Herbal Tips for Meditation
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MORE meditative HERBS
As you experiment with different herbs to see how they affect your mind in meditation, consider these other powerful ayurvedic choices:
Ashwagandha
Known as “Indian Ginseng” in the West, ashwagandha is ayurveda’s premier rejuvenating herb—an overall health tonic which boosts vitality, virility, and stamina; stimulates the immune system; and enhances reproductive function. On top of its many rejuvenating uses, it has “the ability to nurture the nervous system, and counteract anxiety and stress to promote a calm state of mind,” notes herbalist Michael Tierra. Used traditionally in India to treat disorders such as insomnia and amnesia, modern laboratory studies are also finding it to be effective for enhancing learning and memory.
Calamus Root*
Known as vacha in Sanskrit—meaning “speaking”—this herb has been used by ayurvedic practitioners for thousands of years to stimulate the powers of intelligence and self-expression, and rejuvenate the brain and nervous system. David Frawley and Vasant Lad write that it “clears the subtle channels of toxins and obstructions,…promotes cerebral circulation, increases sensitivity, sharpens memory, and enhances awareness.” Sattvic for the mind (bearing the principle of light and harmony), this herb is helpful for long-term memory recall, and is great in combination with brahmi. (Calamus should be taken in combination with at least one other herb; licorice also provides a good balance.)
*Please note: Despite being widely regarded as a safe and supreme herb in the ayurvedic tradition, calamus is currently under F.D.A restrictions, and held to be toxic for internal usage.
HOW TO PREPARE HERBS
Many modern herbalists favor herbal extracts as the premier method of internal administration. Other herbalists prefer pills and tablets. In traditional ayurveda, primary preparations include decoctions (with the herb boiled in water), milk decoctions (herb boiled in milk plus water), hot or cold infusions (herb set in water without boiling), and pastes made with ghee or honey. Ayurvedic practitioners also advise taking herbs in combination—this will enhance their properties and yield a more balanced effect.
HERBAL SUPPLY
Buy your herbs in bulk or formula combinations from these top ayurvedic suppliers, all of whom source their herbs sustainably:
- Ayurveda Institute
Find your favorite ayurvedic raw herb here or try them in a balanced combination with their Brain Tonic and Awareness Tea.
- Banyan Botanicals
Get herbs in bulk or try their special herbal blends for the mind: Mental Clarity and Tranquil Mind.
- Himalayan Institute Total Health Products
Order extracts of isolated ayurvedic herbs, or try their revolutionary mind-enhancing herbal formulas: Focus-X, Elixir 29, or Total Clarity Focus.
- Planetary Formulas
Carrying ayurvedic, Western, and traditional Chinese medicine herbs, their Bacopa- Gingko Brain Strength supplement hits the mark.
Online Extra for "This is Your Brain on...Herbs!"
Yoga + Joyful Living, Issue 102, Jul/Aug 2008