Amalaki, 90 tablets, 500 mg.

Amalaki or amla is a tropical gooseberry that is one of the richest, if not the richest, natural source of stable vitamin C in the world. It is the foundation of the famous rejuvenation and longevity tonic, Chyawanprash, as well as the intestinal cleansing formula with three fruits: triphala. It is used to remove excess pitta and kindle natural digestive fire, agni. It is a fine antioxidant and is nourishing to the tissues, especially to the eyes, blood, hair, skin, and bones.

Ingredients: certified organic Emblica officinalis fruit.

Banyan Botanicals, $

Ashwagandha, 90 tablets

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, an herb that supports the ability to cope with stress. It is one of the main herbs used in Ayurvedic rejuvenative formulas and is somewhat more specific to the male reproductive system than the female, but it is used by both sexes to increase stamina. It promotes proper nourishment of tissue, especially muscles and bone, and is calming for vata.

Special notes: This formula is used to balance pitta and kapha. It can be used in conjunction with Triphala when there are skin irritations due to excess pitta.

Ingredients: Ashwagandha root, Withania somnifera*.

Banyan Botanicals, $

Bhringaraj Extract, 2 oz.

In Ayurveda, the leaves are used primarily as hair tonics and liver rejuvenatives. In Siddha Medicine, they are used with ghee to disgorge phlegm lodged in the tongue and tonsils.

Ingredients: extract of aerial parts Eclipta alba in distilled water and organic alcohol.

Sacred Medicine Sanctuary, $

Boswellia Serrata, 100 vegicaps, 450 mg.

Most Ayurvedic texts discuss the anti-inflammatory properties of this illustrious member of the frankincense family. It has become a popular herb for joint pain.

Ingredients: ethically wildcrafted Boswellia serrata resin in vegetarian capsules.

Vadik Herbs, $

Gymnema, 60 vegetarian capsules

The Ayurvedic name for gymnema is Meshashringi but is also known as gurmar, the destroyer of sugar. It has been used for 1500 years to support proper pancreatic function and hold blood sugar in a normal range by delaying absorption of sugar.

Suggested Use: one capsule 2-3 times per day after meals.

Ingredients: Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in vegetarian capsules with rice four and silicon dioxide.

Avesta, $

Haritaki, 90 tablets, 500 mg

Haritaki is one of the three fruits in triphala where it exhibits more purgative action than the other two fruits. It is also one of the ingredients in Chyawanprash. It is a vata pacifying fruit that acts mainly on the gastrointestinal tract where it removes toxins, nourishes, and rejuvenates tissue, having a special ability to normalize lipids. It is also used to treat fevers and anemia.

Ingredients: certified organic Terminalia chebula fruit powder.

Banyan Botanicals, $

Kapi Kacchu, organic, 100 vegicaps

This very powerful herb from the legume family has been part of Ayurvedic rejuvenative medicine for thousands of years. It is also an ingredient in many formulas for vata derangements that affect the neuromuscular system as well as libido. It has been studied intensely for its capacity to increase dopamine activity. It is popular among people studying lucid dreaming, but depending on the process used to make the herb, the levodopa may or may not have been leeched out prior to packaging.

Ingredients: certified organic Mucuna pruriens in vegetarian capsules.

Vadik Herbs, $

Neem, 90 tablets

Neem is an exceedingly detoxifying herb that is especially valuable in removing excess pitta and kapha. It is very bitter and cooling. Vata types can combine neem with some warming herbs to offset its cooling effects. Neem is used to purify the blood, cleanse the liver, and boost immunity.

Ingredients: Neem leaf, Azadirachta indica*.

Banyan Botanicals, $

Shatavari, 90 tablets

Just as the name suggests, this herb belongs to the asparagus family, but it is the root that is used in Ayurvedic medicine. Shatavari is considered to be one of the true rasayana or longevity plants and while it is the herb of choice for women, especially during the change of life such as puberty and menopause, but also during pregnancy and while nursing. It helps women to overcome dryness and through this mechanism increases tissue elasticity and lubrication, thereby enhancing pleasure and protecting tissue from trauma. It can also be used by men. It supports immunity, intellect, and stamina.

Ingredients: Shatavari root, Asparagus racemosus*.

Banyan Botanicals, $

Shilajit, 60 Vegetarian Capsules, 450 mg

Shilajit is an exudate that is pressed out from layers of rock in the mountains. It is composed of humus and organic plant material that has been compressed by layers of rock. It is used to improve the outcome of any protocol and strengthen both physical and spiritual powers.

Ingredients: mineral pitch from the Himalayas in vegetarian capsules.

Vadik Herbs, $

Tulsi, 100 Vegicaps, 450 mg.

Tulsi or holy basil is one of the most important herbs in the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia. It is an ingredient in many formulas but is offered here as a single herb. Studies find it helpful in the management of hepatitis, tuberculosis, malaria, and a host of other diseases. It is relaxing because of its antispasmodic effects. It improves transport of oxygen and seems to have estrogen lowering effects.

Ingredients: Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum in vegetarian capsules.

Vadik Herbs, $

Vamsa Rochna, wildcrafted, 100 vegicaps

Bamboo manna comes from the inside of bamboo and is an ingredient in Chyawanprash as well as many formulas for strengthening hair, teeth, bones, and other tissues that can be nourished by its silicious crystalline components.

Ingredients: Bambusa arundinaceae powder in vegetarian capsules.

Vadik Herbs, $

Vidanga Fruit Powder, 100 capsules

Vidanga is used to eliminate excess vata from the lower intestines. This is extremely important since vata can become debilitating. Vidanga also strengthens agni (digestive fire) and supports detoxification. In Ayurveda, it is regarded as ascaridal, specific for large intestinal nematodes, as well as giardia. In clinical trials, tape worms were expelled in 6-24 hours. It is also a febricide. Studies indicate that it is estrogenic and mildly progestogenic. The berries are spermicidal and are being studied as a natural contraceptive. The effects on male fertility are easily reversed once stopping the use of the berries.

Use of this herb should be suspended if changes in peripheral vision are noted. It should also not be used by those trying to have children since it acts as an antifertility agent.

Ingredients: Embelia ribes fruit powder in vegetarian capsules.

Vadik Herbs, $