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Sanskrit |
: |
Mustaka, Musta |
|
English |
: |
Nut
grass |
|
Hindi
|
: |
Motha and
Nagarmotha |
|
Latin
name |
: |
Cyperus rotundus |
|
Family |
: |
Cyperaceae |
Morphology:
The plant is called " nut grass " because of the tubers that resemble nuts
although botanically they are different from nuts. It is a perennial herb, rhizomes stoloniferous.
it has a thin stem that is of dark green in color, sparsely tufted erect. Leaves are
flat, liner green with prominent nerves and scabrous. Inflorescences are small,
with 2-4 bracts, consisting of tiny flowers with a red-brown husk.
The plant flowers in summers and fruits in winters.
The nut is three-angled, oblong-ovate, yellow in
colour and black when ripe.
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Ayurvedic Pharmacodynamic properties: |
|
Rasa |
: |
Tikta
(Bitter), Katu (Pungent), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|
Guna |
: |
Laghu
(Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
|
Virya |
: |
Shita
(Cold) |
|
Vipaka |
: |
Katu
(Pungent) |
|
Doshakarma |
: |
Kapha-Pitta shamaka (Alleviates Kapha and Pitta) |
|
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Useful part:
Rhizome
Chemical constituent:
It consists of an essential oil -
sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (25%), epoxides (12%) and ketones (20%) and
monoterpene and aliphatic alcohols (25%). Triterpenes which include β-Sitosterol,
oleanolic acid. Beside these it also contains flavanoids, sugars and minerals.
Medicinal properties: It is
light, bitter, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, antihelminthic,
galactogogue, emmenogogue, nervine tonic,
antibiotic,
analgesic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, antitussive,
contraceptive, diaphoretic, lithontripic, sedative, stomachic,
tonic and vermifuge.
Medicinal uses:
It is used both internally and
externally.
External uses
-
The extract
of root oil when instilled into the eyes reduces conjunctivitis pain,
redness and ocular discharges.
-
The external
application of its paste relieves itching and reduces the foul odor due to
excessive sweating, and is salutary in skin diseases like scabies, eczema
etc.
-
Application
of its paste on the breasts purifies the breast milk.
-
In obesity,
the massage with its dry powder (udvartana) is extremely beneficial for
reducing the subcutaneous fat deposition.
Internal uses
- It is
an appetite stimulant and therefore, an effective remedy for
distaste, vomiting, diarrhea, colitis, dyspepsia, worms .
- It is
used along with black pepper to treat stomachache.
- It is used in treatment of
cervical cancer.
- In mental
debility and epilepsy, it is used along with cow’s milk.
- It is a potent amapacaka (digests the ama),
hence, it is used in diarrhoea, associated with fever and excessive
thirst.
- It is
beneficial in cough and asthma as it alleviates Kapha .Mustaka is perhaps the best
herb for treating any type of fever.
- The decoction
of its roots is the best remedy for purifying the breast milk in lactating
mothers.
- . It is also
one of the most effective menstrual regulators. It helps to promote and regulate
the menstruation (emmenagogue).
- As an
emmenagogue, it can be used with shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) in proportions
of 1:4 in burning micturition, urinary calculi; heamaturia etc. mustaka renders
excellent results, as it is diuretic in property.
- It is usually combined with black
pepper (Piper nigrum) in the
treatment of stomachaches.
Dose:
Churna (powder) 3-6 gms; Kwatha (decoction) 50-100 ml.
Important formulations:
Mustakadi kvatha, Balasanjivani curna,
Sadangodaka, Mustakarista, Mustadi leha, Musta taila
Home
remedies:
-
Musta
powder if taken along with honey or boiled with milk is good to improve
indigestion .
-
Its
paste on breasts is applied to increase the quantity of breast milk.
-
Its
paste should also be applied to reduce itching on the skin.
-
Its powder is also
beneficial in dysponea, epilepsy and various digestive disorders.
Summary:
Mustaka
is described in Ayurveda as a good digestant and as a herb enhancing
the biological
fire. Its rhizomes are used for washing hair. Oil is obtained from tubers and is
used by perfumes as fixative. It acts as an antiperspirant and deodorant. Oil is
used as hair tonic.
Recent studies have also
suggested that Musta (Cyperus rotundus) is very effective against inflammatory
bowel diseases. It is also showed significant antidiarrhoeal activity and anti
diabetic activity. Oral administration of Mustaka daily significantly
lowers the blood glucose levels. This antihyperglycemic activity can be attributed to
its antioxidant activity. Biological efficacy of C. rotundus tubers extract on
weight control in obese is also evaluated and it was demonstrated that
administration of C. rotundus tubers extract induced a significant reduction in
weight gain without affecting food consumption or inducing toxicity.
An essential oil of the tubers
has antibiotic activity and has been
shown to arrest the growth of Micrococcus
pyrogenes
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