Rasayana: Ayurvedic Herbs for Longevity and Rejuvenation

by Puri; H.S.

• ISBN13: 9780415284899
• ISBN10: 0415284899
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-10-17
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

Until relatively recently, much of the information on India's research into their medicinal plants has remained within India, mainly published within Indian journals. However, today the field of Ayurveda is expanding, with the integration of herbs and minerals discovered in other countries and the strengthening of academic knowledge networks worldwide. Focusing on Rasayana, the least understood branch of Ayurveda, this volume provides detailed information on the plants used in various polyherbal, polymineral Rasayana preparations and describes their therapeutic benefits for numerous disorders. It is a comprehensive reference suitable for anyone involved in medicinal and aromatic plant research.

Author Biography

After graduating, Dr Puri joined the Composite Drug Research Scheme of the Indian Council of Medical Research to investigate the plants used in Ayurveda. On the basis of this research he obtained his doctorate and was awarded the Commonwealth postdoctoral scholarship to work at the Pharmacognosy group at the University of Bath (UK). On his return to India, Dr Puri joined the newly created Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, and later the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. During this period he carried out extensive ethnobotanical surveys throughout India, and served as a Consultant to international agencies such as UNIDO, FAO and the American Herb Association. He was also awarded the INSA-Royal Society Fellowship tenable at the University of Nottingham (UK). He has published numerous research papers, articles and reviews, and is the author of three books

Table of Contents

Foreword	viii
Preface to the series	xii
Preface	xv
Introduction	1	(3)
What are Rasayana?	4	(6)
Tridosha	10	(3)
Rasayana preparations	13	(3)
Aak (Calotropis spp.)	16	(4)
Akrakara (Anacyclus pyrethrum)	20	(2)
Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica)	22	(21)
Anantmul (Hemidesmus indicus)	43	(3)
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)	46	(13)
Badam (Prunus amygdalus)	59	(5)
Bala (Sida spp.)	64	(7)
Banslochan	71	(3)
Bhalatak (Semecarpus anacardium)	74	(6)
Bhringraj (Eclipta prostrata)	80	(6)
Bhuiamla (Phyllanthus spp.)	86	(8)
Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri)	94	(4)
Chitrak (Plumbago zeylanica)	98	(4)
Chuara (Phoenix dactylifera)	102	(3)
Draksha (Vitis vinifera)	105	(2)
Gaduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)	107	(9)
Gokshru (Tribulus terrestris)	116	(8)
Guggal (Commiphora wightii)	124	(11)
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)	135	(6)
Hing (Ferula foetida)	141	(3)
Jaiphal and Javitri (Myristica fragrans)	144	(3)
Kabab Chini (Piper cubeba)	147	(4)
Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata)	151	(6)
Kawanch (Mucuna pruriens)	157	(7)
Keshar (Crocus sativus)	164	(6)
Kikar (Acacia nilotica)	170	(5)
Kuchla (Strychnos nux vomica)	175	(5)
Kulanjan (Alpinia galanga)	180	(4)
Kutaki (Picrorhiza kurrooa)	184	(6)
Kuth (Saussurea Spp.)	190	(6)
Malakangani (Celastrus paniculatus)	196	(4)
Mandukparni (Centella asiatica)	200	(9)
Mundi (Sphaeranthus indicus)	209	(3)
Musli (Curculigo orchioides)	212	(3)
Neem (Azadirachta indica)	215	(4)
Peepali (Piper longum)	219	(8)
Punernava (Boerhavia diffusa)	227	(6)
Pushkarmul (Inula racemosa)	233	(4)
Salai Guggal (Boswellia serrata)	237	(5)
Salep (Orchis latifolia)	242	(5)
Semal Musli (Bombax ceiba)	247	(3)
Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis)	250	(5)
Shatawari (Asparagus racemosus)	255	(7)
Som Ras (Amanita muscaria)	262	(3)
Sonth (Zingiber officinale)	265	(5)
Talamkhana (Hygrophila spinosa)	270	(2)
Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)	272	(9)
Vacha (Acorus calamus)	281	(8)
Vata Vriksh (Ficus spp.)	289	(6)
Vatsnabh (Aconitum spp.)	295	(4)
Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica)	299	(4)
Vidari Kand (Pueraria tuberosa)	303	(6)
Vidhara (Argyreia speciosa)	309	(3)
Some Rasayana formulations	312	(25)
Index	337