Digestion & Gut
Digestive strength (agni) is the centre of Ayurvedic practice. Bloating, irregularity and sluggishness are treated by kindling agni rather than suppressing symptoms.
Daily practice
- Largest meal at midday when digestive fire is strongest
- Sip warm water through the day; avoid iced drinks with meals
- Leave 3-4 hours between meals with no snacking
Herbs used for Digestion & Gut
Turmeric
Curcuma longa
The everyday anti-inflammatory root of the kitchen pharmacy.
- Plant
- Turmeric plant · Herb
- Also
- Haldi, Haridra, Manjal
- Parts
- Rhizome (root)Fresh root
Triphala (Three-Fruit Blend)
Emblica officinalis, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula
The three-fruit formula for gentle, regular digestion.
- Plant
- Three fruiting trees: amalaki, bibhitaki, haritaki · Formula
- Also
- Three-fruit formula, Triphala churna
- Parts
- Fruit
Ginger (Ginger / Dry Ginger)
Zingiber officinale
Called vishwabhesaj, the universal medicine, for good reason.
- Plant
- Ginger plant · Herb
- Also
- Adrak, Ardraka, Shunthi (dried)
- Parts
- Rhizome (root)
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Phyllanthus emblica
Indian gooseberry: cooling vitamin C for skin, hair and blood.
- Plant
- Amla tree · Tree
- Also
- Indian gooseberry, Amalaki, Nelli
- Parts
- FruitSeedLeaf
Shatavari (Wild Asparagus Root)
Asparagus racemosus
Cooling, nourishing tonic traditionally used for women's health.
- Plant
- Shatavari climber · Climber
- Also
- Wild asparagus, Satavar, Shatamuli
- Parts
- Root (tuber)
Fenugreek (Fenugreek Seed)
Trigonella foenum-graecum
Kitchen seed with real evidence for blood sugar and digestion.
- Plant
- Fenugreek plant · Herb
- Also
- Methi, Methika, Venthayam
- Parts
- SeedLeaf
Licorice (Licorice Root)
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Sweet root that soothes throat, stomach lining and dry cough.
- Plant
- Licorice plant · Shrub
- Also
- Mulethi, Yashtimadhu, Sweet wood
- Parts
- Root
Peepal (Sacred Fig)
Ficus religiosa
Sacred fig tree, also called pipal or bodhi: bark and leaf used for skin and breathing.
- Plant
- Peepal tree · Tree
- Also
- Pipal, Sacred fig, Bodhi tree, Ashvattha
- Parts
- BarkTender leafRoot barkFruit
Jamun (Java Plum / Black Plum)
Syzygium cumini
Indian blackberry tree: seed and bark long used for blood sugar and loose digestion.
- Plant
- Jamun tree · Tree
- Also
- Indian blackberry, Java plum, Jambu, Black plum
- Parts
- SeedBarkFruitLeaf
Guava Leaf
Psidium guajava
Guava tree leaves: astringent, well-studied for loose stools and gum health.
- Plant
- Guava tree · Tree
- Also
- Amrud, Peru, Amrutphala
- Parts
- LeafBarkFruit
Harsingar (Night-Flowering Jasmine)
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis
Night-flowering jasmine, also called harshringar: leaf juice used for joints and fever.
- Plant
- Harsingar tree · Tree
- Also
- Harshringar, Night-flowering jasmine, Parijat, Shefali
- Parts
- LeafFlowerBarkSeed
Banyan (Banyan Tree)
Ficus benghalensis
Banyan tree bark and aerial roots: cooling astringent for skin, gums and hair.
- Plant
- Banyan tree · Tree
- Also
- Bargad, Vata, Nyagrodha, Indian fig
- Parts
- BarkAerial rootLeafLatex
Clove
Syzygium aromaticum
Warming aromatic bud that numbs toothache and kindles sluggish digestion.
- Plant
- Clove tree · Tree
- Also
- Laung, Lavanga, Krambu
- Parts
- Flower budBud oil
Bhringraj (False Daisy)
Eclipta alba
The classic hair and scalp herb, also used as a cooling liver tonic.
- Plant
- Bhringraj plant (false daisy) · Herb
- Also
- False daisy, Kesharaj, Karisalankanni
- Parts
- LeafWhole plant
Punarnava (Spreading Hogweed)
Boerhavia diffusa
"That which renews" — the classic herb for fluid retention and puffiness.
- Plant
- Punarnava creeper · Herb
- Also
- Hogweed, Spreading hogweed, Santhi, Gadahpurna
- Parts
- RootLeafWhole plant
Karela (Bitter Melon / Bitter Gourd)
Momordica charantia
Bitter melon — the bitter vegetable used for blood sugar and metabolic balance.
- Plant
- Bitter melon vine · Climber
- Also
- Bitter melon, Bitter gourd, Karavellaka, Pavakkai
- Parts
- FruitSeedLeaf
Rosemary
Salvia rosmarinus
Aromatic Mediterranean shrub used for clear thinking, circulation and scalp health.
- Plant
- Rosemary shrub · Shrub
- Also
- Rosemary, Rusmari, Gulmehendi
- Parts
- LeafFlowering topEssential oil
Chamomile (German Chamomile)
Matricaria chamomilla
The gentlest evening flower — calming for sleep, nerves and an unsettled stomach.
- Plant
- Chamomile plant · Herb
- Also
- German chamomile, Babuna, Babune ka phal
- Parts
- Flower
Cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon)
Cinnamomum verum
Sweet warming bark used for circulation, blood-sugar balance and cold digestion.
- Plant
- Cinnamon tree · Tree
- Also
- Ceylon cinnamon, True cinnamon, Dalchini, Twak
- Parts
- Inner barkLeafBark oil
Coleus (Indian Coleus / Forskolin)
Coleus forskohlii
Aromatic Indian root (forskolin) used for metabolism, heart tone and easy breathing.
- Plant
- Coleus plant · Herb
- Also
- Forskolin, Indian coleus, Makandi, Patharchur
- Parts
- RootLeaf
Barley
Hordeum vulgare
The classical Ayurvedic grain — light, drying and cooling for water retention and heat.
- Plant
- Barley grass (cereal grain) · Herb
- Also
- Yava, Jau, Pearl barley, Barley grass
- Parts
- GrainSproutGrass
Asparagus (Garden Asparagus)
Asparagus officinalis
Garden asparagus — cooling, mildly diuretic spears, the kitchen cousin of shatavari.
- Plant
- Garden asparagus · Herb
- Also
- Garden asparagus, Sparrow grass, Halyan
- Parts
- Spear (young shoot)Root
Cardamom (Green Cardamom)
Elettaria cardamomum
Green cardamom — the sweet-pungent pod used to lighten digestion and freshen breath.
- Plant
- Green cardamom plant · Herb
- Also
- Elaichi, Ela, Green cardamom, True cardamom
- Parts
- PodSeed
Black Pepper
Piper nigrum
The king of spices — kindles digestive fire and carries other herbs deeper into the body.
- Plant
- Pepper vine · Climber
- Also
- Kali mirch, Maricha, Peppercorn
- Parts
- Fruit (peppercorn)
Fennel (Fennel Seed)
Foeniculum vulgare
Saunf — the cooling after-meal seed for gas, cramping and infant colic.
- Plant
- Fennel plant · Herb
- Also
- Saunf, Mishreya, Sweet fennel
- Parts
- SeedBulbLeaf
Aloe Vera
Aloe barbadensis miller
Ghrit kumari — cooling leaf gel for burns, dry skin and a heated gut.
- Plant
- Aloe vera succulent · Herb
- Also
- Kumari, Ghrit kumari, Gwarpatha, Barbados aloe
- Parts
- Leaf gelLeaf
Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
Chai patti — a citrus grass that settles the stomach and lifts a heavy head.
- Plant
- Lemongrass clump · Herb
- Also
- Chai patti, Bhutrina, Citronella grass, Nimbu ghas
- Parts
- LeafStalkEssential oil
Mint (Mint / Spearmint)
Mentha spicata / Mentha piperita
Pudina — the cooling leaf for acidity, nausea and summer heat.
- Plant
- Mint plant · Herb
- Also
- Pudina, Spearmint, Peppermint
- Parts
- LeafEssential oil
Lemon Balm (Lemon Balm / Melissa)
Melissa officinalis
Cooling, lemon-scented leaf for stress, digestion and calm focus.
- Plant
- Lemon balm herb · Herb
- Also
- Melissa, Common balm, Balm mint
- Parts
- LeafEssential oil
Goldenseal (Goldenseal Root)
Hydrastis canadensis
Bitter, cooling root for short-term immune and mucous membrane support.
- Plant
- Goldenseal plant · Herb
- Also
- Yellow root, Orange root, Hydrastis
- Parts
- RootRhizome
Valerian (Valerian Root)
Valeriana officinalis
The earthy root famous for deep sleep and a quiet mind.
- Plant
- Valerian plant · Herb
- Also
- Valerian root, All-heal, Garden heliotrope
- Parts
- RootRhizome
Alfalfa (Alfalfa Leaf)
Medicago sativa
Nutrient-dense leaf and sprouts for energy, immunity and daily vitality.
- Plant
- Alfalfa plant · Herb
- Also
- Lucerne, Medick, Medicago
- Parts
- LeafSproutSeed
Anise (Anise Seed)
Pimpinella anisum
Sweet, warming seed for digestion, coughs and colic.
- Plant
- Anise plant · Herb
- Also
- Aniseed, Sweet cumin, Pimpinella
- Parts
- SeedLeaf
Bee Balm (Bee Balm / Wild Bergamot)
Monarda didyma
Aromatic leaf and flower for digestion, colds and a happy mouth.
- Plant
- Bee balm plant · Herb
- Also
- Wild bergamot, Oswego tea, Monarda
- Parts
- LeafFlower
Boswellia (Boswellia / Frankincense)
Boswellia serrata
Indian frankincense resin for joints, lungs and gut comfort.
- Plant
- Boswellia tree · Tree
- Also
- Indian frankincense, Salai guggal, Olibanum
- Parts
- Gum resinBark
Thyme (Thyme / Garden thyme)
Thymus vulgaris
A warming, aromatic kitchen herb for the chest, throat and cold digestion.
- Plant
- Thyme plant · Herb
- Also
- Garden thyme, Common thyme
- Parts
- LeafFlowering top
Calendula (Calendula / Pot marigold)
Calendula officinalis
The sunny, soothing skin herb for wounds, rashes and minor burns.
- Plant
- Calendula plant · Herb
- Also
- Pot marigold, English marigold
- Parts
- FlowerLeaf
Catnip (Catnip / Catmint)
Nepeta cataria
A gentle, cooling nervine for restless sleep and digestive wind.
- Plant
- Catnip plant · Herb
- Also
- Catmint, Catwort
- Parts
- LeafFlowering top
Bael (Bael / Wood Apple)
Aegle marmelos
The temple fruit used for loose motions and a hot, irritable gut.
- Plant
- Bael tree · Tree
- Also
- Bilva, Wood apple, Stone apple, Vilvam
- Parts
- Fruit (ripe)Fruit (unripe)LeafRoot bark
Kutki (Kutki / Picrorhiza)
Picrorhiza kurroa
The intensely bitter Himalayan root used for the liver and clear skin.
- Plant
- Kutki (Himalayan katuki) · Herb
- Also
- Katuki, Kutaki, Picrorhiza
- Parts
- RootRhizome
Daruharidra (Daruharidra / Indian Barberry)
Berberis aristata
Indian barberry — a bitter berberine bark for skin and damp heat.
- Plant
- Indian barberry shrub · Shrub
- Also
- Indian barberry, Rasaut, Chitra, Kilmora
- Parts
- Stem barkRoot barkFruit
Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
A common bitter green whose leaf and root support digestion and fluid balance.
- Plant
- Dandelion plant · Herb
- Also
- Common dandelion, Lion's tooth, Dudhal
- Parts
- LeafRootFlower
Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum
The silymarin seed used across Europe as a liver protector.
- Plant
- Milk thistle plant · Herb
- Also
- Silymarin, St Mary's thistle, Holy thistle
- Parts
- SeedLeaf
Common questions
Which herbs are traditionally used for digestion & gut?
Classical and modern sources point to Turmeric, Triphala, Ginger, Amla, Shatavari. Each herb page lists dosage, preparation, timing and precautions.
Are there recipes for digestion & gut?
Yes — 12 kitchen preparations are grouped under this concern, each with ingredients, steps, timing and safety notes.
Should digestive herbs be taken before or after meals?
Bitter and pungent carminatives are taken just before or with meals to kindle digestive fire, while gentle bowel-support formulas such as triphala are taken at night, well after eating.
Is it safe to take digestive herbs every day?
Culinary amounts of spices are used daily in Indian kitchens. Concentrated powders and decoctions are better used in cycles of a few weeks with breaks, and stopped if heartburn or loose stools appear.
What should I avoid while working on digestion?
Cold drinks with meals, eating before the previous meal has cleared, and heavy late dinners are the classic aggravators; regular meal timing matters as much as the herbs.