Glycyrrhiza glabra L. ยท Yashtimadhu, Madhuka, Madhuyashti, Klitaka, Yashtyahva, Jalayashti ยท Part used: Root and stolon (dried root and underground stem โ the primary part used in all clinical trials, classical preparations, and commercial extracts). API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India) specifies the dried root and stolon. IMPORTANT DISTINCTION: two fundamentally different commercial forms exist โ whole/standard licorice root (containing glycyrrhizin, the compound responsible for the herb's serious blood pressureThe force of blood pushing against artery walls, expressed as two numbers โ systolic (pressure during a heartbeat) over diastolic (pressure between beats). and potassiumAn essential mineral that helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals, and supports healthy blood pressure. effects) and DGL or deglycyrrhizinated licorice (with glycyrrhizin largely removed, retaining the flavonoidA large family of plant compounds, often found in colorful fruits and vegetables, that are widely studied for their antioxidant properties. fraction). These two forms have very different safety profiles and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), known in English as Licorice, is one of the most widely used herbs in both AyurvedaA traditional system of medicine from India, thousands of years old, that focuses on balance between mind, body, and diet โ often using herbs, food, and lifestyle changes rather than isolated drugs. and global traditional medicine, valued particularly for soothing the digestive tract, throat, and respiratory system....
Documented range: 150 โ 750
Full entry โ
Phyllanthus emblica L. (syn. Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) ยท Amalaki, Dhatri, Amrita, Vayastha, Shriphala, Amritaphala ยท Part used: Fruit (dried or fresh ripe fruit โ the primary part used in virtually all clinical studies and classical preparations). Seed, leaf, root, and bark are used in minor traditional applications, but the fruit is the pharmacologically dominant and pharmacopoeially specified part. API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India) Part I Volume I specifies the dried fruit.
Documented range: 500 โ 3000
Full entry โ
Asparagus racemosus Willd. ยท Shatavari, Shatamuli, Bahusuta, Indivari, Vari, Dvipika ยท Part used: Tuberous roots (primary โ fleshy, fasciculated root tubers, 30โ100 cm long, 1โ2 cm diameter); leaves and stems used in some regional folk preparations. Roots harvested in autumn when alkaloidA class of naturally occurring, often bitter-tasting plant compounds that frequently have strong effects on the body โ caffeine and morphine are both examples of alkaloids. and saponinA plant compound that forms a soap-like foam when mixed with water โ found in many adaptogenic herbs and traditionally associated with a range of effects on the body. content is highest. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) Part I Volume I specifies roots as the official part.
Documented range: 500 โ 2000
Full entry โ