Healthepic-Classification of herbs according to origin, habitat, their actions, action on doshas, use etc.according to Ayurveda

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Herbs can be classified into five types: according to origin, according to habitat, according to various actions, according to action on doshas and according to their use.

Classification of herbs according to origin

Dravyas are constituted by panchamahabhootas (five elements). A dravya is said to be of a particular mahabhoota if it forms a major constituent of the dravya. There are five types of dravyas:

Parthiv
Apaya
Taijas
Vayaveeya
Akasheeya

Classification according to habitat, family, morphology and life span of herbs (dravya)

Sthalaj - Plant and trees that grow on land, e.g. Haritaki, Amalki etc.
Jalaj (Aquatic) - Plants that grow in water, e.g. Lotus, Spyrogyra.
Vruksharuha (Epiphytic, living on the surface of trees) - Plants that grow on other trees but do not depend on that tree for their nutrition, e.g. Rasana.
Vrukshadan (Parasitic) - Plant that dwells on another tree and obtains its nutrition from its host.

Classification of dravyas on the basis of different actions

	Dravyas	Actions
1.	Jeevaneeya	Promotes longevity and optimizes all the vital constituents and functions.
2.	Bruhaneeya	Substance, which has an anabolic effect.
3.	Lekhaneeya	Substances that bring about lekhan i.e. scratching, scraping etc.
4.	Bhedaneeya	Purgative
5.	Sandhaneeya	Facilitates reunion of fractures and aids in fermentation.
6.	Deepaneeya	Stimulant of digestive functions.
7.	Balya	Strengthens and raises functional capacity.
8.	Varnya	Improves complexion.
9.	Kanthya	Demulcent, beneficial to larynx and throat.
10.	Hridya	Cardio tonic pleases the mind and senses.
11.	Truptighna	Removes satiation.
12.	Arshoghna	Cures piles.
13.	Kushthaghna	Anti-dermatoses.
14.	Kandughna	Antipuritic
15.	Krumighna	Anthelmintic, antiparasitic.
16.	Krumighna	Antidote
17.	Stanyajanan	Stimulates production of breast milk.
18.	Stanyashodhan	Purifies breast milk.
19.	Shukrajanan	Increases semen count.
20.	Shukrashodhan	Purifies semen
21.	Snehopag	Aids in snehan i.e. oleation.
22.	Swedopag	Aids in swedan i.e. causing perspiration.
23.	Vamanopag	Aids in emesis.
24.	Virechanopag	Aids in purgation.
25.	Asthapanopag	Supports action of asthapan i.e. one of the two types of medicated enema in which usually decoctions are used.
26.	Anuvasanopag	Supports the action of oleated enema.
27.	Shirovirechanopag	Removal of doshas from the head by nasal administration of medicines.
28.	Chardinigrahana	Controls vomiting, anti-emetic.
29.	Trishnanigrahan	Removing / assuaging thirst.
30.	Hikkanigrahan	Control of hiccups
31.	Purishasangrahaneeya	Increases solid consistency of the stools/faeces.
32.	Purishavirajaneeya	Restores the normal colour of stools/faeces.
33.	Mootrasangrahaneeya	Reduces urine excretion.
34.	Mootravirajaneeya	Restores the normal colour of urine.
35.	Mootravirechaneeya	Drugs that help to pass obstructed urine.
36.	Kasahara	Drugs that alleviate cough.
37.	Shwashara	Anti-asthmatic.
38.	Shothahara	Reduces swelling
39.	Jvarahara	Alleviates fever, febrifuge.
40.	Shramahara	Removing fatigue
41.	Dahaprashaman	Alleviates burning sensation.
42.	Sheetaprashaman	Alleviates cold
43.	Udaraprashaman	Alleviates urticaria
44.	Angamardaprashaman	Alleviates body ache, malaise.
45.	Shoolaprashaman	Analgesic substances.
46.	Shonitprashaman	Pacifies doshas of the blood.
47.	Vedanasthapan	Analgesic.
48.	Sangnyasthapan	Restores consciousness.
49.	Prajasthapan	Promotes fertility.
50.	Vayahsthapan	Anti-ageing.

Types according to the action on doshas

Shaman - Dravyas which equate the vitiated dosha without purifying the doshas or disturbing the equilibrium.
Kopan - Dravyas which vitiate the doshas in equilibrium.
Swasthahita - Dravyas which have a tendency to increase or decrease vatadi doshas but do not produce vitiation of these doshas in a healthy person.

Types depending on their use

Aushadh dravya (drugs)
Ahar dravya (diet)

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