. Your own medicines on your doorstep! You develop a completely different kind of
relationship with the tools of your trade than you could ever do working with pills and
powders. Can you sense the difference?
Making our own medicines from such herbs is a wonderfully satisfying occupation and gives us
an unrivalled confidence in the medicines we are prescribing. It means that we can be sure of
their quality and origin, that they are fresh, organic, unpolluted by pesticides, artificial
fertilisers, vehicle emissions, heavy metals, and a host of other health hazards that can reduce
their efficacy. We can be assured of their exact identity, that they are unadulterated, not
mixed or substituted with unwanted ingredients and not bacterially contaminated.
Fresh herbs are full of prana and that also means potency. Ready prepared and imported herbs
have been through a variety of processes and one wonders how much prana they have
retained along the way? Powdered herbs for example are a great way to dispense herbs but
they oxidise quickly and we have little idea how long ago they were actually harvested. When
we use local herbs, even though we may dry them or cut them and make diverse preparations
from them, we know that we are starting with the best quality materials possible.

4. Becoming better acquainted with our medicines

The best way to learn about the herbs we use as medicines is to become intimately acquainted
with them. Each herb has its own unique blend of many different attributes. It has myriad
chemical constituents and physiological actions; it has its qualities and properties, being for
example hot/cold, dry/moist, heavy/light, and with time and experience it is possible to
become acquainted with each individual herb almost like a different personality. Taking all this
into consideration we can consider a herb as a whole and not assess its healing potential based
solely on its active constituents or even their qualities or qualities (guna).
Most importantly the herbs must be experienced personally; we need to see them in their
natural habitat, observe their growing tendencies, their shape and colour, taste and smell,
know their climatic likes and dislikes, their best harvest times Through contemplation and
quiet times outside in nature we can re-connect with our ancient skills to reawaken and
develop our senses for a better understanding of the healing properties of the herbs around
us.
Smelling the Rosesotherwise known as organoleptics
Every plant has its way of communicating its properties to us so that we can understand it and
make use its healing benefits to the best of our ability. Before the days of microscopes and
thin layer chromatography, we had only our senses to rely on and understandably the
classification of herbs according to their effect on the senses comprises the energetics of the
ancient wisdom traditions of medicine.

Even now our senses can still serve us very well in this respect. We have taste, smell, sight
and touch to interpret the messages from plants .maybe even hearing, as the wonders of the
plant world may even speak to us in a subtle way.as evidenced by Pam Montgomery and her
Tulsi concert. And of course we have the mind.
Wisdom is accumulated through contemplating in the vastness of nature and understanding
our ability to utilise our human body to experience the beauty of nature and the nature of our
engaging mind - His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa.
There is a scientific term, organoleptics, for using the 5 senses to take in information about
each plant and experiencing it and its pranic energy. Our senses tell us about the shape,
colour, aroma, flavour, form and physical qualities a plant has and in this way we can evaluate
its pranic energy as well as the presence, concentration and quality of its constituents. For
example a leaf that is smooth and soft to the touch is likely to contain high concentrations of
mucilage and any herb that tastes highly aromatic is a rich source of essential oils. We can
then observe the energetic effects of herbs in the body and elucidate patterns based on these
observations. Most big herbs companies are now using specialists in organoleptics as part of
quality control, so that they can be assured of the identity and quality of their herbs and this
may go hand in hand with scientific analysis such as thin layer chromatography.
It is interesting that in Ayurveda a substance has no inherent quality except that given by our
experience of it, using the 5 senses and the mind. Once it has been experienced it can be
classified according to its properties (guna) and purpose (artha), and then it becomes a dravya
or medicine. It is therefore possible, even probable, that experiences and mental perceptions
of a plant can vary from one person to another and from the benefits that they are looking for
from the plant, which makes it quite a subjective study and not to be relied upon totally. The
insight our senses provide can be combined with reason and experience. For those in practice,
it is also crucial to understand a plant though our left brain also.its traditional use, dosage
range, appropriate method of administration, modern pharmacology, contraindications as well
as its potential and known drug-herb interactions.
The energetic approach to herbs differs from modern chemical pharmacology which is based
on atomic structure and the quantity of active ingredients present in each plant or plant
compound. For those trained scientifically, an energetic approach may seem complicated but it
certainly makes for more effective and specific treatment. There are many herbs for a cough or
arthritis for example, but if you have assessed that the nature of the cough is cold and dry or
the arthritis is cold and damp, you are better able to choose the right herbs with the
appropriate guna/qualities. The other major difference is that a pharmacological approach
means remembering which constituents are present in each herb and what their therapeutic
actions are. The energetic approach is experiential and so is more easily incorporated into our
being and becomes part of our knowledge.
To be certain of the Ayurvedic classification of Western herbs for the work I have been doing in
the last few years while writing Dispensing with Tradition has been challenging. Much of it is
uncharted territory. It is deduced from a few texts that I have been grateful for combined with
my own knowledge and use of the herbs in over 35 years of practice. I would be delighted to
hear from others with other experience that agrees with or varies from my own!

5. Tapping into the Spiritual Vibration of Plants

"Flowers ... have a mysterious and subtle influence upon the feelings, not unlike some strains
of music. They relax the tenseness of the mind" - Henry Ward Beecher.
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, all matter comes from pure Consciousness. The amazing
natural world gives us herbs, incredible healing plants, which are manifestations of the
conscious intelligence of the universe. Prana is the life force, the dynamic manifestation of
Consciousness and each herb has its own subtle intelligence or unique wisdom and pranic

energy or attributes which give it energetic effects as well as the incredible array of
pharmacological constituents, and its potential ability to heal.
Imagine looking at a beautiful flower or a majestic tree...the world of plants with its
extraordinary repertoire of vibrant colour, beautiful intricate patterns, alluring scents and the
most incredible medicinal treasures, certainly brings more than a touch of Paradise to our
earthly lives, bringing the possibility of healing on both physical and subtle levels of existence.
"O, see a world in a grain of sand,
and heaven in a wild flower - William Blake
Plants can change the vibrational field of our being; each has its own vibrational energy that
we can quietly connect into and use to evoke healing..we all know the effect of a beautiful
bowl of scented roses on the table, or the gift of flowers to a friend in hospital.
Theories of quantum physics go hand in hand with esotericism and are now recognising the
truth expounded by ancient spiritual traditions that everything in the cosmos has the same
nature and that although things look solid and separate from each other, they are in fact
simply energy vibrating at different frequencies. Thoughts and feelings are rapidly vibrating
invisible forms of energy, while flowers, trees and even rocks appear more solid but they too
are vibrant energy, but slower moving, as demonstrated by Kirlian photography.
This may go some way to explaining our deep connection that we feel to the plant world.
Equally this is quite natural because we have lived side by side with plants since the dawning
of our existence, been fed and clothed by them, sheltered and housed by them. They provide
the oxygen we breathe and for thousands of years have given us medicines for almost every
ill. By trapping the sun's energy through photosynthesis they enable solar energy or life
energy on which all life depends, to be accessible to every inhabitant of the earth. By
resonating with us at all speeds of vibration from the spiritual to the material, plants have the
potential to heal us on all levels of our being.
If a man would pass through Paradise in a dream
and have a flower presented to him as a pledge
that his soul had really been there, if he
found that flower in his hand when he awoke.
Aye, and what then? Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1722-1834)
Rites and rituals of harvesting and using herbs have traditionally been an integral part of a
practitioners work to maximise the healing potential of the plants. Prayers or mantras have
been said to heighten the vibrational energy of the remedy. With imported herbs from
unknown sources, in pills, powders, tinctures, arishtas etc, we may have no idea how the
herbs have been treated, let alone whether prayers have been said at the time and the
intention of the growers and harvesters.
Spending time with the plants we use as medicines enables us to really experience their
qualities, and understand their ability to heal. It means feeling the spiritual qualities of the
plants. Take Holy Basil; the goddess Tulsi is found in every garden or courtyard in India. If you
worship her she will bestow upon you bhakti , i.e. love How can you experience the spiritual
qualities of the plants when they come in the form of a pill?

Using Western Herbs - A Few Examples

Chamomile: Chamomilla recutita
Quality/Guna: Light, dry
Taste/Rasa: Bitter, pungent, astringent
Post Digestive/Vipak: Pungent
Potency/Virya: Cooling
Dosha: PK V= (V+ in excess)

Tissue/Dhatu: Rasa/plasma, rakta/ blood, mamsa/muscles, majja/nerve, asthi/bone

Channel/Srotas: Prana/respiratory, anna/digestive, majja/nervous, shukra/ reproductive
Constituents: Volatile oil (bisabolol oxide A & B, bisbolone oxide A, chamazulene, farnescene), flavonoids (quercetin,
apigenin,
luteolin), sesquiterpene lactones, coumarins, plant acids, fatty acids, cyanogenic glycosides, salicylate derivatives,
choline, tannins, mucilage, minerals (calcium, iodine, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus), Vitamin B2.
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, nervine, sedative, analgesic, antiulcer, antihistamine, digestive, antiseptic,
vulnerary, ophthalmic, antimicrobial, probiotic, bitter tonic, immunostimulant, diaphoretic, febrifuge, diuretic,
emmenagogue, antiemetic, decongestant.
Indications: Inflammatory digestive problems, diarrhoea, constipation, colic, flatulence, distension, heartburn, acidity,
gastroenteritis, gastritis, peptic ulcers, dysbiosis, colitis, IBS, nervous problems of children (overactivity,
sleeplessness), teething, febrile convulsions, insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, eczema, acne, hives, urticaria,
allergies (pollen, house dust/mites), inflammatory eye problems, catarrh, sinusitis, styes, meibomian cysts,
conjunctivitis, dysmenorrhoea, mastitis, breast abscess, premenstrual headaches, PMS, migraines, tension,
menopausal symptoms, pain (headaches, migraine, neuralgia, toothache, cramps, shingles), arthritis, gout, carpal
tunnel syndrome, fevers, infections, sore throats, laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, colds, flu, coughs, asthma, hay
fever, catarrh, sinusitis, inflamed bladder, cystitis, oedema, morning sickness.
Ayurvedic Actions:
Amlapittahara relieves hyperacidity
Anulomana redirects the flow of apana vata downwards
Artavashamana regulates menstruation
Caksusya benefits & rejuvenates the eyes
Jwaraghna reduces fevers
Kasasvasahara relieves coughs & breathing problems
Medhya brain tonic, nervine
Mutrala diuretic
Nidrajanana induces sleep
Raktapitta curbs bleeding from excess pitta
Sulaprasamana relieves pain and spasm in the gut
Udaraprasamana relieves allergies
Delicately fragrant German chamomile, with its familiar daisy-like flowers, has long been popular as a bedtime tisane
to induce sleep; its sedative and mood enhancing properties as well as its suitability for children were immortalised by
Beatrix Potter. My children were often given chamomile tea, not only when sleep escaped them but also for a wide
range of different maladies, headaches, stomach aches, fevers, infections, catarrh, itchy skin, inflamed eyes, anxiety..
it is one of the most versatile herbs for children and adults alike.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, chamomile is one of the best pitta reducing herbs, excellent for all kinds of pain and
inflammation. It has a great affinity for manovahsrotas and reduces high sadhaka pitta, easing irritability, intolerance,
tension, anxiety, low self esteem and over-sensitivity to pain. As an anulomana and with its relaxing effect on mamsa
dhatu, chamomile eases pain and spasm in the gut, urinary and reproductive tracts. It reduces high pachaka pitta,
soothing heartburn and acidity, and also benefits alochaka pitta and is used to relieve inflammatory eye problems.
Rose: Rosa damascena Gulab
Quality/Guna: Dry, light
Taste/Rasa: Bitter, sweet, astringent
Post Digestive/Vipak: Sweet
Potency/Virya: Cooling
Dosha: VPK=
Tissue/Dhatu: Rasa/plasma, rakta/blood, majja/nerve, shukra/reproductive
Channel/Srotas: Artava/female reproductive, rakta/circulatory, majja/ nervous,
prana/respiratory

Constituents: Tannins, pectin, carotene, fruit acids, flavonoids, fatty oil, nicotinamide, vitamins
(A, C, B, E, K, folic acid), minerals (calcium, potassium, sodium, sulphur, iron), saponins,
rutin, quercetin.
Actions: Diaphoretic, carminative, probiotic, hepatoprotective, emmenagogue, reproductive
tonic, aphrodisiac, aperient, decongestant, febrifuge, nervine, anxiolytic, antidepressant, antiinflammatory, astringent, haemostatic, antimicrobial, antidepressant, analgesic, vulnerary.
Indications: Headaches, catarrh, GI tract infection, dysbiosis, acidity, gastritis,enteritis,
diarrhoea, dysentery, heartburn, peptic ulcers, obesity, stress related disorders, insomnia,
anxiety, depression, agitation, irritability, heartache, respiratory infections, dysmenorrhoea,
menorrhagia, hormonal problems, endometriosis, fibroids, PMS, menopausal flushes,
inflammatory problems, vaginal infections, infertility, low libido, impotency, eczema, psoriasis,
urticaria, itching, fevers, arthritis.
Ayurvedic Actions:
Ama pachana clears toxins from the gut
Amlapittahara relieves hyperacidity
Anulomana redirects flow of apana vata downwards
Atisarajit relieves diarrhoea
Caksusya benefits the eyes
Dipana enkindles agni
Hrdaya heart tonic
Medhya brain tonic, nervine
Raktapitta curbs bleeding from excess pitta
Rasayana rejuvenative
Shukrala rejuvenates reproductive system, enhances fertility
Vajikaranana aphrodisiac
Varnya improves the complexion
This exquisitely beautiful, heavenly perfumed flower, the most sensuous and romantic of
flowers, not only inspires love but also enhances well-being and longevity. Clearly the rose is
best known for its ability to heal in the realms of the heart. When we want to express love and
affection and cannot find words to convey the depth of our feelings, the rose will do it for us,
and this has been the case for hundreds of years, for the rose has long been to artists, poets
and lovers alike the symbol of love, beauty and perfection. It has inspired poets and artists for
centuries as the symbol of love and beauty.
My luve is like a red red rose said Robert Burns and Yeats wrote,
With the earth and the sky and the water remade like a casket of gold
For my dreams of your image that blossoms a rose in the depths of my heart.
The rose and in particular the red rose is an emblem of physical love and beauty, passion and
intimacy, while the white rose has represented divine or spiritual love, the mystic centre of
being and the image of a perfect world or paradise. Certainly the physical perfection and
heavenly scent of a rose on a summers day can transport one to a place of joy and inspiration
and can transform a garden into a semblance of paradise.
Today rose leaves and petals are used for their cooling properties. Taken as a tea they help to
bring down fevers and clear heat and toxins from the body that gives rise to skin rashes and
other inflammatory problems. They enhance the efforts of the immune system and help clear
cold and flu symptoms, and other respiratory problems. Roses are rich in tannins which have
an astringent action, stemming bleeding (as in heavy periods), drying phlegm and clearing
discharges. In the digestive system, the tannins help to curb diarrhoea and protect the gut
lining from irritation and infection. They help re-establish the normal bacterial population when
it has been disrupted by antibiotics or faulty eating.

Preparations made from the empty seed cases makes a good remedy for diarrhoea, stomach
and menstrual cramps, nausea and indigestion. They are used as a laxative, for kidney
problems and as a detoxifying agent. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing
pain and increasing flexibility in osteoarthritis.
Rose hips, petals and oil have a restoring effect on the nervous system, lifting the spirits and
calming anxiety. They have an affinity with the female reproductive system, relieving pelvic
congestion and pain heavy periods and enhancing sexual desire. They truly are the food of
love!
From an Ayurvedic perspective, rose is a wonderful rasayana and medhya for all three doshas.
It decreases signs of ageing, improves memory and eyesight, and calms anxiety. It is excellent
for reducing excess sadhaka pitta, irritability, anger, low self esteem and low spirits. It is
cooling for hot inflammatory conditions including gastritis, peptic ulcers, enteritis, diarrhoea,
and dysentery. It clears ama, regulates metabolism and weight.
Rose clears excess pitta and ama from rakta dhatu, and is good for bleeding problems,
inflammatory skin problems (herpes, measles, chicken pox). It benefits shukra dhatu, and
makes a good remedy for menstrual and menopausal symptoms, uterine spasm and
congestion causing pain, heavy and irregular periods. With its affinity for pranavahasrotas, it
helps prevent and relieve colds, flu, fevers, sore throats, catarrh, coughs and bronchitis.
Self-Heal: Prunella vulgaris
Parts Used: Flowers, leaves
Quality/Guna: Light, dry, sharp/penetrating
Taste/Rasa: Astringent, bitter, salty, sweet, pungent
Post Digestive/Vipak: Pungent
Potency/Virya: Cooling
Dosha: PK V+

Tissue/Dhatu: Rasa/plasma, rakta/blood

Channel/Srotas: Prana/respiratory, rasa/lymphatic, rakta/circulatory,
anna/digestive

Constituents: Bitter principles, alkaloids, saponins, phenols, tannins, rutin, proteins,

lipids,
carbohydrates, mucilage, volatile oils including rosmarinic acid, camphor and
fenchone, caffeic acid, ursolic acid, vitamins (C, B1, K), glycoside (aucubin),
flavonoids (rutin), antioxidants incl. rosmarinic acid and vitamins (C, B1, K).

Actions: Antiseptic, antimicrobial, antiviral, thyroid amphoteric, anti-inflammatory,

vulnerary, febrifuge, immunostimulant, antioxidant, astringent, bitter tonic,
cholagogue, hypoglycaemic, alterative, diuretic, kidney tonic, styptic, relaxant,
digestive, antiallergenic, restorative.

Indications: Flu, fevers, sore throats, mouth ulcers, laryngitis, tonsillitis, swollen

glands, mumps, glandular fever, mastitis, tension headaches, diarrhoea, colitis,

bleeding, haemorrhoids, gout, liver & gallbladder problems, diabetes, hypertension,
thyroid disease, goitre, weak kidneys, oedema.

Ayurvedic Actions:

Arshoghna relieves haemorrhoids

Caksusya benefits the eyes
Dantya benefits the teeth
Gulmaghana reduces swollen glands and lumps
Jwaraghna reduces fevers
Mutrala diuretic
Prameha useful in diabetes
Raktapitta curbs bleeding from excess pitta

Raktashodhana purifies the blood

Self-heal is a pretty member of the mint/Lamiaceae family which grows all over
Britain and Europe in pastures, woods and clearings and is loved by bees. Although
largely neglected by western herbalists, self-heal is an important herb in Chinese
medicine in which it is known as xiakucao (meaning weed that withers in summer);
its spikes of purple flowers turn reddish brown as they dry out during the summer.
It is classified as bitter, cold and pungent and enters the liver meridian, gently
reducing liver fire and nourishing liver blood. As the liver is connected to the eyes
and liver fire can be linked to inflammatory eye problems, Prunella is indicated in
painful and dry eyes, hypertension and glaucoma. Its pungency disperses stagnant
qi and constrained heat and helps resolve lumps and nodules caused by stagnation of
liver qi and accumulation of phlegm and heat.
From an Ayurvedic perspective self-heal has light and dry qualities, it has all tastes
except sour and has a cooling effect overall. It reduces excess pitta and kapha and
can increase vata if used over long periods. It is cooling and cleansing, and clears
excess pitta, kapha and ama from rasa and rakta dhatus. It is used to relieve fevers,
enhance immunity, combat infections, and to clear lymphatic congestion and swollen
glands. With its affinity for ranjaka pitta, it benefits the liver and gallbladder. By
clearing heat it helps to curb bleeding throughout the body.
Hawthorn: Crataegus oxycantha/monogyna
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers, berries
Quality/Guna: Berries: Sharp, heavy, oily. Flowers/leaves: Sharp, light, dry
Taste/Rasa: Sweet, sour, astringent
Post Digestive/Vipak: Sour
Potency/Virya: Heating
Dosha: Berries: KP= V, Leaves/flowers: VPK=
Tissue/Dhatu: Rasa/plasma, rakta/ blood, mamsa/muscle
Channel/Srotas: Rakta/circulatory, anna/digestive, majja/nervous, mutra/ urinary
Constituents: Saponins, glycosides, polysaccharides, flavonoids (rutin, vitexin, quercitrin), procyanidins (including
catechin and epicatechin), glycosides, saponins,
triterpenoids, tannins, pectin, vitamin (C, B1, B2), choline, acetylcholine, calcium.
Actions: Cardio-tonic, hypotensive, circulatory stimulant, vasodilator, astringent, nervine, sedative, carminative,
antispasmodic, nutritive, diuretic, emollient, antioxidant, rejuvenative, adaptogenic, antibacterial, digestive,
alterative, anti-lithic, vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, mild expectorant.
Indications: Hypertension/hypotension, anaemia, angina, degenerative heart disease, heart failure, thrombosis,
palpitations, blood clots, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis, arrhythmias, breathlessness, altitude
sickness, varicose veins, indigestion, diarrhoea (berries), slow metabolism, obesity, low libido, menopausal flushes,
inflammatory arthritis, gout, tendonitis, acne, sore throat, stress, anxiety, insomnia, confusion, poor memory, ADD
and ADHD, oedema, urinary stones and gravel, macular degeneration.
Ayurvedic Actions:
Ama pachana clears toxins from the gut
Asmarighna relieves urinary stones and calculi
Brmhana nourishing
Caksusya benefits and rejuvenates the eyes
Dipana enkindles agni
Hrdaya heart tonic
Medhya brain tonic, nervine
Medohara regulates fat metabolism
Mutrala diuretic
Pandughni useful in anaemia

Raktadhara enhances circulation

Raktashodhana purifies the blood
Rasayana rejuvenative
Vajikaranana aphrodisiac
Hawthorn is a member of the rose family with a wonderful display of fragrant white-pink blossoms that decorate our
hedgerows in early summer and bear bright red haws in Autumn. The tree provides amazing medicines for the heart
and circulation but is known in Chinese medicine mainly as a digestive. Hawthorn is the best remedy to strengthen the
heart and balance the circulation - it is quite simply food for the heart.
From an Ayurvedic perspective, it is a wonderful rasayana, rejuvenating and strengthening, an excellent heart and
circulatory tonic for high vata and for those in vata stage of life. It stimulates digestion, clears ama from the gut, and
helps regulate metabolism. Hawthorn also has affinity with mutravaha srotas, clearing toxins and excess fluid via the
kidneys and it helps to clear ama and cholesterol from the raktavaha srotas. It is an excellent medhya herb, good for
vata type nervous problems associated with ageing including poor memory, confusion, insomnia.

To Conclude
Herbs, flowers, their beauty, their scent as well as mankind who gaze on them in wonder. In
the words of Alexander Pope:
"All are but parts of one stupendous whole
whose body Nature is, and God the soul:
look around our World, behold the chain of love
combining all below and all above."
Spending time with growing herbs, either in abundant hedgerows or beautiful gardens, can
give you an insight into the particular aspect of Consciousness that each plants expresses and
can bring a whole new dimension to using and prescribing herbs. It is legal, accessible, off the
radar, free and enhances the relationship between you, the patient, the natural world around
you and the consciousness inherent within it.
The worlds senseless beauty mirrors Gods delight,
That raptures smile is secret everywhere;
It flows in the winds breath , in the trees sap,
Its hued magnificence blooms in leaves and flower - Aurobindo Ghose (1872-1950)
At the risk of raising an eyebrow or two, I would like to propose that practitioners working in
the West consider making use of the rich tradition of Western herbal medicine to provide them
with effective and easily accessible plant medicines. I would also like to encourage the
commercial organic cultivation of Western and Ayurvedic herbs in our localities where possible.
Hopefully this presentation might stimulate some timely discussion of these possibilities
amongst fellow practitioners.
Herbal medicine has always been the medicine of the people. Legislation or no legislation,
dandelions and daisies, rosemary and lavender will always grow in lanes, meadows and back
yards offering us their extraordinary gifts! So lets grow herbs and forage! (Sustainably!)