Materia Medica Quick Reference Guide
A concise lookup table for Ayurvedic herbal energetics, doshic actions, and key uses.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Each herb includes:
- Rasa — taste
- Virya — temperature (heating/cooling)
- Vipaka — post‑digestive effect
- Doshic Action — ↑ increases / ↓ decreases
- Key Actions — therapeutic effects
- Best For — common uses
- Notes — safety, energetics, or sensory cues
FOUNDATIONAL HERBS
Ginger (Shunthi / Ardrak)
Rasa: pungent
Virya: heating
Vipaka: pungent
Doshic Action: Vata ↓ Kapha ↓ Pitta ↑
Key Actions: digestive stimulant, circulatory tonic, anti‑nausea
Best For: gas, bloating, cold digestion, sluggish circulation
Notes: dry ginger is hotter than fresh
Turmeric (Haridra)
Rasa: bitter, pungent
Virya: heating
Vipaka: pungent
Doshic Action: Pitta ↓ (in small amounts), Kapha ↓, Vata ↑ (if dry)
Key Actions: anti‑inflammatory, liver support, blood purifier
Best For: inflammation, skin issues, metabolic heat
Notes: pairs well with ghee for deeper absorption
Cumin (Jeeraka)
Rasa: pungent, bitter
Virya: warm
Vipaka: pungent
Doshic Action: Vata ↓ Kapha ↓
Key Actions: carminative, digestive stimulant
Best For: gas, bloating, weak digestion
Notes: excellent in digestive teas
Coriander (Dhaniya)
Rasa: sweet, astringent
Virya: cooling
Vipaka: sweet
Doshic Action: Pitta ↓
Key Actions: cooling digestive, urinary support
Best For: heat, acidity, inflammation
Notes: coriander‑fennel tea is a classic Pitta remedy
Fennel (Saunf)
Rasa: sweet
Virya: cooling
Vipaka: sweet
Doshic Action: Vata ↓ Pitta ↓
Key Actions: antispasmodic, digestive soother
Best For: gas, acidity, calming digestion
Notes: chew seeds after meals
Cardamom (Ela)
Rasa: sweet, pungent
Virya: cooling
Vipaka: sweet
Doshic Action: Pitta ↓ Kapha ↓
Key Actions: digestive, aromatic, lung support
Best For: heaviness after meals, nausea, heat
Notes: balances dairy and caffeine
Cinnamon (Tvak)
Rasa: sweet, pungent
Virya: heating
Vipaka: sweet
Doshic Action: Vata ↓ Kapha ↓ Pitta ↑
Key Actions: circulatory stimulant, digestive warming
Best For: cold digestion, sluggish circulation
Notes: excellent in Vata teas
Black Pepper (Maricha)
Rasa: pungent
Virya: heating
Vipaka: pungent
Doshic Action: Kapha ↓ Vata ↑ Pitta ↑
Key Actions: stimulant, expectorant, enhances absorption
Best For: congestion, sluggish digestion
Notes: activates turmeric (piperine effect)
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Rasa: pungent, bitter
Virya: heating
Vipaka: pungent
Doshic Action: Kapha ↓ Vata ↓
Key Actions: respiratory support, adaptogenic, uplifting
Best For: colds, low mood, congestion
Notes: warming but clarifying
Mint (Pudina)
Rasa: pungent
Virya: cooling
Vipaka: pungent
Doshic Action: Pitta ↓ Kapha ↓
Key Actions: digestive, cooling, aromatic
Best For: nausea, heat, congestion
Notes: excellent in summer teas
Aloe (Kumari)
Rasa: bitter
Virya: cooling
Vipaka: sweet
Doshic Action: Pitta ↓
Key Actions: cooling, soothing, digestive support
Best For: heat, acidity, skin inflammation
Notes: use small amounts internally
OILS & GHEES
Sesame Oil
Energetics: warm, heavy
Doshic Action: Vata ↓ Kapha ↑
Uses: massage, grounding, dryness
Coconut Oil
Energetics: cooling, soothing
Doshic Action: Pitta ↓
Uses: heat, inflammation, skin sensitivity
Ghee
Energetics: nourishing, sattvic
Doshic Action: Vata ↓ Pitta ↓
Uses: digestion, nervous system, carrier for herbs
SPICE THERAPEUTICS — QUICK MATCHING
| Goal | Best Spices |
|---|---|
| Gas & bloating | Cumin, fennel, ginger |
| Acidity | Coriander, fennel, mint |
| Congestion | Black pepper, ginger, tulsi |
| Cold digestion | Ginger, cinnamon, cumin |
| Heat | Coriander, fennel, aloe, mint |
DOSHA‑SPECIFIC SPICE BLENDS
Vata Blend
Ginger + fennel + cinnamon
Pitta Blend
Coriander + fennel + cardamom
Kapha Blend
Ginger + black pepper + turmeric
QUICK DOSHIC ACTIONS TABLE
| Herb | Vata | Pitta | Kapha |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger | ↓ | ↑ | ↓ |
| Turmeric | ↑ (dry) | ↓ | ↓ |
| Cumin | ↓ | — | ↓ |
| Coriander | — | ↓ | — |
| Fennel | ↓ | ↓ | — |
| Cinnamon | ↓ | ↑ | ↓ |
| Black Pepper | ↑ | ↑ | ↓ |
| Tulsi | ↓ | — | ↓ |
| Mint | — | ↓ | ↓ |
| Aloe | — | ↓ | — |
NOTES
- Always match qualities (guna) to imbalances.
- Start with kitchen herbs before advanced formulas.
- Observe your sensory response — Ayurveda is experiential.
- Use herbs in small, consistent amounts rather than large doses.