College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Spikenard (Aralia racemosa)

Hot, pungent, aromatic astringent, anti-inflammatory herb. Respiratory decongestant; like American Ginseng root but more warming

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Hot, pungent, aromatic astringent, anti-inflammatory herb. Respiratory decongestant; like American Ginseng root but more warming
Ayurveda Spikenard Whole Plant Large

Ayurveda Spikenard Leaf Large

Ayurveda Spikenard Stem / Bark Large

Metabolic Nature of Spikenard

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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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

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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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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

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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
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.

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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.

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PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals 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 Spikenard
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)
Nervine

STRONG NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

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Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

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

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Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

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

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Lung Tonic

LUNG-TONIC

Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions.

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Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Spikenard

  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Nervine, Diaphoretic, Bronchodilator, Lung-tonic

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  • Cardamom

    Cardamom has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Lung-tonic, Bronchodilator, Nervine

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  • Thyme (fresh)

    Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Lung-tonic, Bronchodilator, Nervine

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  • Daikon Radish

    Daikon Radish has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Bronchodilator, Lung-tonic

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  • Rosemary

    Rosemary has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Bronchodilator, Nervine, Cardiac-stimulant

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  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Bronchodilator, Lung-tonic, Cardiac-stimulant

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  • Anise

    Anise has these Actions in Common

    Nervine, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant

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  • Caraway Seeds

    Caraway Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Lung-tonic, Bronchodilator

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  • Celery Seed

    Celery Seed has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Nervine

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  • Nigella (black cumin)

    Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

    Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Nervine

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  • Fennel Seeds

    Fennel Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Lung-tonic, Nervine, Cardiac-stimulant

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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Spikenard

  • Angelica

    Angelica has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Lung-tonic, Nervine, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant

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  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Lung-tonic, Nervine, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

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  • Hyssop Powder

    Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Nervine

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  • Elecampane

    Elecampane has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Lung-tonic

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  • Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz

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

    Nervine, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Lung-tonic

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  • Mustard Poultice

    Mustard Poultice has these Actions in Common

    Diaphoretic, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant

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  • Chest Rub with Essential Oils

    Chest Rub with Essential Oils has these Actions in Common

    Lung-tonic, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant

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  • Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink

    Kanakasava- Breathe Alive Tonic Drink has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Lung-tonic

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  • Trikatu

    Trikatu has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

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  • Osha

    Osha has these Actions in Common

    Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic

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Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

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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.