Ayurvedic Herbs for Respiratory Health

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.

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.

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%.

Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr. · Shallaki · Part used: Oleo-gum resin (gum resin exudate obtained by incision of the stem bark); bark is occasionally used in traditional preparations