Aroma &Vedic Astrology
Dr.Siju.S.M BAMS,MD
Vedic Astrological Remedies also involve use of aromas & herbs, which ensures the positive influence of a particular planet. Below is a brief description of such practice for each planet.
Sun – Pitta
Solar energy is increased by taking spicy and fiery herbs, like cayenne,chilly, black pepper, ginger, long pepper, cardamom, saffron, bayberry, cinnamon tc…
Aromatic oils and fragrances for the Sun are camphor, cinnamon, eucalyptus, saffron – most warm and stimulating oils.
Moon – vatakapha
Lunar energy is increased by taking demulcent and tonic herbs like marshmallow, slippery elm, comfrey root, Solomon’s seal, Shatavari, white musali, bala, Vidari 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 – pitta
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 –vata pitta kapha
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 – kapha
Jupiter energy is increased by tonic herbs like ashwagandha,vidari,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.
Aroma – sandal
Venus – kaphavata
Venus likes all flowers and sweet fragrances: rose, saffron, jasmine, lotus, lily and iris.
Other good herbs are tonics like shatavari, white musali, amalaki, aloe gel, rehmannia dang gui and red raspberry.
Saturn – vata
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 good for Saturn, as it cleanses all waste materials and also tonifies the deeper tissues.
Good aromas for Saturn are sandalwood, frankincense, cedar and juniper, much like the herbs.
Rahu – vata
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 good for Rahu.
Ketu – pitta
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 passionflower.
