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|
Sanskrit |
: |
Mustaka, Musta (Nagarmotha – Cy. scariosus) |
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English |
: |
Nut
grass |
|
Latin
name |
: |
Cyperus rotundus |
|
Family |
: |
Cyperaceae |
Morphology:
Perennial herb, rhizomes stoloniferous. Stems sparsely tufted erect. Leaves are
flat, liner green with prominent nerves and scabrous. Flowers are 10-20 flowered
pale or purplish. Stamens 3. Fruit is a Nut oblong, trigonous, stramineous and
stiptate.
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Ayurvedic Pharmacodynamic properties: |
|
Rasa |
: |
Tikta
(bitter), Katu (pungent), Kashaya (astringent) |
|
Guna |
: |
Laghu
(light), Ruksha (dry) |
|
Virya |
: |
Shita
(cold) |
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Vipaka |
: |
Katu
(pungent) |
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Doshakarma |
: |
Kapha-Pitta Shamaka |
|
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Useful parts |
: |
Stolons. |
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Medicinal uses |
: |
It is
light, bitter, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, anthelminthic,
galactogogue, emmenogogue and nervine tonic. It is found useful in diarrhoea
with mucus. It is commonly given in fever. It cures kapha and pitta
disorders, dyspepsia, vomiting, indigestion, thirst, worm troubles, cough,
bronchitis, dysuria, and poisonus affections. |
|
Dose |
: |
Churna (powder) 3-6 gms; Kwatha (decoction) 50-100 ml. |
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Important formulations |
: |
Shadangapaniya, Gangadhara Churna. |
Home
remedies:
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In
indigestion, 5gm powder of Musta should be taken along with honey or boiled
with milk.
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Its
paste on breasts should be applied to increase the quantity of breast milk.
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Its
paste should also be applied to reduced itching on the skin.
Its powder is also
beneficial in dyspnoea, epilepsy and various digestive disorders.
Summary:
In
Ayurveda Mustaka is described as a good digestant and enhancer of 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 daily administration of Mustaka significantly lowered
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.
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