Table 2.

Contrasting ayurvedic and pharmacologic actions

Rasayana	Ayurvedic Actions	Pharmacologic Mechanisms of Actiona
Yashtimadhu	Yashtimadhu is sweet with a bitter aftertaste and cool in potency. It is an eye and hair tonic. It pacifies pitta and vata, and is useful in management of cardiac ailments, hoarseness of voice, recovery from inflammation and wounds.	Apoptotic Anti-proliferative/Anti-growth Anti-oxidant Anti-metastatic/Anti-invasive
Ashwagandha	Ashwagandha is astringent and bitter, hot in potency, and pacifies Vata and Kapha. It is alexipharmic, helpful in management of emaciation, and enhances complexion, potency and strength. It is helpful in management of inflammation and is a reproductive tonic.	Apoptotic Anti-proliferative/Anti-growth Anti-oxidant Anti-metastatic/Anti-invasive
Kumari	Kumari is cool in potency, bitter in taste and pacifies Kapha and Pitta. It is alexipharmic, pacifies cough, dyspnea, skin diseases, burns, and wounds. It is helpful in the management of menstrual disorders and liver diseases.	Apoptotic Anti-proliferative/Anti-growth Anti-oxidant Anti-inflammatory
Gotu Kola	Mandukaparni is astringent, sweet, cooling in potency, laxative, and light to digest. It enhances higher mental functions and memory. It improves voice and is helpful in management of skin diseases, diabetes, cough, poisoning, inflammation, and fever.	Apoptotic Anti-proliferative/Anti-growth Anti-oxidant DNA/RNA Degeneration
Guduchi	Guduchi is bitter, astringent and hot in potency. It is heavy to digest and pacifies all the three Doshas. It is helpful in management of fevers, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, vomiting, diabetes, and skin diseases	Apoptotic Anti-proliferative/Anti-growth Anti-oxidant Immunomodulatory

References:

Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra – licorice): Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Haritakyadi Varga, 128–129; Raja Nighantu, Pippalyadi Varga, 144-145.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): Dhanvanthri Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga, 302–303, Madanapala Nighantu, Abhayadi Varga, 173-174.

Kumari (Aloe vera): Rajanighantu, Parpatadi Varga, 47–49, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga, 196-197.

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica): Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga, 236-237.

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia): Dhanvanthri Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga, 5-7.

^aTop 4 pharmacologic actions are listed.