The 100+ main Medicines of Ayurveda

48. Krishna Jeeraka

Names:- Latin Nigella sativa

Tamil Karunjeerakam

Telugu Nallajirakara

Canarese Karijirigae

Malayal Karunjirakam

Urdu Kulanjan

“Kaalaajaajeetu Sagudaa
Vishama Jwara Naasanee”

Pratisyaaya Ghreyamva

Kristna Jeerakam

Bhaava Prakaasa

“Black Jeera with jaggery cures malarial fever.” Krishna Jeeraka is tied in a piece of cloth, crushed and smelt in nasal catarrh.

Dose:- 5 to 20 grains of the powder or as a decoction or swarasam of ¼ to 1/8 tola of the seeds ground, with 2 oz. of water strained and given with honey or as a powder in combination with other anthelmintics and antispasmodics.

Action:- Anthelmintic, galactagogue, emmenagogue and carminative.

Uses:- A decoction or swarasam of the seeds is given just after delivery to stimulate the uterus to contract and to increase the secretion of milk. It is one of the chief ingredients of vermicide powders and decoctions. It is mixed with other carminatives such as Chitraka, Hingu etc., and it is given in cases of dyspepsia, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and intermittent fevers. It is given as an emmenagogue in amenorrhoea and dysmenorrhoea and is said ot cause abortion when given in large doses. The seeds are tied in a piece of cloth, crushed between fingers and inhaled in nasal catarrh.

49. Kumari

Names:- Latin Aloe vera

Tamil Sotthukattaalai

Telugu Kalabanda

Canarese Naulisara

Malayal Kattuvaya

Urdu Gheekuwar

Kumaaree Bhedinee Seetaa

Tiktaa Netryaa Rasaayanee

Madhuraa Brimhanee Balyaa

Vrishyaa Vata Visha Pranuth

Gulmapleeha Yakrit Vriddhi

Kapha Jwara Haree bhavet

Grandhyagni Daghdha Vispota

Pitta Rakta twagaamayaan.

Kumaaree is purgative, cooling, bitter, good for the eyes and is tonic. It is sweet, promotes growth, gives strength, aphrodisiac. It checks Vaata and is anti-toxic. It is useful in the treatment of Gulma, Pleeha vriddhi, Yakrit vriddhi, Jwara, Grandhi, burns blebs, Raktapitta and skin diseases.

Along with pepper and Vishamushti wood in equal parts, it is used in Malaria in 5 grain pills, 2 or 3 times a day. I generally give these pills with decoction of Nirgundi – See below.

Dose:- 1 to 5 grains of the dry extract (Moosaam-baram) made into a pill.

Action:- Liver stimulant, cathartic, emmenagogue and vermifuge.

Uses:- It stimulates the mammary glands, liver and the pelvic organs giving rise to abortion. The milk of mother acquires purgative quality. It enters into the composition of purgative and emmenagogue pills. It has a griping action. It is generally given in combinatien with equal parts of the dry extract, Kasisa Sinduram, Hingu and Tankanam known as Rajapravartani vati. Externally it is used as a paste, which when dry acts like a tight bandage and decreases swelling. It secure rest for the part applied. It is antiseptic and antiphlogistic.

50. Kuraasaani Yavaani

Names:- Latin Hyoscyamus niger

Tamil Kuraasaani omam

Telugu Kuraasaani omam

Canarese Kurasino omam

Malayal Krosani omam

Urdu Kusaasaani ajwain

Paaraseeka Yavaaneethu

Yavaanee sadrusaagunaih

Viseshaat paachanee ruchyaa

Graahinee maadinee guruh.

Paaraseeka Yavaani (Kuraasaani Omum – or Yavaani) is similar to omum generally, but it is better as a digestive (paachaanee) and for improving the taste (Ruchyaa). It is heavy (guru), and intoxicating (Maadinee).

Dose:- 5 to 15 grains as a swarasam or decoction with honey or sugar and 1/8 to ¼ tola for single administration.

Action:- Anhelmintic, sedative, anodyn and intestinal antiseptic.

Uses:- This is used in cases of colic, generally in cases of indigestion in children. Mothers give it with human milk to children, who do not sleep well at night. It is much safer than opium. It does not constipte nor lessen the secretion of urine. In elderly people suffering from pain or hard breathing due to asthma, it may be given combined with other drugs in order to produce sleep and relieve suffering. It is also used along with other anthelmintics and purgatives. It allays pain due to griping. On the whole, it is a safe anodyne used in proper doses. In large doses it is a poison and acts like Dhathura.