Single Herbs & Powders
Single herbs sold one plant at a time, whole, cut or ground, for households that like to know exactly what goes into their kadha, paste or hair rinse.
Whole & Dried Herbs
Whole dried herbs kept in their harvested shape, from seeds and flower heads to bark curls and dr…
Leaves
Dried herb leaves such as tulsi, neem, moringa, brahmi and curry patta, dried so they can be stee…
Roots
Ayurvedic roots and rhizomes such as ashwagandha, mulethi, shatavari, vacha and saunth, sold as s…
Single-Ingredient Powders
Single ingredient herbal powders such as amla, ashwagandha, moringa, haldi and brahmi, each groun…
In many Indian homes there is a shelf near the kitchen window where small jars of dried tulsi, a knot of mulethi sticks and a pouch of amla powder sit beside the masala dabba. Single herbs are exactly that: one plant, sold on its own, so you always know what is inside the jar.
The family comes in a few forms. Whole and dried pieces such as seeds, flowers, fruits and bark stay close to how they were harvested. Leaves are light, fragrant and fragile, so they are handled separately. Roots are dense and woody and usually need slicing or grinding. Ready powders skip the grinding step, which helps with herbs that refuse to break down in a home mixer.
Ashwagandha, brahmi, shatavari and giloy are among the plants traditionally used in Ayurveda, and families use them in decoctions, face packs and hair rinses. How a herb suits you is personal, so speak to a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or doctor before taking one regularly.
While choosing, read the label for the botanical name, plant part, packing date and manufacturer details. Colour and aroma should match the herb; a dull, musty smell usually means old stock.
Keep single herbs in airtight glass or steel, away from steam and sunlight, and scoop with a dry spoon.