Herbs can be classified into five types: according to origin, according to habitat, according to various actions, according to action on doshas and according to their use.
Classifications of herbs according to origin are as follows:
Dravyas are constituted by panchamahabhootas (five elements). A dravya is said to be of a particular mahabhoota if it forms a major constituent of the dravya. There are five types of dravyas:
Parthiv
Apaya
Taijas
Vayaveeya
Akasheeya
Classification according to habitat, family, morphology and life span of herbs (dravya)
Sthalaj - Plant and trees that grow on land, e.g. Haritaki, Amalki etc.
Jalaj (Aquatic) - Plants that grow in water, e.g. Lotus, Spyrogyra.
Vruksharuha (Epiphytic, living on the surface of trees) - Plants that grow on other trees but do not depend on that tree for their nutrition, e.g. Rasana.
Vrukshadan (Parasitic) - Plant that dwells on another tree and obtains its nutrition from its host.
Types according to the action on doshas
Shaman - Dravyas which equate the vitiated dosha without purifying the doshas or disturbing the equilibrium.
Kopan - Dravyas which vitiate the doshas in equilibrium.
Swasthahita - Dravyas which have a tendency to increase or decrease vatadi doshas but do not produce vitiation of these doshas in a healthy person.
Types depending on their use
Aushadh dravya (drugs)
Ahar dravya (diet)
