Table 1.
Usage of herbs based on various therapeutic systems and their pharmacology.
| Herb | Ayurveda | Jamu | Use in allopathic and modern guidelines | Pharmacology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger Zingiber officinale (Śun.t.hī, Ārdraka) |
Properties: Antitussive (Kaphahara) Cardioprotective (Hridya) Appetite stimulating (Dipana) Treatment for: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (Śvāsa) Pain (Śūla) Constipation (Vibandha) Flatulence (Ānāha) Inflammation (Śopha) Neck disorders (Kan.tharoga) |
Treatment for: Headache Nausea Vomiting Influenza Cough Vertigo |
Preventive medicine for nausea and vomiting and an adjunct treatment for inflammatory diseases Treatment for cold and flu symptoms As expectorant and antitussive to relieve symptoms of bronchitis, cough and colds |
Anti-inflammatory activity Shogaol and ginger extracts inhibit cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activities |
| Liquorice Glycyrrhiza glabra (Yas.t.ī) |
Properties: Strength (Balya) Purifies blood (Vatapittajit) Treatment for: Cough (Kāsa) Pulmonary tuberculosis (Ks.aya) Hoarseness (Svarabheda) Ophthalmological disorders (Chakshuksha) |
Treatment for: Rheumatic diseases Cough with phlegm |
Demulcent for sore throat, expectorant for cough and bronchial build-up As expectorant to relieve chest complaints including catarrhs, cough and bronchitis |
Antitussive activity primarily attributed to glycyrrhizin, which accelerates tracheal mucus secretion Anti-inflammatory activity is attributed to corticosteroid-like activity of glycyrrhizin |
| Turmeric Curcuma longa (Haridrā) |
Properties: Anthelmintic (Kr.mighna) Antileprotic (Kus.haghna) Skin complexion improving (Varn.ya) Antidote (Vis.aghna) Antidiabetic (Pramehanāśaka) |
Treatment for: Asthma Hypertension Rheumatism |
Treatment of flatulence, acidity and atonic dyspepsia Use in pain and inflammation due to rheumatoid arthritis, and treatment for asthma and cough |
Anti-inflammatory activity due to curcumin and its derivatives for its ability to scavenge oxygen radicals |
| Peppermint Menthae piperitae (Satva) |
Properties: Appetite stimulating (Dipana) Antitussive (Kaphahara) Oral hygiene improving (Mukha-śodhana) Digestive (Pācana) Analgesic (Śulapraśamana and Vedanāsthāpana) Treatment for: Chronic fever (Jīrna jvara) Pain (Śūla) |
Treatment for: Sore throat Antiseptic for oral germs |
Relieve symptoms of cough and cold, muscle pain, irritable bowel syndrome and headache For treatment of fever, catarrhs and inflammation of the oral mucosa |
Nasal cooling activity Menthol binds to TRPM8 to elicit cooling sensation Analgesic activity Menthol causes cooling sensation on skin via TRPM8 receptor activation Antispasmodic activity Peppermint inhibits activation of calcium channels, which in turn leads to smooth muscle relaxation |
TRPM8, transient receptor potential melastatin.