The Yoga of Herbs, available in the HANS library, is a unique book which explores Western and Eastern herbalism from the Ayurvedic perspective. Together, in the spirit of collaboration and integration, authors Dr.Vasant Lad and Dr. David Frawley have given us a brilliant reference book, a bridge between Eastern and Western traditions, with which one easily finds an understanding of the holistic Eastern approach to harmonious good health and healing. 

Ayurveda means "The Science of Life" and is India's ancient medical science. In Ayurveda, the term Yoga means "right use of". The yogic use of herbs refers to the harmonic application of the potencies of herbs. Ayurvedic herbal science is based on herbal energetics and can be applied to western herbs. Plants exist to transmute light into life through photosynthesis. The right use of a plant releases its true power, and when we are one with it, see it as sacred, our nervous system becomes revitalized and our perception invigorated. This is the effect of the plant energetics, not only of the ingestion of the plant matter. The authors suggest that to become an herbalist one must learn to be sensitive to the being of the plants, commune with the plant-light energy, and see them as our teachers. There are 207 herbs are listed in this book, with detailed descriptions of 108 herbs, including some of the major oriental ones from Indian and Chinese traditions. 

There is much to say about the Cosmology of Ayurvedic belief but the heart of the matter with regards to the use of herbs in balancing and healing is to understand the three Doshas or basic types of human constitutions and how to diagnose them. There are combinations of more than one Dosha, but there will usually be one dominant one.  Doshas are recognized by their attributes. Management of the Doshas through diet and life choices is their preventative holistic approach. Herbs and spices in abundance are incorporated into food daily and not reserved for only medical uses. Herbs can either increase or decrease Vata, Pitta or Kapha, or aggravate them. The book provides information on the management of each Dosha. In order to effectively apply any herbal remedies, one must determine the Dosha of the individual, and the Dosha of the particular disease, whether it manifests on the surface, such as a cold or flu, or if a chronic condition that has gone deep, affecting the organs. 

The properties of herbs are classified in terms of their Taste (Rasa) being sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter or astringent, the five Elements being Ether (clarity, Sattva), Air (subtle mobility, from Sattva and Ragas), Fire (energy, Ragas), Water (mobility combined with inertia, from Ragas and Tamas) and Earth (Tamas), their Energy (Virya)  whether its effect is heating or cooling, the Post-Digestion effects (Vipaka) that relate to the processes of absorption and elimination, and other special potencies (Prabhava) its uniqueness. The classification according to taste and energetics is similar to the traditional Chinese system. 

Therapeutic properties of the herbs are described in detail and several commonly known herbs are given for each classification, Alteratives (Rakta Shodhana karma), Antiparasiticals and Anithelmintics (Krumighna karma), Astringents (Stambhana karma), Bitter Tonics and Antipyretics, Carminatives (Vata-anuloman), Diaphoretics (Svedana karma), Diuretics (Mutrala karma), Emmenegogues (Raktabhisarana karma), Expectorants and Demulcents (Kasa-Svasahara),  Laxatives and Purgatives (Virechana karma),  Nervines and Antispasmodics, Stimulants and Digestives (Dipana-Pachana karma), Nutritive Tonics (Bruhana karma), Rejuvenative Tonics (Rasayana karma) and Aphrodisiacs (Vajikarana).

Herbs are believed to work most effectively when prepared in combination with other herbs of similar properties, rather than taken alone. The right combination of herbs must be prepared in the prescribed manner and administered with care. The instructions for five main methods of preparation of raw herbs are given, Fresh Juice (Svarasa), Herbal Paste (Kalka), Decoction (Kvatha), Hot Infusion (Phant), Cold Infusion (Hima), and also Milk Decoctions. Earthen pots are preferred as vessels, although it is noted that copper vessels are helpful to reduce kapha, silver or brass for Pitta, and iron for Vata.  Ayurvedic herbal compounds may have between three and fifty ingredients. Ayurvedic herbal remedies are found as powders, pills and tablets, or made into medicated wines, medicated jellies, medicated oils for external use, and medicated Ghee.

Ayurvedic medicines are prescribed to be taken in different media or Anupana such as hot or cold water, milk, raw sugar and honey, although water is considered best. Hot water is best for herbs to reduce Vata and Kapha, cold is best for herbs to reduce Pitta. Anupanas may enhance the effect of the herbs, or make them more palatable, or act as catalytic agents or Yogavahis to help direct the herbs to deeper, subtler tissues of the body, especially when Ghee is used.

Ayurveda teaches there are two levels of healing, the physical and the mental. Basic healing on the physical level comes from the use of herbs, whereas healing on the mental level comes from the use of Mantra. Plants transmit the seed-energy of nature into the body and mantra transmits the spirit into the mind.  Both work on Prana, life force, one from within, one from without. 

The authors share with us one mantra, the great mantra of the Goddess Devi (Shakti) through which all herbal preparations can be energized. Saying the mantra 108 times while preparing or taking the remedies is said to increase the potency. Om Aim Hrim Klim Chamunday Ai Vicche.  (pronounced om aim hreem kling chamoondayee vichay). 

This book has significantly influenced my perspective on imbalances and healing interventions, awakening me to the infinite possibilities that exist outside of the Western medicine model. I consider this a "must read" for holistic practitioners interested in the proper use of herbal remedies in healing.

Moira Khouri is a holistic health practitioner and writer, certified in Holistic Nutrition, Herbalism, Reiki and Reflexology, living in beautiful Vancouver BC and currently working towards a Bachelor of Science Degree in Holistic Health.  Moira is the only Canadian instructor with The Global College of Natural Medicine (www.gcnm.com) based in Santa Cruz, California.  Phone: 604-346-1471 e-mail: moirakhouri@telus.net web: www.crystalclearholistic.com

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