Herb Help

When used in moderation, the following herbs are useful for any constitution. They can be incorporated year-round but are especially good for springtime healing. You can start taking them at the beginning of spring and continue through the season.

By Scott Blossom

There has been controversy recently about the safety of Ayurvedic herbs. For the full story, read "Are Your Herbs Safe?". Please visit the Web sites of Banyan Botanicals and Bazaar of India (listed below) for statements about the safety of their products.

TRIPHALA
Contains three of the most important Ayurvedic herbs for detoxifying and rejuvenating the body.

Take ½ teaspoon or two capsules at night or first thing in the morning. Increase to 1 teaspoon or three capsules after one week. You can use it for up to six months at a time.

TURMERIC
This common kitchen herb is effective for drying mucus and soothing irritation associated with allergies.

Take ¼ teaspoon with 1 teaspoon raw honey three times a day, or if your allergies are acting up, once every half hour. Raw honey is suggested to help digest the turmeric and make it taste better. It will not aggravate a kapha imbalance if used in this proportion. Regular honey can lose its medicinal benefits and can aggravate both pitta and kapha.

GINGER
Drinking ginger tea with lemon juice and raw honey before meals keeps the digestive fire healthy and your elimination patterns regular. If you have a pitta imbalance, you can substitute mint and fennel for ginger.

TALISADI
This herbal formula is great for preventing springtime colds. It's especially good for people who have a history of upper-respiratory-tract infections, weakened immunity, or bronchitis during the winter.

Take ½ teaspoon with raw honey in warm water three times a day before meals.

NASYA OIL
Dab Nasya oil (medicated sesame oil), organic sesame oil, or ghee inside your nostrils and ears to increase lubrication. This soothes mucous membranes and other tissues of the nose.

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RESOURCES
Banyan Botanicals Purveyor of organic Ayurvedic herbs and remedies www.banyanbotanicals.com

Bazaar of India Importer of traditional Indian herbs and spices, including talisadi and asafoetida www.bazaarofindia.com

Yogi Tea Maker of teas (like Yogi DeTox Tea) appropriate for a cleansing diet www.yogitea.com

An integrative yoga therapist, Scott Blossom, L.Ac., lives in Berkeley, California, with his wife, Chandra, and their daughter, Tara. He thanks Chandra, Dr. Robert Svoboda, and Shandor Remete for their input to this article. He can be contacted at www.shunyatayoga.com.

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