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College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion


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AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Vidanga Herbal Powder (Embelia ribes)

Ayurveda's most widely used anti-microbial.
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Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Considered one of the best Ayurvedic herbs for eliminating intestinal worms and other parasites. A warming herb used for managing all skin diseases, alleviating thirst, and rejuvenation. Anti-estrogenic and used as oral contraceptive. It is also given, boiled in milk, to infants as a digestive and against recurrent upper respiratory infections. Studies on diabetic rats found it decreases blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Dosage: Take 1/2 - 1tsp daily in warm water or milk. Considered safe for use up to three months for elimination of parasites.

Latin Name: Embelia ribes- Myrsinaceae

Energetics:


  • Taste - Pungent, Astringent
  • Quality - Light, Rough, Sharp
  • Potency: Warming
  • Post Digestive Effect: Pungent
  • Pacifies Kapha and Vata.

Metabolic Nature of Vidanga

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.

Find Out More

HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

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

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOT

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?

Find Out More

ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ASTRINGENT

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BITTER

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

SOUR

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SOUR

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.

Find Out More

PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Vata pacifying
AGGRAVATES
Pitta aggravating

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.

Find Out More

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

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.

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

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.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SANGUINE

Other

Affinity:
Digestion

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Vidanga
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)
Bowel Health:
Stimulant Laxative

STIMULANT-LAXATIVE

Stimulant laxatives induce bowel movements by stimulating peristaltic movement (the contraction of smooth muscle in the intestines). They are effective when used on a short-term basis. On a long-term basis, they can create dependency. Aka irritant laxativ

SEE ALL 'STIMULANT-LAXATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

,
Stool Softener

STOOL-SOFTENER

Softens hard and difficult to eliminate stool. Stool softeners are the safest and most gentle type of laxative. Examples include warm milk with ghee.

SEE ALL 'STOOL-SOFTENER' FOODS / HERBS

Cleanse & Detox:
Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

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

SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS

Immune System:
Antimicrobial

STRONG 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

,
Anthelminthic

ANTHELMINTHIC

Kills parasitic worms (hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, etc).

SEE ALL 'ANTHELMINTHIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antifungal

ANTIFUNGAL

Herbs that destroy fungus.

SEE ALL 'ANTIFUNGAL' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:
Alterative

ALTERATIVE

Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter.

SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:
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

Weight Loss:
Hypolipidemic

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells.

SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS

,
Lowers Blood Sugar

LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR

An herb that lowers blood sugar.

SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:
Antiandrogen

ANTIANDROGEN

Reduces androgen (testosterone), which can reduce excess growth, drive, and libido. Reduces skin oiliness. Helpful for prostate enlargement.

SEE ALL 'ANTIANDROGEN' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Vidanga

  • Turmeric Root (Fresh)

    Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Antifungal, Internal-detoxicant, Anthelminthic, Antimicrobial, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antiandrogen, Hypolipidemic

    LEARN MORE

  • Turmeric

    Turmeric has these Actions in Common

    Anthelminthic, Antimicrobial, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antiandrogen, Hypolipidemic, Alterative, Antifungal, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Aloe Vera Juice / Gel

    Aloe Vera Juice / Gel has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Hypolipidemic, Stimulant-laxative, Antifungal, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Lowers-blood-sugar

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Leaves

    Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Internal-detoxicant, Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Hypolipidemic, Stimulant-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic (raw)

    Garlic (raw) has these Actions in Common

    Anthelminthic, Diuretic, Stimulant-laxative, Antifungal, Hypolipidemic, Antimicrobial, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Burdock Root (Gobo)

    Burdock Root (Gobo) has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Hypolipidemic, Antimicrobial, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Garlic

    Garlic has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Diuretic, Antifungal, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Stimulant-laxative

    LEARN MORE

  • Pumpkin Seeds

    Pumpkin Seeds has these Actions in Common

    Anthelminthic, Diuretic, Antiandrogen, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Cinnamon

    Cinnamon has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-blood-sugar, Diuretic, Antifungal, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Endive

    Endive has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Kale

    Kale has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Hypolipidemic

    LEARN MORE

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Vidanga

  • Neem Leaf

    Neem Leaf has these Actions in Common

    Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Anthelminthic, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic

    LEARN MORE

  • Dandelion Root

    Dandelion Root has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Manjistha

    Manjistha has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Anthelminthic, Antiandrogen, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Haritaki

    Haritaki has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stool-softener, Alterative, Anthelminthic, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Ginkgo

    Ginkgo has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Antifungal, Antimicrobial

    LEARN MORE

  • Punarnava

    Punarnava has these Actions in Common

    Antimicrobial, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative

    LEARN MORE

  • Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

    Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

    Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Diuretic

    LEARN MORE

  • Triphala Guggulu

    Triphala Guggulu has these Actions in Common

    Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Internal-detoxicant, Lowers-blood-sugar, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE

  • Guduchi

    Guduchi has these Actions in Common

    Lowers-blood-sugar, Alterative, Anthelminthic, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant

    LEARN MORE

  • Triphala

    Triphala has these Actions in Common

    Alterative, Diuretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulant-laxative, Stool-softener

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

1/8-1/4 tsp 3x/day before meals or as directed by your practitioner.
See guidelines for herbs?
Follow these guidelines

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Vidanga 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

Vidanga 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 Vidanga. Please see your health care provider for more information.

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