This article related to astrology and how 9 Planets in Vedic Astrology control different types of energies and minerals in our body.
But since it deals with herbal treatment, its placed in Ayurveda section.
For example, Saturn controls Iron and if someone has a malefic or weak saturn, he/she will suffer from calcium and Iron deficiency in body.
So they need to add more calcium and iron in their diet.
Plants have played an important part in Indian society. The study of Indian plants cannot be limited to an examination of their therapeutic properties alone, but a holistic approach must be taken to understand their significance in the entire spectra of Indian culture.
There is a renewed interest in the Western world especially in USA to study the ancient plants and their medicinal and therapeutic properties in ancient civilizations and societies in India, China and Africa.
Multinational pharmaceutical companies are rushing to patent plants and their therapeutic use, which have been traditionally used in India. There is a movement emerging in all these countries including India to protect the rich bio diversity against excessive deforestation.
There is a need to increase our own awareness and knowledge about our own herbal treasures and heritage.
Vedic Herbal Remedies also involve use of herbs, which ensures the positive influence of a particular planet. We are giving below a brief description of such practice for each planet.
| Weak Planet in Horoscope | Diet |
| Sun | Solar energy is increased by taking spicy and fiery herbs, like cayenne, black pepper, dry ginger, long pepper, cardamom, saffron, calamus, bayberry and cinnmon (specially the Ayurvedic formula Trikatu). Calamus is best for the sattvic side of solar energy in the mind. Aromatic oils and fragrances for the Sun are camphor, cinnamon, eucalyptus, saffron – most warm and stimulating oils. |
| Moon | Good herbs for the Moon are demulcent and tonic herbs like marshmallow, slippery elm, comfrey root, Solomon’s seal, Shatavari, white musali, bala and rehmannia particularly taken in milk decoctions. Fragrance of white flowers like jasmine, gardenia, lotus and lily are good as is sandalwood oil. These can be applied to the heart or to the third eye. |
| Mars | Most of the spices that are good for the Sun work well for Mars (like cinnamon, saffron, cayenne or black pepper) but combined with tonics like ginseng, astragalus, ashwagandha, guggul or myrrh. Turmeric, garlic, onions and asafetida can be very good (particularly the Ayurvedic formula Hingashatak). When Mars is strong, however, we need bitter herbs like aloe, gentian, golden seal and Echinacea. |
| Mercury | Good herbs for Mercury are nerviness like gotu kola, bhringaraj (eclipta), skullcap, passionflower, betony, jatamansi, zizyphus, camomile, mint and sage. Basil, particularly holy basil (tulsi) is specific for Mercury (Vishnu). Good oils and aromas are mint, wintergreen, eucalyptus, cedar, thyme and sage, which clear and open the mind. Yet they should be balanced with mind-calming oils like sandalwood, plumeria (frangipani) and lotus. |
| Jupiter | Jupiter energy is increased by tonic herbs like ashwagandha, bala, licorice, ginseng and astragalus particularly as taken in milk decoctions, with ghee (clarifies butter) or a herb jellies. Good foods for increasing Jupiter energy are nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews and sesame seeds and oils like ghee, sesame and almond. |
| Venus | Venus likes all flowers and sweet fragrances: rose, saffron, jasmine, lotus, lily and iris. Others good herbs are tonics like shatavari, white musali, amalaki, aloe gel, rehmannia dang gui and red raspberry. |
| Saturn | Good herbs for a weak Saturn are myrrh, frankincense, guggul, ashwagandha, shilajit, haritaki and comfrey root – herbs to strengthen the bones and promote healing. The Ayurvedic formula Triphala is specific for Saturn, as it cleanses all waste materials and also tonifies the deeper tissues. |
| Rahu | Rahu is very subtle force and cannot be dealt with on a simple outer level. Aromas for clearing the psychic air can be helpful like camphor, bayberry, sage, eucalyptus or wintergreen as can calming fragrances like sandalwood, lotus and frankincense. Calamus is the best herb for Rahu. |
| Ketu | Ketu, like Rahu, is subtle. Herbs to increase perception like sage, calamus, bayberry, wild ginger and juniper may be useful. Penetrating aromatic oils like camphor, cedar, myrrh and frankincense can be good. Afflictions of a strong Ketu, however, required cooling nerviness like gotu kola, bhringaraj, skullcap and passion flower. |