Nothing on this website is medical advice. This site documents what classical Ayurvedic texts record. It does not recommend, prescribe, or endorse any treatment, herb, formulation, or practice for any individual. If you are unwell, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Ayurveda Codex is a reference documentation project. Every page on this site is a documentation of what classical Ayurvedic texts — Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridayam, Sharangadhara Samhita, Bhavaprakasha, and other recognised classical sources — record about herbs, formulations, practices, and concepts.
The language used throughout this site — "Charaka Samhita documents X for Y condition" or "Classical texts record Z" — is chosen deliberately to reflect that we are reporting what was written in historical texts, not recommending clinical action. This distinction is important and intentional on every page.
This site is not a clinical resource. It does not diagnose conditions. It does not prescribe herbs or formulations. It does not recommend that any person take any substance. It does not provide dosage recommendations for individual use without professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified practitioner.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) monograph details, classical text citations, pharmacological information, and modern research references on this site are provided for educational documentation purposes only. Knowing what a classical text says about an herb does not mean that herb is appropriate for you.
In India, qualified Ayurvedic practitioners hold a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree from a recognised university, or a post-graduate MD Ayurveda qualification. BAMS is a five-and-a-half year degree registered with the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM). These practitioners are trained to assess Prakriti (constitution), Dosha balance, Agni strength, and the full clinical picture that determines which herbs, formulations, doses, and timing are appropriate for an individual.
Self-prescribing from reference documentation — including this site — is not a substitute for this assessment. The classical texts themselves are explicit that Ayurvedic treatment requires a qualified Vaidya (practitioner): "A physician who treats without examining the patient is like a blind man shooting arrows in the dark." (Charaka Samhita, Vimanasthana 8.)
To find a qualified practitioner: Find a Practitioner →
Pregnancy and lactation: Many herbs documented on this site are contraindicated during pregnancy. Do not take any Ayurvedic herb or formulation during pregnancy without consulting both a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner and your obstetrician.
Children: Dosing for children is substantially different from adults and requires practitioner assessment. Classical texts document specific paediatric formulations (Kaumarabhritya) and dosing protocols that differ from standard adult recommendations.
Drug interactions: Ayurvedic herbs can interact with pharmaceutical medications. If you are on any pharmaceutical medication, consult your prescribing physician before taking any herbal preparation.
Bhasma and Rasa Shastra preparations: Mineral and metallic preparations (Bhasma, Rasa preparations) documented on this site require a specialist Rasa Shastra-trained practitioner. These preparations are not appropriate for self-administration and should only be purchased from Ministry of AYUSH-licensed manufacturers with verified quality testing.
Herb quality and adulteration: The commercial Ayurvedic market includes products of variable quality. The documentation of an herb or formulation on this site does not constitute endorsement of any commercial product. Adulteration, incorrect species substitution, and insufficient quality testing are documented issues in the commercial market. Purchase only from Ministry of AYUSH-licensed manufacturers.
Conditions requiring urgent care: If you have a condition requiring urgent medical attention, seek conventional medical care immediately. Ayurvedic documentation is not a substitute for emergency medicine.
Where this site references modern pharmacological research, it is to document the scientific investigation of classically documented properties — not to make therapeutic claims. The presence of a research citation does not mean the preparation is safe, effective, or appropriate for any individual. Clinical trials in Ayurveda are at varying stages of completion and quality; single studies should not be interpreted as clinical recommendations.
Ayurveda Codex is a free, non-commercial knowledge project by Ayurveda Codex, Mumbai. This site carries no advertising. It does not sell products. It does not collect user data beyond standard anonymised analytics. It does not receive commercial support from herb or supplement manufacturers. The documentation is sourced from classical texts, API monographs, and peer-reviewed research.
If you find errors or have corrections to the classical text citations, contact: codex@thecodex.expert
Last updated: April 2026