Hour 73 Ayurveda – Medicinal Herbs IV

Garlic and Black Pepper

6. Garlic (Allium sativum)

Properties of Garlic:

• Taste: All five tastes except sour (pungent, sweet, bitter, astringent, and salty).
• Potency (Veerya): Hot.
• Qualities (Guna): Heavy, penetrative, sharp, oily.
• Post-digestive Effect (Vipaka): Pungent.
• Effect on Doshas:
  • Pacifies Kapha and Vata doshas due to its hot and pungent nature.
  • Can aggravate Pitta dosha if used in excess.

Health Benefits:

• Digestive Health: Stimulates digestion, reduces bloating, and promotes detoxification.
• Anti-inflammatory: Reduces inflammation in the body.
• Antimicrobial: Helps fight infections.
• Immune-Boosting: Supports overall immunity.
• Blood Purifier: Improves blood circulation and supports heart health.

Remedy for Digestion and Heart Health:

• Ingredients:
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 glass of water
  • ½ glass of milk
• Preparation: Boil garlic with water and milk on low flame for 10 minutes. Strain and consume while warm.
• Benefits: Improves digestion, reduces gas, alleviates body pain, and supports heart health.

7. Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

Properties of Black Pepper:

• Taste: Pungent.
• Potency (Veerya): Hot.
• Qualities (Guna): Light, sharp, subtle.
• Post-digestive Effect (Vipaka): Pungent.
• Effect on Doshas:
  • Balances Vata and Kapha doshas.
  • Increases Pitta dosha if used excessively.

Health Benefits:

• Digestive Health: Stimulates digestive fire (Agni), improves digestion, and clears blockages.
• Carminative: Relieves gas, bloating, and indigestion by aiding the expulsion of gas from the digestive tract.
• Digestive Stimulant: Enhances the secretion of digestive enzymes and bile.
• Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant: Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.
• Expectorant: Clears mucus, useful for respiratory issues like coughs, colds, and bronchitis.
• Antibacterial & Antiviral: Boosts immunity and fights infections.
• Improves Circulation: Enhances metabolic health and supports overall body functions.
• Weight Loss: Due to its hot, dry, and light qualities, black pepper supports weight loss.
• Joint Health: Provides relief from joint pains and sore muscles.

Remedies for Common Issues:

1. Cold, Cough, and Sneezing:
   • Ingredients:
     • 2 grams each of black pepper, dry ginger, and long pepper
     • ½ teaspoon honey
   • Preparation: Make a fine powder and mix with honey.
   • Usage: Lick this paste on an empty stomach in the morning for relief from cold, cough, and sneezing.
2. Promoting Digestion:
   • Ingredients:
     • 2 pinches of black pepper
     • 2 liters of water
   • Usage: Add black pepper to water and consume throughout the day to promote digestion.
3. Indigestion Relief:
   • Ingredients:
     • 1 betel leaf
     • 4-5 black peppercorns
     • 2 pinches of rock salt
   • Preparation: Chew and swallow this mixture for relief from abdominal pain, cramps, indigestion and to eliminate toxins from the body.

Caution:

• Do not use black pepper if Pitta dosha is already aggravated, as it may further increase Pitta due to its hot and pungent nature.