College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Kushta Herbal Powder (Saussurea lappa)

Hot, pungent digestive. Expectorant and antispasmodic for the lungs.

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Hot, pungent digestive. Expectorant and antispasmodic for the lungs.

Metabolic Nature of Kushta

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

LIGHT

ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Lightness is identified by reduced weight.

LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT

TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT

SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SWEET

DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MELANCHOLIC

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHLEGMATIC

AGGRAVATES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

LEARN MORE ABOUT CHOLERIC

SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot and oily with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body. Vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

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Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Kushta
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Appetizer

APPETIZER

Herbs that cleanse the palate & stimulate hunger or desire to eat.

SEE ALL 'APPETIZER' FOODS / HERBS

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Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

SEE ALL 'DIAPHORETIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Vulnerary

VULNERARY

An herb used for the treatment of wounds (antiulcer, connective tissue tonic).

SEE ALL 'VULNERARY' FOODS / HERBS

Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

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Expectorant

EXPECTORANT

Expectorants help you eliminate mucus from the lungs. These herbs often work by increasing the quantity of mucus, or thinning the mucus. Expectorants are indicated when phlegm congests the lower respiratory tract.

SEE ALL 'EXPECTORANT' FOODS / HERBS

Anti Inflammatory

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS

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Antibacterial

ANTIBACTERIAL

Herbs that kill bacteria or slow their growth.

SEE ALL 'ANTIBACTERIAL' FOODS / HERBS

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Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS

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Antiseptic

ANTISEPTIC

Capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Helpful in infections and for those with weak immune systems.

SEE ALL 'ANTISEPTIC' FOODS / HERBS

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Antiviral

ANTIVIRAL

Herbs that inhibit the development of viral infections. Antivirals also can be found in essential oils of some herbs, such as eucalyptus oil.

SEE ALL 'ANTIVIRAL' FOODS / HERBS

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Immune Stimulant

IMMUNE-STIMULANT

Stimulates and strengthens the immune system. Helpful when fighting off a cold or flu.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Hypotensive

HYPOTENSIVE

An herb that lowers blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS

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Vasodilator

VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS

Diuretic

DIURETIC

Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.

SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS

Uterine Stimulant

UTERINE-STIMULANT

Causes contractions in the uterus often by stimulating production of oxytocin. These herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Constituents:
Alkaloids,
Flavonoids

FLAVONOIDS

Flavonoids are a colorful type of polyphenol. As all polyphenols, they have a strong antioxidant effect. Many flavonoids have an anti-inflammatory, and/or antiallergen effect.

SEE ALL 'FLAVONOIDS' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Kushta

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Appetizer, Diaphoretic, Immune-stimulant, Anti-inflammatory, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Antibacterial, Carminative, Diuretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Hypotensive, Vulnerary, Antiviral, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Antibacterial, Bronchodilator, Expectorant, Vasodilator, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Thyme (fresh)

    Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Appetizer, Digestive, Vasodilator, Antibacterial, Bronchodilator, Expectorant, Vulnerary, Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Appetizer, Digestive, Hypotensive, Antibacterial, Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Sage

    Sage has these Actions in Common

    Vulnerary, Appetizer, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Bronchodilator, Expectorant, Uterine-stimulant, Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Immune-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Vasodilator, Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Carminative, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Carminative, Diuretic, Vasodilator, Antiseptic, Diaphoretic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Dill

    Dill has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Appetizer, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Carminative, Diuretic, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Nigella (black cumin)

    Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Immune-stimulant, Carminative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Diaphoretic, Hypotensive, Vasodilator

    LEARN MORE

  • Fenugreek

    Fenugreek has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Carminative, Diuretic, Uterine-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Expectorant, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Kushta

  • Echinacea

    Echinacea has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Immune-stimulant, Antibacterial, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Vulnerary, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Diaphoretic, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Goldenseal

    Goldenseal has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Vulnerary, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Digestive, Diuretic, Immune-stimulant, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Antibacterial, Uterine-stimulant

    LEARN MORE

  • Yarrow

    Yarrow has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Immune-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Uterine-stimulant, Antimicrobial, Vasodilator, Antiseptic, Vulnerary, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Hyssop Powder

    Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Vasodilator, Antiseptic, Vulnerary, Bronchodilator, Carminative, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Mugwort

    Mugwort has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Antibacterial, Uterine-stimulant, Antiseptic, Appetizer

    LEARN MORE

  • Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz

    Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz has these Actions in Common

    Expectorant, Internal-detoxicant, Antibacterial, Vasodilator, Antimicrobial, Vulnerary, Appetizer, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Digestive

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Antibacterial, Vasodilator, Antimicrobial, Appetizer, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Expectorant

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  • Calendula, Marigold

    Calendula, Marigold has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Antiseptic, Antiviral, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Uterine-stimulant, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary

    LEARN MORE

  • Haritaki

    Haritaki has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Anti-inflammatory, Vulnerary, Antimicrobial, Appetizer, Carminative, Digestive, Diuretic, Expectorant

    LEARN MORE

  • Dong Quai

    Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

    Anti-inflammatory, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Carminative, Digestive, Expectorant, Hypotensive, Internal-detoxicant, Uterine-stimulant

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

See guidelines for herbs?
Follow these guidelines

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Kushta may be beneficial for these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Kushta may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Herb Drug Interaction Risk

Here are some potential herb drug interactions with Kushta. Please see your health care provider for more information.
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What is Ayurveda?

Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’

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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information and products on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.