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Today's fast pace of life has taken its toll on the health of the modern men and women. Public awareness of health is increasing day by day.Ayurveda deals the best in preventing diseases and helps us in staying fit. Sometimes we resort to conventional methods for the most common and chronic disorders which can be easily overcome by simple natural ayurvedic herbs without any side effects. In olden days man lived very close to nature and whenever he got indisposed he cured himself by the resources and materials provided by nature, which is nothing but the Ayurvedic science.


The Ayurvedic science includes factors like herbal medicine, dietetics, body work, surgery, psychology and, spirituality. In Ayurveda treatment is mainly done by the use of Indian herbs which is loaded with healing power. Each herb is unique in its medicinal properties with a good aroma and flavour.The preparation and storage of medicine from these ayurvedic herbs is done under great care. Based on the properties and functions of each herb they are classified into wide category. Study of each herb indepth, along with its effects of the doshas is to be considered for designing the Ayurvedic herb formulas. Each herb with its own characteristic features is thus used for specific diseases and its treatment.

The herbs used in the preparation of Ayurvedic medicines vary based on different factors taste and medicinal values. One of the three main categories is mild, strong and toxic where mostly the mild kind of herbs are commonly used for they are highly nutritive with lot of healing properties. Today, Ayurveda and its herbal treatment flourishes side by side with Homeopathic, Unani Tibb and Western conventional medicine and is actively encouraged as an inexpensive alternative to drugs.Ayurvedic medicines prepared from the medicines are said to have no side effects. Most of the ayurvedic medicines and prescriptions have been handed down from one generation to another and the process shall continue unabated. A device or method which becomes an integral part of tradition and practice does not disappear so easily and quickly and this is more true in case of Ayurveda which can be compared with negligible number of systems of ancient and traditional medicine. The herbs have been in use since the ancient times, when people were not familiar with allopath and other forms of treatment and resorted to the herbs and Ayurvedic medicines that were available.

Taking the various characteristic features of the herbs into consideration, they are classified into three main groups where each one is used for specific kind of treatment.

• Vaisheik Gunas - Herbs related to the sensory organ
• Samanya Gunas - Herbs related to general ailments
• Atma Gunas - Herbs related to the soul

Sweet	It improves the complexion, strengths the body, heals wounds and ulcers and purifies the rasa and the blood. Nourishing and strengthening and promotes growth of all tissues, so is good for growing children, the elderly, the weak or injured. Increases Rasa, water and ojas. Good for hair, skin and complexion and for healing broken bones.
Bitter	Separates the doshas, appetizing, digestive, and purifying, improves secretion of breast milk, and reduces the quantity of feces, urine, perspiration, fat, marrow, and pus.Acts as an Antitoxic & Germicidal. It is an antidote for Fainting, Itching & Burning Sensations in the body. Relieves thirst. Good for reducing fevers. Promotes digestion.
Sour	Carminative, and accumulates secretive impurities (waste material that is secreted) in the tissues to aid elimination. Adds deliciousness to food. Stimulates Appetite & Sharpens the mind. Strengthens the sense organs. Causes secretions & salivation. Good for the heart, digestion and assimilation. Helps dispel gas.
Salty	Purifies , digestive, relaxing, separates impurities, accumulates excretions in the system, causes the body to lose tone, clears the outlets of the system, produces softness of all the structures of the body. Helps digestion. Acts as an Anti-spasmodic & Laxative. Promotes salivation.
Pungent	Increases power, purifies the body, prevents obesity, causes relaxation of the ligaments and of the system in general; diminishes formation of milk, semen, and fat. Helps cure Kapha disorders such as sluggish digestion, excess water in the body. Improves circulation, stops itching, facilitates sweating and elimination of ama (toxic accumulations).Purifies the blood, cures skin disease, helps to eliminate blood clots, cleanses the body.
Astringent	Heals, checks all discharges, separates impurities from tissues, and reduces obesity and excessive moisture. Astringent taste stops diarrhea, reduces sweating and slows and stops bleeding.