Ajwain
Yavani · Trachyspermum ammi
A tiny, thyme-scented seed with a big bite. Ayurveda reaches for ajwain when the belly feels gassy, cold and stuck.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta increases (aggravates)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Revolution Yoga
Ayurvedic Herb Library
A plain-language guide to 83 herbs, spices and classical formulas: how Ayurveda describes their taste and energy, which doshas they settle, and how people have used them in tea, warm milk, ghee and the kitchen for generations.
Showing all 83 herbs
Each card shows its effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha. An asterisk (*) after a name means the herb has a safety note; please read its cautions.
- ↓decreases (calms that dosha)
- ↑increases (can aggravate it)
- =neutral or balancing
- ?not known
- V Vata · P Pitta · K Kapha
A
Alfalfa (has a safety note)
Medicago sativa
A soft, grassy green leaf brewed into a mild, nourishing tea, best known in Western herbal kitchens as a mineral-rich green.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Amalaki · Phyllanthus emblica (syn. Emblica officinalis)
A sharp, sour green fruit that Ayurveda prizes as a cooling, nourishing rasayana and the heart of chyavanprash.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Ashwagandha (has a safety note)
Withania somnifera
A warming, grounding root that Ayurveda has long reached for in seasons of stress, poor sleep and depletion.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Astragalus (has a safety note)
Astragalus mongholicus (syn. Astragalus membranaceus)
A pale, sweet, mildly beany root from Chinese tradition, simmered into soups and teas through the cooler months.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Avipattikar
Avipattikara churna · Classical blend of trivrit root (Operculina turpethum), amla, haritaki and bibhitaki, ginger, black pepper and pippali, cardamom, clove, tejpatra leaf, musta, vidanga and raw sugar
A cooling digestive powder Ayurveda reaches for when the belly feels hot, sour and unsettled after a rich or spicy meal.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha neutral or balancing
B
Bibhitaki
Bibhitaki (Vibhitaki) · Terminalia bellirica
The kapha fruit of triphala: deeply astringent, drying and light, traditionally reached for when the chest and sinuses feel heavy.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Black Cohosh (has a safety note)
Actaea racemosa (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa)
A dark, knotted woodland root with a bitter, earthy taste, long used in North American herbalism for women in midlife. Read the cautions first.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Black Pepper
Maricha · Piper nigrum
The everyday peppercorn, which Ayurveda counts among its sharpest digestive spices. Hot, dry and especially good for heavy kapha.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Blue Lotus (has a safety note)
Nymphaea nouchali var. caerulea (syn. Nymphaea caerulea)
A sky-blue water lily from ancient Egypt, sipped today as a soft, dreamy evening tea. Gentle use and clear cautions matter here.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha can increase when used in excess
Brahmi (Bacopa)
Brahmi · Bacopa monnieri
A small, succulent marsh plant that Ayurveda treasures as a medhya rasayana, a herb for a calm, clear and steady mind.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Burdock Root
Arctium lappa
A long, earthy root eaten as a vegetable in Japan and valued in Western Ayurveda for clear skin and cool, settled blood.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Butterfly Pea
Aparajita · Clitoria ternatea
A deep blue flower that brews a cooling, earthy tea and turns violet with a squeeze of lemon. A favorite for a clear, quiet mind.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
C
Cacao
Theobroma cacao
Crunchy pieces of the cacao bean: deep, bitter, chocolatey and unsweetened. Mostly theobromine, with only a little caffeine.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Calendula
Calendula officinalis
Bright orange petals with a bitter, resinous edge, long loved in Western herbalism for calm, comfortable skin and an easy belly.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Cardamom
Ela, Sukshmaila · Elettaria cardamomum
The fragrant green pod Ayurveda adds to milk, coffee and sweets to make them lighter, easier to digest and a little more joyful.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
CCF Tea (Cumin, Coriander, Fennel)
Cuminum cyminum, Coriandrum sativum and Foeniculum vulgare (equal parts)
Equal parts cumin, coriander and fennel simmered into a mild, savory tea. One of Ayurveda's simplest and most loved daily digestive drinks.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Chaga Mushroom (has a safety note)
Inonotus obliquus
A charcoal-black growth from northern birch trees, simmered into a smooth, earthy tea with a faint hint of vanilla.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla (syn. Matricaria recutita)
Small golden flowers with a soft, apple-like scent, long loved as an evening cup for a settled belly and a quiet mind.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Chicory Root
Cichorium intybus
A roasted root with a dark, bittersweet, coffee-like flavor. Caffeine free and long brewed alongside or instead of coffee.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Chyavanprash
Chyavanaprasha · Classical herbal jam with an amla (Phyllanthus emblica) base, cooked with ghee, sesame oil, jaggery or sugar, honey and dozens of herbs and spices such as pippali, cardamom, cinnamon and dashamula
A dark, spiced herbal jam built on amla, Ayurveda's best known daily rasayana for strength and steady energy through the cold months.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases when used in moderation
Cinnamon
Twak · Cinnamomum verum (syn. Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
A sweet, warming bark that Ayurveda uses to bring heat to cold hands, a sluggish belly and the damp, gray days of late winter.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Cinquefoil
Potentilla species (likely Potentilla reptans)
An old European hedgerow herb named for its five-fingered leaves, brewed into a dry, earthy, astringent tea that blends well with others.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Cleavers
Galium aparine
The sticky, scrambling spring weed that clings to your clothes, steeped into a fresh, grassy green tea or cold infusion.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Clove
Lavanga · Syzygium aromaticum
A tiny dried flower bud with a big, numbing warmth, used in Ayurveda to wake up dull digestion and clear heavy kapha.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Cordyceps Mushroom (has a safety note)
Cordyceps militaris
Slender golden-orange mushroom stems with a savory, nutty taste, simmered into tea or broth in Tibetan and Chinese tradition.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Coriander
Dhanyaka · Coriandrum sativum
A sweet, citrusy seed that Ayurveda leans on to settle digestion without adding heat. A favorite for pitta and summer cooking.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Cumin
Jiraka · Cuminum cyminum
An earthy, nutty seed whose Sanskrit name, jiraka, is linked to the idea of helping food digest. A staple of the Ayurvedic kitchen.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
D
Damiana (has a safety note)
Turnera diffusa
A small, fragrant leaf from the dry hills of Mexico, brewed into a warm, slightly bitter, herbal cup for quiet evenings.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Dandelion Root
Taraxacum officinale
A humble, bitter backyard root that Western Ayurveda counts as a cooling friend to the liver and digestion.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Dashamula
Classical blend of ten roots: bilva (Aegle marmelos), agnimantha, shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum), patala, gambhari (Gmelina arborea), shalaparni, prishniparni, brihati, kantakari and gokshura (Tribulus terrestris)
The classic "ten roots" formula of Ayurveda, a warm, earthy, grounding blend made for scattered, anxious, achy vata.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
E
Echinacea
Echinacea purpurea
The purple coneflower of North American prairies, a bitter, tingly herb sipped briefly at the turn of the season.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Elderberry
Sambucus nigra
Dark purple berries that must always be cooked, simmered into a tart, jammy tea for the cold, damp months.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
F
Fennel
Mishreya, Madhurika · Foeniculum vulgare
A sweet, licorice-scented seed that Ayurveda prizes for kindling digestion while staying cool and gentle. Tridoshic and easy to love.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Fenugreek
Methika · Trigonella foenum-graecum
A golden, maple-scented seed with a bitter edge. Ayurveda uses it in cooking to warm, ground and steady a cold, irregular digestion.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
G
Ginger
Shunthi (dried), Ardraka (fresh) · Zingiber officinale
The warming root Ayurveda calls the universal medicine, used in the kitchen to kindle digestion and bring heat to cold, damp days.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Goji Berry (has a safety note)
Lycium barbarum
Chewy, ruby-red dried berries with a sweet, tangy, slightly savory taste, eaten by the handful or steeped into a bright tea.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Gotu Kola
Mandukaparni · Centella asiatica
A cooling green leaf, eaten as a salad green across South Asia, that Ayurveda uses to calm the mind and soothe heat in the skin.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Green Tea (has a safety note)
Camellia sinensis
Fresh, grassy leaves of the tea plant, steamed or pan fired and dried. A clear, lightly astringent cup with a gentle lift from its natural caffeine.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Guduchi (Giloy) (has a safety note)
Guduchi (Amrita) · Tinospora cordifolia
A bitter climbing vine called amrita, the nectar of immortality, used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating tonic for all three doshas.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
H
Haritaki
Terminalia chebula
A wrinkled, astringent fruit revered in Ayurveda and Tibetan medicine, best known for gently keeping digestion and elimination on rhythm.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Hibiscus
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Tart, ruby-red roselle calyces that brew into a cooling, thirst-quenching tea for hot days and warm pitta moods.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Horsetail (has a safety note)
Equisetum arvense
Jointed, gritty green stems rich in silica, brewed into a grassy mineral tea for hair and nails. A herb for short courses, not daily use.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
J
Jasmine
Mallika, Jati · Jasminum sambac (Mallika) or Jasminum grandiflorum (Jati)
Sweet, heady white blossoms that cool the heart and soften the mood, lovely in a pot of evening tea.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha neutral or balancing
L
Lavender
Lavandula angustifolia
Purple buds with a clean, floral scent that softens tension, quiets busy thoughts and makes a lovely bedtime ritual.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
A lemon-scented mint-family leaf that lightens the mood, settles a nervous stomach and makes a sunny, easy tea.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Licorice (has a safety note)
Yashtimadhu · Glycyrrhiza glabra
A sweet, cooling, moistening root that Ayurveda uses to soothe the throat, comfort digestion and gently bring other herbs together.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha can increase when used in excess
Linden
Tilia cordata, Tilia platyphyllos
Honey-scented blossoms from the linden tree, brewed into a soft, soothing tea for the end of the day or a chilly evening.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha neutral or balancing
Lion's Mane Mushroom
Hericium erinaceus
A shaggy white mushroom with a mild, sweet, almost seafood-like flavor, enjoyed in broths, stir fries and gentle simmered teas.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
M
Manjistha
Manjishtha · Rubia cordifolia
A deep red root Ayurveda links with rakta, the blood tissue, and with clear, calm, even-toned skin.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Marshmallow Root
Althaea officinalis
A sweet, slippery root that turns water silky, used in Western Ayurveda to calm dry, hot or scratchy tissues.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha can increase when used in excess
Milk Thistle Leaf
Silybum marianum
The white-veined leaf of the milk thistle plant, brewed into a mild, bitter green tea to sip before meals.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Moringa
Shigru · Moringa oleifera
A peppery green leaf from the drumstick tree, used in Ayurveda to kindle digestion, lighten kapha and add simple nourishment to meals.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Motherwort
Leonurus cardiaca
A very bitter herb with a fierce look and a soft heart, traditionally brewed on tense, wound-up days to settle the mood.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Mullein Leaf
Verbascum thapsus
A soft, woolly leaf brewed into a mild tea, long a Western favorite for keeping the chest and throat comfortable.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
N
Neem (has a safety note)
Nimba · Azadirachta indica
One of the most bitter plants in Ayurveda, a cooling leaf used mostly on the skin and in the mouth to clear excess heat.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Nettle
Urtica dioica
A deep green, mineral-rich leaf that tastes like a walk through a spring meadow, sipped as a nourishing daily tea.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Nutmeg (has a safety note)
Jatiphala · Myristica fragrans
A warm, sleepy-sweet spice Ayurveda uses in tiny pinches to settle vata, ease digestion and invite rest at night.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
O
Oat Straw
Avena sativa
The green stems and tops of the oat plant, brewed into a mild, nourishing tea for frayed nerves and long, depleting seasons.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases when used in moderation
Oolong (has a safety note)
Camellia sinensis
A partly oxidized tea that sits between green and black: toasty, floral and smooth, with a moderate amount of natural caffeine.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
P
Peppermint
Pudina · Mentha × piperita
A bright, cooling leaf that freshens the breath, lifts a heavy head and helps a full belly feel light again.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Pippali (Long Pepper)
Pippali · Piper longum
Black pepper's slender cousin, a classical Ayurvedic spice for the lungs and digestion that warms without the harsh dryness of pepper.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Punarnava
Boerhavia diffusa
"The one that renews," a humble creeping plant Ayurveda uses to lighten heavy, waterlogged kapha and support healthy fluid balance.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
R
Raspberry Leaf
Rubus idaeus
A mild, astringent leaf with a taste close to black tea, long brewed in Western folk tradition as a women's herb.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Red Clover (has a safety note)
Trifolium pratense
Sweet, pinkish-purple meadow blossoms brewed into a mild, honeyed tea, valued in Western Ayurveda for clear, cool skin.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases when used in moderation
Reishi Mushroom (has a safety note)
Ganoderma lingzhi (commonly sold as Ganoderma lucidum)
A woody, deeply bitter mushroom from East Asian tradition, simmered slowly into a dark, earthy brew for quiet evenings.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Rooibos (has a safety note)
Aspalathus linearis
South Africa's naturally caffeine-free red bush, with a mellow, sweet, earthy cup. Ours comes blended with warming chai spices.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Rose
Shatapatri · Rosa × damascena
Fragrant, cooling petals Ayurveda loves for soothing pitta, softening the heart and bringing a little sweetness to skin and mood.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases when used in moderation
S
Saffron
Kumkuma · Crocus sativus
Precious golden threads Ayurveda treasures for a bright mood, glowing skin and a soft, nourishing warmth in milk and sweets.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Sea Moss (has a safety note)
Chondrus crispus
A frilly red-purple Atlantic seaweed that soaks and blends into a silky gel for smoothies, soups and puddings. Use it in food amounts only.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Senna (has a safety note)
Svarnapatri · Senna alexandrina (syn. Cassia angustifolia)
Golden-green leaflets brewed into a short-term evening tea, known in Ayurveda as svarnapatri, a strong herb for occasional bowel sluggishness.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases when used in moderation
Shatavari
Asparagus racemosus
A sweet, cooling root from the asparagus family, Ayurveda's classic nourishing tonic for women through every stage of life.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha can increase when used in excess
Skullcap
Scutellaria lateriflora
A bitter, cooling North American herb used to quiet an overworked, overheated mind. Buy it only from a trusted source.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Slippery Elm
Ulmus rubra
A soft, sweet inner bark that thickens into a gentle gruel, valued for comforting a dry throat and a tender belly.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha can increase when used in excess
T
Trikatu
Zingiber officinale (dried ginger), Piper nigrum (black pepper) and Piper longum (long pepper), in equal parts
The three pungents: dried ginger, black pepper and long pepper. A classical blend for kindling a slow, heavy digestion.
- Vata decreases when used in moderation
- Pitta increases (aggravates)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Triphala
Phyllanthus emblica (Emblica officinalis), Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica
Ayurveda's best known formula: three dried fruits ground together, taken with warm water at night to keep digestion and elimination steady.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Tulasi · Ocimum tenuiflorum (syn. Ocimum sanctum); Vana tulsi is Ocimum gratissimum
A fragrant, peppery basil kept on doorsteps across India, sipped as a warm tea to clear the head and settle a busy mind.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Turmeric
Haridra · Curcuma longa
The golden root of the Indian kitchen, earthy and a little bitter, used daily in cooking and in warm milk on cold nights.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases when used in moderation
- Kapha decreases (balances)
V
Valerian (has a safety note)
Valeriana officinalis
A strong-smelling, grounding root long brewed at bedtime to quiet a racing, restless mind. Best used gently and for short stretches.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta can increase when used in excess
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Vidari Kanda
Vidari · Pueraria tuberosa
A sweet, cooling tuber that Ayurveda uses to rebuild and nourish, often paired with shatavari and ashwagandha.
- Vata decreases (balances)
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha can increase when used in excess
W
Wild Yam (has a safety note)
Dioscorea villosa
A twisting, woody root from North American woodlands with a bitter, earthy taste, known in old herbals as colic root.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
Y
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
A bitter, aromatic meadow flower with feathery leaves, sipped as a hot tea when the season turns and kapha settles in.
- Vata can increase when used in excess
- Pitta decreases (balances)
- Kapha decreases (balances)
Yerba Mate (has a safety note)
Ilex paraguariensis
The grassy, earthy, caffeinated leaf of a South American holly, shared from a gourd for centuries. Best sipped warm rather than scalding.
- Vata effect not known
- Pitta effect not known
- Kapha effect not known
No herbs match those filters. Try removing one.
This page shares how herbs are traditionally used in Ayurveda and other herbal traditions. It is for general education only and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA, and herbs are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please talk with your doctor or a qualified practitioner before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a health condition. 67 of the herbs in this library are available loose, powdered or as tea in our shop.