Ayurvedic Herbs & Ingredients: K–O

LAUREL LEAF

Laurus nobilis

Laurel leaf, also known as bay laurel, comes from an aromatic evergreen tree native to the Mediterranean. Its leaves have been valued in culinary, aromatic and traditional herbal preparations since ancient Greek and Roman times.

Bay laurel essential oil contains naturally occurring aromatic compounds including 1,8-cineole, also known as eucalyptol, which contributes to its fresh, penetrating scent. Its clarifying aromatic qualities make laurel especially complementary to rituals designed to create a sense of openness and ease when the body feels heavy or congested.

These light, clearing qualities pair particularly well with kapha-balancing and traditional nasal care rituals.

Found in: Nose Oil  and  Kapha Body Oil

LAVENDER

Lavandula angustifolia

Lavender is an aromatic flowering herb native to the Mediterranean and has been used in bathing, skincare and herbal traditions for centuries. Its name is often connected to the Latin lavare, meaning “to wash,” reflecting its longstanding relationship with cleansing and bathing rituals.

Lavender essential oil naturally contains aromatic compounds including linalool and linalyl acetate, which contribute to its distinctive floral fragrance and have become an important focus of modern research into lavender’s calming properties.

In Ayurveda, lavender’s cooling and soothing qualities make it particularly complementary to pitta while its grounding aroma can also support vata. Used in skincare and body care, lavender brings gentle cleansing and soothing qualities while its familiar aroma encourages a sense of calm and ease. Its calming qualities also make lavender a longstanding botanical in women’s self-care rituals, particularly during times of cyclical or menopausal change.

Found in: Vata Spritzer,  Pitta Spritzer,  Tridoshic Spritzer,  Vata Body Oil,  Pitta Body Oil,  Tridoshic Body Oil,  Bliss Blend Tea,  Kapha Toner,  Tridoshic Toner,  Vata Serum,  Pitta Serum,  Kapha Serum,  Tridoshic Serum,  Clarify Serum,  Floral Water,  Ear Oil,  Vata Cleanser & Mask,  Pitta Cleanser & Mask,  Kapha Cleanser & Mask,  Tridoshic Cleanser & Mask, Coconut Milk Bath, Anti-itch Remedy, Herbal Yoni Steam, Tension Relief Oil, Women's Moon Oil and Hair Oil

LEMON BALM

Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm is an aromatic perennial herb in the mint family with a fresh, softly citrus fragrance. It has a long history of use in traditional herbalism, particularly in preparations designed to calm and soothe.

Lemon balm naturally contains plant compounds including rosmarinic acid and other phenolic compounds and flavonoids that contribute to its antioxidant activity. These phytochemicals have become an important focus of modern research into the botanical properties of Melissa officinalis.

Traditionally considered a nervine herb, lemon balm is valued for its calming qualities and its ability to encourage a greater sense of ease. Used topically, its soothing and astringent properties also make it useful in botanical skincare.

Found in: Bliss Blend Tea and Kapha Toner

LEMONGRASS

Cymbopogon citratus

Lemongrass is an aromatic tropical grass widely used throughout South and Southeast Asia in cooking, herbal preparations and aromatic rituals. Its bright, citrus-like fragrance comes largely from naturally occurring compounds collectively known as citral.

In Ayurveda, lemongrass is valued for its light, stimulating qualities and is particularly complementary to kapha. Its fresh aroma helps counter feelings of heaviness and stagnation while bringing an uplifting quality to daily rituals.

Used topically, lemongrass offers cleansing and astringent qualities that make it especially useful in skincare for oily or congestion-prone complexions.

Found in: Kapha Serum and Rooibos Chai Blend Tea

LICORICE

Glycyrrhiza glabra

Licorice root has been used for thousands of years across Ayurveda and other traditional herbal systems. In Sanskrit it is known as yashtimadhu, often translated as “sweet stick,” a reference to the root’s distinctly sweet flavor.

In Ayurveda, licorice is valued for its cooling, nourishing and demulcent qualities. It is particularly supportive for soothing excess pitta while its moistening nature helps counter the dry, rough qualities associated with vata. Traditionally considered sattvic, licorice is also associated with calmness and nourishment.

Modern research has identified numerous bioactive compounds in licorice root, including glycyrrhizin and flavonoids such as glabridin. These compounds have been studied for antioxidant, soothing and other biological properties and help provide a modern perspective on licorice’s longstanding use in herbal and skincare preparations.

Found in: Vata Spice Blend, Hydrate Blend Tea, Woman's Blend Tea, Vata Cleanser & Mask and Clarify Cleanser & Mask

Learn More About Licorice →

MANDARIN

Citrus nobilis

Mandarin is a small citrus fruit native to Asia and prized for its sweet, bright and gently uplifting aroma. Its essential oil is typically expressed from the peel and is naturally rich in limonene, one of the characteristic aromatic compounds found throughout citrus oils.

In aromatherapy, mandarin is valued for its cheerful yet calming fragrance, bringing a sense of lightness and ease to daily rituals. Its fresh aromatic qualities pair especially well with botanical body oils designed to nourish the skin while awakening the senses.

Found in: Tridoshic Body Oil

MANJISTHA

Rubia cordifolia

Manjistha is a climbing herb native to parts of Asia and Africa and one of Ayurveda’s most valued herbs for the skin and healthy circulation. Its name is associated with “bright red,” a reference to the rich red pigment found within its roots, which have historically also been used as a natural dye.

In Ayurveda, manjistha is traditionally valued for its cleansing and cooling qualities and its relationship with rakta dhatu, or the blood tissue. It is especially complementary to pitta and is commonly incorporated into herbal preparations designed to support a clear, balanced complexion and healthy movement throughout the tissues.

Modern research has identified a diverse range of naturally occurring phytochemicals in Rubia cordifolia, including anthraquinones, iridoids and phenolic compounds. These constituents have become a focus of research into the herb’s antioxidant and other biological properties, offering a contemporary perspective on manjistha’s longstanding use in traditional herbalism.

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

NEEM

Azadirachta indica

Neem is an evergreen tree native to the Indian subcontinent and one of the most recognized botanicals in Ayurvedic herbalism. Its leaves, bark and seeds have been incorporated into traditional skin, hair and oral care rituals for centuries.

In Ayurveda, neem is known for its distinctly bitter, cooling and cleansing qualities. It is particularly balancing for excess pitta and kapha and has a longstanding relationship with skin that appears warm, oily, congested or blemish-prone.

Modern research has identified a diverse range of naturally occurring compounds in neem, including limonoids such as azadirachtin and nimbolide, along with fatty acids and other phytochemicals. These compounds have been studied for antioxidant, antimicrobial and other biological properties, offering a modern perspective on neem’s extensive history of traditional use.

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

NUTMEG

Myristica fragrans

Nutmeg is the aromatic seed of Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree native to Indonesia. Warm, sweet and slightly pungent, it has been prized as a culinary and herbal spice for centuries.

In Ayurveda, nutmeg is valued for its warming, grounding qualities and is traditionally used in small amounts to support digestion and calming evening rituals. Its warmth makes it particularly complementary to vata while its strong nature means a little goes a long way.

Nutmeg contains naturally occurring aromatic compounds including myristicin, along with other volatile oils and antioxidant plant compounds. Because concentrated amounts of nutmeg can cause significant adverse effects, it is traditionally and culinarily used in small quantities.

Found in: Vata Cleanser & Mask and Golden Milk

OAT FLOUR (GLUTEN FREE)

Avena sativa

Oat flour is made from finely ground oats and has a long history of use in gentle cleansing and soothing skin rituals. Its soft texture provides mild physical exfoliation while helping the skin feel clean, comfortable and nourished.

Oats naturally contain beta-glucans, antioxidant compounds known as avenanthramides and plant-based saponins. These constituents contribute to oats’ soothing, moisturizing and gentle cleansing qualities and have made oat-based preparations especially valued for dry, sensitive or easily irritated skin.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, the soft, nourishing and moisturizing qualities of oat flour make it particularly complementary to dry, rough vata-type skin while its soothing nature can also support skin experiencing excess heat or sensitivity.

Found in: Vata Cleanser & Mask, Pitta Cleanser & Mask, Tridoshic Cleanser & Mask and Coconut Milk Bath