Spices and Ayurveda – 4

Spices and Ayurveda Pt. 4

I have written the Sanskrit name first, and then in brackets are the English names followed by the local Indian name.

Note: Many of these same herbs or spices are used in many other countries so you may be familiar or use them yourselves. Now you can see what Ayurveda says about them.

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(10) METHIKA (Fenugreek)

[methi]

Its green leaves reduce Pitta and Vata.
Its green leaves are bitter in taste but easy to digest.
Its leaves help in healing mouth ulcers.
Its leaves are useful in cases of fever, blood impurity and cancer.

Fenugreek-methi-seeds

Its leaves are anthelmintic – they kill worms.
Its leaves are beneficial in treating indigestion, flatulence and sluggish liver.
Its seeds reduce Kapha and Vata.
Its seeds are bitter in taste.
Its seeds are heating.
Its seeds are nourishing and rejuvenating.
Its seeds speed up metabolism and tone the neuro-muscular system.
Long use of the seeds reduces deposits of fat in the body and lowers cholesterol.
Its seeds are valuable in the treatment of diabetes.
Its seeds are given in cases of abdominal distention, gas, mal-absorption, pain, and heaviness in the stomach.
Its seeds make the back strong and alleviate backaches.
Its seeds exercise soothing effect on the skin and mucous membranes, relieving skin irritation and alleviating swellings and pain.
Tea made from the seeds (1) reduces fever by making the body perspire and dispelling toxicity (2) soothes inflamed stomach and intestine, cleanses the stomach, bowels, kidneys and the respiratory tracts of excess mucus (3) benefits in bad breath and foul body odor, and (4) is used as a douche and is very effective in treating leucorrhea.

PRECAUTION – Methika is best used in rainy and winter seasons. People with a tendency to bleed should not eat methika. If methika is taken in excess, it causes uterine bleeding and as such, to be totally avoided by pregnant women.

(11) HINGU (Asafetida)

[hing]

It reduces Kapha.
It is bitter in taste.
It is carminative, appetite stimulating and heating.
It invigorates the muscular system and the reproductive organs.

Asafetida

It helps in contracting and toning of uterine walls when taken after childbirth.
It is used in the treatment of colic pain, indigestion, flatulence, and abdominal distention.
It is slightly laxative and promotes the cleansing action of the intestine – destroys worms, particularly round worms and thread worms.
It helps in cases of threatened abortion.
It is used in alleviating toothache.
It is used as an antidote of opium – it counteracts the effects of drugs.
It is an effective remedy for hysteria.
It is beneficial in treating impotency.
It has a strong expectorant effect and is used in the treatment of chest congestion and cold – it is a very effective remedy for all chest diseases.
Externally, it is applied on chest to clear mucus and congestion.
Externally, it is applied on stomach to relieve stomach pain in infants, children and adults.

PRECAUTION – Hingu is to be used in winter season only. Pitta people must avoid this or take very sparingly.

(12)JATIPHALA (Nutmeg)

[jaiphal]

It reduces Vata.
It is bitter in taste.
It is carminative and appetizing.

Nutmeg seeds showing "veins"

It is a specific remedy for diarrhea caused by indigestion of food.
It is very effective in insomnia, irritability and depression.
It is useful in treating dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea, particularly in cholera.
It is used in treating ringworms and eczema.
It is used in treating throat defects.
It is an excellent sex tonic.
Externally, its paste is applied as plaster on gum sores and in relieving rheumatic pain, neuralgia, and sciatica.

PRECAUTION – Jatiphala should be taken in very small doses as excess consumption creates burning in the stomach, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, and giddiness with hallucinations.

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