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Main Herbs of Ayurveda
51.
Kushtam
Names:- Latin Aplotaxis auriculata
Tamil Chengalvakoshtam
Telugu Chengalvakoshtam
Canarese Koshtam
Malayal Kottam
Urdu Kust, Koshtam
Kushtamushnam Katu, Swaadu
Sukralam tiktakam laghu
Hanti Vaatasra Veesarpa
Kaasakushta marut Kaphaan
Kushtaa (Changalvakoshta) is heating, pungent and sweet. It increases sperm.
It is also bitter and light. It checks vaatarakta, Visarpa, Kaasaa and Kushta.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains with honey.
Action:- Stimulant, antispasmodic and tonic.
Uses:- As a stimulant, it is given in spasmodic diseases such as cough,
asthma, cholera and deranged digestion. As an alternative, it is sued in
chronic skin diseases and rheumatism. Locally, a paste of it made in rose
water is applied to swollen hands and feet and to swelled abdome in obesity ad
a a cooling lotion to sprains and contusions. As a reliever of headache, it
has been adveated by Kautilya in his Artha sastra. Koshtam, Vidanga and
dravanti are to be powdered and used as a snuff. Vangasena advises a lepa or
application of the paste obtained by grinding the roots of Kushta and Eranda
with kanjika to be applied for headaches. Externally, it is used as an
astringent ointment for ulcers and along with Maadhiphala juice ad honey as an
ointment for the face. Charcoal made of Kushta root is mixed with oil and
applied to exzematous patches.
The proper drug is not available easily in the south and therefore my
experience with this drug is very little. It is much used in asthma, hysteria,
epilepsy, insanity and other nervous diseases. It is one of the ingredients of
the prepared oils and dusting powders, and is mixed both for its fragrance and
antiseptic and soothing properties. Along with Vacha, it is highly recommended
in epilepsy (Charaka).
52. Kutaja Thwak
Names:- Latin Holarrhena antidysentrica
Tamil Veppaalai
Telugu Kodisapaala
Canarese Kodasige
Malayal Kutakapaala
Urdu Indrajav
Kutajah Katuko Rooksho
Deepanah tuvaro himah
Arsoteesaara Pittaasra
Kapha Tristnaama Kushta jit.
Kutaja is pungent and also astringent. It is dry and cooling. It improves
appetite and checks Kapha. It is useful in the treatment of Piles, Diarrhoea,
Raktapitta, thirst, Aama and Kapha.
Dose:- 10 to 60 grains of the powder of the bark with honey or sugar or
thakram (buttermilk) or ½ to 1 tola of the bark boiled with 8 times the
quantity of water, reduced to one-fourth, filtered and taken with honey. Seeds
– same as above.
Action:- Antiperiodic and anidysenteric.
Uses:- It has earned much reputation as a specific in cases of dysentery and
is used in the place of Ipecacuanha. It is also said to be very useful in
cases of Raktapitta. Chakradutta recommends a paste of the bark to be used in
cases of kushta.
53. Laaksha
Names:- Latin Coccus lacca
Tamil Kombarakku
Telugu Lacca
Canarese Arakku
Malayal Kolarakku
Urdu Lac
Laaksha Varnyaa himaa balyaa
Snigdhaacha tuvaraa laghuh
Anushnaa Kapha Pittaasra
Hikkaa Kaasa Jwara Pramuth
Vranorakshata Veesarpa
Krimi Kushta Gadaapahaa.
Laksha improves complexion. It is cooling. It gives strength. It is snigdha
(lubricating). It is astringent and light. It is not heating. It checks Kapha,
Raktapitta, Hikka, Kaasa, Jwara. It is useful in the treatment of ulcers,
Urakshata (consumption with blood spitting), Veesarpa (Erysipelas), Krimi
(Vermicide) and Kushta.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains to be taken with honey or ghee or Kushmaanda swarasam
and sugar.
Action:- Astringent, haematinic, blood-purifier and tonic.
Uses:- In Raktapitta or bleeding from any portion of the body, the powder is
given either alone or in combination with other drugs. It probably produces
chemical changes in blood which increase coagulation. It is used as a specific
for haemorrhage, in uterine disorders and in epistaxis or bleeding from the
nose and lungs. It is also used in chronic dysentery and anaemia. In case of
Urakshata, it is given internally with honey, with much success. The oil
medicated with this is considered to be much useful in cases of all chronic
fevers for external use and massage.
54. Lankesa
Names:- Latin Piper cubeba
Tamil Vaalmilagu
Telugu Chalavamiriyaalu
Canarese Gantamenasu
Malayal Vaalmilagu
Urdu Dhumkimirch; Kavabchini
Dose:- 5 to 20 grains of the powder to be given with cocoanut water or with
any other diuretics. 5 to 15 minims of the oil.
Action:- Cooling in small doses, aromatic, diuretic, urinary antiseptic,
carminative, antiseptic and stimulant to mucous membranes.
Uses:- It is very largely used to alleviate sore throat in pill or powder
mixed with sugar and honey. As a digestive it is used with betel leaf. In
Gonorrhoea and in bronchitis it acts as a stimulant to mucous membranes and as
an antiseptic. In large doses, it may irritate. It is also used as an oral
anispetic.
55. Lavangam
Names:- Latin Caryophyllus aromaticus
Tamil Lavangam, Kraambu
Telugu Lavangaalu
Canarese Lavanga
Malayal Kariambu
Urdu Loung
Lavanga Kusumam Hridyam
Seetalam Pittanaasanam
Cakshushyam Vishahritvrishyam
Maamgalyam Moordhwarogahrit
Lavanga is pleasing and cooling. It checks Pitta. It is good for the eyes. It
is anti-toxic and a aphrodisiac. It is auspicious. It is useful in the
treatment of disease of head and neck.
Dose:- 1 to 15 grains of the powder to be taken with honey or in combination
with other drugs.
Action:- Internally – Carminative, aromatic, antispasmodic, expectorant and
stimulant. Externally – rubefacient, local anaesthetic and antiseptic.
Uses:- Intenally, it stimulates circulation and raises the blood-pressure. It
promotes digestion and nutrition and relieves gastric and intestinal colic and
spasm. Its external use relieves local pain and specially the pain of the
head. A paste of them applied to the forehead and to the nose is a popular
remedy in headache and coryza. Kept in the mouth, it is an oral antiseptic and
stimulant to the throat. It increases the secretion and helps to relieve
congestion of the throat. It is used in combination with sugar or kalkanda to
promote expectoration from the lungs. It is included in tooth powders for its
fragrance and antiseptic properties. It stimulates the skin, salivary glands,
kidneys, liver and bronchial mucous membranes. It is a valuable home remedy
and is used as a condiment to improve digestion. In large doses, it is an
irritant.
56. Lodhra
Names:- Latin Symplocos racemosa
Tamil Vellaloddi pattai
Telugu Lodduga
Canarese Pachettu
Malayal Pachoti
Urdu Lodh
Lodhra dwayantu tuvaram
Chakshusyam Seetalam laghu
Ateesaara aruchi Visha
Pradaraani Vinaasayet.
Both the Lodhas (white and red) are astringent, cooling and light. Lodhra is
good for the eyes. It is useful in the treatment of Ateesaara, Visha and
Pradaara.
Dose:- ½ to 1 oz. of the bark as a decoction boiled with 8 times the quantity
of water, reduced to one fourth, strained and taken with honey.
Action:- Astringent and uterine tonic.
Uses:- It is highly recommended as a specific in cases of Pradara and other
uterine affections. For its astringent property, it is very much used in cases
of dysentery and haemorrhage. It is recommended as a dusting powder for
wounds. It is also mentioned in Kushta and diseases of the eye. The decoction
is used as a gargle with a little honey in relaxed uvula and bleeding gums and
as a wash for ulcers. Applied as a plaster it is said to promote maturation of
boils.
57. Madhu
Names:- Latin Mel
Tamil Thene
Telugu Thene
Canarese Jenutuppa
Malayal Thane
Urdu Shahadh
Vaatalam guru Seetamcha
Raktapitta Kaphapaham
Sandhaatru cchedanam rooksham
Kashaaya Madhuram Madhu.
Madhu (honey) is guru, dry (rooksha), astringent and sweet. It is cooling (seetam).
It is useful in the treatment of Raktapitta and Kapha. It is very good for
joining the edges of cut wounds and for cutting proud flesh in ulcers.
Dose:- 1 to 4 drams with water for a single dose and 5 to 30 minims for
repeated administration.
Action:- Astringent, antiseptic, nutritive, aphrodisiac and tonic.
Uses:- It is a pleasant vehicle for other medicines of the Ayurvedic
pharmacopoeia. It itself is reputed to remove phlegm. For its nutritive
properties and its pleasat taste it is used in all lehyams. It is also given
mixed with betel leaf juice as a Vehicle for other medicines.
It is specially recommended in Kapha diseases when phlegm is predominant.
Taken early in the morning with equal parts of cold water it is reputed to
cure obesity. It is not contraindicated in diabetes according to Ayurveda.
Mixed with milk and ghee, it is specially recommended in consumption as a
tissue builder. The same is also given as an aphrodisiac along with
Gudoochisatwam, Vidaari or Aswagandha. It is given to children along with
fresh juice of betel leaves as a carminative. To the new born baby, a few
drops may be given every two or three hours as a diet for first few days. It
is also recommended as an antiseptic dressing for burns and cuts. It is used
either alone or mixed with ghee. Made into a paste with a little chunnam, it
is used as a poultice for abscesses. Honey ad betel leaf juice are both said
to conain certain valuable Vitamins and honey is said to posses, hygroscopic
property which destroys microbes.
58. Madhusnuhi
Names:- Latin Smilax china
Tamil Parangi pattai
Telugu Pharangichekka
Canarese Chinipavu
Malayal Pavu
Urdu Chopcheeni
Dweepaantara Vacha Kinchit
Tiktoshna Vahnideeptikrit
Vibandhaadhmaana soolaghnow
Sakrit mootra Visodhinee
Vaatavyaadheena pasmaara
Munmaadam tanuvedanaam
Vyapohati Viseshena
Phirangaamaya naasanee
Bhaavaprakaasa.
Dweepaantaravacha (Madhushnuhi) is slightly bitter and slightly heating. It
improves the appetite. It removes constipation (Vibandha), checks distention
of the abdomen and colic. It purifies faecal matter and urine. It is useful in
the treatment of Vaata Vyaadhis, Apasmaara (Epilepsy). Insanity, pains in the
body (tanuvedana). It is specially useful in the treatment of Syphilis (Phirangaamaya).
Dose:- ¼ to 1 tola of the powder with ghee and sugar or in combination with
other drugs.
Action:- General tonic.
Uses:- It is very much used in late stages of syphil is and leprosy as a tonic
and alternative. It enters into the composition of lehams intended for
tissue-building and as aphrodisiacs. It is also used in scrofula and chronic
rheumatism.
59. Madhoochista
Names:- Latin Cera flaa (Bees wax)
Tamil Thane mezhugu
Telugu Mainam
Canarese Jenumena
Malayal Mezhugu
Urdu Moum
Sikdhakam Snigdha Madhuram
Bhootaghnam bhagna Sandhikrit
Hanit Veesarpa Kandwaadeen
Vranaropana muttamam
Bhedanam picchilam Swaadu
Kushta Vaatasraji mridu.
Madhoochista (Sikdhakam) is lubricating (Oily-Snigdha), sweet and soft (mrudu).
It check infection (Bhootaghnam) and unites broken parts. (Bhagna Sandhikrit)
of bone. It checks Veesarpa (Erysipelas), itching, etc. It is the best for
healing ulcers. It loosens bowels; it is sticky. It is useful in the treatment
of Kushta and Vaata Rakta.
Action:- Antiseptic, emollient, lubricant and is used mostly externally in
ointments.
Uses:- Its chief property is to solidify oils at ordinary temperature. It has
got a special reputation in promoting union in fractures and in giving a
healthy tone to the skin. It makes a soothing ointment to chronic ulcers.
60. Manjishta
Names:- Latin Rubia cordifolia
Tamil Manjishti
Telugu Manjishta
Canarese Manjishta
Malayal Manchatti
Urdu Manjit
Manishta Madhuraa tiktaa
Kashaayaaswaravarna krith
Gururushna Visha sleshma
Sodha Yonyaakshi Karnaruk
Raktaateesaara Kushtaasra
Visarpa Vrana Meha nuth
Bhaavaprakaasa.
Manjishta is sweet, bitter and astringent. It improves voice and complexion.
It is heavy. It checks sleshma. It is useful in the treatment of Visha, Sodha
(swelling), diseases of the uterus, eye, ears, dysentery (Raktaateesaara),
Kushta, disease of the blood, Veesarpa, Vrana, and Meha.
Dose:- 10 to 30 grains of the drug with 1 or 2 oz. of water or along with
other drugs.
Action:- Blood-purifier.
Uses:- It is a reputed blood-purifier and is used in skin diseases and in some
cases of leprosy and leucoderma. Its internal administration is believed to
alter discoloration of the body and to improve complexion (Vyangeshu Manjishta
– Chakradutta). It is also said that it works well in eliminating the poison
from the body. Sushruta prescribes a decoction of Manjishta with Chandanam in
cases of Manjishtameha. It is used as an antiseptic and coloring aget in
ointments as in Pindataila and in the preparation of hair oils.
61. Maricham
Names:- Latin Piper nigrum
Tamil Milagu
Telugu Mirayaalu
Canarese Menasu
Malayal Kurumilagu
Urdu Kalimirch
Maricham Katukah teekshnam
Deepanam Kapha Vaata jit
Ushnam Pittakaram rooksham
Swaasa soola Krimim haret.
Maricham (pepper) is pungent, acute, and improving appetite. It checks Kapha
and Vaata. It is heating. It promotes Pitta and is dry (rooksha). It is useful
in the treatment of Swaasa, Sula (colic), and Krimi.
Doses:- 5 to 15 grains of the powder to be taken with honey or ghee or sugar
or jaggery, or ¼ to ½ tola as a decoction boiled in the usual manner with a
little honey or ghee or as a rasam or chutney prepared with lemon juice,
tamarind and other condiments.
Actions:- Febrifuge, antiperodic, antipyretic, stimulant to heart,
carminative, anthelmintic and parasiticide. In small doses, it is a urinary
antiseptic and in large doses an irritant.
Uses:- It is very commonly used in the early stages of all feves and also as a
preventive of further troubles in cold, catarrh and influenza. It is a very
good digestive and carminative. Hence it is given in cass of diarrhoea,
dyspepsia, latulence and atony of the stomach. It relieves suffering in
intermittent fevers by causing perspiration. It also seems to have a specific
action in curing Malaria. In cough, cold asthma and other pulmonary
affections, it is given as a powder with ghee, sugar and honey or as decoction
with milk, like coffee or tea. It acts as a stimulant to the heart and
increases expectoration. As an anthelmintic, it is given along with other
drugs. It is also given internally as a pill along with Aristolochia bracteata
(Aadutinnapaalai) in doses of 5 grains of the powder, with the mass of the
leaf of about a marble size, in eczema and syphilis of the three stages. The
same prescription is used as a secret remedy in cases of cholera and in
appendicitis by some physicians. Milk boiled with pepper and taken at night is
a excellent recipe for improving blood (“Marichaikvathitham dugdam pane
raathrow prashasyathe, rasaayanam thena vriddhi syaathi” Haareetha.) It is
advisable to give it in elephantiasis daily. In gonorrhoea and gleet it acts
as a stimulant and urethral antiseptic in small doses and may be given along
with milk and kalkanda churnam.
Externally, it is a local irritant and causes burning sensation of the skin.
It is used to relieve headache and is applied as a pste with water comfortably
hot or ground with equal parts of rice and a little water and applied as a hot
paste to the forehead. A local application relieves pain due to neuritis. In
night-blindness a paste of pepper with curd is recommended for application
into the eyes as an ointment by Vagbhata. In skin diseases, particularly
eczema, pepper powder is applied with ghee or kuppameni leaf juice or as an
ointment made up of Aadutinnapaalai (Gadidegadapaaku and butter.)
62. Musta
Names:- Latin Cyperus rotundus
Tamil Koraikilangu
Telugu Tungamustalu
Canarese Badramushtie
Malayal Muttangya
Urdu Nagarmotha
Mustam Katugraahi
Tiktam deepana paachanam
Kashaayam Kapha Pittaasra
Trut Jwaraaruchi Jantunut.
Musta is cooling, pungent, astringent, and bitter. It is graahi
(constrictive). It improves appetite and is also digestive. It checks Kapha,
Pitta and Raktapitta. It is useful in the treatment of thrist, fever, anorexia
and Krimi.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains of the powder to be taken with honey or ¼ to 1 tola to
be taken as a decoction or infusion prepared in the usual way or ½ tola
boiled with a seer of water or soaked over-night as a seetakashaaya.
Action:- Diaphoretic, demulcent, diuretic, aromatic, stimulent and
galactagogue.
Uses:- In fevers pitta of type i.e. when predominant symptoms are thirst,
burning sensation of the body, delirium, jaundiced eyes etc., its use is
specially indicated. It is also given in cholera for suppression of urine. The
drink is recommended as a diuretic and for relieving thirst in fevers and in
diabetes of pitta type or it may be given as Shadanga kashaya (“Ghanachandana
suntyambu parpatoseer saadhita” – Vagbhat.)
It is used as an ingredient of dusting and bathing powders on account of its
fine fragrance and also of its antiseptic and Wormicide properties. It is very
popular with the ladies of South India for its fragrance. It also forms a
component of hair oils.
63. Naagakesaram
Names:- Latin Mesua ferrea
Tamil Sirunagappu
Telugu Naagakesaramulu
Canarese Naagakesara
Malayal Nagappu
Urdu Naagakesar
Naagakesaram alposhnam
Laghu tiktam Kaphaapaham
Vastiruk Visha Vaataasra
Kandhooghnam Sopha naasanam.
Naagakesaram is slightly heating. It is bitter and light. It checks Kapha. It
is useful in the treatment of diseases of the urinary bladder, poisons,
Vaatarakta, itching and swelling.
Dose:- 10 to 30 grains of the powder to be taken with honey or sugar and
butter.
Action:- Cooling, carminative and aromatic.
Uses:- It enters into the composition of almost all lehams of the Ayurvedic
Pharmacopoeia, a a digestive, carminative and aromatic. It is a mild
febrifuge. In bleeding piles and dysentery attended with blood, the powder is
given, with butter and sugar. In Swetapradara or leucorrhoea, a paste of this
with curd followed by a diet of rice and butter-milk is recommended by
Bhaavaprakaash.
64. Navaasaaram
Names:- Latin Ammonii Chloride
Tamil Navaacaaram
Telugu Navaasaaramu
Canarese Navaasaagara
Malayal Navasaram
Urdu Navasaagar
Rasendra jaararam loha,
Draavanam jatharaagni Krith
Gulma Pleehasya soshaghnam
Bhutktamaamsaadi jaaranam
Biddakhyamcha Tridoshaghnam
Choolikaa lavanam matam
Navaasaaram is useful for digesting mercury and for liquefying loha. It
improves digestion. It is useful in the treatment of Gulma, Pleeha, diseases
of the mouth and wasting of the body (sosha). It helps in digesting food uch
as flesh. That which is called Bida is tridoshaghnam. It is also called
choolikaa lavana.
Doses:- 5 to 15 grains to be taken with the decoction of Gokshura or any other
diuretics.
Action:- Diuretic and hepatic tonic.
Uses:- As a diuretic, it is used in liver disorders, ascites, retention of
urine etc. Mixed with chunnam, it evolves ammonia, which in solution with
water is applied as an external application to injured joints and to corpion
bites. It is used in the preparation of Sankhadraava and Swarnavanga. It is
also used externally as a paste with cow’s urine or lime water or lemon
juice along with Sunti and Devadaru, renewed every 4 hours to relieve deep
seated inflammation, and poison.
65. Nimba
Names:- Latin Melia azadirachta
Tamil Vembu
Telugu Vepa
Canarese Bevu
Malayal Vepu
Urdu Neem
Nimbah Seeto laghu graahi
Katupaako Agni Vaatamuth.
Vrana Pitta Kapha Chardi
Kushta hrillaasa meha nuth.
Nimba (neem) is light, cooling and constrictive. It is pungent by Vipaaka. It
checks heat and Vaata. It is used in the treatment of Vrana, vitiation of
Pitta and Kapha, Vomiting, Kushta and Hrillaasa – Vomiting Sensation.
Dose:- ¼ to 1 tola as a decoction boiled with 8 times the quantity of water
and reduced to one fourth.
3 to 10 minims of the oil with milk and sugar or in a capsule or pill.
¼ to 1 oz of the juice of the tender leaves with honey.
As a kalka of the leaves with salt and peppet of a marble size.
Of a mixture of root, stem, leaf, flower ad fruit crushed together, in dose of
¼ to ½ tola as an infusion or decoction with honey or sugar.
A handful of the leaves to the boiled with 40 to 80 oz. of water for an enema.
Action:- Febrifuge, antiperiodic, antipyretic, anthelmintic, antiseptic,
blood-purifier and bitter tonic and specific in leprosy.
Uses:- The bark is used in intermittent and remittent fevers, general debility
and convalascence. It is a reputed blood-purifier and hence it is given as a
specific in cases of Kushta (Leprosy), Vaatarakta and other diseases of the
blood. The tender leaves ground into mass with pepper and salt are given as a
carminative and anthelmintic and in leprosy. The juice of the leaves is used
with honey in Kaamala or jaundice and worms. The seeds are anthelmintic and
alterative. The oil extracted from it is bitter, anthelmintic and stimulant
and has a specific action in leprosy both internally and externally. The toddy
which naturally oozes out of the tree is used as a tonic and also in leprosy.
The gum is used by some in chronic gonorrhoea.
A decoction of the leaves with a little salt is very good for a enema to expel
worms and also to remove wind. The decoction of the bark is used as an
antiseptic lotion for cleaning ulcers. The leaves are disinfectant and local
stimulant and are used as poultices to indolent glands and swellings. The
paste of the leaves, ground with turmeric, is used as a popular remedy for
ulcers in Small-pox. The foam obtained by churning the tender shoots with cold
or ice water is applied to the body to reduce the high temperature in fevers.
The external application of the oils is antiseptic and healing. This is very
useful in leprosy.
Neem leaves are used dry in libraries to keep off book-eating worms. They are
placed in between the books in the shelves.
66. Nirgundi (Sindhuvaara)
Names:- Latin Vitex negundo
Tamil Nochhi
Telugu Vaavili
Canarese Nokki
Malayal Nochhi
Urdu Shembali
Dose:- ½ to 1 oz. of the Swarasam to be taken with honey. ½ to 2 tolas of
the leaves as a docoction boiled in the usual manner or the leaves made into a
mass with pepper and taken in doses of 5 to 15 grains three times a day.
Action:- Alternative, antiperiodic, antipyretic and anodyne.
Uses:- The decoction with pepper or the swarasam is used by some as a specific
in Malaria. It is also used in colic, dyspepsia, rheumatism, and worms. The
crushed mass is tied to the head in heaviness of the head and in fevers of the
complicated or nervous type.
The boiled leaves are used for fomentation of painful joints in rhematism. The
joints are bathed in the hot water in which the leaves were boiled. The oil
prepared with the Swarasa of the leaves is very popular for relieving pains.
Taludaali ilai (Prasaarini) in Madras is also very much used for similar
purposes externally and is very effective in relieving pains of acute
rheumatism.
The herb is available in hedges very commonly all over India, Nirgundi is
described in Bhaavaprakaash, Dhanvantari Nighuntu, Raja Nighutu, Charaka,
Susruta and Vaghbhata.
Sindhu Varas sveta Pushpah
Sindhukassindhu Vaarakah
Neela Pushpee to Nirgundee
Sephaalee suvahaacha sa (Bhaava Prakaasa).
It is generally described as having Tikta, Katu and Kashaya tastes and as
Vaata and Kapha Hara and having Krimighna properties. Chakradatta describes it
as useful in Kapha feves.
Sindhuvaara Dala Quaadhah
Soshanam Kaphaje Jware
Dhanvantari Nighantu says that it curses enlarged spleen. I have been using it
exclusively in Malarial fever from 1927. Recently, a forest officer from Assam
published an article in the Illustrated Weekly of India, that Nirgundi is
available in abundance in Assam and that the tribesmen use it very efficiently
in blackwater fever.
Sushruta recommends its use in Rakta Pitta. Charaka includes it in Krimighna
Group. (Sutra – ch.4) The following Recipe has been found by me to be very
useful in Malaria.
Take of:- Nirgundi leaves – 10 Tolas.
Pepper seeds powdred – 1 Tola.
Gudam (Jaggery) – 10 Tolas.
Water – 40 Tolas (1-lb)
Boil and reduce to 1 Tola 4- ozs.
Give one or two ozs as a dose, 2 or 3 times a day. The bowels should be kept
free by any medicne previously or an enema may be given. An over dose of the
medicine does not have any bad effects. It is most useful in Malaria of Vata
Kapha type in which the predominant symptoms are severe chill and brain
symptoms Three or four doses a day may be taken for the first 3 or 4 days and
then 2 doses a day may be repeated. In almost all cases, the fever subsides
with 4 days. In alternate fevers, a second attack may be much less severe and
on the third turn day, the temperature does not usually rise.
Diet – Very light liquid diet or absolute starvation, giving only water to
drink, is the best. Barley water, fruit juice, thin butter milk may be give
till the fever subsides.
Remarks:- The plant grows in the poorest soils and even in gravelly places. A
branch is cut and planted in the rainy season and it requires no further
attention. It does not require watering in the hot whether. It is not
destroyed by goats and cattle and so it is used for edges in Southern India.
Nirgundi has 2 varieties – white and black accoding to the colour of the
leaf and flower. The leaf is Trifoliate or Penta foliate. It is very popular
here for its Vaatahara properties. Water boiled with the drug is used for
baths for women after confinement. The drug is best used as a fresh or dry
leaf in decoction. I do not therefore recommend its use as a commercial
product as it can be collected locally and can be easily grown and made
popular all over the country.
67. Parpatakam
Names:- Latin Mollugo cerviana
Tamil Parpaatakam
Telugu Parpaatakamu
Canarese Parpatakam
Malayal Parpatakam
Urdu Hazardhana
Parpatohanti Pittaasra
Jwara trishaa Kapha bhramaan
Samgraahi seetalah tikto
Daaha nuth Vaatalo laghuh
Parpataka is bitter and light. It is cooling. It is a constrictor. It checks
Kapha and it increases Vaata. It is useful in the treatment of Raktapitta.
Jwara, Trishna, Bhrama (Giddiness), Daaha (burning sensation).
Dose:- ½ to 2 tolas as a decoction with or without sugar or as a compound
with other drugs (Refer Shadanga Kashaaya).
Action:- Cooling, diuretic, febrifuge, relieves thrist and burning sensation
of the body.
Uses:- It is often used for the same purpose as and along with Musta in high
fevers (Refer Musta No 61). This drug alone is enough in Pitta fevers. (Eka
parpataka sreshtah pitta jwara vinaasanah. – Chakradutta). Water boiled with
1 in 120 parts nd cooled, or water in which the drug is soaked overnight is an
excellent drink for relieving urethral burning sensation and acute
inflammation in cystisis and gonorrhoea. It is also recommended in vomiting
along with honey.
68. Patola
Names:- Latin Trichosanthes dioica
Tamil Peppudal
Telugu Chedupotla
Canarese Kaipotala
Malayal Padolam
Urdu Kichunda
Kaphaasrik Kandu Kushtaam
Jwara daahaacha naasayeth
Patola in pungent, and penetrating. It checks sevee heat. It is useful in the
treatmen of Kapha, diseases of the blood, itching, Kushta, Fevers and burning
sensation.
Dose:- ½ to 2 tolas to be taken as a decoction with sugar or honey.
Action:- Febrifuge, blood-purifier and bitter tonic.
Uses:- The decoction is much used as a febrifuge and antiperiodic. It purifies
the blood. The green leaves are advised to be taken as a vegetable in cases of
poisons and after fevers. In the treatment of small-pox, the decoction is much
recommended by Bhaavpprakaash. The properties and uses are almost the same as
Nimba and is used in compound decoctions for all kinds of fevers.
69. Patrakam
Names:- Latin Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Tamil Lavangapatri
Telugu Aakupatri
Canarese Lavangapatri
Malayal Lavangpatram
Urdu Tejpat
Patrakam Kapha Vaatarso
Hrillaasaa rochakaa paham.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Patrakam checks Kapha and Vaata. It is used in the treatment of watering from
mouth and in anorexia.
Dose:- 10 to 60 grains of the powder with honey or as a decoction along with
other drugs.
Action:- Aromatic, mild febrifuge, mild expectorant and diuretic.
Uses:- It is rarely used alone. Bu, it enters into the composition of most of
the lehams, where it is chiefly added to give aroma. It is also included in
febrifuge and diuretic decoctions.
70. Pippali
Names:- Latin Piper longum
Tamil Thippili
Telugu Pippallu
Canarese Thippili
Malayal Thippili
Urdu Pippal
Pippalee Katukaa Swaaduh
Hima Snigiha tridosha jith
Trit Jwarodara jantwaana
Naasaneecha rasaayanees.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Pippali is pungent and sweet. It is cooling and oily. It checks the three
doshas. It is useful in the treatment of thirst, fever, abdominal diseases and
worns. It is also useful as a tonic.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains as powder with honey or ghee or ghee and sugar.
or 10 to 60 grains as decoction or boiled with milk,
or with equal parts of Saindava lavanam and ghee,
or with water, milk and sugar or butter milk in increasing doses starting with
5, increasing daily by 5, till the number reaches 50 and reducing by 5 daily (Vardhamana
pippali-Charaka).
Action:- Digestive, carminative, stimulant, febrifuge, alternative and tonic.
Use:- In consumption and in ascites goat’s or cows milk is recommended to be
used, boiled with Pippali churnam. It makes the milk more easily assimilable.
In piles it is used with butter-milk. It is milder than Sunthi in relieving
abdominal distension or pain. It is less pungent than pepper. It is used alone
wherever a milder drug is required and a combination of the above two, when
more powerful action is required. It is generally combined with Sunti for
Vaataharatwam and with pepper for Kaphaharatwam. Itself, is mainly Pittahara
and is used alone in kevala pitta vikaara. The combination of the three is
therefore very popularly used in all the three conditions.
71. Pippalimoolam (Root of the above).
Katooshnam Pippalee moolm
Sleshma Sanghaata naasanam
Vaatcchittikaram hanti
Krimeen Vahni pradeeptikrit.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Pippali moolam is pungent and heating. It checks accumulations of Kapha and
Vaata. It improves appetite. It is useful in the treatment of Krimi.
Dose:- Action and Uses similar to the above but milder.
It is more a favourite of pregnant women and is used both in pregnancy and
after child-birth. Its uses are probably digestive and tonic. It is reputed to
be Vaataharam. As an anthelmintic, it is given with goat’s urine (Vaagbhata).
As a galactagogue, it is given along with milk and sugar (Maricham
pippaleemoolam ksheeram ksheera Vivriddhaye – Haareetha). In Nidraa naasa,
Haritha prescribes a powder of this to be taken with Gudam.
72. Punarnava
Names:- Latin Boerhaavia diffusa
Tamil Chattarani
Telugu Galijeru
Canarese Gajjeru
Malayal Taludama
Urdu Peescopra
Punarnavaa Bhavedushna
Tiktaa rooksha Kaphaapaha
Sasopha Paandu hrid roga
Kaasorakshata Soolajit.
Dhanvanthari Nighantu.
Punarnava is bitter and heating. It is non oily (dry). It checks Kapha. It is
useful in the treatment of diseases with swelling (sasopha), Paandu (Anaemia),
Hridroga (heart diseases), cough, blood spitting (Urakshata), and colic (soola).
Dose:- 10 to 60 grains of the powder with hot-water.
Or ¼ to 1 tola as a decoction,
or ½ to 2 tolas of the juice of fresh root or the swarasam of the dry root.
Action:- Diuretic, leaf – laxative as a sakam (curry).
Uses:- Its very name is sophagni (that which cures swellings). It is used in a
variety of diseases and is one of the most useful drugs in the Ayurvedic
Pharmacopoeia. It is useful both in heart and kidney diseases and remarkable
results are observed, swellings in the hands, feet or face or on the whole
body disappearing promptly. The patient is also put on salt free diet during
the treatment. The leaf used as a vegetable removes constipation. I have given
below the summary of its uses as found in Vanoushadi Gunadharpana.
1. A paste of the root with Dadhimanda (water floating on curd) may be used as
an application for all kinds of kushta.
(Chikitsa-Ch. 7. Charaka).
2. Decoction prepared with punarnava in Asmari.
(Chikitsa-Ch. 7. Sushruta).
3. Either the decoction or the kalka of Punarnava with Sunthi followed by an
anupanam of milk in Sotha.
(Chikitsa-Ch. 23. Sushruta).
4. Powder of the root with honey in Mushika Visha (Rat-bite).
(Kalpa-Ch. 6. Sushruta).
5. Swetapunarnava and Dathura in Alarkavisha (Rabid dog-bite).
(Kalpa-Ch. 6. Sushruta).
6. Milk boiled with the root in Jwara.
(Uttara Ch. 36. Sushruta).
7. Ghee medicated with milk, Punarnava kashaya and yashti-kalka is nutrient
and removes intoxication.
(Madaatyaya Chikitsa-Vrinda).
8. ½ pala of the kalka taken with milk for half a month or two months or six
months or one year as a Rasayanam.
(Rasaayanaadhikaara-Vrinda).
9. Ghee medicated with the kalka and kashaaya of Punarnava for Sotha.
(Sotha chikitsa-Chakradutta).
10. The root of Sweta punarnava as a decoction for apakva Vidradhi.
(Vidradhi Ch. Chakrudutta).
11. The root taken with water obtained by washing rice for Visha.
(Visha chikitsa-Chakradutta).
12. Urakshata chikitsa – As in Sopha. (Haareetha).
13. Decoction of Punarnava for producing sleep.
(Chikitsa-Ch. 16. Hareetha).
14. Decoction of Sathi, Sunthi and Punarnava used continuously for seven
nights in Aamavata (Bhaavaprakaash).
15. Use of Punarnava in eye-diseases:-
“Dugdhena kandoom kshoudrena netrasravancha sarpishaa Pushpam, thailena
thimiram, kanjikaena nisaandhatham, Punarnavaa harathyaasu bhaaskarasthimiram
yatha.”
With milk in itching of the eyes, with honey in discharges, with ghee in
pushpam (white patch), with oil in timira (Immature cataract), with
rice-washings in night-blindness-Phnarnava is useful in eye diseases.
(Bhaavaprakaasa).
16. The powder with milk for Pitta fevers and with thaambula for Chathurthika
fevers.
(Jwara chikitsa-Vangasena).
17. Oil medicated with Sweta punarnava to be rubbed in the foot in
Vaatakantaka.
(Vaatavyaadhi chikitsa-Vangasena).
18. The leaves as saaka for amavaata.
(Amaavaata chikitsa-Vangasena).
73. Raktachandanam
Names:- Latin Pterocarpus santalinus
Tamil Sigappu chandanam
Telugu Errachandanamu
Canarese Raktachandana
Malayal Raktachandanam
Urdu Sandalai suruk
Raktam Seetam Guru Swaadu
Chardi trishnaasra pittahrit
Tiktam netrahitam Vrishyam
Jwara Vrana Vishaapaham.
Raktachandana is sweet and bitter. It is heavy (guru) and cooling. It is
useful in the treatment for Chardi, Trisna, Rakta, Pitta, Jwara, Vrana and
Visha. It is good for the eye. It is an aphrodisiac.
Dose:- ¼ to 1 tola as decoction.
Action:- Refrigerant, antiperiodic, antipyretic, febrifuge, astringent and
bitter tonic.
Uses:- Properties almost the same as Sweta chandanam (Refer page 22).
It is used in many fever mixtures including mixtures for plague (D.
Gopalacharlu’s Haimaadi Paanakam) and it is probably specially useful in
relieving thirst and burning sensation of the body. It is also specially
mentioned in Visarpa (Erysipelas) and as a blood-purifier in skin diseases.
74. Rasna
Names:- Latin Alpinia officinarum
Tamil Chittarattai
Telugu Sannaraashtramu
Canarese Rasagadde
Malayal Aratta
Urdu Kulanjan
Raasnaa tiktoshnagurvee syaath
Visha Vaataasra Kaasajit
Sopha Vaatodara sleshma
Samanyaamasya paachanee.
Rasna is bitter, heating and heavy (to digest). It checks Vaata, Raktapitta
and cough. It is useful in the treatment of swellings and abdominal
distention. It subdues Kapha and matures Aama dosha.
Dose:- 5 to 15 grains of the root rubbed in honey or of the powder or swarasam
prepared as usual with honey,
Or ¼ to ½ tola as decoction with honey or sugar,
Or boiled with milk, strained and taken with sugar.
Action:- Expectorant and carmiantive and vaatahara.
Uses:- There is a great doubt about the identification of this drug in
different parts of India. The root used in the Madras Presidency is very
popular and is specially used in sore-throat and cough due to throat troubles.
The root is rubbed with honey and licked slowly morning and evening.
It is specially reputed as Vaataharam. Charaka mentions a pill made up of 1
part of Rasna, and 1¼ part of Guggula, to be given with ghee in Gridhrasi
vaata or sciatica. Rasnaadi Quathams are many and contain among other drugs
Rasna, Sunthi, Devadaaru, Gudoochi and Dasamoolams. The decoction of this
compound powder is generally given with castor oil. It is recommended in
hydrocele and hernia (“Mootra vriddhim….. Vriddhim antrodbhavan Jayet”
Saarangadhara). It is used in intestinal distention, in pulmonary troubles as
well as for relief of nervous pain. It is a very popular drug in Southern
India for the treatment of rheumatism (Aamavaata) and it is combined with
castor oil.
75. Rasona
Names:- Latin Allium sativum
Tamil Vellaipoondu
Telugu Vellulli
Canarese Bellulli
Malayal Vellulli
Urdu Lasun
Rasono brimhanah Vrishyah
Snigdhoshnah paachanah Sarah
Rase paakecha Katukah
Teekshno Madhurako Matah
Bala varnakaro medhaa
Hito nethryo Rasaayanah
Hridroga jeerna jwara Kukshi Soola
Vibandha gulmaaruchi Kaasa Sophaan
Durnaama Kushtaa nalasaada jantu
Sameerana swaasa Kaphaan cha hanti.
Bhaavaprakaasa.
Lasuna (Rasona-garlic) is oily, heating and digestive. It quickly penetrates.
In rasa and vipaaka, it is pungent and it is also sweet. It is teekshna
(acute). It is aphrodisiac and makes one plumpy (Brimhanam). It improves
strength and complexion. It is good for eye sight, intellect and as a tonic.
It is useful in the treatment of heart diseases, chronic fevers, colic,
constipation, Gulma, anorexia, kaasa, sopha, piles, Kushta, loss of appetite,
Jantu (Vermicide) and swaasa. It checks Vaata and Kapha.
Dose:- Of the oil ½ to 2 minims.
Garlic 1 part, oil 8 parts, milk 32 parts. Boil till the oil remains.
Or,Garlic 1 part, oil 8 parts. Heat the oil and strain.
Dose:- 3 to 10 minims of the oil with milk and sugar.
The swarasam of Lasuna is generally extracted by crushing the bulbs along with
bran and expressing through thick cloth. 1 to 3 minims with milk and sugar.
Garlic ½ to 1 tola, milk 4 to 16 oz, water double the quantity of milk, mix
and boil down till the milk remains, filter, add honey or sugar and take every
morning.
Action:- Internally, stimulant, diuretic in small doses, galactagogue,
emmenagogue, intestinal antiseptic, expectorant, antimalarial, antifilarial,
antitubercular, antispasmodic in asthma, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac and tonic
in proper doses.
Externally, antiseptic, rubefacient, counter-irritant and blistering.
In large doses, it is an irritant and produces flatulence, headache, nausea,
vomiting, diarrhoea etc.
Uses:- Garlic is used in a variety of diseases, specially as a stimulant in
Vaata diseases. It is a reputed home remedy and is popularly called the musk
of the poor man.
Its action on the bronchial mucous membrane and as an antispasmodic in asthma,
is marvelous in some cases. It is also used in consumption and in the early
stages, it acts as a specific. Milk boiled with Lasuna has been very much
extolled as a tonic. It is the regulation of the dose that is the most
difficult part in the administration of Lasuna. The same dose does not suit
all constitutions and in some cases disagreeable symptoms are noted which
necessitate withholding of the drug. Charaka recommends its use in
elephantiasis.
An external application of the oil is antiseptic and stimulant to the wounds.
The swarasam of Lasuna is powerfully caustic and when introduced into sinuses
produces inflammation and powerful reaction resulting in a high temperature,
some times upto 1050. In some cases, the sinus is healed by one application.
In ear-ache, the oil is prepared along with Hingu (Refer Hingutrigunataila)
and dropped comfortably warm into the ear. As a poultice ground with Omum,
turmeric and castor oil ad boiled with water, it makes a nice application for
relieving inflammation. As an external application in pneumonia and pleurisy,
it has produced excellent results, sometimes cutting short the duration of the
diseases. It is mixed with camphor and turmeric and rubbed all over the body
when the limbs become cold due to collapse or in hysteria. It is a favourite
of old physicians in the after treatment of puerperal women. If properly used,
Lasunam is one of the most useful drugs of the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia.
In Malarial fevers, Lasuna has been used with great success. It is used as a
secret remedy in many villages in South India. Grind equal parts of Arka (Calotropis
gigantia), lasuna and pepper into a mas and make into 5 grain pills. One to 3
pills may be given two or three times a day for the treatment of Malarial
attacks. It is a bit heating and so the effects must be carefully watched in
each case. Ordinarily, it is good to stop its use temporarily after using the
pills for 2 or 3 days. It is most useful in Vaata and Kapha types.
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