Sain Das Ravi Mohan

Botanical name: Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.

Common names: Arjuna, Arjun Tree, White Marudah

Family: Combretaceae

Parts used: Primarily bark; sometimes leaves and fruits

Form available: Whole bark pieces, cut & sifted bark, bark powder

Botanical name: Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R.Br. ex Sm.

Common names: Gurmar, Meshashringi, Periploca of the Woods

Family: Apocynaceae (earlier classified under Asclepiadaceae)

Parts used: Primarily leaves (also stems in some formulations)

Form available: Whole dried leaves, cut leaves, leaf powder

Root powder (tiny, measured doses in Ayurveda)

Decoctions (water extracts) for short-term use

External paste for skin conditions

Included in polyherbal formulas where dose is balanced with other herbs

Botanical name: Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.f. & Thoms.

Common names: Giloy, Guduchi, Heart-leaved Moonseed

Family: Menispermaceae

Parts used: Stems (primary), leaves, roots

Form available: Whole dried stem, cut stem pieces, stem powder

Botanical Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra L.

Common Names: Licorice root, Mulethi, Yashtimadhu, Sweet root

Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Parts Used: Roots and stolons (rhizomes)

Form Available: Whole dried root, root slices, root powder, extract powder

Botanical Name: Piper betle L.

Common Names: Betel root, Paan root, Nagavalli root

Family: Piperaceae

Parts Used: Roots (whole, cut, or powdered)

Form Available: Fresh roots, dried roots, root powder

Neurological health: L-Dopa may help increase brain dopamine levels, useful in Parkinson’s management (under medical supervision)

Mood & mental well-being: May improve motivation, focus, and reduce mild depression symptoms

Reproductive health: May boost sperm quality and testosterone in men

Adaptogenic effects: Helps the body cope with stress

Kidney health: Helps manage edema (fluid retention) and supports healthy urination

Liver protection: May help in detoxification and protect from toxin-induced damage

Anti-inflammatory: Reduces joint swelling and pain

Antioxidant: Protects cells from oxidative stress

Anti-diabetic potential: Helps regulate blood sugar (early studies)

Scientific name: Boerhavia diffusa

Family: Nyctaginaceae

Parts used: Roots (most common), leaves, seeds

Habitat: Widely found in tropical and subtropical regions, especially India, Africa, and South America

Botanical Name: Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (syn. Phyllanthus emblica)

Common Names: Amla, Indian Gooseberry, Amalaki, Dhatri

Family: Phyllanthaceae

Parts Used: Primarily the fruit, but also leaves, seeds, and root bark in some formulations

Form Available: Whole dried fruit, fruit powder, dried slices, seed powder

Botanical name: Ocimum sanctum L. (syn. Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Common names: Tulsi, Holy Basil, Sacred Basil

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Parts used: Leaves (fresh or dried), aerial parts, sometimes seeds

Botanical name: Eclipta alba Hassk. (syn. Eclipta prostrata)

Common names: Bhringraj, False Daisy, Yerba de Tago

Family: Asteraceae

Parts used: Whole plant (leaves, stems, flowers)

Form available: Whole dried herb, cut & sifted, powdered herb

Botanical name: Plumbago zeylanica L.

Common names: Chitrak, White Leadwort, Doctorbush

Family: Plumbaginaceae

Parts used: Roots (most potent), leaves, whole plant

Form available: Whole dried root, root powder, cut & sifted root

Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum L. (culinary basil)

Common names: Basil, Sweet Basil, French Basil, Great Basil

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint family)

Parts used: Fresh or dried leaves

Form available: Whole dried leaves, cut & sifted leaves, powdered leaves