Immunity & Recovery
Immunity (ojas) is built through rasayana herbs, sound sleep and easily digested food, and protected by avoiding over-exertion during recovery.
Daily practice
- Warm, cooked, lightly spiced meals during and after illness
- Steam inhalation with tulsi or eucalyptus for congestion
- Rest before you feel you need it, not after
Herbs used for Immunity & Recovery
Ashwagandha (Indian Ginseng / Winter Cherry)
Withania somnifera
The grounding adaptogen for stress, sleep and stamina.
- Plant
- Ashwagandha shrub · Shrub
- Also
- Indian ginseng, Winter cherry, Asgandh
- Parts
- RootLeaf
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
The everyday anti-inflammatory root of the kitchen pharmacy.
- Plant
- Turmeric plant · Herb
- Also
- Haldi, Haridra, Manjal
- Parts
- Rhizome (root)Fresh root
Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Ocimum tenuiflorum
Holy basil: the household remedy for coughs, colds and clarity.
- Plant
- Tulsi plant · Shrub
- Also
- Holy basil, Sacred basil, Krishna tulsi
- Parts
- LeafSeedWhole plant
Ginger (Ginger / Dry Ginger)
Zingiber officinale
Called vishwabhesaj, the universal medicine, for good reason.
- Plant
- Ginger plant · Herb
- Also
- Adrak, Ardraka, Shunthi (dried)
- Parts
- Rhizome (root)
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Phyllanthus emblica
Indian gooseberry: cooling vitamin C for skin, hair and blood.
- Plant
- Amla tree · Tree
- Also
- Indian gooseberry, Amalaki, Nelli
- Parts
- FruitSeedLeaf
Neem (Indian Lilac)
Azadirachta indica
Intensely bitter, deeply cleansing: the classic skin herb.
- Plant
- Neem tree · Tree
- Also
- Nimba, Indian lilac, Margosa, Vepa
- Parts
- LeafBarkTwigSeed oilRoot bark
Shatavari (Wild Asparagus Root)
Asparagus racemosus
Cooling, nourishing tonic traditionally used for women's health.
- Plant
- Shatavari climber · Climber
- Also
- Wild asparagus, Satavar, Shatamuli
- Parts
- Root (tuber)
Licorice (Licorice Root)
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Sweet root that soothes throat, stomach lining and dry cough.
- Plant
- Licorice plant · Shrub
- Also
- Mulethi, Yashtimadhu, Sweet wood
- Parts
- Root
Peepal (Sacred Fig)
Ficus religiosa
Sacred fig tree, also called pipal or bodhi: bark and leaf used for skin and breathing.
- Plant
- Peepal tree · Tree
- Also
- Pipal, Sacred fig, Bodhi tree, Ashvattha
- Parts
- BarkTender leafRoot barkFruit
Guava Leaf
Psidium guajava
Guava tree leaves: astringent, well-studied for loose stools and gum health.
- Plant
- Guava tree · Tree
- Also
- Amrud, Peru, Amrutphala
- Parts
- LeafBarkFruit
Harsingar (Night-Flowering Jasmine)
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
Night-flowering jasmine, also called harshringar: leaf juice used for joints and fever.
- Plant
- Harsingar tree · Tree
- Also
- Harshringar, Night-flowering jasmine, Parijat, Shefali
- Parts
- LeafFlowerBarkSeed