Pharmacology terms
Pharmacology terms is a reference glossary of 10 entries drawn from the Ayurvedic materia medica, each listing the herbs it occurs in and the compounds it commonly appears alongside.
Antiemetic Agents {#antiemetic}
20 herbs and compounds with antiemetic activity across traditions
Ayurveda (6)
- Bijapura, Citrus medica L.
- Elakanadi Kashayam
- Guloochyadi Kashayam
- Jayapala, Croton tiglium L.
- Shati, Hedychium spicatum Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.
- Soubhagya Shunthi
Related Body Systems
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain
- Brain & Nervous System
- Diabetes & Metabolism
- Digestive Health
- Fever & Infection
- Heart & Cardiovascular
- Joint & Musculoskeletal
- Kidney & Urinary
- Liver & Detoxification
- Respiratory Health
- Skin & Beauty
- Women’s Health
Antihypertensive Agents {#antihypertensive}
18 herbs and compounds with antihypertensive activity across traditions
Ayurveda (6)
- Brahmi Vati
- Hingupatri, Ferula spp. (leaf portion of Ferula assa-foetida L. or related Ferula species)
- Kaishore Guggul
- Mochras, Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl. (syn. Bombax ceiba L.) - resin exudate
- Sarpagandha, Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz
Related Body Systems
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain
- Brain & Nervous System
- Diabetes & Metabolism
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Fever & Infection
- Hair Health
- Heart & Cardiovascular
- Immune System & Rasayana
- Joint & Musculoskeletal
- Kidney & Urinary
- Liver & Detoxification
- Men’s Health & Vitality
- Respiratory Health
- Skin & Beauty
Antispasmodic Agents {#antispasmodic}
65 herbs and compounds with antispasmodic activity across traditions
Ayurveda (21)
- Agnitundi Vati
- Ajwain, Trachyspermum ammi
- Cumin
- Ela, Elettaria cardamomum
- Hingu, Ferula asafoetida
- Hingupatri, Ferula spp. (leaf portion of Ferula assa-foetida L. or related Ferula species)
- Hingwashtak Churna
- Jatamansi
- Kachura, Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe
- Kalonji, Nigella sativa
- Laung, Syzygium aromaticum
- Meda, Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) All. / Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle
- Mishreya, Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
- Mustakarishta
- Narayana Thailam
- Sthneyaka, Taxus baccata L. (possibly Taxus wallichiana Zucc. in Indian context)
- Sukumara Kashayam
- Talisa, Abies webbiana Lindl. (syn. Abies spectabilis (D. Don) Mirb.)
- Vacha
- Yavani, Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague
Related Body Systems
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain
- Brain & Nervous System
- Diabetes & Metabolism
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Fever & Infection
- Hair Health
- Heart & Cardiovascular
- Immune System & Rasayana
- Joint & Musculoskeletal
- Kidney & Urinary
- Liver & Detoxification
- Men’s Health & Vitality
- Respiratory Health
- Skin & Beauty
- Women’s Health
Antitumor Agents {#antitumor}
80 herbs and compounds listed under antitumor activity across traditions
Ayurveda (12)
- Agnikarna, Gloriosa superba L. (Agnikumarika/Agnimukhi); also associated with Litsea species in some texts
- Akshotaka, Juglans regia L.
- Ankola, Alangium salviifolium (L.f.) Wangerin
- Chhatraka, Agaricus campestris L.
- Karela
- Kasani, Cichorium intybus L.
- Laung, Syzygium aromaticum
- Narikela, Cocos nucifera L.
- Nirgundi, Vitex negundo L.
- Prasarini, Paederia foetida L.
- Twak Cinnamon, Cinnamomum verum
Related Body Systems
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain
- Brain & Nervous System
- Diabetes & Metabolism
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Fever & Infection
- Hair Health
- Heart & Cardiovascular
- Immune System & Rasayana
- Joint & Musculoskeletal
- Kidney & Urinary
- Liver & Detoxification
- Men’s Health & Vitality
- Respiratory Health
- Skin & Beauty
- Women’s Health
Aphrodisiac Agents {#aphrodisiac}
30 herbs and compounds with aphrodisiac activity across traditions
Ayurveda (20)
- Akarakarabha, Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.
- Jivaka, Malaxis acuminata D. Don
- Kapikachhu
- Kharjura, Phoenix dactylifera L.
- Lata Kasturi
- Makaradhwaj Vati
- Mochras, Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl. (syn. Bombax ceiba L.) - resin exudate
- Nagabala, Grewia hirsuta Vahl / Sida veronicifolia Lam. (syn. Sida veronicaefolia)
- Neelam Pishti
- Phala Ghrita
- Riddhi, Habenaria intermedia D. Don
- Saffron, Crocus sativus
- Saindhava Lavana
- Swarna Vasant Malti Ras
- Talamuli
- Vaikranta Bhasma
- Vanga Bhasma
- Vidarikand, Pueraria tuberosa (Willd.) DC.
- Vriddhi
Related Body Systems
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain
- Brain & Nervous System
- Diabetes & Metabolism
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Fever & Infection
- Hair Health
- Heart & Cardiovascular
- Immune System & Rasayana
- Joint & Musculoskeletal
- Kidney & Urinary
- Liver & Detoxification
- Men’s Health & Vitality
- Respiratory Health
- Skin & Beauty
- Women’s Health
Galactagogue Agents {#galactagogue}
21 herbs and compounds with galactagogue activity across traditions
Ayurveda (15)
- Chandrashura, Lepidium sativum L.
- Dugdhika
- Gajapippali, Scindapsus officinalis (Roxb.) Schott
- Gambhari Phala, Gmelina arborea Roxb.
- Jivanti, Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) Wight & Arn.
- Kakoli, Roscoea purpurea Sm. (also identified with Fritillaria roylei)
- Karpasa
- Karpasa Moola
- Ksheera, Not applicable (animal product - Bos taurus milk primarily)
- Madhuka, Madhuca longifolia (J.Koenig ex L.) J.F.Macbr.
- Madhuka Pushpa
- Meda, Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) All. / Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle
- Mishreya, Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
- Shatavari Ksheera, Asparagus racemosus Willd.
- Vidarikand, Pueraria tuberosa (Willd.) DC.
Related Body Systems
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain
- Brain & Nervous System
- Diabetes & Metabolism
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Fever & Infection
- Heart & Cardiovascular
- Immune System & Rasayana
- Kidney & Urinary
- Liver & Detoxification
- Men’s Health & Vitality
- Respiratory Health
- Skin & Beauty
- Women’s Health
Hemostatic Agents {#hemostatic}
47 herbs and compounds with hemostatic activity across traditions
Ayurveda (30)
- Aja Dugdha Goat Milk
- Akika Pishti
- Ashoka
- Ashokarishta
- Dhataki
- Dhava
- Dugdhika
- Durva
- Gambhari Phala, Gmelina arborea Roxb.
- Kaharuba Pishti
- Kamala Kesara
- Kanchanar, Bauhinia variegata L.
- Kumuda
- Lodhra, Symplocos racemosa Roxb.
- Lodhrasva
- Lohasava
- Manjishtha
- Mochras, Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl. (syn. Bombax ceiba L.) - resin exudate
- Nagakesara
- Patrangasava
- Plaksha, Ficus lacor Buch.-Ham.
- Pradarantak Lauh
- Pravala Pishti
- Pushyanuga Churna
- Sarja
- Shalmali
- Soubhagya Shunthi
- Sphatika Bhasma
- Vasa, Adhatoda vasica Nees (syn. Justicia adhatoda L.)
- Vasa Avaleha
Related Body Systems
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain
- Brain & Nervous System
- Diabetes & Metabolism
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Fever & Infection
- Hair Health
- Heart & Cardiovascular
- Immune System & Rasayana
- Joint & Musculoskeletal
- Kidney & Urinary
- Liver & Detoxification
- Men’s Health & Vitality
- Respiratory Health
- Skin & Beauty
- Women’s Health
Hypolipidemic Agents {#hypolipidemic}
32 herbs and compounds with hypolipidemic activity across traditions
Ayurveda (21)
- Aivana, Salvia officinalis L.
- Arogyavardhini Vati
- Chakragaja, Cassia tora L. (Senna tora) / Uncertain identification
- Gorakhmundi, Sphaeranthus indicus L.
- Jeeraka, Cuminum cyminum L.
- Jyotishmati
- Kakoli, Roscoea purpurea Sm. (also identified with Fritillaria roylei)
- Kovidara, Bauhinia purpurea L.
- Kushmanda, Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.
- Kusumbha
- Madhusnuhi Rasayana
- Mahayograj Guggul
- Nyagrodha, Ficus benghalensis L.
- Punarnavadi Guggulu
- Shuddha Guggulu
- Simhanada Guggulu
- Tila, Sesamum indicum L.
- Triphala Guggulu
- Vyoshadi Guggulu
- Yogaraja Guggulu
Related Body Systems
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain
- Brain & Nervous System
- Diabetes & Metabolism
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Heart & Cardiovascular
- Immune System & Rasayana
- Joint & Musculoskeletal
- Kidney & Urinary
- Liver & Detoxification
- Men’s Health & Vitality
- Respiratory Health
- Skin & Beauty
- Women’s Health
Nootropic Agents {#nootropic}
28 herbs and compounds with nootropic activity across traditions
Ayurveda (16)
- Akhuparni, Ipomoea reniformis Choisy (syn. Merremia emarginata (Burm.f.) Hallier f.)
- Aparajita, Clitoria ternatea L.
- Brahmi, Bacopa monnieri
- Brahmi Ghritam
- Brahmi Vati
- Gokarna, Clitoria ternatea L. (same species as Aparajita; Gokarna is a regional Ayurvedic synonym)
- Jatamansi
- Jyotishmati
- Kalyanaka Ghrita
- Kushmanda, Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Cogn.
- Mandukparni
- Raupya Bhasma
- Ushira, Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (syn. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty)
- Vacha
- Vidarikand, Pueraria tuberosa (Willd.) DC.
- Water Hyssop
Related Body Systems
- Anti-inflammatory & Pain
- Brain & Nervous System
- Diabetes & Metabolism
- Digestive Health
- Eye Health
- Fever & Infection
- Hair Health
- Immune System & Rasayana
- Joint & Musculoskeletal
- Kidney & Urinary
- Liver & Detoxification
- Men’s Health & Vitality
- Respiratory Health
- Skin & Beauty
Vajikarana Agents {#vajikarana}
18 herbs and compounds with vajikarana activity across traditions
Ayurveda (16)
- Akarakarabha, Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.
- Dhatupaushtik Churna
- Godugdha
- Kharjura, Phoenix dactylifera L.
- Makaradhwaj Vati
- Mochras, Salmalia malabarica (DC.) Schott & Endl. (syn. Bombax ceiba L.) - resin exudate
- Nagabala, Grewia hirsuta Vahl / Sida veronicifolia Lam. (syn. Sida veronicaefolia)
- Shrigataka, Trapa natans L. (syn. Trapa bispinosa Roxb.)
- Shvet Musli
- Swarna Vasant Malti Ras
- Talamuli
- Vaikranta Bhasma
- Vanga Bhasma
- Vidarikand, Pueraria tuberosa (Willd.) DC.
- Vriddhi
Related Body Systems
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.