Review Article

Indian Traditional Ayurvedic System of Medicine and Nutritional Supplementation

Table 3

Some important herbal formulations frequently used in traditional Ayurvedic system in India.

DiseaseFormulation’s ingredients/ratioDose/method of use

AnemiaAsparagus racemosus (roots) 20%
Withania somnifera (roots) 20%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 15%
P. amarus (leaves) 10%
Tephrosia purpurea (leaves) 10%
Plumbago zeylanica (roots) 5%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 15%
Piper longum (fruits) 5%
4 gm of powder is given to the patient, twice daily with water

Asthma/bronchitisSolanum xanthocarpum (whole plant) 25%
Piper longum (fruits) 10%
Adhatoda vasica (leaves) 25%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
Curcuma zedoaria (roots) 10%
Ocimum sanctum (leaves) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
4 gm (one teaspoonful) of mixed powder given to the patient, twice a day (morning and at bedtime) with water

ArthritisPiper longum (fruits) 10%
S. xanthocarpum (whole plant) 15%
Withania somnifera (roots) 10%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 10%
T. bellerica (fruits) 10%
Curcuma zedoaria (roots) 15%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 15%
Ricinus communis (roots) 15%
4 gm of mixed powder should be given to the patient, twice daily (morning and evening, one hour before meals) with ginger juice for rheumatic problems

Blood circulation Zingiber officinale (roots) 20%
Piper longum (roots) 10%
Withania somnifera (roots) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
Curcuma longa (roots) 10%
Terminalia bellerica (fruits) 10%
T. chebula (fruits) 10%
Ocimum sanctum (leaves) 10%
Tephrosia purpurea (leaves) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice daily with water

Cancer Azadirachta indica (bark) 20%
Bauhinia variegata (bark) 15%
Crataeva nurvala (bark) 15%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 15%
T. bellerica (fruits) 10%
Holarrhena antidysenterica (bark) 10%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 15%
4 gm of mixed powder should be given to the patient, twice a day (morning and night) with lukewarm honey for cancer cure

Chronic constipationHolarrhena antidysenterica (bark) 10%
Plumbago ovata (husk) 20%
Terminalia bellerica (fruits) 10%
T. chebula (fruits) 15%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 15%
Cassia angustifolia (leaves) 20%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, at night before going to bed, with water

Chronic feverTinospora cordifolia (stems) 15%
Ocimum sanctum (leaves) 15%
Adhatoda vasica (leaves) 15%
Azadirachta indica (leaves) 15%
Holarrhena antidysenterica (bark) 10%
Piper longum (fruits) 10%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
Terminalia bellerica (fruits) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice daily before meals with water.

CoughPhyllanthus emblica (fruits) 25%
Adhatoda vasica (leaves) 20%
Ocimum sanctum (leaves) 10%
Piper longum (fruits) 10%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 15%
Solanum xanthocarpum (whole plant) 10%
3 gm of mixed powder should be given to the patient twice daily (morning and at night before going to bed) with lukewarm mixed with honey to cure cold

CystsTerminalia chebula (fruits) 20%
Azadirachta indica (bark) 20%
Holarrhena antidysenterica (bark) 10%, Terminalia bellerica (fruits) 10%
Withania somnifera (roots) 20%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 20%
4 gm of mixed (one teaspoonful) powder is given to the patient, twice a day (morning and evening) with water

Dental diseases Azadirachta indica (leaves) 15%
A. arabia (bark) 15%
Areca catechu (bark) 15%
Achyranthes aspera (leaves) 10%
Ficus benghalensis (bark) 15%
Quercus infectoria (fruits) 15%
Symplocos racemosa (bark) 15%
The powder is applied to the gums and teeth, two times a day. Additionally a gargle of the decoction (3 gm of powder mixed in 150 mL of water)

Diarrhoea Holarrhena antidysenterica (bark) 25%
Aegle marmelos (fruits) 25%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 10%
Cyperus rotundus (roots) 10%
Syzygium cumini (seeds) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
3 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, three times a day, with curd for dysentery and diarrhoea

Dislocation of bonesAsparagus racemosus (roots) 15%
Withania somnifera (roots) 15%
Azadirachta arabica (bark) 20%
Terminalia arjuna (bark) 20%
T. chebula (fruits) 10%
T. bellerica (fruits) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
3 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice a day with water for dislocation of bones and fractures

DiabetesGymnema sylvestre (leaves) 30%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 15%
Azadirachta indica (leaves) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 20%
Curcuma longa (roots) 10%
Aegle marmelos (leaves) 15%
4 gm of mixed powder should be given to the patient, twice a day with water

FistulaGlycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 20%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 20%
T. bellerica (fruits) 15%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 15%
Azadirachta indica (leaves) 15%
Withania somnifera (roots) 15%
3 gm of mixed powder should be given to the patient, twice daily with water to treat fistula

Female sterilityAsparagus racemosus (roots) 20%
Withania somnifera (roots) 20%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 20%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
Ficus glomerata (bark) 10%
F. religiosa (bark) 10%
3 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient twice daily, half an hour before meals with milk

General health tonicWithania somnifera (roots) 20%
Asparagus racemosus (roots) 10%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 10%
Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 15%
Terminalia arjuna (bark) 15%
Centella asiatica (leaves) 10%
4 gm of powder is given to the patient, twice daily (morning and evening) with milk

Gastritis Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
Piper longum (fruits) 10%
Mentha piperita (leaves) 10%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 15%
T. bellerica (fruits) 15%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 15%
Plumbago zeylanica (roots) 10%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 15%
4 gm of (one teaspoonful) mixed powder is given to the patient twice daily, half an hour before meals with water

Hair problemsEclipta alba (leaves) 15%
Centella asiatica (leaves) 15%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 10%
T. bellerica (fruits) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 15%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 15%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 10%
Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice a daily with honey

High blood pressure Terminalia arjuna (bark) 35%
T. chebula (fruits) 15%
Asparagus racemosus (roots) 15%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
Withania somnifera (roots) 25%
4 gm of powder is given to the patient, twice a day (morning and night) with honey

Heart tonic Withania somnifera (roots) 10%
Terminalia arjuna (bark) 30%
T. bellerica (fruits) 10%
T. chebula (fruits) 10%
Cyperus rotundus (roots) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
Ocimum sanctum (leaves) 10%
3 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice a day with water

Intestinal wormsHolarrhena antidysenterica (bark) 10%
Mentha piperita (leaves) 10%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 20%
Butea monosperma (seeds) 20%
Azadirachta indica (leaves) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 20%
Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 10%
3 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice daily (morning and night) with water

Epilepsy Centella asiatica (leaves) 30%
Withania somnifera (roots) 20%
Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 15%
Piper longum (roots) 10%
Achyranthes aspera (leaves) 15%
Plumbago zeylanica (roots) 10%
3 gm mixed powder is given to the patient, twice daily (morning and evening) with fruit juice to treat Hysteria

Leucorrhoea Symplocos racemosa (bark) 35%
Asparagus racemosus (roots) 15%
Adhatoda vasica (leaves) 10%
Aegle marmelos (fruits) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
Azadirachta indica (bark) 10%
3 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice daily with water

Leucoderma Psoralea corylifolia (seeds) 20%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 20%
Azadirachta indica (bark) 20%
Areca catechu (bark) 10%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 10%
Eclipta alba (leaves) 10%
3 gm of mixed powder should be given to the patient, twice a day before meals with water

Liver tonic Holarrhena antidysenterica (bark) 10%
Eclipta alba (leaves) 20%
Tephrosia purpurea (leaves) 20%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 10%
Azadirachta indica (bark) 10%
Phyllanthus amarus (whole plant) 20%
Plumbago zeylanica (roots) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient twice daily, half an hour before meals with water

Lack of appetiteZingiber officinale (roots) 10%
Piper longum (fruits) 10%,
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 30%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 15%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 15%
Cassia angustifolia (leaves) 10%
Mentha piperita (leaves) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, two times a day after meals with water for indigestion

Male sterility Withania somnifera (roots) 15%
Mucuna pruriens (seeds) 25%
Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 20%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 10%
Terminalia arjuna (bark) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 5%
Piper longum (fruits) 5%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice a day with honey

Migraine Curcuma longa (roots) 15%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 15%
Azadirachta indica (bark) 15%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 15%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 10%
Ocimum sanctum (leaves) 15%
Eclipta alba (leaves) 15%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice a day with honey

Obesity Terminalia chebula (fruits) 15%
Terminalia bellerica (fruits) 15%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
Crataeva nurvala (bark) 25%
Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 25%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
4 gm of powder is given to the patient, twice a day with warm water

Paralysis Curcuma zedoaria (roots) 20%
Withania somnifera (roots) 20%
Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 20%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 20%
Piper longum (fruits) 5%
Crataeva nurvala (leaves) 10%
Plumbago zeylanica (roots) 5%
3 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, three times a day with honey

Prostate enlargement Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 15%
Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 15%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 15%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
Butea monosperma (seeds) 10%
Adhatoda vasica (leaves) 5%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 10%
T. bellerica (fruits) 10%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient twice a day, morning and evening before meals with water

Piles Eclipta alba (leaves) 35%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 15%
Terminalia bellerica (fruits) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
Adhatoda vasica (leaves) 10%
Plumbago zeylanica (roots) 5%
Piper longum (fruits) 5%
Aegle marmelos (fruits) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice daily (morning and at bedtime) with water

Sleeplessness Withania somnifera (roots) 20%
Centella asiatica (leaves) 30%
Piper longum (roots) 20%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 10%
Terminalia bellerica (fruits) 10%
3 gm mixed powder is given to the patient, at night before going to bed, with milk

Skin diseases Cyperus rotundus (roots) 10%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 20%
Azadirachta indica (bark) 20%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 10%
T. bellerica (fruits) 10%
Curcuma longa (roots) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
Centella asiatica (leaves) 10%
3 gm of powder is given to the patient, twice a day before meals with water to cure allergy problems

Sexual debility Withania somnifera (roots) 10%
Mucuna pruriens (seeds) 20%
Asparagus racemosus (roots) 10%
Sida cordifolia (seeds) 10%
Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 20%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 10%
About 4 gm of mixed powder should be given to the patient, twice daily (morning and at night before going to bed) with milk

Throat diseases Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 30%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 10%
T. bellerica (fruits) 10%
Solanum xanthocarpum (whole plant) 20%
Piper longum (fruits) 10%
Sida cordifolia (roots) 10%
Phyllanthus emblica (fruits) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient twice daily, morning and at bedtime with honey

Thyroid problemsCrataeva nurvala (bark) 20%
Bauhinia variegata (bark) 20%
Sida cordifolia (leaves) 15%
Terminalia chebula (fruits) 10%
T. bellerica (fruits) 10%
Glycyrrhiza glabra (roots) 15%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
3 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice daily with lukewarm water

Urinary tract Tribulus terrestris (fruits) 25%
Zingiber officinale (roots) 10%
Solanum xanthocarpum (whole plant) 10%
Crataeva nurvala (bark) 25%
Tinospora cordifolia (stems) 10%
Asparagus racemosus (roots) 10%
Tephrosia purpurea (leaves) 10%
4 gm of mixed powder is given to the patient, twice a day with water