Noni

Gymnema is a woody climbing shrub native to India and Africa. The leaves are used to make medicine. Gymnema has a long history of use in India’s Ayurvedic medicine. The Hindi name, gurmar, means "destroyer of sugar."

Today, gymnema is used for diabetes, metabolic syndrome, weight loss, and cough. It is also used for malaria and as a snake bite antidote, digestive stimulant, laxative, appetite suppressant, and diuretic.

How does it work?
Gymnema contains substances that decrease the absorption of sugar from the intestine. Gymnema may also increase the amount of insulin in the body and increase the growth of cells in the pancreas, which is the place in the body where insulin is made.

Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

In Ayurvedic medicine, Indian gooseberry, also called Amla, is used as a rasayana (rejuvenative tonic). Modern science has confirmed the medicinal value of this ancient fruit, which is credited with cholesterol-balancing, anticancer, antioxidant, liver-protective and immunomodulating properties. However, its impact on heart health, especially its role in helping prevent coronary heart disease (CHD), stands out.

Sapthachakra

This herb is with seven whorls in its stem with a dark yellow colored bark- it gives the name Saptarangi- Saptachakra means seven whorls- to this. Saptachakra, Caseariaessculanta is a drug of choice for diabetes. It works on the root cause of the diabetes and gives relief to the condition of diabetes by regulating the functions of liver and pancreas. Along with the relieving from the symptoms of the Diabetes and regulating the blood sugar Saptarangi also reduces the risk of side effects of the Diabetes. Because it work on the liver so gives good results in hepatomegaly and other liver related disorders like- jaundice, constipation and bad digestion.

Especially for females- it relieves the painful menstrual periods- dysmenorrhea and regulates the female hormones.

Also useful for Blood disorders, Urinary tract infection and Piles.

Tinospora Cordifolia - Guduchi(immuno modulator)

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) or Giloyis one of history's most famous adaptogens. An adaptogen supports normal immune function and the body's natural response to daily stress. Traditional herbalists would say that adaptogens are plants that "bring the body back into balance."

Guduchi is beneficial in treating fever, gout and jaundice, skin diseases, secondary syphilis, rheumatism, constipation, tuberculosis and leprosy. It is a powerful blood purifier. It is an antihelminthic, anti-periodic, anti-arthritic, anti-pyretic and anti-inflammatory. It acts as a tonic and aphrodisiac. This is a herb which was recommended by Swami Ramdev of PatanjaliYog for treatment of Swine Flu. It is also recommended in the case of bird flu and chikengunia.

Guduchi roots are high in antioxidants. It is used in cancer prevention and treatment. It helps to lower the high cholesterol level, maintain sugar level and protects liver as well. It is used as an anti-aging treatment as well. It has been used to treat severe illnesses, arthritis, food allergies and anemia. Giloy helps the body to adopt to stress. It is also reported to provide relief in piles and dysentery. The stem is used in conditions like generalized weakness , dyspepsia, pyrexias of unknown origin (fevers) and many urinary tract infections. Some of the health experts and Ayurvedic doctors also prescribe Tinospora or Giloy for some sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea. The herb is useful in treating various skin diseases and in some cases, hyperacidity too. It is considered the best herb for clearing microcirculatory system. Its juice is very effective in removing both exogenous toxins. It clears out the brain toxin that inhibits mental function. The root and bark is used for the treatment of respiratory problems such as asthma.

Stevia

The natural sweetener, called stevia, is made from the leaves of the stevia plant. These little leaves are extremely sweet and contain no calories or sugar. Plus, stevia is a safer option to other artificial sweeteners. Webmd.com states, "Stevioside has been safely used in research in doses of up to 1500 mg per day for 2 years." Due to the fact that stevia can be up to 300 times sweeter than sugar, most people would not even be able to consume 1500 mg in a whole week.

Here are some fantastic benefits of Stevia:
Lose Weight
Safe for Teeth Save your teeth by replacing sugar with Stevia
Lower High Blood Pressure
Decrease Blood Sugars

Jambul

The fruit and seeds of the Jambul tree have long been used in Eastern traditional medicine, and are gaining more interest here in the West for the treatment of diabetes. Practitioners of Ayurveda in India value Jambul for lowering blood sugar and researchers are investigating its potential as a male contraceptive. Jambul is used in Unani and Chinese medicine for digestive ailments. The leaves and bark are used for controlling blood pressure and gingivitis. Wine and vinegar are also made from the fruit. It has a high source in vitamin A and vitamin C. 1,3.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has been used for centuries. Although people mainly associate the herb with India, Africans and even Native Americans have used it for infections and for warding off illness.

Ashwagandha in particular is known for its ability to calm, and some research indicates this herb can be used to promote sleep. In Texas, researchers noted the similarities in the sleep-inducing properties of ashwagandha and the calming effects of the well-known amino acid GABA. Likewise, ashwagandha has also been shown to ease anxiety or restlessness, as well as to reduce the symptoms of drug withdrawal. Its ability to stabilize moods and encourage adrenal recovery is highly valued by many herbalists.

But the benefits of ashwagandha extend far beyond mood. In India it is also used to help older patients with mental agility, cognitive ability, and memory. It is also known for its ability to fight off cold and cough symptoms. Preliminary studies give researchers reason to feel that ashwagandha also has the potential ability to decrease cancer cells without adversely affecting healthy cells.

Ashwagandha is also considered by many to be an anti-aging supplement, and it traditionally was known for its ability to provide nourishment to bones and muscles. Studies have also shown that the orange berries from the ashwagandha can be used topically to aid carbuncles, skin ulcers, and tumors. to determine its effectiveness as a treatment for bone cancer, diabetes, bipolar disorder, constipation, impotency, rheumatism, nerve problems, memory loss, arthritis, and many other physical ailments. Its effectiveness is thought to be similar to the herb ginseng used by the Chinese.

Brahmi

Used in Ayurveda for centuries, Brahmi (Bacopa/Bacopamonnieri) supports normal mental function, intellect, consciousness and spirit. According to the Alternative Medicine Review (March 2004), ‘Recent research has focused primarily on Bacopa's cognitive effects, specifically memory learning and concentration, and results support the traditional Ayurvedic claims.’

Brahmi is a nervine tonic that enhances learning, academic performance and improves mental ability. It acts as an anti-anxiety agent and is used in several mental disorders. It also calms restlessness in children. It is used as a nootropic, a drug that enhances cognitive ability.

References

1. Balch, Phyllis A. . "Prescription for Herbal Healing", Avery (2002)
2. Grieve, Maud Mrs. "A Modern Herbal" (1931)
3. Wikipedia