The Best Herbs for Your Dosha

Sprout a veritable garden of dosha-balancing wellness on your patio or windowsill. Growing your own herbs allows you to use them at the height of potency—right after trimming. “And even before you consume the herbs, they have a positive effect, especially if they’re growing indoors near you,” says Kashyapa Fisher, who teaches herbology at The Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “Each specific plant impacts you differently, from oxygenating the air to influencing your mood and the space you’re both in.”

Fisher and Paul Smith, a yoga teacher at Lake Austin Spa Resort, carefully chose these plants for safety and balancing efficacy. Cook with them or use them in teas, massage oils, or bath infusions.

See also: Take this quiz to learn more about your dominant dosha.

Vata

Lemon Balm

Benefits: Relaxing, relieves PMS and bloat
Garden tips: Trim before it blooms to keep it from outgrowing its container

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Vata

Ginger Root

Benefits: Grounding, warming, relieves nausea
Garden tips: With store-bought ginger, plant after root sprouts; likes afternoon shade

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Vata

Chamomile

Benefits: Reduces inflammation, destressing
Garden tips: Loves sun but not heat: Bring indoors when above 75°

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Pitta

Mint

Benefits: Cooling, aids digestion, detoxifying
Garden tips: Loves moisture, so water well; flavor is richest just before flowering

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Pitta

Rose Petals

Benefits: Energizing, aphrodisiac, supports circulation
Garden tips: Loves full sun; use ASAP, as oils degrade within 12 hours of plucking

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Pitta

Lemongrass

Benefits: Cooling, aids digestion
Gardening tips: Pop grocery-store stems in water; plant in soil when roots sprout

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Kapha

Sage

Benefits: Detoxifying, aids breathing
Garden tips: Loves dryness, so use a pot with good drainage and don’t overwater

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Kapha

Holy Basil

Benefits: Stimulates mind and body
Garden tips: Bring indoors sub-5o ̊; loves water; stem/ leaves above 5 inches are most potent

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Kapha

Thyme

Benefits: Promotes energy, controls bacteria
Garden tips: Don’t overwater; loves sun and heat

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