Ayurvedic Herbs for Heart & Cholesterol

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.

Berberis aristata DC. · Daruharidra, Darvi, Katankateri, Pitadaru, Sthirapushpi · Part used: Stem bark (primary source of berberineThe main alkaloid in Daruharidra (Berberis aristata) — activates AMPK, the same cellular pathway as metformin. alkaloidA class of naturally occurring, often bitter-tasting plant compounds that frequently have strong effects on the body — caffeine and morphine are both examples of alkaloids.); roots and root bark (higher berberine concentration, 2–3% by dry weight); wood and leaf (secondary). Bark is the pharmacopoeial part per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) Part I Volume I.

Ficus religiosa L. · Ashvattha (अश्वत्थ) · Part used: Bark (Tvak): most studied and most used medicinal part; used in decoctions for skin, metabolic, and respiratory conditions. Leaf: used fresh as poultice and in decoctions; studied for antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. Fruit: mild laxative; studied for antioxidantA substance that neutralises free radicals — unstable molecules that can damage cells and DNA when they accumulate. activity. Latex: topicalApplied directly to the skin or a specific body surface, rather than taken internally. use for warts and skin conditions; caustic at high concentrations. Root bark: used in classical texts for gum disease and wound healing. Tender shoots: used traditionally for diarrhea management. Seed: used in some classical preparations; limited modern pharmacological data.

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.