Ayurveda the divine science of life -13

Ayurveda the divine science of life

11.13 Vajı칔aran. a karma: VIRILISATION

THERAPY

The third type of rasa칪ana treatment utilised in A- yurveda

is vajı칔aran

˙

a rasa칪ana, a term that refers to ‘cultivating’

(karan

˙

a) the sexual potency of a ‘horse’ (vajı¯).

Unlike kut

˙

ı칛ra칥e큦ika and va칣a칣apika rasa칪ana,

vajı칔aran

˙

a rasa칪ana targets reproductive function,

and is indicated in both men and women who are infertile

or wish to enjoy normal conjugal relationships without

harm. Traditional Indian society has always placed a

high value on progeny and an adult without children

was considered to be like a tree without fruit:

‘Stumbling walk and incomplete speech, bodies

covered with dust and dirt, the mouth and face

dirty and covered with saliva. In spite of all

these things the child is gladdening to the

heart: what other thing is equal to its sight and

touch?’

-Asta?ga Hr

˙

daya, Uttarastha칗a, 40:10–11

Vajı칔aran

˙

a or virilisation therapy has two basic

goals: to enhance and strengthen the reproductive

organs, and to increase the patient’s desire for sexual

activity. It is easy to see that the second of these goals

is certainly dependent upon the first, for if the reproductive

organs are deficient, the desire for sexual acitivity

will be diminished. While some dravyas are

certainly considered to be aphrodisiacs, vajı칔aran

˙

a

rasa칪ana functions to nourish the reproductive

organs and increase ojas. It is somewhat similar

to va칣a칣apika and many of the dravyas used in

the latter therapy can be used in the former.

Rasa?yana dravyas Dosage Prevention and treatment

Pippalı?fruit (Piper longum) Ten Pippalı?are consumed with cow’s milk on Cough, dyspnoea, consumption,

the first day, increased by ten on each diabetes, haemorrhoids, anaemia,

successive day for 10 days, and thereafter arthritis, gout

reduced by ten until finished. Rice cooked

with milk and ghr. ta may be taken later that

day after the Pippalı?has been digested and

can no longer be tasted

S´

ila칓atu 12–48 g t.i.d., taken with milk and honey Anaemia, oedema, diabetes,

for 9 to 48 days. Rice cooked with milk and tuberculosis, haemorrhoids

ghr. ta may be taken after S큛la칓atu has been

digested

Cyavanapra칢큑 12–48 g t.i.d. or more, with warm milk, as Cough, dyspnoea, pleurisy,

much as patient desires. Rice cooked with consumption, heart diseases, gout,

milk and ghr. ta may be taken after dysuria, infertility, mental disorders

Cyavanapra칢큑 rasa칪ana has been digested

Agastya harı칣akı?rasa칪ana 12–48 g t.i.d. or more, with warm milk, Cough, dyspnoea, consumption, piles,

as much as patient desires. Rice cooked with chronic fever, chronic rhinitis, sprue,

milk and ghr. ta may be taken after Agastya premature greying, alopecia

harı칣akı?rasa칪ana has been digested

Brahma?rasa칪ana 12–48 g t.i.d. or more, taken with warm Chronic fatigue, memory loss, senility,

milk, as much as patient desires. Rice cooked neurasthenia, cough

with milk and ghr. ta may be taken after

Brahma?rasa칪ana has been digested

TABLE 11.1 Kut.

ı칛ra칥es?ika dravyas.

Treatment of disease 153

Unlike va칣a칣apika, however, persons suitable for

vajı칔aran

˙

a need not undergo pa?a karma. In this

respect vajı칔aran

˙

a rasa칪anas are thought to

directly target the reproductive organs, like a particular

kind of seed that only one type of bird will consume

(i.e. khalekapota, see 4.2 Sapta dha칣us: the seven

supports). Nonetheless, vajı칔aran

˙

a therapy should

never be administered before a course of a칖apa칌ana,

as many of these dravyas will enhance a칖a.

The approach taken to nurture and stimulate

reproductive function is somewhat different in men

and women. In addition to the nourishment of the

reproductive organs, women require a greater attention

to balancing pitta, which plays an important role

in regulating the menstrual flow (a칞tava dha칣u).

Among the more important vajı칔aran

˙

a rasa칪anas

for women that has this property is Kuma칞ı?juice

(Aloe vera). The term Kuma칞ı?means ‘young woman’,

and can be taken as the fresh juice (not the isolated

gel or powdered resin) by both menstruating and

post-menopausal woman to bring renewal and

strength. To prepare the remedy, the Aloe leaf is split

open and scraped down to the rind. This is then

pounded and blended to yield a palatable texture.

Typical dosages range between 25 and 50 mL of the

fresh juice, once to twice daily, but can be adjusted to

ensure that the bowel movements are normal. In

Western herbal medicine herbs that have a similar

property to decongest the uterus and liver include

Yarrow leaf (Achillea millefolium), White Dead Nettle

leaf (Lamium album) and Dandelion root (Taraxacum

officinalis).

Among the most important dravyas used in A- yurveda

to nourish the female reproductive organs is

S´

ata칥arı?root (Asparagus racemosus). Although the

term S?ata칥arı?means ‘one hundred roots,’ referring

to the fascicle of roots that is the habit of this plant, an

alternate meaning is ‘one hundred husbands’, which

is perhaps more descriptive of its virtue as a sexual

restorative. As a vajı칔aran

˙

a rasa칪ana the finely

powdered root of S?ata칥arı?is taken in dosages of

10–15 g twice daily, mixed with milk and honey.

Similarly, a medicated ghr

˙

ta can be prepared with

S´

ata칥arı¯, 10–15 g taken twice daily with milk.

Important non-Indian herbs used as vajı칔aran

˙

a

rasa칪anas for women includes Dang gui (Angelica

sinensis), Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa), Unicorn root

(Aletris farinosa), Peony root (Paeonia lactiflora) and

Damiana leaf (Turnera diffusa).

Among the most important vajı칔aran

˙

a rasa칪anas

for men is A큦vagandha?root (Withania somnifera),

whose name means to ‘smell like a horse’, referring to

the sexual potency of a stallion. A큦vagandha?may be

taken as a cu칞n˙

a, 10–15 g twice daily in milk with

honey, or mixed with equal parts S?ata칥arı¯, 5–10 g

each taken twice daily with milk and honey. Another

useful vajı칔aran

˙

a rasa칪ana is Tila seed (Sesamum

indicum), 50 g of the ground seed taken with ghr

˙

ta

and honey, once daily on an empty stomach. The

Cakradatta recommends Vida칞ı?(Pueraria tuberosa)

as a vajı칔aran

˙

a rasa칪ana, 10 g of the powdered root

mixed into a paste with the juice from the fresh plant

and ghr

˙

ta, taken once to twice daily. For suspected

male infertility the Indian botanical Kapikacchu¯

seed (Mucana pruriens) is highly valued, taken in doses

of 10–15 g twice daily with milk and honey. In confirmed

cases of male infertility and in male sexual

debility, many A- yurvedic texts recommend the testicle

of goat decocted with Tila seed in milk, strained, and

mixed with ghr

˙

ta and Pippalı?fruit (Piper longum)

cu칞n˙

a.

11.14 S?amana karma: PACIFICATORY

TREATMENT

When the patient is weakened by disease, and suffers

from fatigue, emaciation, weakness or obesity, 큦odhana

therapies such as pa?a karmas can be too

debilitating and thus a series of pacificatory, or

큦amana therapies are utilised. S?amana therapies are

also used when the facilities to perform pa?a karma

are unavailable, or if pa?a karma is an otherwise

impractical consideration. S?amana karma comprises

six components, each orientated to treat a specific

dos

˙

a or combination of the dos

˙

as, including

langhana (‘depleting’), br

˙

mhan

˙

a (‘nourishing),

ru칔s

˙

ana (‘drying’), snehana (‘moistening’), stambhana

(‘cooling’) and svedana (‘heating’).

11.15 S?amana karma: langhana

THERAPY

Langhana therapies are used to normalise kapha in

the body, using dravyas that are dı칛anapa칌ana,

exposing the body to the elements (sun and wind),

engaging in strenuous exercise, fasting, and limiting

154 PART 1: Theory and Practice of A¯ yurveda

the consumption of strongly nourishing foods. Some

elements of langhana therapy, such as strenuous

exercise, are traditionally recommended during the

winter and spring, when kapha naturally accumulates.

Although langhana therapy may seem contraindicated

in va칣tika conditions, Caraka clearly

states that langhana should be used in va칣tika conditions

where there are indications of a칖a. The qualities

of langhana treatment are laghu (‘light’), us

˙

n˙

a

(‘hot’), tiks

˙

n˙

a (‘sharp’), vi큦ada (‘clear’) and su칔s

˙

ma

(‘subtle’). Used to excess, langhana therapies will

aggravate both pitta and va칣a.

Herbal treatments used in langhana therapy are

primarily tikta (‘bitter’), ka큦a칪a (‘astringent’), and

kat

˙

u (‘pungent’) in rasa (‘taste’), including Indian

herbs such as Citraka herb (Plumbago zeylanica),

Bibhı칣aka fruit (Terminalia belerica), Guggulu resin

(Commiphora mukul), Nimba leaf or bark (Azadirachta

indica), Pippalı?fruit (Piper longum), Da?ı?root

(Baliospermum montanum), and Va칢aka leaf (Adhatoda

vasica). Non-Indian herbs include Bayberry bark

(Myrica cerifera), Pipsissewa leaf (Chimaphila umbellata),

and Cayenne fruit (Capsicum annuum). In terms of

Chinese medicine, herbs that remove phlegm and

dampness and regulate digestion may be indicated.

Snehana therapies should be avoided in langhana

karma, but the usage of ghars

˙

ana and udavartana

therapy can be recommended, as well as svedana. Some

oils may be used topically and in small amounts in langhana

karma, such as mustard or castor oil, as well as

liniments made with essential oils such as eucalyptus,

wintergreen and cinnamon. Aromatherapy with clearing

and pungent essential oils such as sage, cedar, pine,

myrrh and camphor are best used in langhana therapy.

11.16 S큑mana karma: br. mhan.a

THERAPY

Br

˙

mhan

˙

a therapies are used to normalise va칣tika and

va칣apittaja conditions, using foods that are nourishing

and strengthening such as those implemented during

hema?a. When va칣a symptoms predominate the

agni is irregular and food should be prepared as stews

and soups and, along with dı칛anapa칌ana dravyas,

and in some cases even digestive enzymes to ensure

proper assimilation. In contrast, when paittika symptoms

dominate the diet should emphasise more cooling,

nourishing foods such as milk, ghr

˙

ta and coconut

products. Additional therapies include abhyan . ga,

bathing in warm water, oatwater or medicated oils,

adequate sleep, rest and relaxation, and abstinence

from sexual activity. Care must be taken not to use

br

˙

mhan

˙

a therapies in a칖a otherwise the condition

being treated will be made worse and treatment more

difficult. The qualities of br

˙

mhan

˙

a karma are the

same as the gun

˙

as that characterise kapha, such as

guru (‘heavy’), snigdha (‘greasy’), picchila (‘slippery’),

sthira (‘stabilising’), manda (‘slow’), and

sa?dra (‘solidifying’). Br

˙

mhan

˙

a therapies used to

treat va칣a will have a warming quality, whereas

br

˙

mhan

˙

a karma in paittika conditions will have

a cooling quality, and will not contain dravyas that

are too snigdha (‘greasy’). Used to excess, br

˙

mhan

˙

a

therapies will aggravate kapha.

Herbal treatments used in br

˙

mhan

˙

a therapy are

primarily madhura (‘sweet’) and lavan˙

a (‘salty’) in

rasa, including such Indian herbs as S?ata칥arı¯

root (Asparagus racemosa),A?malakı?fruit (Phyllanthus

emblica), Bala?leaf and root (Sida spp.), Vam. 큦arocana¯

(Bambusa arundinaceae), Yas

˙

t

˙

imadhu root (Glycyrrhiza

glabra), An.kola fruit (Alangium lamarckii), and

Kapikacchu?seed (Mucana pruriens). Non-Indian

herbs include Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis),

American Ginseng root (Panax quinquefolium), Saw

Palmetto fruit (Serenoa serrulata), Siberian Ginseng

root (Eleuthrococcus senticosus), Milky Oat seed (Avena

sativa), and Damiana leaf (Turnera diffusa). In cases

where pitta is aggravated, gentle purgatives such as

Yellowdock root (Rumex crispus) and Dandelion root

(Taraxacum officinalis) may be used in combination

with other br

˙

mhan

˙

a dravyas. In terms of Chinese

medicine, herbs that sedate liver-wind, disperse liver

heat, calm shen, and nurture yin and qi may be indicated.

Snehana therapies may also be indicated in

br

˙

mhan

˙

a karma, especially with nourishing and

generally cooling oils such as coconut and ghr

˙

ta, as

well as medicated oils such as Bhr

˙

ngara칓a taila and

Bra칑mı?taila. Svedana treatment should be mild and

wet, infused with essential oils of jasmine, rose,

vanilla, sandalwood, honeysuckle and ylang-ylang.

11.17 S?amana karma: ru?ks.

ana

THERAPY

Ru칔s

˙

ana therapies are a treatment to kaphaja and

paittaka conditions, using dravyas that have a tikta

(‘bitter’), ka큦a칪a (‘astringent’), and kat

˙

u (‘pungent’)

Treatment of disease 155

rasa, eating less food and drink, and exposure to the

wind. Ru칔s

˙

ana karma is in many respects similar to

langhana therapies, except that it has more of a

‘cooling’ (큦ita) action. Used to excess, ru칔s

˙

ana therapies

will aggravate va칣a.

Although herbal treatments used in ru칔s

˙

ana therapy

are similar to those used in langhana karma,

there is a greater emphasis upon ka큦a칪a (‘astringent’)

dravyas such as Kut

˙

aja bark (Holarrhena antidysenterica),

Mustaka root (Cyperus rotundus), Kat

˙

uki rhizome

(Picrorrhiza kurroa), Va칢aka leaf (Adhatoda

vasica), Bibhı칣aka fruit (Terminalia belerica),

Ma?is

˙

t

˙

ha?root (Rubia cordifolia), and Da칞uharidra¯

root (Berberis nepalensis). Non-Indian botanicals

include Oak bark (Quercus spp.), Avens leaf and root

(Geum spp.), Bayberry bark (Myrica cerifera), Uva ursi

leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), Bistort root (Bistorta

spp.), and Fir bark (Abies spp.) Honey may be used as

an anupa칗a. In terms of Chinese medicine, herbs that

remove phlegm, dampness and dampheat may be indicated.

Snehana therapies should be avoided in ru칔s

˙

ana

karma, but the usage of ghars

˙

ana and udavartana

therapy and dry svedana may be helpful.

Aromatherapy with essential oils that have a light,

clear energy such as sage, cedar, pine, and camphor

are all indicated in ru칔s

˙

ana karma.

11.18 S?amana karma: snehana

THERAPY

Snehana therapies are primarily a treatment for

va칣tika conditions, emphasising greasy and moistening

foods and treatments, while avoiding drying and

light foods and therapies. The qualities of snehana

therapy are snigdha (‘greasy’), us

˙

n˙

a (‘hot’), guru

(‘heavy’), and picchila (‘slippery’). The primary treatment

in snehana therapy is the application of medicated

oils to reduce va칣a. Used to excess, snehana

karma aggravates both kapha and pitta.

Herbal treatments used in snehana therapy are

primarily madhura (‘sweet’), lavan˙

a (‘salty’) and

amla (‘sour’) in rasa, including Indian herbs such

as A?malakı?fruit (Phyllanthus emblica), Ma칣ulun.ga

fruit (Citrus medica), A큦vagandha?root (Withania

somnifera), S?ata칥arı root (Asparagus racemosa),

Kapikacchu?seed (Mucana pruriens) and saindhava.

Useful non-Indian herbs include sour-tasting herbs

such as Rosehips (Rosa spp.), Orange peel (Citrus reticulata),

and Wu Wei Zi fruit (Schizandra chinensis), as

well sweet-tasting herbs such as American Ginseng

root (Panax quinquefolium), Milky Oat seed (Avena

sativa), and Shu Di Huang root (cured Rehmannia glutinosa).

In some cases a small amount of kat

˙

u rasa is

appropriate, used as an adjunct to primary treatment to

ensure the proper digestion of the more guru (‘heavy’)

dravyas. Somewhat paradoxically, herbs that have a

tikta (‘bitter’) rasa such as Oregon Grape root

(Mahonia aquifolium) and Yellowdock (Rumex crispus)

may also be used in small amounts to treat dryness, to

improve the function of the liver. In terms of Chinese

medicine herbs that restore qi, blood and yin may be

indicated.

Additional therapies include both external and

internal snehana and anuva칢ana vasti. Wet

svedana is also used in snehana karma, infused with

warming and heavy essential oils as vetivert, musk,

sandalwood and vanilla.

11.19 S?amana karma: stambhana

THERAPY

Stambhana therapies are primarily a treatment for

pitta, emphasising moistening, cooling and salty

foods, sufficient water, electrolytes, bathing in cool

water, residing next to water, and exposure to moonlight.

Stambhana karma tends to have constipating

action and is thus used in paittika diseases such as

diarrhoea and dysentery. The qualities of stambhana

karma are 큦ita (‘cold’), manda (‘slow’), sa?dra

(‘solidifying’) and sthira (‘stabilising’). Used to excess,

stambhana treatments will aggravate both kapha

and va칣a.

Herbal treatment in stambhana therapy are

primarily madhura (‘sweet’), tikta (‘bitter’),

ka큦a칪a (‘astringent’) in rasa, including such Indian

herbs as Kut

˙

aja bark (Holarrhena antidysenterica),

Vam. 큦arocana?(Bambusa arundiacea),

Man

˙

d.

u칔aparn˙

ı?leaf (Centella asiatica),S?ata칥arı?root

(Asparagus racemosa), Mustaka root (Cyperus rotundus),

Candana wood (Santalum album), Da칍.ima pericarp

(Punica granatum), and Yas˙

t

˙

imadhu

(Glycyrrhiza glabra). Useful non-Indian herbs include

astringents such as Blackberry root (Rubus discolor),

Cranesbill Geranium root (Geranium maculatum),

White Pond Lily root (Nymphaea odorata); demulcents

156 PART 1: Theory and Practice of A¯ yurveda

such as Comfrey leaf (Symphytum officinalis) and

Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis); and bitter

herbs such as Gentian root (Gentiana spp.), Dandelion

root (Taraxacum officinalis), and Calendula flower

(Calendula officinalis). Mineral-rich restorative herbs

such as Horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and Nettle

(Urtica dioica) may also be indicated in stambhana

karma. From a Western herbal perspective, cooling

and relaxing nervines such as Skullcap (Scutellaria

spp.), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), and

Motherwort (Leonorus cardiaca) may also be indicated

in stambhana karma. Saindhava can be particularly

helpful in paittika disorders, but normal table

salt is generally contraindicated. In terms of Chinese

medicine, herbs used to purge toxic-heat, stabilise and

bind, and tonify yin may be indicated.

Snehana and svedana therapies are generally

avoided in stambhana karma, or are used to a minimal

extent. Useful oils include coconut and ghr

˙

ta, and

medicated oils such as Bhr

˙

n .

gara칓a taila and Pin

˙

d.

a

taila. Bathing in cool water is recommended, infused

with cooling and relaxing essential oils such as jasmine,

rose, gardenia, vetivert and sandalwood.

11.20 S큑mana karma: svedana

THERAPY

Svedana therapy is primarily a treatment for combined

va칣akaphaja conditions, using foods and treatments

with a kat

˙

u (‘pungent’) and amla (‘sour’) rasa,

drinking warm beverages, avoiding cold foods and cold

environments, and the use of sweating and

diaphoretic therapies. The qualities of svedana treatment

are us

˙

n˙

a (‘heating’) and drava (‘liquefying’).

Used to excess, svedana treatments will aggravate

pitta.

Herbal treatment in svedana therapy are primarily

kat

˙

u (‘pungent’) and lavan˙

a (‘salty’) in rasa, including

such Indian herbs as Hin.gu resin (Asafoetida ferula),

Guggulu resin (Commiphora mukul), Devada칞u

wood (Cedrus deodara), Bhalla칣aka pericarp

(Semecarpus anacardium), Agnima?ha leaf and root

(Premna integrifolia), Kan˙

t

˙

aka칞i root (Solanum xanthocarpum),

Tulası?leaf (Ocimum sanctum), Pippalı?fruit

(Piper longum), Tvak bark (Cinnamomum zeylanicum),

S´

u칗

˙

t

˙

hı?rhizome (Zingiber officinalis), and Ela?fruit

(Elettaria cardamomum). Useful non-Indian herbs

include Bayberry bark (Myrica cerifera), Prickly Ash

bark (Zanthoxylum americanum), Kelp frond (Fucus

spp.), Osha root (Ligusticum spp.), and Cayenne fruit

(Capsicum spp.). In terms of Chinese medicine, herbs

that remove wind-damp, regulate digestion, and tonify

yang and qi may be indicated.

Warm snehana treatments can be quite useful in

the treatment of cold conditions such as peripheral

numbness and congestive arthritis. Warming and

stimulating oils such as mustard and Pippalya칍i

taila may be combined with udavartana and pind.a

sveda. Svedana karma can be used in conjunction

with warming and stimulating essential oils such as

cinnamon, black pepper, ginger and clove.

ENDNOTE

26 In his text Massage Therapy in Ayurveda (1992), Vaidya Bhagwan

Dash has a design to build a traditional A- yurvedic massage table.

There are thousands of medicinal plant species found

within the materia medica of A¯ yurveda, a tribute to

the great biodiversity that the Indian subcontinent

offers: from the delicate alpine meadows of the

Himalayas to the broad Gangetic plain, from the semiarid

Deccan plateau to the lush tropical coastline of

south India. Unfortunately the toll of misguided colonial

development, population pressures and extreme

poverty has led to a great decline in this biodiversity,

and many Indian plants formerly gathered in the

wild are now threatened or even extinct (see:

www.cites.org). Although this is a matter of grave

concern, A¯ yurveda has a long history of incorporating

non-native plants into its materia medica, such as

Madhusnuhı¯ (Smilax chinensis) from China, brought

to India by Unani physicians in the 16th century and

later mentioned in the Bha¯vapraka¯´sa as a treatment

for syphilis27. As a Western herbalist also familiar with

Chinese herbal medicine, I take a fairly liberal view

that this process should be encouraged, especially in

the use of cultivated and non-threatened species as

substitutes or adjuncts. Thus in the following monographs

I make reference to the use of non-Indian

herbs in combination with more traditional A¯ yurvedic

plants, which is reflective of my clinical approach.

In 1997 I travelled to India with samples of medicinal

plants used by First Nations healers in North

America. I asked several A¯ yurvedic physicians to taste

these remedies and tell me what their impressions

were. Most physicians doubted their ability to ascertain

accurately the dravygun. a alone by taste,

although general characteristics can be inferred by

different tastes, e.g. tikta rasa is ´sita vı¯rya, amla

rasa is us.n.

a vı¯rya, etc. This inference, however, is

clearly insufficient, evidenced by several exceptions in

the A¯ yurvedic materia medica alone, such as the sourtasting

A¯

malakı¯ fruit which is classified as having

a cooling (´sita) energy (vı¯rya). Many of these physicians

wanted to see the whole plant and not just the

powdered herb, to see the ecology in which in grows,

and wanted to know about its traditional uses. All of

these are important factors in determining the profile

of a medicinal plant, and thus the inclusion of non-

Indian plants into the A¯ yurvedic materia medica must

be done thoughtfully, with all the respect and due diligence

required to first understand the plant within its

own ethnobotanical and ecological context.

The following format has been chosen to convey

precise information about each plant, and a colour

plate section featuring images of the plants begins

after page 302.

Sanskrit name: The most commonly used name in

Sanskrit, and the etymology of the name if it is

known.

Botanical name: The scientific binomial, and common

botanical synonyms, and plant family.

Other names: Other Sanskrit names (in italics), as

well as commonly used names in Hindi (H), Tamil (T),

English (E), and Chinese (C).

Botany: Botanical description and ecology of the

species concerned.

Part used: The most commonly used part(s) of the

plant.

Dravygun.

a: The ‘pharmacology’ according to

A¯

yurveda described in Chapter 6, divided into:

● Rasa: taste.

● Vipa¯ka: post-digestive effect.

159

PART 2

Introduction

160 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

● Vı¯rya: energy, including the gun. as

● Karma: action

● Prabha¯va: supramundane or unique attributes, if

known or described.

Constituents: Recent information on major plant

chemical constituents.

Medical research: Details from the scientific literature

that supports or adds to the traditional uses for

the particular species or its isolated constituents,

divided into three components:

● In vitro: medicinal properties for the particular

dravya that have been elucidated through

in vitro (‘in glass’) research (e.g. the artificial

environment of a test tube or Petri dish); for

example, by innoculating a fungal or bacterial

culture with a herbal extract and measuring the

antimicrobial effect. Researchers consider this to

be among the most preliminary forms of data,

and in most cases cannot be extrapolated to internal

human use, although some data may be applicable

to external use.

● In vivo: medicinal properties for the particular

dravya that have been elucidated through in vivo

(‘in the body’) research, using experimental animals

such as rats, mice, cats, pigs, dogs, monkeys,

etc. Given that these animals metabolise substances

differently, many of the conclusions drawn from

these studies cannot be reliably extrapolated to

humans.

● Human trials: medicinal properties for the particular

dravya that have been obtained through

human clinical trials, of which there are a number

of different types, including observational trials

such as case–control or cohort studies, or intervention

trials such as the randomised, doubleblind

placebo-controlled study. While medical

researchers consider clinical trials to be the most

reliable form of experimental evidence there are

still problems with these models, particularly in

context with complementary and alternative practices

such as A¯ yurveda that tailor treatments to

individual patients, usually with multiple interventions

over a period of time that is beyond the length

of most studies.

Toxicity: Mention of toxicity in the literature and traditional

texts.

Indications: Signs, symptoms and specific disease

states, from a pathophysical perspective.

Contraindications: Conditions under which the

usage of the particular plant species is discouraged or

inappropriate.

Medicinal uses: Additional information on clinical

usage and information of general interest. Both traditonal

A¯ yurvedic formulations and combinations with

non-Indian herbs are included to illustrate the ways in

which the dravya can be formulated. Indian botanicals

are described by their Sanskrit names, which are

defined in Appendix 3, whereas non-Indian botanicals

are given with their botanical names.

Dosage: Recommended dosage levels for adults in

whatever form is appropriate for administration.

Please note that the doses mentioned in the extant

texts of A¯ yurvedic medicine tend to be much larger

and stronger than those mentioned in many modern

sources. Please consult Chapter 6 to review the various

A¯ yurvedic preparations, e.g. cu¯rn.

a (powder),

pha¯n.t.

a (infusion), kva¯tha (decoction), etc. The ratio

given for liquid extracts is the ratio of herb to solvent

(w/v), and in the case of tinctures, the percentage (%)

of alcohol used during preparation.

References: Works cited in the monograph.

ENDNOTE

27 Kumar and Krishnaprasad mention several medicinal plants

used in Tamil (Siddha) medicine that are prefixed by the Tamil

term ‘cina,’ denoting plants that originally came from China,

e.g. cinailantai (Zizyphus jujuba) (Ancient Science of Life 1992

11(3,4):114–117). There are many other example of herbs that

appear to be of Chinese origin that are now important A¯yurvedic

herbs, such as Cı¯natı¯ks.n.

a (Piper cubeba) and Cı¯nakarpu¯ra

(Cinnamomum camphora).

Agnimañtha, ’to churn the fire’ 161

Botany: Agnimañtha is a large shrub or tree attaining

a height of up to 9 m, with yellowish bark, dotted with

lenticels, the branches sometimes spiny. The leaves are

broadly elliptic, obtuse, acuminate, and glabrous, margins

entire or upper portions dentate, and give off an

offensive odour when crushed. The flowers are small,

greenish yellow to greenish white, borne in terminal

paniculate corymbose cymes, similarly offensive in

odour as the leaves, giving way to globose black drupes

with a persistent saucer-shaped calyx when mature.

Agnimañtha is found widespread throughout India,

along the coastal regions into the plains and hills

(Kirtikar & Basu 1935, Warrier et al 1995).

Part used: Leaves and root.

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: tikta, kat.u, ka´sa¯ya, madhura

● Vipa¯ka: kat.u

● Vı¯rya: us.n.

a

● Karma: dı ¯panapa¯cana, bhedana, jvaraghna, chedana,

raktaprasa¯dana, kus.t.

aghna, mu¯travirecana,

mu¯travi´sodhana, ´sothahara, medohara,

vedana¯stha¯pana, kaphava¯tahara (Srikanthamurthy

2001, Warrier et al 1995).

Constituents: The limited amount of chemical

research on Agnimañtha has yielded the alkaloids

premnine, ganiarine, premnazole and aphelandrine,

the pentacyclic terpene betulin, the flavone lutiolin,

-sitosterol, a polyisoprenoid, resin and tannin (Barik

et al 1993, Kapoor 1990, Yoganarasimhan 2000).

Medical research:

● In vivo: antipyretic, anti-inflammatory (Narayanan

et al 2000); hypoglycaemic, hypotensive (Kapoor

1990).

Toxicity: An alcoholic extract of Premna herbacea was

found to be safe up to a dose of 8.0 g/kg when administered

orally to mice (Narayanan et al 2000).

Indications: Dyspepsia, flatulent colic, haemorrhoids,

constipation, fever, catarrh, cough, bronchitis,

asthma, skin diseases, urinary disease, oedema, diabetes,

anaemia, neuralgia, insufficient lactation,

inflammatory joint disease, tumours.

Contraindications: Pregnancy; pittakopa.

Medicinal uses: Agnimañtha is an important herb

for oedema, diseases of the urinary tract and diabetes.

In the treatment of oedema Agnimañtha cu¯rn.

a is

combined with Dha¯nyaka seed (Kirtikar & Basu

1935). In the treatment of diabetes Agnimañtha

cu¯rn.

a can be combined with ´Sila¯jatu and Guggulu.

In the treatment of urinary tract disorders

Agnimañtha may be of benefit when combined with

Goks.ura, or when taken alone as the fresh juice. The

fresh juice can also be used along with the svarasa of

A¯

malakı¯ and Gud.u¯cı¯ in the treatment of diabetes,

and with ´Sila¯jatu in the treatment of obesity

(Sharma 2002). Nadkarni (1954) recommends an

infusion of the leaves in fever, colic and flatulence.

The Cakradatta recommends a formula called

Shunthya¯di in the treatment of urinary calculi, prepared

by decocting equal parts Agnimañtha, ´Su¯n.t.

hı¯,

Goks.ura, Harı¯takı¯, Pa¯s.a¯n. abheda, ´Sigru, Varun.

a

and A¯ragvadha, taken with Hin.gu, Yavaks.a¯ra and

salt as anupa¯na (Sharma 2002). Agnimañtha

root is an important constituent of the famed

Cyavanapra¯´sa fomulation.

Dosage:

● Svarasa: fresh leaves, 10–25 mL b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Cu¯rn.

a: dried root or leaves, 3–5 g b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Pha¯n.t.

a: dried leaves, 1:4, 30–90 mL

b.i.d.–t.i.d.

Agnimañtha, ‘to churn the fire’

BOTANICAL NAMES: Premna integrifolia, P. obtusifolia, P. corymbosa, Verbenaceae

OTHER NAMES: Arni (H); Munnai (T)

162 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

● Kva¯tha: dried root, 1:4, 30–90 mL b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Tincture: dried root, 1:3, 50% alcohol, 3–5 mL

b.i.d.–t.i.d.

REFERENCES

Barik BR, Bhaumik T, Patra A et al 1993 Premnazole an isoxazole

alkaloid of Premna integrifolia linn. & Gmelina arborea linn.

with anti-inflammatory activity. Fitoterapia. 13(4):395

Dash Bhagwan 1991 Materia medica of Ayurveda. B. Jain

Publishers, New Delhi

Kapoor LD 1990 CRC Handbook of Ayurvedic medicinal plants.

CRC Press, Boca Raton, p 271

Kirtikar KR, Basu BD 1935 Indian medicinal plants, 2nd edn, vols

1–4. Periodical Experts, Delhi, p 1929–1930

Nadkarni KM 1954 The Indian materia medica, with Ayurvedic,

Unani and home remedies. Revised and enlarged by A. K.

Nadkarni. Bombay Popular Prakasan PVP, Bombay, p 1010

Narayanan N, Thirugnanasambantham P, Viswanathan S et al

2000 Antipyretic, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory

activity of Premna herbacea roots. Fitoterapia 71(2):147–153

Sharma PV 2002 Cakradatta. Sanskrit text with English translation.

Chaukhamba, Varanasi, p 318, 336

Srikanthamurthy KR 2001 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bhavami´sra, vol 1.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 231

Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK, Ramankutty C (eds) 1995 Indian

medicinal plants: a compendium of 500 species, vol 4. Orient

Longman, Hyderabad, p 348

Yoganarasimhan SN 2000 Medicinal plants of India, vol 2: Tamil

Nadu. Self-published, Bangalore, p 440

A¯

malakı¯, ‘sour’ 163

Botany: A¯malakı¯ is a small to medium-sized tree

with a crooked trunk and spreading branches, the

greyish-green bark peeling off in flakes. The branchlets

are glabrous or finely pubescent, 10–20 cm long,

usually deciduous; the leaves simple, subsessile and

closely set along the branchlets, light green, resembling

pinnate leaves. The flowers are greenish-yellow,

borne in axillary fascicles, giving way to a globose fruit

with a greenish-yellow flesh and six furrows, enclosing

a stone with six seeds. A¯malakı¯ is native to tropical

southeastern Asia, particularly in central and

southern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,

Malayasia, southern China and the Mascarene

Islands. It is commonly cultivated in gardens throughout

India and grown commercially as a medicinal fruit

(Kirtikar & Basu 1935, Warrier et al 1995).

Part used: Fresh or dried whole fruit.

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: primarily amla, tikta and ka´sa¯ya, but also

madhura, noticed particularly while drinking water

after one has consumed the fruit. Kat.

u is a minor,

secondary taste, whereas lavan. a is absent.

● Vipa¯ka: madhura

● Vı¯rya: ´sita

● Karma: dı ¯panapa¯cana, anulomana, jvaraghna,

raktaprasa¯dana, ka¯sahara, sva¯sahara, hr . daya,

caks.us.ya, romasañjana, jı ¯vanı ¯ya, medhya, rasa¯yana,

tridos.aghna

● Prabha¯va:A¯malakı ¯ is said to be sattvic, bringing

good fortune, love and longevity to those that

consume it (Dash 1991, Dash & Junius 1983,

Frawley & Lad 1986, Srikanthamurthy 2001,

Warrier et al 1995).

Constituents: A¯malakı¯ fruit contains a series of

diterpenes referred to as the gibberellins, as well as the

triterpene lupeol, flavonoids (e.g. kaempherol–3-O--Dglucoside,

quercetin–3-O--D-glucoside), and polyphenols

(e.g. emblicanin A and B, punigluconin and

pedunculagin). Also present are the phyllantine and

zeatin alkaloids, and a number of benzenoids, including

amlaic acid, corilagin, ellagic acid, 3–6-di-O-galloylglucose,

ethyl gallate, 1,6-di-O-galloyl--D-glucose,

1-di-O-galloyl--D-glucose, putranjivain A, digallic

acid, phyllemblic acid, emblicol and alactaric acid. The

fruits are also stated to contain significantly high

amounts of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), upwards

of 3.25% in the dried fruit, but this has also been

disputed (Bhattacharya et al 1999, Ghosal et al

1996, Khopde et al 2001, Summanen 1999,

Yoganarasimhan 2000).

Medical research:

● In vitro: antiviral (El-Mekkawy et al 1995),

antimicrobial (Ahmad et al 1998, Dutta et al 1998)

● In vivo: anti-inflammatory (Asmawi et al 1993),

immunostimulant (Suresh & Vasudevan 1994),

adaptogenic (Rege et al 1999), hepatoprotective

(Jeena et al 1999), pancreas-protective (Thorat et al

1995), cancer-protective (Biswas et al 1999, Nandi

et al 1997, Yadav 1987), hypolipidemic (Mathur

et al 1996, Mishra et al 1981, Thakur 1985)

● Human trials: fresh A¯malakı¯ demonstrated a significant

hypocholesterolaemic effect in both normal

and hypercholesterolaemic men aged 35–55

years (Jacob et al 1988).

Toxicity: A¯malakı¯ is widely consumed throughout

India as a medicinal food and is not considered toxic.

Indications: Dyspepsia, gastritis, biliousness, hyperacidity,

hepatitis, constipation, flatulent colic, colitis,

haemorrhoids, convalescence from fever, cough,

A¯

malakı¯, ‘sour’

BOTANICAL NAMES: Phyllanthus emblica, Emblica officinalis, Euphorbiaceae

OTHER NAMES: Dha¯trı¯, ‘nurse’ (S); Amlika (H); Nelli (T); Indian Gooseberry (E)

164 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

asthma, skin diseases, bleeding disorders, menorrhagia,

anaemia, diabetes, gout, osteoporosis, premature

greying, alopecia, asthenia, mental disorders, vertigo,

palpitations, cardiovascular disease, cancer.

Contraindications: Acute diarrhoea, dysentery

(Frawley & Lad 1986).

Medicinal uses: A¯malakı¯ is among the most important

medicinal plants in the A¯ yurvedic materia medica,

and along with Harı¯takı¯ and Bibhı¯taka forms

the famous Triphala formula, used to cleanse the

dha¯tus of a¯ma, pacify all three dos.as, and to promote

good health and long life. A synonym for A¯malakı¯ is

Dha¯trı¯ or ‘nurse’, indicating that it has the power to

restore health like a mother caring for her child. The

fruit is the most commonly used plant part, and the

fresh fruit is preferred. An excision in the unripe fruit

is made and the exudate collected is used topically in

conjunctivitis (Kirtikar & Basu 1935). The unripe

fruits are also made into pickles and given before

meals to stimulate the appetite in anorexia (Nadkarni

1954). The fresh juice of the fruit mixed with ghr.ta is

a rasa¯yana; it has a beneficial activity upon the intestinal

flora, and is a corrective to colon function. The

fresh fruit is very hard to come by outside the subcontinent

and can usually be found in Indian markets

only for a few weeks during the autumn. The dried

fruit is used as a decoction to treat ophthalmia when

applied externally, and is used internally as a haemostatic

and antidiarrhoeal (Nadkarni 1954). The

boiled, reconstituted dried fruit, blended into a smooth

liquid with a small quantity of gud.a added, is useful in

anorexia, anaemia, biliousness, dyspepsia and jaundice.

This is also an excellent restorative in chronic

rhinitis and fever, with swollen and dry red lips and

rashes about the mouth. The dried fruit prepared as a

decoction and taken on a regular basis is useful in

menorrhagia and leucorrhoea, and is an excellent

post-partum restorative. Similarly, the Cakradatta

recommends the fresh juice of A¯ malakı¯ with

A¯

malakı¯ cu¯rn.

a, taken with ghr.ta and honey as a

vajı¯karan. a rasa¯yana. In the treatment of cardiovascular

disease A¯malakı¯ is an excellent antioxidant

botanical, used to treat all of the cardiovascular effects

of poorly controlled diabetes and insulin resistance,

including diseases of microcirculation such as macular

degeneration. A¯malakı¯ is similarly taken in polluted

urban areas to keep the immune system strong.

For coronary heart disease, in particular, A¯malakı¯

can be combined with Arjuna, or non-Indian botanicals

such as Hawthorn, and with Guggulu for dyslipidaemia.

Taken with Gud.u¯cı¯, Kat.uka and

Bhu¯nimba, A¯malakı¯ forms an important protocol in

the treatment of hepatitis and cirrhosis. A¯malakı¯ is

also an important herb to consider to protect the body

against the deleterious effects of chemotherapy and

radiation in conventional cancer treatments. In combination

with Citraka, Harı¯takı¯, Pippalı¯ and saindhava,

A¯

malakı¯ cu¯rn.

a is mentioned by the

´Sa¯ran . gadhara sam. hita¯ in the treatment of all types

of fever (Srikanthamurthy 1984). In the treatment of

nausea, vomiting and poor appetite, fresh A¯malakı¯ is

crushed with Dra¯ks.

a¯ and mixed with sugar and

honey (Sharma 2002). A¯malakı¯ fruit fried in ghr.ta

and reduced to a paste and mixed with fermented rice

water is applied over the head to treat nosebleeds

(Srikanthamurthy 1984). In the treatment of agnima

¯ndya, oedema, abdominal enlargement, haemorrhoids,

intestinal parasites, diabetes and allergies,

three parts A¯malakı¯ cu¯rn.a is mixed with the same

amount each of Ajamoda¯, Harı¯takı¯ and Marica

with 1 part pañca lavan. a macerated in buttermilk

until it has fermented (Sharma 2002). Combined

with equal parts Gud.u¯cı¯, ´Su¯n.t.

hı¯, A¯ragvadha and

Goks.ura, dried A¯malakı¯ fruit is recommended by the

Cakradatta as a decoction in the treatment of urinary

tenesmus (Sharma 2002). A¯malakı¯ is the primary

constituent of a complex polyherbal lehya called

Cyavanapra¯´sa that is used as a rasa¯yana, and in the

treatment of chronic lung and heart diseases, infertility

and mental disorders (Sharma 2002). Another valued

rasa¯yana that contains A¯malakı¯ as the primary

constituent is Brahma¯rasa¯yana, giving the person

that takes it ‘ . . . the vigor resembling an elephant,

intelligence, strength, wisdom and right attitude’

(Srikanthamurthy 1995). The dried fruit made into an

oil and applied to the head, and taken internally as

a decoction or powder, is reputed to be useful in alopecia

and adds lustre and strength to the hair. Similarly,

the Cakradatta recommends a nasya of equal parts

A¯

malakı¯ and Yas.t.

imadhu decocted in milk, in the

treatment of alopecia (Sharma 2002). Both the fresh

juice and crushed seeds are combined with Haridra¯

as an effective treatment for diabetes (Dash & Junius

1983, Sharma 2002). The seeds are made into

a fine powder and mixed with equal parts powder of

A´svagandha¯ root as a rasa¯yana in the cold winter

A¯

malakı¯, ‘sour’ 165

months (Nadkarni 1954). For scabies and skin irritations

the seed is charred, powdered and mixed into

sesame oil and applied externally (Nadkarni 1954).

Dosage:

● Cu¯rn.

a: 3–10 g b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Kva¯tha: 1:4, 60–120 mL b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Tincture: 1:3, 30% alcohol, 1–10 mL b.i.d.–t.i.d.

REFERENCES

Ahmad I et al 1998 Screening of some Indian medicinal plants for

their antimicrobial properties. Journal of Ethnopharmacology

62(2):183–193

Asmawi MZ, Kankaanranta H, Moilanen E et al 1993 Anti-inflammatory

activities of P. emblica Gaertn leaf extracts. Journal of

Pharmacy and Pharmacology 45(6):581–584

Bhattacharya A, Chatterjee A, Ghosal S et al 1999 Anti-oxidant

activity of active tannoid principles of P. emblica (amla). Indian

Journal of Experimental Biology 37(7):676–680

Biswas S, Talukder G, Sharma A 1999 Protection against cytotoxic

effects of arsenic by dietary supplementation with crude extract

of P. emblica fruit. Phytotherapy Research: 13(6):513–516

Dash B, 1991 Materia medica of A¯yurveda. B. Jain Publishers, New

Delhi, p 9

Dash B, Junius M 1983 A handbook of Ayurveda. Concept

Publishing, New Delhi, p 89, 90

Dutta BK, Rahman I, Das TK 1998 Antifungal activity of Indian

plant extracts. Mycoses 41(11–12):535–536

El-Mekkawy S, Meselhy MR, Kusumoto IT et al 1995 Inhibitory

effects of Egyptian folk medicines on human immunodeficiency

virus (HIV) reverse transcriptase. Chemical and

Pharmaceutical Bulletin 43(4):641–648

Frawley D, Lad V 1986 The Yoga of herbs: an A¯yurveda guide to

herbal medicine. Lotus Press, Santa Fe, p 157

Ghosal S, Tripathi VK, Chauhan S 1996 Active constituents of

P. emblica, part 1: the chemistry and antioxidative effects of

two new hydrolysable tannins, emblicanin a and b. Indian

Journal of Chemistry Section B, Organic Chemistry Including

Medicinal Chemistry 35:941–948

Jacob A, Pandey M, Kapoor S et al 1988 Effect of the Indian gooseberry

(amla) on serum cholesterol levels in men aged 35–55

years. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 42(11):939–944

Jeena KJ, Joy KL, Kuttan R 1999 Effect of P. emblica, Phyllanthus

amarus and Picrorrhiza kurroa on N-nitrosodiethylamine

induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Cancer Letters 136(1):11–16

Katiyar CK, Brindavanam MB, Tiwari P et al 1997

Immunomodulator products from Ayurveda: current status

and future perspectives. In: Upadhyay SN (ed)

Immunomodulation. Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi

Khopde SM, Pryadarshini KI, Mohan H et al 2001 Characterizing

the anti-oxidant activity of amla (P. emblica) extract. Current

Science 81:185–190

Kirtikar KR, Basu BD 1935 Indian medicinal plants, 2nd edn.

Periodical Experts, Delhi, p 2220–2221

Mathur R, Sharma A, Dixit VP, Varma M 1996 Hypolipidaemic

effect of fruit juice of P. emblica in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology 50(2):61–68

Mishra M, Pathak UN, Khan AB 1981 P. emblica Gaertn and serum

cholesterol level in experimental rabbits. British Journal of

Experimental Pathology 62(5):526–528

Nadkarni KM 1954 The Indian materia medica, with Ayurvedic,

Unani and home remedies, revised and enlarged by AK

Nadkarni. Bombay Popular Prakashan PVP, Bombay, p 481–483

Nandi P, Talukder G, Sharma A 1997 Dietary chemoprevention of

clastogenic effects of 3, 4-benzo(a)pyrene by P. emblica Gaertn

fruit extract. British Journal of Cancer 76(10):1279–1283

Rege NN, Thatte UM, Dahanukar SA 1999 Adaptogenic properties

of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine.

Phytotherapy Research 13(4):275–291

Sharma PV 2002 Cakradatta. Sanskrit text with English translation.

Chaukhamba, Varanasi, p 71, 140, 170, 307, 327, 488

Srikanthamurthy KR 1984 Sa¯ran . gadhara sam. hita¯. Chaukhamba

Orientalia, Varanasi, p 85, 242

Srikanthamurthy KR 1995 Va¯gbhat.

a’s As.t.

a¯ñga Hr. dayam, vol 3.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 386

Srikanthamurthy KR 2001 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bhavami´sra, vol 1.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 164

Summanen JO 1999 A chemical and ethnopharmacological study on

P. emblica (Euphorbiaceae). Dissertation, Division of

Pharmacognosy, University of Helsinki Department of Pharmacy,

Helsinki. Online. Available: http://ethesis.helsinki.fi/julkaisut/

mat/farma/vk/summanen/achemica.pdf

Suresh K, Vasudevan DM 1994 Augmentation of murine natural

killer cell and antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity activities

by Phyllanthus emblica, a new immunomodulator. Journal

of Ethnopharmacology 44(1):55–60

Thakur CP 1985 P. emblica reduces serum, aortic and hepatic cholesterol

in rabbits. Experientia 41(3):423–424

Thorat SP, Rege NN, Naik AS et al 1995 P. emblica: a novel therapy

for acute pancreatitis, an experimental study. HPB Surgery

9(1):25–30

Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK, Ramankutty C eds 1995 Indian medicinal

plants: a compendium of 500 species, vol 4. Orient

Longman, Hyderabad, p 256

Yadav SK 1987 Protection against radiation induced chromosome

damage by Emblica officinalis fruit extract. Caryologia

40(3):261–266

Yoganarasimhan SN 2000 Medicinal plants of India, vol 2: Tamil

Nadu. Self-published, Bangalore, p 410

166 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

Botany: Arjuna grows to become a very large tree

with a huge buttressed trunk, widely spreading,

drooping branches, and a grey bark that flakes off in

large, flat pieces. The leaves are opposite, simple,

oblong to elliptic, pale green above and pale brown

below. The white flowers are borne in short axillary

spikes or terminal panicles, giving way to an ovoid or

oblong fruit with 5–7 short, hard wings. Arjuna is

found throughout the subcontinent of India, from the

foothills of the Himalayas southwards into Sri Lanka

(Kirtikar & Basu 1935; Warrier et al 1996).

Part used: Stem bark.

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: ka´sa¯ya, madhura, kat.u

● Vı¯rya: ´sita

● Karma: purı¯s.asangrahan. iya, chedana, ka¯sahara,

sva¯sahara, ´son. itastha¯pana, hr.daya, mu¯travirecana,

a´smaribhedana, vis.aghna, medohara, sandaniya,

vajı ¯karan. a, kaphapittahara (Srikanthamurthy 2001;

Warrier et al 1996).

Constituents: Arjuna contains a number of triterpenoid

saponins (e.g. arjunetoside, arjunolitin, arjunoside

I-IV, terminic acid, arjunic acid, arjunolic acid,

arjungenin), flavonoids (arjunone, arjuno-lone, luteolin),

cardenolide, gallic acid, ellagic acid, oligomeric

proanthocyanidins, phytosterols, tannin, calcium,

magnesium, zinc and copper (Upadhyay et al 2001,

Yadav & Rathore 2001, Yoganarasimhan 2000).

Medical research:

● In vitro: anti-HSV–2 (Cheng et al 2002), antitumour

(Pettit et al 1996)

● In vivo: cardioprotective (Sumitra et al 2001); antioxidant

(Gauthaman et al 2001); hypolipidaemic,

anti-atherogenic (Shaila et al 1998)

● Human trials: Arjuna bark given in doses of

500 mg every 8 hours was associated with a significant

decrease in the frequency of angina commensurate

with significant improvements in

exercise test parameters in male patients with

chronic stable angina, without side-effects, compared

to placebo and isosorbide mononitrate

(Bharani et al 2002); Arjuna bark given in doses

of 500 mg daily was found to promote significant

reductions in total serum cholesterol, HDL, LDL,

triglycerides and lipid peroxide levels in patients

with coronary heart disease, compared to placebo

and vitamin E (Gupta et al 2001); Arjuna given in

doses of 500 mg every 8 hours promoted significant

improvements in left ventricular ejection

fraction and a reduction in the left ventricular

mass in patients with postmyocardial infarction

angina and ischaemic cardiomyopathy, compared

to controls (Dwivedi & Jauhari 1997); Arjuna

bark given in doses of 500 mg every 8 hours was

associated with significant improvements in signs

and symptoms of heart failure in patients with

refractory chronic congestive heart failure, previous

myocardial infarction and peripartum cardiomyopathy

(Bharani et al 1995).

Toxicity: No data found.

Indications: Dysentery, cirrhosis, bronchitis, asthma,

tuberculosis, haemorrhage, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia,

coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease,

diabetes, cancer, broken bones.

Contraindications: Pregnancy, constipation, dryness,

va¯takopa.

Arjuna, ‘white’

BOTANICAL NAME: Terminalia arjuna, Combretaceae

OTHER NAMES: Kakubha, ‘mountain top,’ Vı¯rataru, ‘hero’s tree’ (S); Arjun,

Anjan, Kahu (H); Attumaratu, Nirmarutu, Vellaimarutu, Marutu (T); White

Murdah (E)

Arjuna, ‘hero’ 167

Medicinal uses: The tree Arjuna is perhaps best

known and best studied as a remedy for the heart

and cardiovascular system, first introduced into the

materia medica as cardiotonic by Va¯ gbhat.

a (c. 6–7th

century CE). For this purpose the bark is traditionally

prepared as a milk decoction (kva¯tha), a process that

appears to render the triterpenes more bioavailable

(Tillotson 2001). The As.t.

a¯ñga Hr.

daya mentions

Arjuna in the treatment of wounds, haemorrhages and

ulcers, applied topically as a powder (Srikanthamurthy

1994). According to the Cakradatta, a cu¯rn.

a of

Arjuna consumed with ghr.ta, milk or jaggery overcomes

heart disease, chronic fever and haemorrhaging,

and promotes long life (Sharma 2002). Similarly, the

Cakradatta mentions a ghr. ta prepared with Arjuna,

Bala¯, Na¯gabala¯ and Yas.t.

imadhu as a treatment in

heart disease, chest wounds, cough, pain and arthritis

(Sharma 2002). In the treatment of haemoptysis,

Caraka recommends equal parts Arjuna with

Raktacandana, along with sugar and rice water

(Nadkarni 1954). Su´sruta mentions the usefulness of

Arjuna as a vajı¯karan.a, combined with Candana in

spermatorrhoea (Nadkarni 1954). Soaked in the fresh

juice of Va¯saka, the Bha¯vapraka¯´sa states that Arjuna

is used in the treatment of consumption and haemoptysis

(Srikanthamurthy 2000). More recently, Arjuna has

gained some recognition as a major ingredient in the

patented LIV–52 formula used in the treatment of liver

disorders.

Dosage:

● Cu¯rn.

a: 3–5 g b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Kva¯tha: 1:4, 30–90 mL b.i.d.–t.i.d.

● Tincture: 1:3, 50% alcohol, 3–5 mL b.i.d.–t.i.d.

REFERENCES

Bharani A, Ganguly A, Bhargava KD 1995 Salutary effect of

Terminalia arjuna in patients with severe refractory heart failure.

International Journal of Cardiology 49(3):191–199

Bharani A, Ganguli A, Mathur LK et al 2002 Efficacy of Terminalia

arjuna in chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebocontrolled,

crossover study comparing Terminalia arjuna

with isosorbide mononitrate. Indian Heart Journal 54(2):

170–175

Cheng HY, Lin CC, Lin TC 2002 Antiherpes simplex virus type 2

activity of casuarinin from the bark of Terminalia arjuna Linn.

Antiviral Research 55(3):447–455

Dwivedi S, Jauhari R 1997 Beneficial effects of Terminalia arjuna in

coronary artery disease. Indian Heart Journal 49(5):507–510

Gauthaman K, Maulik M, Kumari R et al 2001 Effect of chronic

treatment with bark of Terminalia arjuna: a study on the isolated

ischemic-reperfused rat heart. Journal of Ethnopharmacology

75(2–3):197–201

Gupta R, Singhal S, Goyle A, Sharma VN 2001 Anti-oxidant and

hypocholesterolaemic effects of Terminalia arjuna tree-bark

powder: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Journal of the

Association of Physicians of India 49:231–235

Kirtikar KR, Basu BD 1935 Indian medicinal plants, 2nd edn, vol

1–4. Periodical Experts, Delhi, p 1024

Nadkarni KM 1954 The Indian materia medica, with Ayurvedic,

Unani and home remedies, revised and enlarged by

A.K. Nadkarni. Popular Prakashan PVP, Bombay, p 1201

Pettit GR, Hoard MS, Doubek DL et al 1996 Antineoplastic agents

338. The cancer cell growth inhibitory constituents of

Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae). Journal of

Ethnopharmacology 53(2):57–63

Shaila HP, Udupa SL, Udupa AL 1998 Hypolipidemic activity of

three indigenous drugs in experimentally induced atherosclerosis.

International Journal of Cardiology 67(2):119–124

Sharma PV 2002 Cakradatta. Sanskrit text with English translation.

Chaukhamba, Varanasi, p 145, 303

Srikanthamurthy KR 1994 Va¯gbhat.

a’s As.t.

a¯ñga Hr.dayam, vol 1.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 206

Srikanthamurthy KR 2000 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bha¯vami´sra, vol 2.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 246

Srikanthamurthy KR 2001 Bha¯vapraka¯´sa of Bha¯vami´sra, vol 1.

Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, p 297–298

Sumitra M, Manikandan P, Kumar DA et al 2001 Experimental

myocardial necrosis in rats: role of arjunolic acid on platelet

aggregation, coagulation and anti-oxidant status. Molecular

and Cellular Biochemistry 224(1–2):135–142

Tillotson A 2001 The One Earth herbal sourcebook. Twin Streams

(Kensington), New York, p 99

Upadhyay RK, Pandey MB, Jha RN et al 2001 Triterpene glycoside

from Terminalia arjuna. Journal of Asian Natural Products

Research 3(3):207–212

Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK, Ramankutty C eds 1996 Indian medicinal

plants: a compendium of 500 species, vol 5. Orient

Longman, Hyderabad, p 252–253

Yadav RN, Rathore K 2001 A new cardenolide from the roots of

Terminalia arjuna. Fitoterapia 72(4):459–461

Yoganarasimhan SN 2000 Medicinal plants of India, vol 2: Tamil

Nadu. Self-published, Bangalore, p 551

168 PART 2: A¯ yurvedic materia medica

Botany: A´svagandha¯ is an erect branching shrub

that attains a height of between 30 and 150 cm, covered

in a woolly pubescence. The ovate leaves are up to

10 cm long and 2.5–5 cm wide, margins entire,

arranged in an alternate fashion. The flowers are

green or yellow, borne in axillary fascicles, giving rise

to red globose fruits when mature. The roots are fleshy

and cylindrical, the epidermis light brown and

medulla white. A´svagandha¯ is found throughout the

drier parts of India, into West Asia and northern

Africa (Kirtikar & Basu 1935, Warrier et al 1996).

Part used: Root.

Dravygun. a:

● Rasa: tikta, ka´sa¯ya

● Vipa¯ka: kat.u

● Vı¯rya: us.n.

a

● Karma: medhya, nidra¯janana, stanyajanana,

vedana¯stha¯pana, balya, vajı ¯karan. a, rasa¯yana,

va¯takaphahara (Dash 1991, Srikanthamurthy

2001, Warrier et al 1996)

 

Om Tat Sat

                                                        

(Continued...) 

(My humble salutations to   Sreeman Todd Caldecott, Elsevier’s Health Sciences and others other eminent medical scholars and doctors   for the collection)