Binding (stambhana)

Stambhana herbs are drying, cooling, and astringent, helping to arrest excessive flow such as bleeding, excess sweating, sour belching,  diarrhoea, or mucus.

Because they share the qualities of vata dosha (light, cold, and rough) they can aggravate vata when overused. Many herbs in this category work by stopping abnormal or excessive mucus production. Mucus congestion may be caused by high kapha dosha.

Because of their dryness they can also aggravate pitta dosha. Classic examples include nutmeg (Myristica fragrans), bilva (Aegle marmelos), valued for its constipating, absorbent action, and khadira (Acacia catechu).