Usage of Indian Pennywort / Centella asiatica in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view

Usage of Indian Pennywort / Centella asiatica in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view


Latin: Centella asiatica Linn.
(syn. Hydrocotyle asiatica [Linn.] Urban)

Family: Umbelliferae

Vernacular names: Sanskrit - Mandukaparni - Brahmi; Hindi -
Brahmamanduki - Gotu kola; English - Indian Pennywort; Unani -
Khulakudi; Bengali - Tholkuri; Malayalam - Muttil; Gujarati -
Karbrahmi; Tamil - Vallarai; Japanese - Tsubokura; Tibetan - Sin-
mnar

Part Used: whole plant

Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa: sweet, bitter, astringentVeerya: cooling
Vipaka: sweet
Gunas: light, sharp, liquid

Doshas: VPK -

Pharmacological Action: tonic, sedative, alterative, anxiolytic

Clinical Research: Ramaswamy, et al. , Aithal, et al. , Malhotra,
et al. and others have all reported on the sedative effects of C.
asiatica. The plant extract also has been shown to be effective
in anxiety neurosis and peptic ulcer . One interesting six-month
study conducted on normal adults showed the herb increased
mean RBC count, hemoglobin concentration, blood sugar,
serum cholesterol, total serum protein, and vital capacity.
Another study showed a significant improvement in memory
and behavior pattern when administered to retarded children
for a period of twelve weeks. Two glycosides, brahmoside and
brahminoside, have been shown to exert sedative and
hypoglycemic effects in experimental rats.

Traditional Uses: There is some confusion with regard to the
two plants mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) and brahmi (Bacopa monniera) which have similar appearance, properties,
synoymns, and lack of textual descriptions. Careful study of the
texts clearly indicate that they are two different plants. Charaka
recognises both as being promoters of mental faculties but
assigns brahmi a more specific role in treating mental diseases--
like insanity, anxiety, depression, and epilepsy--while
mandukaparni improves mental function through its more
general rasayana effect.
In addition to its intellect-promoting and anxiolytic effects, the
plant is also used in chronic cough, eczema, psoriasis, and
boils. It is in preparations given for anemia, dyspnea,
emaciation, splenic enlargement, rheumatic joint pain,
amenorrhea, and blood toxicity.

Indications: anxiety, minor memory loss, mental fatigue,
eczema

Formulations and Dosage:
leaf juice : 25 ml.


Ayrvedic Indian Medicinal Plants

Usage of Thyme / Bacopa monnieri in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view

Usage of Thyme / Bacopa monnieri in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view



Latin: Bacopa monnieri

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Vernacular names: Sanskrit - Brahmi; Hindi - Brambhi; English -
Thyme-leaved Grariola; Bengali - Brahmi-sak; Tamil -
Nirbrahmi; Japanese - Otomeazene

Part Used: whole plant, roots, leaves, stalks

Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa: bitterVeerya: coolingVipaka: pungentGunas: light, unctuous

Doshas: VK- ; P+

Pharmacological Action: nervine tonic, diuretic, sedative

Clinical Research:Brahmi is reported to have sedative as well
as cardiotonic effects due to the presence of hersaponin, one of
four saponins isolated fom the plant. , In 50 mg/kg doses,
alcoholic extracts produced mild tranquilizing effects on albino
rats and dogs. The alcoholic extract of the entire plant
displayed anticancer activity against Walker carcinosarcoma
256 in rats. Oral administration of the alcoholic extract in
aqueous suspension for three or more days was found to
improve the learning curve in rats in various learning
situations.

Traditional Uses:Brahmi is used in the treatment of asthma,
hoarseness, anxiety, epilepsy, and neurasthenia. It is also
useful as a diuretic and aperient. A paste made from the leaves
is used in rheumatic joint pain; a poultice of the entire boiled
plant is applied to the chest in bronchitis and chronic cough. It
is used to prepare a number of important Ayurvedic
preparations (Brahmighritam, Brahmirasayanam) which are
Indications: emotional stress, mental exhaustion, forgetfulness,
anxiety, asthma, bronchitis, cough, hoarseness, water
retention, rheumatic joint pain.

Formulations and Dosage:

powder-5g. twice a day with warm water.

Ayrvedic Indian Medicinal Plants

Usage of Asparagus / Asparagus racemosus in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view

Usage of Asparagus / Asparagus racemosus in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view



Latin: Asparagus racemosus Willd.

Family: Liliaceae

Vernacular names: Sanskrit - Shatavari; Hindi - Satavari;
English - Asparagus; Gujarat - Ekalkanto; Bengali - Satmuli

Part Used: leaves, roots

Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa: sweet, bitterVeerya: sheeta
Vipaka: sweetGunas: light, unctous

Doshas: VP- ; K+

Pharmacological Action: galactogogic, antispasmodic,
antidiarrhetic, demulcent, refrigerant, diuretic, aphrodisiac,
tonic, antibacterial, antiparasitic, antitumor

Clinical Research: There are saponins in the roots of A.
racemosus collected throughout India. There are several
reports of galactogogic activity. One study showed that A.
racemosus increased the weight of mammary tissue and milk
yield in estrogen-primed rats. Other studies report antioxytoxic
and anti-ADH activity in these saponin fractions isolated from
the roots. Another study measuring growth promotion indicated
an anabolic action of the plant. No studies to date are available
which evaluate the effect of Shatavari on serum prolactin levels
but several groups are currently preparing such investigations.
Aqueous extracts of the roots were reported to have lipase and
amylase activities.

Traditional Uses: diarrhea, dysentery, inflammatory bowel
conditions, blood purification, biliousness, edema, dyspepsia,
rheumatic joint pains, gonorrhea, galactogogue, nervousness,
feverIndications: to increase milk production, nervousness, gastritis,
diarrhea, female aphrodisiac, general nutritive tonic, spastic
colon, fever

Formulations and Dosage:
powder 5-10 g.
decoction: 50-100ml.
milk decoction: 2-4 oz. bid (with ghee
pippali, and honey), powder: 3-5 g. bid (with honey)



Ayrvedic Indian Medicinal Plants

Usage of Sweet Flag / Acorus calamus in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view

Usage of Sweet Flag / Acorus calamus in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view


Latin: Acorus calamus Linn.

Family: Araceae

Vernacular names: Sanskrit - Vacha; Hindi - Bach; English -
Sweet Flag; Unani - Buch; Tamil - Vasamber; Persian - Agar
turki; Japanese - Shobu; Chinese - Shui chang; German -
Kalmus

Part Used: Rhizome

Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa: bitter, pungent
Veerya: heating
Vipaka: pungentGunas: light, sharp, subtle

Doshas: VP- ; K+

Pharmacological Action: nervine, antispasmatic, sedative,
stomachic, expectorant, emetic, laxative, diuretic

Clinical Research: The essential oil free alcoholic extract of the
rhizome was found to possess sedtive and analgesic
properties; it has moderate hypotensive and respiratory
depressant effects. When administered to experimental animals
the oil reduces muscle tone and response to tactile and
auditory stimuli. Asarone and beta-asarone are the constituents
credited with the sedative and nervine effects. The alcoholic
extract has also shown antifungal effects.

Traditional Uses: Sweet Flag is presently classified as an
unsafe herb for internal usage by the FDA. It has been used for
centuries, however, in Ayurvedic medicine as a renowned
rejuvenator of the nervous system for conditions of anxiety,
hysteria, insomnia, neurasthenia, and other nervous
complaints. It is useful in all conditions of excess vata and is
known to enhance awareness and improve memory. A decoction of the root acts as a carminative removing
discomfort caused by excess intestinal gas. According to Duke,
Orientals use the root decoction in bronchitis and as an
aphrodisiac. A small piece of the root is chewed to overcome
mental fatigue. The skin of the root is hemostatic. It has been
used in dyspepsia, dysentery, headache, gout, and rheumatism.
The juice of the root is applied to boils, carbuncles, and painful
joints. In large doses it is emetic. The powdered root is used as
a snuff to relieve nasal congestion and mental weariness.

Indications: mental fatigue, memory loss, anxiety, bronchitis,
sinusitus, common headache, flatulence, joint pains

Formulations and Dosage:

decoction : 50ml.
milk decoction with powdered ginger (for digestive indications)
powder :5 g intranasally



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Ayrvedic Indian Medicinal Plants

Aconitum heterophyllum

Ayurvedic indian medicinal plants

ATIVISA
Aconitum heterophyllum





Botanical Name — Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. Cat.

Family- RANUNCULACEAE


Synonyms(Sanskrit language - Indian) — Aruna, Ardrã, Upavisã, Kasäyã Krsnã, Ghuna Vallabhã, Cãndri, Pita Vallabhã, Prati Visa, Bhangurä, Madhya-deasthã, Mahausadha, Mãdri, Mrdvi, Raktã, Visvä, Visamã, Visa,sisubhaisajya, Suka Kandã, Sukla Kandã, Srngikã, Syama Kanda, svetã, Sveta Kanda, sveta vacha.




Introduction—

Carak considered this Indian medicinal plant as prativisa, but Susruta considers A.palmatum as prativisa. it described under Lekhaniya, Arsoghna Vargas, Tikta skandha, sirovirecana dravyas ,

Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)

1. Cherophyllum violosum [AD]
2. sukla
3. krsna
4. aruna
5. rakta
6. sveta
7. pita – Delphinium denudatum - [CV]


Morphology


(i) A. heterophyllum—
Roots biennial, paired, tuberous; whitish or grey. Stem erect, simple or branched, from 15-20 cm high. glabrous below, finely crispo-pubescent in the upper part.
Leaves heteromorphous, glabrous: lowest on long petioles (13cm); blade orbicular- cordate or ovate-cordate in outline with a usually narrow sinus (1-1.5 cm deep); usually 5- lobed to the middle, amplexicaul.
Inflorescence slender raceme or a lax, leafy panicle, crispo-pubescent; Sepals bluish or violet (rarely whitish); navicular obliquely erect, shortly or obscurely beaked, 18-20 mm high, 8-9 mm wide. Carpels 5, elliptic-oblong. Follicles contagious, linear-oblong, straight, 16-18 mm long.
Seeds pyramidal, 3-4 mm long, blackish brown.

Distribution— commonly found in sub-alpine and alpine zones Himalayas from Indus to Kumaon at 2000-5000 m (6000-16000 ft.).

(ii) A. palmatum—
Roots, biennial, paired, tuberous; conical or cylindrical 4-10 cm long, 0.75-3 cm thick.
Stem erect.
Leaves scattered, upto 10, the lowest usually withered at the time of flowering, glabrous, or the upper most finely pubescent on the nerves below; petiole slender 4-10 cm long; blade orbicular-cordate to reniform , 3-lobed.
Inflorescence a very loose, leafy panicle or raceme, 10-20 cm long. Sepals bluish or variegated white and blue, uppermost helmet-shaped. Carpels 5, sub contagious in the flower.
Follicles sub contagious or some what diverging in the upper part, oblong, obliquely truncate, 2.5-3 cm long and 5-6 mm broad.
Seeds blackish, ovoid, about 3 mm long, round in Cross section.

Chemical Constituents—
(i) A. heterophyllum —
Atidine , hetisine, heteratisine ,Diterpene alkaloids , heterophylline, heterophylline ,heterophyllidine heterophyllisine, hetidine, atidine & ,Atisenol, a new entatisene diterpenoid lactone from roots.
F-dishydrçatisine, hetidine, hetisinone, heteratisine, hetisine, benzylleteratisine, beta —sitosterol, carotene and 3— isoatisine from rhizomes

(ii) A. palmatum—

non-toxic alkaloid has been isolated from A. palmatum

Distribution & Habitat
Maharashtra & Himalayas



Properties

Rasa - Katu, Tikta
Guna -Laghu, Ruksha
Virya -Ushna
Vipaka -Katu

Karma - Dipana, Päcana, Grãhi, Tridosahara, otha hara, Viaghna, Krmihara, Aroghna, Jvara hara, Kasa hara

Prabhãva- Visa hara

External uses
The crushed eaves, mixed with saindhav are applied focally. The seeds crushed in honey are applied locally on throat, in tonsillitis. Nasal insufflations of roots is beneficial in headache (especially migraine)
Internal uses
Respiratory system : The juice of roots along with milk is an expectorant Root powder is given orally in cervical lymphadenitis.
Digestive system : Seed and root are used in ascites. Seeds are laxative.
Urinary system : The seeds are diuretic, the root decoction reduces burning of urinary tract. It increases volume of urine.

Reproductive system : Root is used in sperrnatorrhoea. The decoction of roots is also used in burning of vagina.
Circulatory system : The juice of leaves along with juice of zingier reduce perspiration.

Toxic effects—
Over dosage (More than 5-6g) produces symptoms like dryness of mouth, tremors etc.

Pretreatment of A. palmatum root in cow’s milk and urine reduced the cardio-toxicity (Singh L.B. et al., 1985).

Srotogamitva:
Dosha : Tridoshaghna.
Dhatu : Majja (brain tonic), rakta. shukra. meda:
Mala : Mutra (diuretic). purisha (laxative). sweda.

Part Used—

The tuberous root is medicinally used both alone and in combination. Yogaratnakara mentioned that Haritaki may be used as the substitute for Ativisã.

Dosage—
Root powder l-3g per day (divided doses)

Indications—

Atisãra, Jwara, Kãsa, Bãla röga. Visa röga, Ama dosa, Chardi, Krimi roga, Agnimãndya, Rakta pitta, Yakrd roga, Trsnã, Pinasa, Ara, Pittodara etc.


Important research work going on


1. contractions of frog rectus abdominis induced by acetylcholine.
Clinical Studies

2. diarrhoeal disorders

3. hypolipidemic effect



Therapcutic Uses—

(1) Bala röga— Ativisã alone or along with Karkaangi
and Pippali in case of cough and fever (A.H.Ut.2/57 & V.M.66/10).

(2) Atisära— Ativisã + Bhanga + Vacã as powder

(3) Jvaratisara— sunthi, Kutaja, Mustã, guduçi & Ativisã are
given orally in the form of decoction .

(4) Grahani— The decoction made of Ativiã, sunthi & Mustã is administered orally to destroy the Ama (C.S.Ci.15/98)3.

(5) Mutra krçchra— Ativisã, Amla dravyas, Sunthi, Goksura, Kantakari are made as Peyã (gruel) and given along with Phãnita (jaggery syrup)- (C.S.Su. 2/22).

(6) Visa roga— A ghee prepared with Ativisã and cow’s milk is used orally or as nasal drops in case of acute poisoning. The ghee may also be processed with Sveta and Madayantikã (S.S.Ka.1/64)
(7) Musika Visa— Ativisã root is made into paste by grinding with honey and administered orally (S.S.Ka. 7/39)’.

(8) Vrana— syonãka , Prativisã, Kantakãri müla are made into paste and applied over the wounds (A.H. Ut. 35/47)2.

(9) Kuksi roga /Udara rogas- 1 part Ativisa + 3 parts Añkola, administered orally with rice water (Tandulodaka)