Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare, Miśreyā, Madhurikā, Śatapuṣpa)

Parts Used:

Ripe fruit (commonly), root, essential oil, leaves (rarely)

Characteristics:

Effect on Doshas: Balances all three doshas

Nutritional Components:

2–6% essential oil (primarily trans-anethole, similar to anise oil, and varying amounts of bitter-tasting fenchone)
20% protein, sugar, flavonoids, and 5% estragole

Benefits:

Soothes the nervous system, improves vision, and enhances memory (Medhya).
Stimulates appetite and digestive fire (Dipana, Amapachana).
Promotes breast milk production (galactagogue) and reduces bloating.
Antispasmodic, carminative, and enhances gastric motility and peristalsis.
Improves nutrient absorption and acts as a diuretic.
Anti-inflammatory, mildly expectorant, and supports respiratory health.

Indications:

Digestive: Flatulence, indigestion, colic, loss of appetite, and diarrhea in infants.
Respiratory: Bronchitis, catarrh, cold, cough, and hyperacidity.
Other: Supports lactating mothers, relieves menstrual pain, and enhances urinary output.

Dried Ginger (Śuṇṭhī)

Characteristics:

Effect on Doshas: Reduces Vata and Kapha

Benefits:

Analgesic (especially abdominal pain)
Appetite stimulant (pre-meal) and digestive (post-meal, Pacana)
Improves voice, acts as an aphrodisiac, anti-bloating, and antiemetic.

Indications:

Edema, respiratory diseases, bronchitis, asthma, elephantiasis
Constipation, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, arthritis
Weak digestion (Agni), nausea, motion sickness (kinetosis), and dyspepsia

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum, Ela, Sūkṣma)

Parts Used:

Seeds, fruits, oil

Characteristics:

Effect on Doshas: Balances all three doshas.
Sweet taste reduces Vata.
Cooling properties reduce Pitta.
Pungent flavor reduces Kapha.

Nutritional Components:

Up to 7.5% essential oil (cineol, terpineol, limonene, sabinene, borneol)
Fatty oils (linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid), 20-40% starch, 10% protein
Contains iron, magnesium, sugar, gum, and trace minerals.

Benefits:

Refreshes the mind, enhances appetite, and is a diuretic.
Digestive stimulant (Dipana), carminative, aromatic, and heart-tonic.
Stimulates Jatharagni (digestive fire), lungs, and breathing.
Acts as a mild aphrodisiac, expels gases, and promotes digestion.

Indications:

Nausea, full-body pain, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, asthma, abdominal pain, colds, fever, loss of appetite, flatulence, bloating, and dyspeptic issues.

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans, Jatiphala)

Parts Used:

Seeds, fruit, shell, and essential oil.

Characteristics:

Effect on Doshas: Reduces Vata and Kapha, increases Pitta

Nutritional Components:

Essential oils: Pinene, Myristicin, Eugenol, Safrol, Elemicin
Seeds contain 30% fixed oil.

Mechanism of Action:

Myristicin and Elemicin are converted in the human body into amphetamine derivatives, structurally similar to mescaline.

Benefits:

Calms the mind, stimulates, and energizes.
Promotes bile production, balances secretions, and provides mild pain relief (similar to weak opium).
Anti-inflammatory (Shothahara), reduces swelling, and treats skin disorders.
Supports digestion and appetite (Dipana, Pacana).
Regulates Vata, relieves spasms (Vishramana), and stimulates menstrual flow (Artavajanana).
Reduces fever and calms children.

Indications:

Bronchitis, asthma, vomiting, diabetes, diarrhea (including in children), abdominal pain, colds, rheumatism, foul breath, and unpleasant stool odor.
Known for its calming effect on children.

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum, Marica)

Parts Used:

Fruit, essential oil

Characteristics:

Effect on Doshas: Balances Kapha and Vata (calming), increases Pitta (stimulating)

Nutritional Components:

Alkaloids: Piperine, Piperidine, Chavicine
Essential oils: Terpenes

Benefits:

Antibacterial, stomachic, digestive stimulant (Pacana)
Promotes salivation, acts as an antiseptic, and enhances circulation
Reduces mucus, facilitates expectoration, and is mildly diuretic
Cleanses the mouth, stimulates appetite, and reduces inflammation (Shulaprasamana)
Antimicrobial (Krimighna)
Suitable for Nasya therapy (cleansing the head region)

Uses:

Internal: Treats bloating, dyspepsia, irregular fevers, bronchitis, cough, and asthma.
External: Helps reduce swelling, clears mucus, and relieves pain in respiratory conditions.

Indications:

Loss of appetite, digestive disorders, asthma, bronchitis, irregular fever, bloating, and respiratory congestion.

Notes:

Avoid confusion with Cayenne pepper (chili), as its properties differ significantly.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, verum)

Parts Used:

Bark, bark oil, leaves

Characteristics:

Effect on Doshas: Reduces Kapha and Vata

Nutritional Components:

Essential oils (75% cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, 10% eugenol)
Starch, tannins, mucilage, calcium oxalate
Per 100 g:
1230 mg Calcium
38 mg Iron
55 mg Magnesium
61.4 mg Phosphorus
500 mg Potassium
26.3 mg Sodium
28.5 mg Vitamin C
Trace amounts of Zinc, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Cobalt

Benefits:

Digestive aid, carminative, improves skin complexion
Antiseptic, antispasmodic, enhances circulation, supports heart health
Stimulates kidneys, liver, and digestive fire (Agni)
Aphrodisiac, calming, local pain relief, promotes healthy complexion (Varnya)

Uses:

Internal: Treats cough, colds, bronchitis, digestive issues (bloating, cramps), and nausea.
External: Relieves skin ailments, insect bites, muscle pain, and improves blood circulation.

Black Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Parts Used:

Dried and processed tea leaves

Characteristics:

Effect on Doshas: Balances Kapha, may increase Pitta and Vata in excess.

Nutritional Components:

Rich in polyphenols (catechins, theaflavins, thearubigins)
Contains caffeine, tannins, and amino acids like L-theanine
Trace minerals: potassium, manganese, magnesium, and fluoride

Benefits:

Digestive Support: Improves digestion, reduces bloating, and alleviates nausea.
Antioxidant Properties: Neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative stress.
Cardiovascular Health: Supports heart health by improving circulation and reducing cholesterol.
Energy Booster: Contains moderate caffeine, providing a gentle energy lift without jitters.
Mind and Mood Enhancer: Promotes focus and calmness due to L-theanine.
Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation in the body and supports overall immunity.

Indications:

Digestive complaints: Bloating, indigestion, and mild diarrhea
Fatigue or low energy
Mental clarity and focus
Supports oral health by reducing plaque formation and fighting bacteria

Contraindications:

Excessive consumption may increase acidity, irritate the stomach, or cause dehydration due to its caffeine content.
Should be avoided in large amounts by individuals sensitive to caffeine or those with Pitta imbalance.

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum, Eugenia aromatica, Lavangha)

Parts Used:

Dried flower buds, fruit, and oil

Characteristics:

Effect on Doshas: Reduces all three doshas (Tridosha Shamak)

Nutritional Components:

15–23% essential oils (Oleum caryophylli extracted from buds)
75–85% Eugenol, Acetyleugenol, Caryophyllene, Phenolic acids, Flavonoids
Tannins and Bitter substances
Per 100 g of cloves:
250 mg Magnesium, 1.2 mg Zinc, 0.32 mg Copper
30 mg Manganese, 115 μg Cobalt

Benefits:

Stimulates digestion (Dipana), improves appetite (Pacana)
Antiemetic, carminative, and enhances voice and sexual vitality (Vrṣya)
Reduces bloating, acts as a diuretic, and promotes salivation (sialagogic)
Antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiparasitic
Provides pain relief (e.g., for toothaches), and acts as an immunomodulator
Protects the gastrointestinal tract and reduces inflammation

Indications:

Respiratory: Bronchitis, asthma, cough, hyperacidity, colds, sinusitis
Oral: Toothache, gum diseases, bad breath
General: Nausea, thirst, motion sickness, rheumatism, arthritis
Infections: Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Herpes simplex virus
Others: Migraines, low appetite, osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, inflammation

Topical Uses (Oil):

Rheumatic diseases, headaches, back pain, sciatica, toothaches