Ayurvedic Herbs & Ingredients: D–J

FENNEL

Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce

Fennel is an aromatic seed with a naturally sweet, licorice-like flavor and a long history of culinary and herbal use. Its distinctive aroma comes in part from naturally occurring compounds including anethole.

In Ayurveda, fennel is valued as a gentle digestive spice that supports agni, or digestive fire, without creating excessive heat. Its mildly cooling nature makes it particularly supportive for pitta while its carminative qualities traditionally make it useful after meals to support comfortable digestion.

Its naturally sweet, aromatic character also makes fennel a versatile addition to Ayurvedic teas, spice blends and daily wellness rituals.

Found in: Nose Oil, Cool and Calm Blend Tea, Rooibos Chai Blend Tea, Pitta Spice Blend, Tridoshic Spice Blend and Bliss Blend Tea

FLAX SEED

Linum usitatissimum

Flax seeds have been cultivated as both food and medicine for thousands of years. These small seeds are naturally rich in fiber, plant-based omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, naturally occurring antioxidant compounds found in plants.

Their nourishing, slightly oily nature makes flax seeds a useful addition to herbal blends designed to support hydration and balance dryness from within. When incorporated into the diet, they also provide a simple source of plant-based fats and fiber.

Found in: Hydrate Blend Tea

FRANKINCENSE

Boswellia carteri

Frankincense is an aromatic resin harvested from trees in the Boswellia genus and has been used for thousands of years in incense, traditional wellness practices and ceremonial rituals throughout the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

When steam distilled into an essential oil, frankincense contains a complex mixture of naturally occurring aromatic compounds, including monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene. These constituents contribute to its distinctive warm, resinous aroma and have become a focus of modern research into the botanical properties of frankincense essential oil.

In skincare, frankincense is valued for its toning and soothing qualities and is especially complementary to botanical formulas designed to support smooth, balanced and healthy-looking skin. Its grounding fragrance also brings a contemplative quality to daily self-care, connecting skincare with the deeper ritual traditions in which frankincense has long been used.

Found in: Pitta Serum, Kapha Serum, Tridoshic Serum, Clarify Serum, Clarify Toner and Tridoshic Cleanser & Mask

FRENCH GREEN CLAY

French green clay, sometimes called sea clay, is a mineral-rich clay recognized by its characteristic soft green color, which comes from naturally occurring minerals and decomposed plant matter.

Highly absorbent, French green clay helps draw excess oil and surface impurities from the skin while gently lifting away buildup. These clarifying qualities make it particularly well suited to cleansing masks for oily, congested or blemish-prone complexions.

Found in: Kapha Cleanser & Mask and Clarify Cleanser & Mask

Learn More About French Green Clay →

GERANIUM

Pelargonium graveolens

Geranium is an aromatic flowering plant native to southern Africa and now cultivated throughout many parts of the world. Its essential oil has a fresh, floral and subtly herbaceous aroma created in part by naturally occurring aromatic compounds including citronellol and geraniol.

In aromatherapy, geranium is valued for its balancing and grounding qualities, bringing a sense of calm to daily rituals. It also has a longstanding place in women’s aromatic traditions and is often incorporated into body care rituals throughout the menstrual cycle and menopausal transition.

Used topically, its cleansing and toning properties make it a versatile botanical for skincare, particularly in formulas designed to support a clear, balanced and healthy-looking complexion.

Found in: Vata Serum, Tridoshic Serum, Tridoshic Spritzer, Vata Cleanser & Mask, Pitta Toner, Women's Moon Oil and Tridoshic Body Oil

GINGER

Zingiber officinale

Ginger is an aromatic rhizome native to Southeast Asia with a long history of use in both cooking and traditional herbalism. Fresh or dried, its distinctly pungent flavor and warming qualities have made it one of the most widely used spices in Ayurveda.

In Ayurveda, ginger is highly valued for its ability to kindle agni, or digestive fire, and support the digestion and assimilation of food. Its warming, stimulating qualities are particularly balancing for vata and kapha, especially when digestion feels slow, heavy or unsettled.

Modern research has also explored ginger’s naturally occurring bioactive compounds, particularly gingerols and shogaols, for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Gingerol is one of the primary compounds responsible for the characteristic pungency of fresh ginger and offers a modern scientific perspective on some of the qualities traditionally associated with this powerful root.

Ginger is equally at home in culinary and body care rituals. Its invigorating nature brings warmth to teas and spice blends while complementing topical formulas designed to awaken the senses and encourage a feeling of warmth and circulation.

Found in: Kapha Body Oil, Rooibos Chai Blend Tea, Hydrate Blend Tea, Bliss Blend Tea, Golden Milk, Vata Spice Blend, Kapha Spice Blend and Vata Toner

GOTU KOLA

Centella asiatica

Gotu kola is a revered rejuvenating herb with a long history of use in Ayurveda and other traditional Asian systems of medicine. A low-growing plant that thrives in moist environments, it has traditionally been associated with the mind, meditation and longevity.

In Ayurveda, gotu kola is valued as a medhya rasayana, a category of rejuvenating herbs traditionally used to nourish the mind and support memory, concentration and mental clarity. Its cooling qualities make it particularly complementary to pitta while its nourishing nature supports a calm, steady mind.

Modern research has also explored gotu kola’s naturally occurring triterpenoid compounds, including asiaticoside and madecassoside, particularly for their relationship with skin and connective tissue. This adds another dimension to an herb traditionally valued in Ayurveda for both internal and external rejuvenation.

Found in: Pitta Body Oil, Bliss Blend Tea and Nose Oil

Learn More About Gotu Kola →

GRAPEFRUIT

Citrus × paradisi

Grapefruit is a citrus fruit known for its bright, tart aroma and refreshing character. Its essential oil is typically expressed from the peel and is naturally rich in limonene, an aromatic compound that contributes to its characteristic fresh citrus scent.

In aromatherapy, grapefruit is valued for its uplifting and energizing qualities. Its light, clarifying nature makes it particularly complementary to kapha-balancing rituals, helping counter the sense of heaviness or stagnation that can accompany excess kapha.

Used in body care, its crisp citrus aroma brings a refreshing sensory quality to daily self-care rituals.

Found in: Kapha Spritzer and Tridoshic Body Oil

GRAPESEED OIL

Vitis vinifera

Grapeseed oil is a lightweight botanical oil pressed from the seeds of grapes, often as a by-product of winemaking. It has a thin texture and absorbs easily into the skin without leaving a heavy or greasy feel.

Its fatty acid profile is particularly rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that plays an important role in supporting the skin barrier. Grapeseed oil also contains naturally occurring antioxidant compounds, including tocopherols and phenolic compounds.

These nourishing yet lightweight qualities make grapeseed oil particularly well suited to oily, combination or congestion-prone complexions.

Found in: Kapha Serum

HARITAKI

Terminalia chebula

Haritaki is the fruit of the Terminalia chebula tree and one of Ayurveda’s most revered rejuvenating herbs. Along with amalaki and bibhitaki, it is one of the three fruits that make up triphala, the classical Ayurvedic formula traditionally used to support digestion, elimination and overall balance.

In Ayurveda, haritaki is considered a rasayana, or rejuvenative, and is especially valued for balancing vata while supporting all three doshas. It has a longstanding relationship with the digestive system and is traditionally used to support regular elimination while nourishing and rejuvenating the body’s tissues.

Modern research has identified a rich concentration of polyphenolic compounds in haritaki, including chebulagic acid and chebulinic acid, which contribute to the fruit’s antioxidant activity and have become an important focus of contemporary research.

Found in: Vata Cleanser & Mask and Triphala

HELICHRYSUM

Helichrysum italicum

Helichrysum, sometimes called immortelle, is an aromatic flowering plant native to the Mediterranean and a member of the sunflower family. Its small golden flowers are steam distilled to create an essential oil with a warm, herbaceous and subtly honey-like aroma.

Traditionally valued in topical herbal preparations, helichrysum is particularly associated with soothing and restorative skin care. Its essential oil contains a complex mixture of naturally occurring aromatic compounds that have been studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, offering a modern perspective on its longstanding topical use.

Its gentle, soothing qualities make helichrysum especially complementary to botanical formulas for skin that feels dry, sensitive or visibly irritated and to body rituals designed to encourage comfort and ease.

Found in: Vata Serum, Anti-itch Remedy and Tension Relief Oil

HIBISCUS

Hibiscus sabdariffa

Hibiscus is a flowering plant native to tropical regions and traditionally enjoyed as a vibrant, tart herbal infusion. The deep red calyces used in tea create its characteristic ruby color and refreshing, slightly sour flavor.

Naturally cooling, hibiscus is especially complementary to pitta-balancing herbal blends and warm-weather rituals. Its tart flavor brings brightness to tea while offering a refreshing counterpoint to heat and intensity.

Modern research has identified a rich concentration of plant compounds in hibiscus, particularly anthocyanins and other polyphenols that contribute to its deep color and antioxidant activity.

Found in: Cool & Calm Blend Tea

INDIAN SARSAPARILLA

Hemidesmus indicus

Indian sarsaparilla, traditionally known in Ayurveda as anantamul or anantamula, is an aromatic root native to South Asia with a long history of use in Ayurvedic herbalism.

In Ayurveda, anantamul is valued for its cooling and cleansing qualities and is particularly complementary to pitta. Traditionally used to support the skin, digestion and healthy tissues, its cooling nature makes it especially useful when excess heat is present in the body.

Modern research has identified a diverse range of naturally occurring phytochemicals in Hemidesmus indicus, including triterpenes, sterols and phenolic compounds, which continue to be investigated for their antioxidant and other biological properties.

Found in: Hydrate Blend Tea, Woman's Blend Tea, Golden Milk and Clarify Cleanser & Mask

Learn More About Indian Sarsaparilla →

JOJOBA OIL

Simmondsia chinensis

Jojoba is a desert shrub native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Although commonly called jojoba oil, the golden liquid pressed from its seeds is technically composed primarily of liquid wax esters.

These wax esters give jojoba a lightweight, conditioning texture and contribute to its compatibility with the skin’s natural surface lipids. Used topically, jojoba helps soften the skin and support moisture balance without creating an overly heavy or greasy feel.

Its versatile texture makes jojoba particularly well suited to facial oils formulated for dry, normal or combination skin.

Found in: Vata Serum and Tridoshic Serum

JUNIPER BERRY

Juniperus communis

Juniper is an evergreen shrub whose aromatic berries have a long history of use in culinary, herbal and aromatic traditions. Its essential oil has a crisp, woody and distinctly fresh fragrance created by naturally occurring volatile compounds, including alpha-pinene and sabinene.

In aromatherapy, juniper berry is valued for its clarifying and invigorating qualities. Its light, stimulating nature makes it particularly complementary to kapha-balancing rituals, especially during times that feel heavy, slow or stagnant.

Its fresh aromatic profile brings an enlivening quality to daily rituals designed to refresh the senses and encourage greater clarity.

Found in: Kapha Spritzer