The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine

by David Frawley, Vasant Dattatray Lad

Guide to the use of herbs from Ayurvedic perspective. How to balance your constitution and practice self-healing.

Genres: Health, Nonfiction, Herbs, Spirituality, Reference, Plants, Nature

251 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

David Frawley (or Vāmadeva Śāstrī वामदेव शास्त्री), b. 1950, is an American Hindu teacher (acharya) and author, who has written more than thirty books on topics such as the Vedas, Hinduism, Yoga, Ayurveda and Vedic astrology, published both in India and in the United States. He is the founder and director of the American Institute of Vedic Studies in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which offers educational information on Yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and Vedic astrology. He works closely with the magazine Hinduism Today, where he is a frequent contributor.[1] He is associated with a number of Vedic organizations in several countries. He is a Vedic teacher (Vedacharya), Vaidya (Ayurvedic doctor), and a Jyotishi (Vedic astrologer).

Reviews

[J]

I read only the first half, the part with theory, examples, and principles. I skipped the last part about specific herbs and their details: that part seems to me to be more for practitioners or people diving deeper than basic familiarity. I was only looking for a one-hit introduction, not anything close to reading this among others in a comprehensive exploration of the topic. And the book was good for exactly that purpose.

The more I learn about Ayurveda, the more impressed I am with how deeply it acknowledges existence and creation in a medical system. Check out this from the first pages:

pg 3
Evolution is a manifestation of latent potentials. Within each thing is contained all things. In the seed is the tree; in the tree is the forest. Therefore, intelligence is contained implicitly in the many worlds of nature, not only in our human-centered world. Another way of saying this is that consciousness exists in all forms of life. It is the very basis of creation, the power of evolution.

pg 5
Plants exist to transmute light into life. Human beings exist to transmute life into consciousness, love. These three -- light, life and love -- are one, each an expression of the other, three dimensions of the same existence. Plants transmute light into life through photosynthesis. The human being transmutes life into consciousness through perception. Through direct perception, the seer is the seen, the observer the observed. The Sanskrit word for the plant osadhi means literally a receptacle or mind, dhi, in which there is burning transformation, osa. In the Vedas this can mean not only plants but all entities in creation.

The human being is the plant of consciousness. The plant, which effects a similar process on a "lower level" of evolution, feeds our mind and nervous system to help in this process. As below, so above; all the universe is a metamorphosis of light.

In the outer world, a central sun is the source of light and life. In the inner world, a central sun is also the source of life. This inner sun is our true Self, what the ancients called the Purusha or Atman. Plants bring us into communion with the energy of the outer sun, while our inner plant, our nervous system, brings us into communion with the inner sun. Establishing the proper link between the outer plant and the inner plant thus completes the circuit of light and life, and establishes the free flow of awareness in which the mind is liberated -- unites the sun with the sun, merges the outer with the inner, creates a festival of delight in living.

[Michael Blackmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I've glanced through it many a time, I never really sat down and read this cover to cover before but I'm glad I finally did.

Definitely one of the first places to go on a journey of exploring herbs and Ayurveda. Some of it feels a bit dated but not badly, but there are other books I feel cover the Materia Medica aspects better now. But I really do like the introductory theory sections which are really well done. Worth the admission price alone.

I have to admit I did laugh aloud about some of phrasing in the discussion of indications of which conditions to use a particular herb for - where several of the herbs listed "insanity" as a condition to use the herb for. Um, not an overly useful diagnostic term to say the least. ;-)

Still overall, a good book and a still worthwhile part of one's herbal, yogic, or Ayurveda libraries.

[Rah~ri]

Ok.
When i don't sleep i get hit with crazy cravings.
No, not for chocolate cake or whatever it is normal people crave? but for things like a certain melody.
For a song or for crashing Waves
or some name will pop into my head
that i have to check out right away?
Like that dude Aldous Huxley???
Or Tolstoy or some such?
Mannn.
Last night the claws of my mind latched into this guy?
poor guy.
Vasant Lad ?
and ayurvedic stuff?
Shoot. There is so much i want to read?
But that's how it goes : )
i picked this up in my shop today
and started reading it.

So far I like it.

[David]

The first quarter of the book offers a simple and helpful overview of Ayervedic tradition and framework. The rest is a straightforward reference and classification of primarily Western Herbs broken down into their Ayervedic properties.

Lesson Learned: One goal of life is to cultivate the potential for open and spontaneous joy rather than the tendency, as we age, towards experiencing joy in narrower and more particular ranges.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

My introduction to the concepts of ayurveda. I haven't explored other texts yet, but I thought this one was really good and has significantly shaped my understanding of how herbs work. The focus on primarily western herbs is helpful to one with any background in western herbalism, giving the reader the opportunity to compare what they already know about particular herbs with how they fit into the framework of ayurveda. expect a few surprises.

[Just Mate A Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an introductory book to Ayurveda use of herbs for treatments. it will be a good kick start for beginners who want to understand and practice the Ayurveda usage of herbs( almost all of them
are common and readily available) for treatments of various illnesses and bodily conditions.
Which part of the plant( petals, leaves, roots, etc) is to be used and how (concoction, hot infusion, cold infusion etc. )If you want to know herbal use according to Ayurveda, worth the buy.

[Michael Nguyen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pseudoscientific, hippie, orientalist, new age, woo woo. I do wonder how authentically Ayurvedic this is. There are way too many miracle herbal cures for cancer. Can't take this book seriously. The theory of the doshas: Vatta, Pitta, Kappa are very interesting though.

Here is a quick rundown:

Vata
- Comes from ether and air.
- Qualities are dry, cold, light, mobile, subtle, hard, rough, changeable and clear
- Governs all movement
- Carries Pitta and Kapha
- Natural State:
- maintains energy of will, inhalation, exhalation, movement, dischard of impulses, equilibrium of the tissues, acuity of the sense
- When aggravated it causes
- dryness, dark discolourations, desire for warmth, tremors, abdominal distention, constipation, loss of strength, insomnia, loss of sensory acuity, incoherency of speech, fatigue
- Dwells in:
- Colon, hips, thighs, ears, bones and sense of touch.
- Main site:
- Its main site is the colon where it accumulates, causes disease, and from which it can be expelled directly from the body.

Pitta
- Comes from fire and an aspect of water
- Qualities are hot, fluid, subtle, sharp, malodorous (smelly), dense, clousdy
- Maintains substance, weight and coherence in the body
- Natural state is responsible for:
- Digestion, heat, visual perception, hunger, thirst, lustre of skin, intelligence, determination, and softness of the body
- When aggravataed it causes
- causes yellow discoloration of urine, feces, eyes and skin, and may create hunger, thirst, burning sensations and difficulty in sleeping.
- Dwells in:
- Small intestine, stomach, sweat, sebum, blood, plasma, and sense of sight.
- Main site
- Its main location is the small intestine where it accumulates, and from which it can be directly expelled from the body.


Kappa
- Comes from water and earth
- Qualities are cold, wet, heavy, slow, dull, static, smooth, dense, and cloudy
- Maintains substance, weight and coherence in the body
- Natural state is responsible for
- responsible for firmness and stability, maintenance of bodily fluids, lubrication of joints and such positive emotions as peace, love and forgiveness.
- When aggravated, it produces
- loss of digestive power, accumulation of phlegm and mucus, exhaustion, feeling of heaviness, pallor, cold sensations, looseness of limbs, difficulty of breathing, coughing and excessive desire for sleeping.
- Dwells in:
- Kapha dwells in the chest, throat, head, pancreas, ribs, stomach, plasma, fat, nose, and tongue.
- Main site
- Its main site is the stomach where it accumulates and causes disease, and from which it can be directly expelled from the body.

The last half of the book is a list of magical herbs and how the can cure a list of ailments from insanity to cancer. Yeah. No thanks.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is best read in conjunction with:
Yoga and Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization by Dr. David Frawley
and
Ayurveda, Nature's Medicine by David Frawley and Dr. Subhash Ranade
and
Ayurveda and Marma Therapy: Energy Points in Yogic Healing by Dr. David Frawley and Avinash Lele

When read together, each book provides supporting information or added clarity for the others. Doesn't matter in which order they're read - I found myself going back to the others and re-reading pertinent chapters. All four books combined would be four stars.

[Sweta Gusain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A rich collection of herbs. Most of them are found in India and many are already known to the Indians. But the nature & action of the herbs, according to the specific DOSHAS, are nicely explained. The herbs which were already there on my shelf, will be used with their real value now!

[Kimberly Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding guide to herbs and ayurveda.

[Hazel&theRaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I use this well written guide pretty often, in addition to some other herbal books to check out remedies for all kinds of ailments.

[Lita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book !!

Very useful and easy to understand . Great to have for the Ayurvedic lovers. A must read and to be used as a counseling book

[Diana Salangsang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opened up my eyes to Ayurveda and doshas! Such an exciting world

[Desiree Fawaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide!

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Advanced ayurveda.

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

[Tracey McCowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

bible

I have used this book for decades. There is much wisdom in it and it is beautifully written with tripartite language

[Sonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, the only ayurvedic book I was able to finish and understand. Good stuff.

[Tallulah Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

An beautiful overview of the wonderful system of ayurveda. A detailed collection of 108 herbs, with more than 270 herbs listed. ❤

[Claire]

Great to have on hand if you're studying Ayurveda.

[Dave/Maggie Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting -- and not what I'm used to. Although the underlying theory shares certain assumptions with traditional Chinese medicine and pre-Enlightenment European herbalism, the conclusions and practices differ from both. Moreover, it's nothing at all like Hillbilly or Amerind folk-medicine; both of which combine empiricism and superstition.

[Chanti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. A fantastic guide to uses of different herbs in Ayurvedic medicine & their influences on the doshas. Not a good starter text (I think there are other books which introduce Ayurveda in a simpler fashion), but if you are already well-acquianted with Ayurveda & looking to expand your knowledge of the practice, this book is ab.so.lute.ly. invaluable.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good reference. I think it could have been a little more comprehensive, though. I've had to augment it with other sources, and some of the basic herbs found in Frawley's Yoga and Ayurveda, e. g., Arjuna, aren't included.

[Lynne Crandall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating in-depth look at the ayurvedic ancient knowledge of herbs and their ability to heal and improve your body and health, emotionally and spiritually, as well as just physically.

[Melissa]

Amazing reference book!!

[Debra Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always going back to this one.

[Kate S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good herbal resource guide for beginners interested in Ayurveda.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick overview generalizing the Ayurvedic philosophy with some good tips, herbs, and supplements. Quick, short, summary style with a scientific base.