Ayurvedic herbs: a list of 50 herbs by use and dosha

Fifty herbs Ayurveda leans on, what each is traditionally used for, which dosha it suits, and where the evidence and the cautions stand.

Find your dosha

Which Ayurvedic herbs should a beginner know first?

These ten come up in almost every Ayurvedic kitchen and clinic. The table gives the traditional use, the dosha each one is said to suit, and the main published caution.

Table 1. Ten core Ayurvedic herbs at a glance

Sources: traditional use and dosha columns follow classical Ayurvedic teaching (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 26); research summaries for individual herbs are linked in the sections below. Cautions for specific herbs are in "What should you know before taking these herbs?", and the general cautions for every herb are in "When to see your doctor".

How does Ayurveda decide which herb suits you?

The classical texts, the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya, describe hundreds of medicinal plants. Each one is described by four qualities: its taste (rasa), its heating or cooling potency (virya), its effect after digestion (vipaka) and any special action (prabhava).

What sets Ayurvedic herbalism apart is that the herb is matched to the person, not only to the complaint. A warming formula like trikatu may suit sluggish Kapha digestion. Give the same formula to someone with a lot of Pitta heat and it can make things worse. So the same herb can help one person and unsettle another.

The Charaka Samhita puts this plainly. Almost any substance can act as a medicine when it is used with reasoning (yukti) and a clear purpose (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 26.12). The flip side is also true. The wrong herb, the wrong preparation or the wrong person turns a remedy into a problem. That is why this guide gives no doses. Amounts should come from a qualified practitioner who knows your health and your medicines.

What are the top 10 Ayurvedic herbs used for?

What is Ashwagandha used for?

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) means "smell of the horse", a nod to the strength it is said to give. Ayurveda classes it as a rasayana, a rejuvenating herb, used for vitality, steady energy and rest. It is one of the better studied Ayurvedic herbs. In a 60-day trial of 60 stressed but healthy adults, a standardised extract was linked with lower anxiety scores and lower morning cortisol than placebo (Lopresti et al., Medicine 2019). NCCIH says some preparations may help with stress and insomnia, but most trials are small (NCCIH). It suits Vata and Kapha. It is warming, so Pitta should go carefully. Read more in our ashwagandha guide.

What is Triphala used for?

Triphala is not one herb but a classical blend of three fruits: amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki. It is the formula Ayurveda reaches for first for gentle digestive support and bowel regularity, and it is described as suitable for all three doshas. A 2017 review describes its traditional uses and the laboratory and early clinical work behind them, and notes that larger human trials are still needed (Peterson et al., 2017). See our triphala guide.

What is turmeric used for?

Turmeric, Haridra in Sanskrit, is both a kitchen staple and a classical herb. Ayurveda uses the whole root, not isolated curcumin. It is traditionally used for digestion, skin and joint comfort. NCCIH reports that early evidence for knee osteoarthritis is positive but not yet conclusive, and that it is too soon to say turmeric helps any condition definitively (NCCIH). It suits Kapha best. Pitta can use it in food amounts.

What is brahmi used for?

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) is the classic Ayurvedic herb for the mind, and unusually it is cooling. A meta-analysis of nine trials with 518 participants found standardised extracts, taken for at least 12 weeks, improved some measures of attention speed (Kongkeaw et al., 2014). It suits Pitta and Vata. Kapha may pair it with a warming spice such as ginger.

What is shatavari used for?

Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is Ayurveda's main nourishing herb for women's health, though it is used by everyone. It is cool, moist and heavy, the counterpart to ashwagandha's warmth. It suits Vata and Pitta. Kapha may find it too heavy.

What is tulsi used for?

Tulsi, or holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), grows in many Indian homes as a sacred plant. It is traditionally used for clear breathing and everyday resilience. A 2014 review in the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine summarises its traditional role and the early research (Cohen, 2014). It balances Vata and Kapha. Pitta should use it in moderation because it is warming.

What is guduchi (Giloy) used for?

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is called amrita, "nectar", in Ayurveda and is treated as a tonic for all three doshas. It became very popular as an immune support during the COVID-19 pandemic. A hospital case series then described six people who developed autoimmune-like liver injury after taking it, five of whom recovered after stopping it or with treatment (Nagral et al., 2021). InnerVeda's guidance is that it is best used only where a qualified practitioner considers it appropriate, not as a routine remedy for everyone.

What is ginger used for?

Ginger is called vishwabheshaja, "the universal medicine". Fresh ginger is milder and moistening. Dry ginger (shunthi) is hotter and more penetrating. It is used for digestion and warmth. NCCIH notes research on ginger for nausea, mostly using supplements rather than food (NCCIH). It suits Vata and Kapha. Pitta does better with a little fresh ginger than with dried.

What is neem used for?

Neem (Azadirachta indica) is one of the most bitter and cooling herbs in Ayurveda. It is traditionally used for skin and oral care. It suits Pitta and Kapha. Its cold, dry, light qualities can aggravate Vata.

What is amalaki used for?

Amalaki, or amla (Phyllanthus emblica), is one of the three fruits in triphala and a classical rejuvenating food. Ayurveda describes it as balancing for all three doshas, and especially helpful for Pitta. Most people take it as a fruit, juice or in chyawanprash.

Find your dosha

What is the full list of Ayurvedic herbs by category?

The 34 herbs and formulas below complete the self-care list. The last six herbs, in the next section, are best left to a practitioner. Dosha columns follow classical Ayurvedic descriptions.

Table 2. Rejuvenating herbs (rasayana)

Source: classical Ayurvedic materia medica as summarised in the Charaka Samhita. Traditional uses only, not proven effects.

Table 3. Digestive herbs and spices

Source: classical Ayurvedic materia medica. Culinary spices are safe in food amounts; concentrated forms are a different matter.

Table 4. Respiratory and immune herbs

Source: classical Ayurvedic materia medica. Liquorice is practitioner-guided only; see its cautions below and NCCIH, Licorice root.

Table 5. Herbs for the mind and sleep

Source: classical Ayurvedic materia medica. Traditional uses only, not proven effects.

Table 6. Skin and hair herbs

Source: classical Ayurvedic materia medica. Traditional uses only.

Which herbs are best left to a practitioner?

These six are classical herbs with a long history. InnerVeda's cautious stance is that they are best left to a practitioner rather than chosen for self-care. Liquorice (yashtimadhu, in Table 4) and ashwagandha also belong with them: InnerVeda's reviewed cautions treat liquorice as practitioner-guided only and ashwagandha as needing practitioner screening.

Table 7. Herbs traditionally given only by a practitioner

Source: classical Ayurvedic materia medica. Listed here so you know the names, not as a suggestion to buy them.

Which herbs suit Vata, Pitta and Kapha?

Vata is cold, dry and light, so it settles with herbs that are warming, grounding and moist, and with sweet, sour and salty tastes. Common choices: ashwagandha, shatavari, bala, fresh ginger, and nutmeg as a food spice. More on the Vata hub.

Pitta is hot and sharp, so it settles with herbs that are cooling, soothing and gently bitter or astringent. Common choices: brahmi, shatavari, amalaki, guduchi, manjishtha, neem. More on the Pitta hub.

Kapha is heavy, cool and slow, so it settles with herbs that are warming, light and drying, with pungent, bitter and astringent tastes. Common choices: trikatu, tulsi, punarnava, turmeric, ginger. More on the Kapha hub.

Most people are a mix of two doshas, and your current state can differ from the balance you were born with (your prakriti). That is why the same list cannot suit everyone, and why a practitioner looks at you before choosing.

How are Ayurvedic herbs traditionally prepared?

The form changes how strong a herb is and who it suits.

• Churna (powder): taken with warm water, honey or ghee.
• Kashaya (decoction): herbs simmered down in water. Strong.
• Phanta or herbal tea: lighter, for everyday use.
• Ghrita (medicated ghee): herbs cooked in ghee. Nourishing, often chosen for Vata.
• Taila (medicated oil): for massage and skin.
• Avaleha (herbal jam): chyawanprash is the best known.
• Vati or gutika (tablets): compressed powders, convenient to carry.

Many culinary spices, such as cumin, coriander, fennel, ginger and turmeric, are also Ayurvedic herbs. In cooking they act as gentle daily support. For spice ideas, see our Ayurvedic spices guide.

Are Ayurvedic herbs safe?

Natural does not mean safe for everyone. Three points matter most.

Quality varies. A JAMA study analysed 193 Ayurvedic products bought online in 2005 and found that about one in five contained detectable lead, mercury or arsenic (Saper et al., 2008). NCCIH repeats this warning (NCCIH, Ayurvedic medicine). Buy from makers who publish third-party tests for heavy metals and contaminants.

Herbs and medicines can interact. Some herbs change how prescription medicines work, and NCCIH advises talking with your health care provider before using any herbal product if you take medicine (NCCIH). Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every herb you take, including teas and powders.

Amounts are for a practitioner. This guide gives no doses on purpose. How much to take, when and what to take it with should be decided with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.

What should you know before taking these herbs?

These are InnerVeda's reviewed cautions for specific herbs. Only the 13 herbs below have their own reviewed caution list. For every other herb on this page, the general points in "When to see your doctor" apply, and you should ask your doctor or a qualified practitioner before taking it.

Ashwagandha

• In excess it can aggravate Pitta, as it is heating.
• Avoid if you have a thyroid condition or an autoimmune condition, unless a qualified practitioner advises it.
• If you take sedatives or sleep medicines, check with your doctor first, as several medication interactions have been reported.
• Take extra care if you have liver disease; rare liver injury has been reported.
• It can cause stomach upset or drowsiness in some people.
• Use it only after screening by a qualified practitioner; it should not be chosen on the basis of your dosha alone.

Triphala

• Take care if you have loose stools or diarrhoea, or tend to open your bowels often. Don't use it routinely without considering your usual bowel pattern.
• Avoid it in pregnancy, as Haritaki, one of its three fruits, may stimulate contractions of the womb.
• Do not use it during diarrhoea or dehydration unless a qualified practitioner advises it.
• It is not a sleep remedy; use it only for a digestive or bowel concern.

Brahmi

• It can make some people drowsy.
• It may increase stomach acid, so take care if you have acid reflux.
• Check with your doctor first if you take medicines for your mental health.
• If you take sedatives or sleep medicines, check with your doctor first.
• Use with care if you have a sensitive stomach.

Shatavari

• Its heavy, sweet nature can add to Kapha and weight if Kapha is your leading dosha.
• If you have a hormone-sensitive condition, use it only after review by a qualified practitioner.
• Avoid it while digestion feels heavy and sluggish (Ama).

Tulsi

• In excess it can aggravate Pitta, as it is heating and sharp (Ushna virya, Tikshna guna).
• Take care if you use blood-thinning medicines, as tulsi may add to their effect.

Guduchi (giloy)

• Avoid large amounts in summer (Grishma Ritu), when Pitta runs high.
• Best used only where a qualified practitioner considers it appropriate, not as a routine remedy for everyone.

Neem

• If Vata is high, limit neem, as it can add dryness, restlessness and irregular digestion.
• In cold weather or when digestion is weak, have it with warming spices, as it is cooling.

Amalaki (amla)

• Fresh amla is sour and may loosen stools in some people.
• If you have severe acidity, check with a qualified practitioner before taking amla regularly, despite its overall cooling nature.
• Avoid concentrated amla during diarrhoea.
• Amla is generally well tolerated, but if you have very sensitive digestion or take regular medication, check with a qualified practitioner whether it suits you.
• Avoid excessive use.
• Enjoy amla as a food if it suits you; concentrated amla powder should not be taken routinely without a practitioner's advice.

Gotu kola (mandukaparni)

• In cold weather or when digestion is weak, have it with warming spices, as it is cooling.

Liquorice (yashtimadhu, mulethi)

• Practitioner-guided only. Avoid unsupervised long-term use.
• Do not use it if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease or swelling from fluid retention (oedema), unless a qualified practitioner advises it.
• Larger amounts or long-term use can raise blood pressure, lower potassium, and cause fluid retention and heart problems.

Aloe vera (kumari)

• If Kapha is your leading dosha, keep it modest, as large amounts can feel heavy and slow digestion.
• In cold weather or when digestion is weak, have it with warming spices, as it is cooling.

Shilajit

• Avoid large amounts in summer (Grishma Ritu), when Pitta runs high.

Chyawanprash

• If Kapha is your leading dosha, keep it modest, as large amounts can feel heavy and slow digestion.
• Avoid large amounts in summer (Grishma Ritu), when Pitta runs high.
• Chyawanprash is usually made with sugar or jaggery and honey, so if you have diabetes, check with your doctor before taking it.

The pregnancy, prescription-medicine and see-a-doctor points apply to all of these herbs and are in the box below, so they are not repeated here.

When to see your doctor

1. Herbs support everyday wellbeing but do not replace medical care. See a doctor if a symptom lasts more than 3 weeks, keeps coming back or gets worse, and never stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor.
2. Check with your doctor first if you take prescription medicines (for example blood thinners, or medicines for diabetes, blood pressure or thyroid), have a liver or kidney condition, or are thinking of giving herbs to a child.
3. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, avoid herbs unless a qualified practitioner advises them.
4. How much to take, when and what to take it with should be decided with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.
5. Some herbs, such as liquorice (mulethi) and ashwagandha, should be taken only with guidance from a qualified practitioner.

How we wrote this

Drafted by the InnerVeda team from classical texts and the sources linked above. Every figure links to its source. Herb doses are deliberately left out.

Updated 19 October 2026: new safety guidance, herb and medicine cautions, a practitioner-only list and new tables.