Ayurveda is a practice of traditional medicine hereditary to India; it has been adopted for thousands of years in different parts of India. The “Sushruta Samhita” and the “Charaka Samhita” are manuscript that has described the works on conventional medicine during this period. Ayurvedic practitioners also claim to include and recognize a number of therapeutic preparations and surgical techniques for curing various illnesses and diseases.
In Ayurveda plant leaves or so-called medicine leaves of herbs are divided and merged as per their properties and functions.
This characterization makes ready for herbal medicines and is recommended for various ailments and wellness. Some of these herbs can be fully grown in gardens, while several are very scarce and expensive. Below are leaves name list and medicinal leaves names of herbs that are most used in Ayurveda.
1. Tulsi Leaf (Holy Basil)
Most familiar as “Holy Basil,” a holy plant is grown in the pot and is found in most of the Hindu family in India. A Hindu believes that if Tulsi plant is grown around the house it fulfills the desire
It also keeps you healthy and helps to purify the air inside your house. Today in the modern world believe has become the truth, as several Indian scientists and researchers have stated that Tulsi has pharmacological effects.
The properties of the tulsi plant help to boost the immune system, central nervous system, reproductive system, gastric system, cardiovascular system, blood biochemistry, and urinary system.
Besides this tulsi leaves also have Adaptogens properties, an anti-stress agent that helps the mind to stay relax and calm.
2. Tejpatta (Bay Leaves)
The most commonly used culinary herb in soups, stews, meat, seafood, and vegetable dishes. It is commonly known as “Tejpatta” in Hindi, “Tamal Patr” in Gujarati the leaves are mainly used whole and removed ahead of serving.
It is often used in rich spicy recipes and as an element in garam masala, a blend of ground spices. Countless properties have been claimed for this herb.
In Ayurveda, bay leaves are used in teas to improve and soothe respiratory problems and indigestion. Besides this, Bay leaves are traditionally used to lose weight as well as for digestive disorders such as bloating, indigestion, and gas. Bay leaf has also been used as an herbal medicine for headaches.
The properties in Bay leaf have as well been shown to help the body process insulin, which aids to lower blood sugar levels.
3. Neem Leaves (Azadirachta indica)
Another bitter taste plant leaves that works miracles from inside as well as out. Neem is an herb that extensively used in Ayurvedic medicines for thousands of years.
It is a plant whose leaves, stem bark, root bark, flower, seed oil as well as seeds have various medicinal purposes. It has anti-fungal, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties mean all in one performer for health benefits.
Neem leaf pastes are externally used for injuries, ulcers, and for the majority, all skin diseases such as rashes, beehive eczema, ringworm, acne, lice, etc.
Internally, drinking the extract of neem leaves can be a powerful blood purifier, besides this, it has the anti-parasitic effect that helps to kill off those unwanted worms.
It Is also used as the most common ayurvedic medicine for diabetes that helps to lower the blood glucose levels.
4. Dhania (Coriander Leaves)
It is a popular herb known as “dhania” in India, which is extensively used in different cuisines to flavor stir-fries, curries, breakfast, snack items, and more. In some parts around the world, it is known as “cilantro” which is mostly used for garnish.
It is important to know that garnish not only gives food a flavor but it also has many health benefits. The foremost benefits of Coriander leaves are that it benefits in a digestive related problem, due to its antibiotics properties.
The ailments such as diarrhea can easily be managed, which is caused by pathogen bacteria. Coriander Leaf is very effective in dealing with it due to its properties called “borneol” an element substance that can remove E.coli bacteria.
The antibiotics in coriander leaves also help to overcome various health problems such as measles, gastric inflammation, dizzy, flu, high blood pressure, hemorrhoids, vomit, impotence, and breast inflammation.
5. Nirgundi Leaves (Vitex negundo)
Nirgundi scientifically known as “Vitex Negundo” and popularly known as the five-leaved chaste?. As a tree, it has its own importance in Ayurveda as well as the Siddha and Unani system of medicine for its medicinal value.
The word “Nirgundi in Sanskrit literally means, which protects the body from all ailments. The medicine leaves of the Nirgundi plant have analgesic properties that can be very beneficial in various ailments such as Low Back Pain, Joint Disorder, Rheumatoid Arthritis (Amavata), Sciatica, Spondylosis, Osteoarthritis, etc.The oil prepared from the leaves can be applied externally; the other way is by heating a leaf and plastered it around a pain such as rheumatoid arthritis pain or sprains.
6. Podina (Peppermint Leaves)
Everyone knows “Peppermint” a strong sweetish odor with a warm aromatic taste with a cooling effect. Peppermint herb is also known as “Pudina” in Sanskrit and “water mint” and “spearmint” in English.
According to Ayurveda, peppermint has a cooling and heating effect (virya) with a sweet pungent taste (rasa). Due to these properties, it benefits the nervous system, blood, and plasma tissues (dhatu).
Consuming Peppermint stimulates the circulatory, nervous, digestive, and respiratory channels (srotas). Besides this, Peppermints have a powerful antibacterial property that aids in fighting against unhealthy bacteria like e.coli, staph, and salmonella.