Ayurvedic Herbs for Digestion

Piper longum L. · Pippali, Magadhi, Vaidehi, Chapala, Krishnasarpi, Ushana, Kana · Part used: Fruit (dried immature fruit spikes — the primary part used clinically and in all Ayurvedic preparations). Root (Pippali Mula — used in TrikatuClassical Ayurvedic combination of three pungent spices — dry ginger, black pepper, and long pepper — used to enhance bioavailability. and some classical compounds; higher piperineThe active alkaloid in black pepper and long pepper (Pippali) — inhibits CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, increasing the bioavailability of many other compounds. concentration in some preparations). Both parts specified by API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India). The dried fruit spike contains 4–7% piperine by weight — substantially higher than black pepper (Piper nigrum), which contains 2–4%.

Terminalia chebula Retz. · Haritaki, Abhaya (fearless — meaning without disease), Pathya (suitable for all paths of treatment), Kayastha (living in the body), Amrita (immortal nectar), Vijaya (victorious), Chetaki · Part used: Fruit (dried ripe fruit — primary part used in all clinical studies and classical preparations). Specifically, the pericarp (fruit wall) is the pharmacologically active part. Seed (removed in most pharmaceutical preparations; the nut inside is rarely used medicinally). API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India) Part I Volume II specifies the dried ripe fruit as the official part for Haritaki.

Strychnos nux-vomica L. · Kupilu (कुपीलु) / Vishatinduka / Kuchla · Part used: Seed (primary — official in AyurvedaA traditional system of medicine from India, thousands of years old, that focuses on balance between mind, body, and diet — often using herbs, food, and lifestyle changes rather than isolated drugs., Unani, TCM, HomeopathyAn alternative medicine system, distinct from Ayurveda and herbalism, based on using highly diluted substances. It's a different tradition from the herbal/Ayurvedic approach used elsewhere on this site. pharmacopoeias): dried ripe seeds used exclusively after mandatory ShodhanaAyurvedic purification or detoxification — either of a patient (Panchakarma) or of toxic herbs to make them safe for use. (purification/detoxificationThe body's natural process of neutralising and eliminating waste products and toxins, carried out mainly by the liver and kidneys.). Raw unprocessed seeds are toxic and must never be used medicinally. Bark (secondary): used in some traditional formulations for fever and rheumatism. Root bark: used in classical texts for specific anti-parasitic preparations. Leaves: used topically for wound management and ulcers; also studied for grain protectant activity against storage pests. NOTE: All parts contain strychnineThe primary toxic alkaloid in Nux Vomica (Strychnos nux-vomica) — a glycine receptor antagonist; lethal in small doses without detoxification. and brucine. Internal use of any part without verified Shodhana processing is absolutely contraindicated.

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. · Yashtimadhu, Madhuka, Madhuyashti, Klitaka, Yashtyahva, Jalayashti · Part used: Root and stolon (dried root and underground stem — 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 — 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 — 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.

Phyllanthus emblica L. (syn. Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) · Amalaki, Dhatri, Amrita, Vayastha, Shriphala, Amritaphala · Part used: Fruit (dried or fresh ripe fruit — 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.

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. · Methika, Methi, Kunchika, Bahupatra, Chandrika, Deepani · Part used: Seed (dried mature seed — the primary part used in essentially all clinical trials and standardised extracts). Leaves (fresh and dried, called Methi leaves or Kasuri Methi — used extensively as a food/vegetable across South Asian cuisine, with a different and much less studied phytochemicalAny naturally occurring chemical compound found in a plant — some phytochemicals are believed to have health effects, though not all have been well studied. emphasis than the seed). API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India) specifies the dried mature seed as the official medicinal part.

Embelia ribes Burm.f. · Vidanga, KrimighnaAn Ayurvedic therapeutic action meaning antimicrobial or antiparasitic — traditionally used against infections and parasites., Jantunashan, Chitratandula, Amogha, Tandula · Part used: Fruit (dried ripe fruit — the primary and pharmacopoeially specified part used in essentially all clinical, animal, and classical preparations). Root and leaf are used in minor traditional external applications, but the small pepper-like dried fruit is the dominant medicinal part. API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India) specifies the dried mature fruit.