Ayurvedic Reproductive Herbs - PowerPoint Presentation

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Ayurvedic Reproductive Herbs

Reproductive Herbs for Shukra

/

Artava

Primary Reproductive herbs to balance

Shukra

Ashwagundha

Kapikacchu

Primary Reproductive herbs to balance

Artava

Shatavari

Mustaka

Ashoka

Manjistha

Primary Reproductive herbs for

Shukra

and

Artava

Vidari

Gokshura

Guduchi

Ashwagandha (Withania

somnifera

)

Rasa: bitter, astringent, sweet,

Virya

: heating,

Vipaka

: sweet,

Dosha

: VK-, can be P+,

Gunas

: Light & unctuous, Part used - root

It is the best ayurvedic male reproductive rejuvenating tonic herb.

Used for sterility and infertility, promotes spermatogenesis, blood flow and tone to the reproductive organs and regulates hormonal function.

Used in impotence, premature ejaculation and enlarged prostate.         

In gynecology, strengthens the uterus, balances menses with high

vata

(deficiency), uterine spasms, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and weakness

Hypo thyroid - regulate thyroid activity.

Anabolic, increases tone and strength of muscles, fortifies all dhatus, excellent for depleted sexual energy

Adaptogen for stress, relax body and mind, enhances immunity.

Contraindications - pitta and

ama

, caution with pregnancy (spasmolytic activity on uterus)

Kapikacchu (Mucuna

pruriens)

Rasa: Sweet, bitter,

Virya

: Heating,

Vipak

: Sweet,

Dosha

: VP-K+(in excess),

Gunas

: Heavy and Unctuous, Part used - seed

Tonic to

sukra

dhatu, low libido, infertility, impotence, premature ejaculation, and a potent aphrodisiac.

One of the ultimate Ayurvedic reproductive tonics for both men & women.

Combined with diuretics like

punarnava

and

gokshura

,

it is very effective in the treatment of enlarged prostate and edema.

It also helps in stress when used along with other

vata

herbs like

bala

,

ashwagandha

Best preparation with other rejuvenating things, including milk decoction, ghee & honey

Contraindications: High

ama

and congestion

Vidari

kandha

(

Ipomoea

digitata

)

Rasa: Sweet,

Virya

: Cooling,

Vipak

: Sweet,

Doshas

: VP-K+(in excess),

Gunas

: heavy, unctuous, Part used - root

Milk Decoction - effective in promoting spermatogenesis

To treat enlarged prostate it can be combined with

kapikacchu

or saw palmetto.

Promotes

ojas

and muscle tone and coordination.

Useful for sexual debility associated with nervous tension and adrenal stress.

Promotes lactation, directly tonifies rasa and

stanyavahastrotas

. Helpful in postpartum, building strength and energy.

Contraindications – none known

Shatavari

(Asparagus

racemosus

)

Rasa: Bitter, sweet,

Virya

: Cooling,

Vipak

: Sweet,

Dosha

: VP-K+, G: Unctuous, heavy, Part used - root

The foremost uterine tonic and reproductive Ayurvedic herb for women.

Regulates menstrual cycle, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, clears excess heat that can condense the blood and cause inflammation and pain in menses.

Increases reproductive fluids, enhancing conception and uterine strength, prevents miscarriage

Helpful in menopause, hot flashes, irritability, irregular memory and dryness.

Treats male sterility, low sperm count, and irregularity of sperm movement. Prevents excess

pitta

from burning & depleting sperm.

O

ne of best

pitta

pratyanika

herbs, good indicators use include fatigue, low sexual energy, stress, irritability, inflammation, hyperacidity, urinary tract infections, and burning sensations, bittersweet taste, cooling and purifying to liver, blood, and targets pitta at main seat –

sm

intestine

Best prepared as a milk decoction, taken alone or in combination with other herbs.

Contraindications - high

kapha

and

ama

,

or respiratory or sinus congestion

.

,

Gokshura

(

Tribulus terrestris

)

Rasa: Sweet, bitter,

Virya

: Cooling,

Vipak

: Sweet,

Dosha

: VPK= (mostly V-),

Gunas

: Heavy and unctuous, Part used - fruit

Tonic herb, Nourishes

sukra

, increasing virility, fertility, and sperm production, rejuvenates gonads

Useful in infertility, impotence, where there is an obstruction due to

vata

or

kapha

in the reproductive tissue.

Promotes lactation, rejuvenates uterus.

Helpful in hormonal balance with hormonal precursors that enhance sexual function.

Primary tonic for bladder and kidneys, kidney infections, kidney stones, urinary retention, cloudy urine, soothes urinary tract and promotes urination

Specific for prostate problems, urinary retention or obstructed flow of urine.

Useful for nervous system, in psychological and nervous imbalances, enhances serotonin production.

Contraindications - dryness, caution during pregnancy as has a downward action.

Mustaka

(

Cyperus

rotundus

)

Rasa:

pung

, bitter,

ast

,

Virya

: cooling,

Vipak

: pungent,

Dosha

: PK-V+,

Guna

: light, dry, Part used - tuber

One of the best for menstrual cycle, regulates pitta and helps

apana

vayu

to descend.

Has

phyto

estrogen qualities, helpful to balance high estrogen conditions – swollen breasts, painful short cycle, family history of breast cancer.

Has affinity for smooth muscle of the uterus, and specific for PMS with bloating, pain, irritability, and depression.

Has effect on rasa dhatu and beneficial for purifying and nourishing breast milk.

Contraindications - excess

vata

, can be too drying

Ashoka (

Saraca

indica

)

Rasa: bitter, astringent,

Virya

: cooling,

Vipak

: Pungent,

Doshas

: VK-,

Gunas

: Light & dry, Part used – bark, also flowers and leaves

One of best for menstrual disorders, with excess bleeding, pain, and congestion, uterine spasms, dysmenorrhea.

Affinity for uterine muscles and endometrium, uterine tonic to prevent miscarriage, prolapsed, and irregular menstrual cycles.

Clears congestion form

mamsa

and

meda

, when there are fibroids, cysts, endometriosis from excess

ama

and

kapha

in

artava

.

Contraindications - constipation

Manjistha

(

Rubia

cordifolia

)

Rasa: bitter, sweet, astringent,

Virya

: cooling,

Vipak

: Pungent,

Doshas

: PK-V+,

Gunas

: heavy and dry, Part used - root

Alterative, astringent, hemostatic, emmenagogue

Affinity for

rakta

dhatu – cleans, cools, clears blood of excess pitta, heat, inflammation, toxins, and

ama

. Used in skin conditions – eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, acne, rosacea, and herpes.

Bleeding- stops bleeding by cooling the heat that causes blood to burst out of its proper channel, and clears congested blood that can cause blood to overflow out of appropriate pathway (used in inflammatory bleeding colon issues –

Crohns

, blood in stool, menorrhagia)

Gynecology- used in congested uterus and pain, dysmenorrhea, clots, amenorrhea (moves blood), menorrhagia, and endometriosis.

Contraindications – high

vata

Guduchi

(

Tinospora

cordifolia

)

Rasa: bitter, astringent, pungent,

Virya

: heating,

Vipak

: sweet,

Doshas

: VPK=, primarily VP-,

Guna

: light and unctuous, Part used – Stem, leaves and roots

Rasayana

herb while also detoxifying and cleansing the whole body specifically the liver. It is a rare liver purifying herb that in not

Vata

provoking.

Cleanses liver for menstrual related health. Also used in liver damage, viral hepatitis, liver poisoning from alcohol, chemicals, or drugs. Repairs fibrosis and regenerates liver tissue. Used in aggravated

ranjaka

pitta in pitta in the blood.

Useful in all autoimmune inflammatory conditions, as well as inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, psoriasis)

Helps heal bowels affected by constipation, intestinal bleeding, hemorrhoids, or dysentery, balances intestinal flora, helpful in candida and bloating, flatulence, and malabsorption.

Guduchi

is calming to

vata

and the nervous system in nervous exhaustion

Reproductive – clears heat in

Shukra

and

Artava

. Useful in male sexual dysfunction caused by pitta imbalance as its sweet post-digestive effect nourishes

shukra

dhatu.

Contraindications - pregnancy

Cautionary Ayurvedic Herbs during Pregnancy

Ajwain

, Aloe Vera Powder,

Arjuna,

Avipattikara

,

Bhumyamalaki

Chitrak

,

Daruharidra

,

Dashmula

, Ephedra,

Gokshura

,

Guduchi

,

Guggullu

,

Haritaki

, Hing (

asafoetida

),

Kalmegh

,

Kutki

,

Rhubarb, Myrrh, Neem,

Sarpagandha

, Senna,

Triphala

,

Trikatu

,

Vacha

,

Vasaka

,

Vidanga