Saturday, February 7, 2015

purifying herb

Purifying herb

http://ayurvedamagazine.org/purifying-herb/

Latin Name – Zingiber officinale
Sanskrit name – Sunti (dry ginger), Ardraka (fresh ginger).
It is also called mahoushadham and viswabhesha, highlighting its enormous and widespread medicinal usage. It is a slender perennial rhizomatous herb,grown all over India.

Dry ginger is katu (pungent) in taste, laghu (light) and snigdha (unctuous) in guna (property), ushna (hot) in potency and madhura (sweet) in vipaka (post-digestive transformation). It pacifies kapha and vata doshas. Charaka Samhita, the wellknown classical Ayurveda text, has classified it under dipaniya, improving the digestive fire, sitaprasamana, anticold, trptighna, antisatiating, stanyasodhana, purifying breast milk, purisa sangrahaniya, gives form to faeces and arsoghna, anti haemorrhoidal groups. Dry ginger is one of the three ingredients often used in the preparation of medicines by Ayurvedic practitioners. The mixture is called trikatu – meaning three pungent ingredients, viz. Sunti, maricha (pepper) and pippali (long pepper). The mixture of these, in equal parts, in powder form, works well when given with honey in rhinitis, rheumatic conditions, obesity and tumours.

It is used for abdominal pain, anorexia, heart diseases, oedema, indigestion, arthritis, atonic dyspepsia, chest congestion, chronic bronchitis, cold extremities, colic, colitis, common cold, cough, diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing, dropsy, fever, flatulence, disorders of gallbladder, hyperacidity, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, morning sickness, nausea, rheumatism, sore throat, throat ache, stomach ache and vomiting. Ginger forms an important constituent of many Ayurvedic formulations like Nagaradi kashayam, Ashta Vargam kashayam, Dadimashtaka choornam, Taleesapatradi choornam, Ardraka gulam, Soubhagya sunti andArdrakasavam, to name a few.

Cultivation : It is used for abdominal pain, anorexia, heart diseases, oedema, indigestion, arthritis, atonic dyspepsia, chest congestion, chronic bronchitis, cold extremities, colic, colitis, common cold, cough, diarrhoea, difficulty in breathing, dropsy, fever, flatulence, disorders of gallbladder, hyperacidity, hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, morning sickness, nausea, rheumatism, sore throat, throat ache, stomach ache and vomiting. Ginger forms an important constituent of many Ayurvedic formulations like Nagaradi kashayam, Ashta Vargam kashayam, Dadimashtaka choornam, Taleesapatradi choornam, ArGinger, melons, cucumbers, turmeric, etc can be cultivated as an intercrop with other trees like gooseberry, drumsticks or even in coconut plantations. Ginger rhizomes are used for planting. Select best rhizomes free from pest and disease. The best time for planting ginger is during the first fortnight of April, after pre-monsoon showers. For irrigated ginger, the best-suited time for planting is middle of February (for vegetable ginger). Plant rhizome bits of 15 g weight in small pits at a spacing of 20 x 20 cm to 25 x 25 cm and at a depth of 4-5 cm with at least one viable healthy bud facing upwards.

Home remedies

Ginger (1 part) with jaggery (2 parts) and sesame seeds (4 parts) are to be finely ground together. The intake of this mixture reduces nausea, cough, and respiratory difficulties. It also improves taste perception and reduces kapha dosha. Ginger juice can be given with honey for cough, with rock salt for constipation, with lemon juice for loss of appetite and with onion juice for diarrhoea. Rasnadi choornam mixed with ginger juice is applied on the forehead to relieve headache; even dry ginger paste with a little water can be applied on the forehead . Arrowroot powder, sugar candy and ginger (1 part each) with hareetaki (3 parts) (chebulic myrobalan), which is made into a fine powder, are good as diet for patients with haemorrhoids, especially for fissures in ano. Curry leaves (6 parts), hareetaki (4 parts) and ginger (2 parts) are to be prepared as a decoction and given to patients suffering from intestinal colic, dysentery and associated fever. It is especially good for improving digestion. Ginger powder with one-fourthpart rock salt, mixed with ghee, is good for gulma. Curry leaves, rock salt and dry ginger ground and mixed with ghee, administered at night along with rice, relieves gulma. Ginger with drumstick bark as decoction helps to relieve intestinal colic.

Guduchi (Giloy) 1 part, trikatu (long pepper, pepper, ginger) 1 part as powder or medicated jam, added with sugar candy or jaggery, is an excellent remedy for chronic rhinitis. Puffed rice, bala (country mallow), vilwa (bael root), ginger and milk prepared as a decoction is good for oedema, abdominal bloating or discomfort during pregnancy. Chemical composition: Capsaicin, Curcumin 6-shogaol; Galanolactone, 6-gingerol; Benzaldehyde; Borneol; Caffeic-acid; Camphor; Eugenol; Ferulic-acid; Gingerol; Myrcene; p-cymene; Quercetin, Myricetin; Salicylates; Vanillic-acid; Zingerone Caution: Because of its ushna (hot potency) and teekshna (sharp/penetrating) properties ginger is to be used with caution in summer and for skin manifestation especially vitiligo and bleeding disorders.

Research Updates

1. Ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale showed strong antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli which causes complicated urinary tract infections.
2. Gingerol has good activity against cisplatin-induced emesis possibly by inhibiting central or peripheral increase of substance P and NK(1) receptors.
3. A standardized multiplant Ayurvedic drug (RA- 11) (It is a combination of Withania somnifera, Boswellia serrata, Zingiber officinale, and Curcuma longa) is currently used to treat arthritis. A drug trial demonstrated the potential efficacy and safety of RA- 11 in the symptomatic treatment of OA knees after 32 weeks of therapy.

health shade

A shade of health

Latin Name: Pongamia pinnata
Family : FABACEA
Names in other languages
Hindi : Dithouri
English : Indian Beech
Malayalam : Ungu

There are few other trees, except perhaps neem, that Ayurveda depends on in its fight against diseases than Indian beech tree (Pongamia pinnata). A tree which is often planted on the road sidewalks for shade, Indian beech is medicine from root to leaf. It is an essential ingredient in several formulations to treat a variety of diseases such as psoriasis, gastro diseases, rheumatism and related diseases and blood disorders. They are even used as toothbrush. The medicinal tree finds mention in both Charaka Samhita and Susrutha samhita, the Ayurveda classics. While the former classifies it as antipruritic, the latter describes it as an effective drug used against worms, skin diseases, diabetes and problems related to the head. No wonder the use and reference of Indian beech dates back to the Vedic period: Rig Veda and Adharva Veda mention about this valuable tree.

This medium-sized tree—which grows to a height of 18 metres and 1.5 metres in girth—grows easily in any tropical climate and is generally seen near hilly areas, mainly near water resources. It sheds leaves once or twice a year, after which new golden yellow leaves cover the tree like a crown. Fragrant, lilac or white-tinged with pink or violet flowers appear in the axils of the leaves in May-June. Fruits are pod-disc shaped with a single seed inside.

Chemical constituents

The seed contains 27 per cent bitter-tasting volatile oil which contains chemical constituents such as karanmjin, pongamin and glabrin. These principles are useful in the formulations to treat skin diseases. Pongapin, isolongocarpin and ovalitnone are some of the other constituents. The bark of Indian beech has bitter alkaloids and chemicals which act against skin diseases.

Medicinal effects

From its root to its bark, leaves, seed and oil, every part of Indian beech has a therapeutic quality. Based on its pharmacological properties, Indian beech guards the body against many diseases such as skin diseases—eczema, scabies, leprosy— and for ulcers, tumours, piles, enlargement of spleen, vaginal and urinary discharges. The tree is rich in flavonoids and related compounds. These include simple flavones, furanoflavonoids, chromenoflavones, chromenochalcones, coumarones, flavone glucosides, sterols, triterpenes and a modified phenylalanine dipeptide.

Formulation: Used in a paste form or as juices, decoction and oil.

Treatments

Skin diseases: Applying a paste its seed is very effective in treating skin ulcers. In case of chronic skin ulcers, paste of the leaves is used. It is a main ingredient of medicated oils mainly used for chronic ulcers. Is very effective for allergic skin diseases like urticaria. Juice of its roots are also used to treat infected wounds. The seed oil is used in cutaneous affections, herpes and scabies. Another formulation for skin diseases is a decoction obtained by mixing the leaf of Indian beech, root of chithraka and saindhava with buttermilk. It can be given internally.

Orthopedic conditions:Medicated oils with Indian beech seeds are used to treat orthopedic conditions known as Marmābhighāta. Medicated coconut oil with its bark is used to heal external injuries like sprain and fractures.
Arthritis: Apply seed oil. Take a bath in water boiled with Indian beech leaf.
Digestive disorders: Take Indian beech leaves in the form of juice, salad or chutney.
Blood purification: Decoctions and alcoholic preparations called arishtas and asavas containing Indian beech help purify blood.
Fistula: Juice of the root is used for closing fistulous sores and cleaning foul ulcers.
Diabetes: Its flowers are used in many formulations for treatmenst of diabetic
Cough: The powder of the seeds is used in medicines for whooping and irritating coughs of children.
Modern studies have proved that the leaves of Pongamia pinnata possess marked antinociceptive as well as antipyretic activities and thus scientifically validated its use in the treatment of pain and pyretic disorders. In earlier times, Indian beech sticks were used as toothbrush as it satisfies the three tastes that are ideal for cleaning teeth pungent, bitter and astringent.

ARROWROOT – STARCH WITH HERBAL VALUE

http://ayurvedamagazine.org/arrowroot-starch-with-herbal-value/

Method of cultivation

Indian beech is a non-fussy tree and grows in any tropical climate/ region. It requires no particular care, only sufficient sunlight. Seeds and twigs are used for reproduction. An Indian beech in your backyard will give you relief from diseases apart from shade that protects you from scorching sunlight.

The plant kingdom has provided man with his therapeutic needs over many millennia. Indeed the plants have been the therapeutic arsenal of all the documented traditional systems of medicine, which made possible the modern disciplines of ethno medicine. India has several unique features in the medical and aromatic plants sector, the first and most important being a wider use of native plants in the Indian systems of indigenous medicine which still cater to a larger section of the people. Out of the 3000 medicinal plants seen in India, about 200 species are used in bulk quantities as articles of commerce. Because of safe and effective constituents of plant products and active principles of medicinal plants in particular, interest in medicinal plants has been shown all over the world. Arrowroot is one such plant, which finds a place as a food supplement and also in herbal preparations. Arrowroot is the common name for a variety of nutritious, easy-to-digest starch extracted from the tubers of certain plants growing in tropical countries, or the plants from which such starch is obtained. It is open to speculation whether the name ‘arrowroot’ comes from the pointed shape of the root or the belief that it cured arrow injuries.

COMMON NAME	SCIENTIFIC NAME	FAMILY	PART USED
East Indian Arrowroot	Curcuma angustifolia	Zingiberaceae	Rhizome
West Indian Arrowroot	Maranta arundinacea	Marantaceae	Rhizome
Queens Land Arrowroot	Canna edulis	Cannaceae	Rhizome
Florida Arrowroot	Zamia pumila	Cycadaceae	Stem

The true arrowroot or the West Indian arrowroot plant (Maranta arundinacea) is native to tropical America, especially Florida, and is extensively cultivated in the West Indies. The plant grows wild in some parts of India and it is sporadically cultivated in U.P, Bihar, Orissa, Bengal, Assam and Kerala. Two types of plants are grown, blue and yellow, according to the colour of the rhizomes; the blue type gives a higher yield of starch than the yellow one.

The East Indian arrowroot or Curcuma is cultivated for its tubers containing starch which is used to substitute for the true arrowroot powder. The plant is seen in the wild in shaded areas of moist deciduous forests, along river banks, waste places etc. The species is also rather common in the homesteads.

Arrowroot plants are herbaceous with underground tubers and large leaves without any aerial stem.

PREPARATION OF ARROWROOT STRACH

The arrowroot tubers are ready for harvesting in 10 to 11 months after planting. Their maturity is indicated by the wilting and dying of leaves of the plant. At this stage, the tubers are dug up and separated from other plant parts. For the extraction of starch, the tops of tubers, which are poor in starch, are cut off and the rest of the material washed, peeled and pulped by beating them in mortars or subjecting them to the action of the wheel-rasp. The pulp is then mixed with water and the milky liquid is passed through a coarse cloth or hair sieve and the pure low-protein mucilaginous starch is allowed to settle at the bottom as an insoluble powder. This powder, dried in the sun is marketed in air-tight cans, packages or cases.

Arrowroot is valued as a food, especially for infants, invalids and convalesecents. It is employed in the preparation of biscuts, cakes, puddings and jellies. It is also used as a base for face powders and the prepartion of special glues. It is also used to thicken milk.

CHIEF CONSTITUENTS OF ARROWROOT

COSNTITUENT	PERCENTAGE
Carbohydrates	83
Minerals	0.19
Proteins	0.20
Fat	0.10
Calcium	0.10
Iron	0.10
Moisture	15 – 16.5

MEDICINAL USES

Arrowroot starch is useful in dysentry, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, bronchitis and cough. The plant is an ingradient of ayurvedic drugs which are efficacious in treating amoebic dysentry. Ethnobotanical surveys in Bastar, Madhya Pradesh, have revealed that the tribals use arrowroot powder prepared in milk along with tamarind, as a cure for jaundice. The Oraon and Korwa tribes of Madhya Pradesh use the tuber mixed with milk to treat debility and rheumatism. The tubers also possess antiseptic properties and are used in skin diseases. In Nagaland, the juice obtained by crushing the tuber is rubbed on swellings of the body.

Arrowroot is nutritive, and is used as an agreeable, non-irritating diet in certain chronic diseases, during convalescence from fevers, in irritations of the alimentary canal, pulmonary organs, or of the urinary apparatus and is well suited for infants as a substittue for breast milk. Arrowroot can be given to feeding mothers to promote lactation. It may be given in the form of jelly, variously seasoned with sugar, lemon juice, essences or aromatics.

AYURVEDIC PREPARATIONS

SATHAVARIGULAM
CHYAVANAPRASYAM
ASWAGANDHADILEHYAM

herbs that

Herb of Grace

Scientific Name: Bacopa monnieri (L.) Penn. syn. Herpestris monnieria; Moniera euneifolia; Lysimachia monnieri.
Kingdom: Plantae
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Genus: Bacopa
Species: B.monnieri
Other names: Brahmi, Thyme leaved graticula, Water hyssop, Bacopa, Babies tear, Nirbrahmi, Indian pennywort
Brahmi

Brahmi is a perennial, creeping herb, which commonly grows in marshy areas in India, Nepal, Srilanka, China, Taiwan and Vietnam. It is also found in Florida, Hawaii and southern states of the US. It grows up to a height of 2-3 feet, with numerous branches that are10-35cms long. It has oval shaped leaves formed in pairs along the stems. Its five-petalled flowers are small, tubular and white-purple in colour. Its stem is soft, succulent and hairy. The fruit is oval shaped and sharp at the apex. Its ability to grow in water makes it a popular aquarium plant. The herb can be found at elevations from sea level to altitudes of 4,400 feet, and is easily cultivated if adequate water is available. The flowers and fruit appear in summer and the entire plant is used medicinally.

Brahmi is widely reputed to improve memory and alertness, and to lessen or prevent damage to brain cells. Brahmi is the most important nervine herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. According to Ayurveda, it is bitter, pungent, heating, emetic, laxative and sweet in post digestive action. Acharya Sushruta described this herb as useful in ‘Raktapitta’ or bleeding diathesis, beneficial to heart, useful in skin disorders, urinary disorders, fever, asthma, bronchitis and dyspepsia. He also mentions brahmi’s memory enhancing effects and properties of rejuvenation. Charaka also mentions rejuvenation properties as enhancing the quality and span of life, promoting intelligence, destroying diseases, enhancing strength of body and mind, improved digestion, complexion and the quality of voice.

Brahmi pacifies vitiated Vata and Pitha. It revitalises the brain cells, removes toxins and blockages within the nervous system. It has a nurturing effect upon the mind. It improves memory and aids in concentration. It is added to many Ayurvedic formulas as an antispasmodic agent. Recent research has focused primarily on Brahmi’s cognitive-enhancing effects, specifically memory, learning, and concentration and the results support the traditional Ayurvedic claims. Brahmi also increases the level of serotonin, a brain chemical known to promote relaxation. It is unique in its ability to invigorate mental processes whilst reducing the effects of stress and nervous anxiety. This makes Brahmi extremely applicable in highly stressful work or study environments, where clarity of thought is as important as being able to work under pressure.

Benefits of using Brahmi:

• Brahmi has been found to be very beneficial in the treatment of anxiety neurosis and mental fatigue. It has been found to significantly improve IQ levels, general ability, behavioral patterns and mental concentration in children.
• Brahmi is useful for improving mental clarity, confidence and memory recall. Due to these properties, it has been widely used by students.
• Brahmi is also used for the treatment of epilepsy, insomnia, asthma and rheumatism.
• Studies have also shown that brahmi can be used against cancer.
• Brahmi is effective against diseases like bronchitis, asthma, hoarseness, arthritis, rheumatism, backache, constipation, hair loss, fevers and digestive problems.
• Brahmi is bitter in flavor. In India, it is used in salads, soups, in curry and pickles.
• Research has shown that brahmi has antioxidant, cardiotonic properties.
• The plant is also used for all sorts of skin problems: eczema, psoriasis, abscess, ulcerations. It is said to stimulate the growth of skin, hair and nails.

Compounds responsible for the pharmacological effects of brahmi include the alkaloids Brahmine and herpestine, the saponins d-mannitol and hersaponin, sterols, acid A, and monnierin. Other active constituents have since been identified, including betulic acid, stigmastarol, beta-sitosterol, as well as numerous bacosides and bacopasaponins. The constituents responsible for Bacopa’s cognitive effects are bacosides A and B. These bacosides improve the transmission of impulses between nerve cells in the brain. The neurobiological effects of these isolated molecules were found to increase protein kinase activity and new protein synthesis, specifically in brain cells associated with long-term memory.

The sage tree

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Urticales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Subgenus: (Urostigma)
Species: F. benghalensis
Other names: Asvattha, Nyagrodha, Vat (sanskrit)
banyan

Banyan is the National tree of India. From time immemorial, it was considered sacred an integral part of Indian culture. Vedic literature, epics and classical poetry depicts the banyan tree as representing peace, sacredness and devotion. In a mystical statement, Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita says: “there is a banyan tree, which has its roots upward and its branches down, and the Vedic hymns are its leaves. One who knows this tree is the knower of the Vedas.” (BG 15.1) Elsewhere in the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says: Of all trees I am the banyan tree, (Bg 15.1) All the sages are depicted contemplating under the banyan, surrounded by disciples.

Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment while meditating under a banyan tree. And then onwards, the tree is also called as ‘Bodhi’ tree. Banyan often refers specifically to the Indian Banyan or Ficus benghalensis, though the term has been generalised to include all figs that share a unique life cycle. The tree was named ‘banyan’ by early travelers in India who observed that the shade of the tree was frequented by ‘banias’ or Indian merchants. The Portuguese used the word to refer specifically to Hindu merchants who usually conducted their business under the vast shelter of fig tree. The tree provided a shaded place for a village meeting or for merchants to sell their goods.

The Portuguese passed the name ‘bania’ to others. Eventually ‘banyan’ became the name of the tree itself! The tree Banyan is native to India and Pakistan and is found up to an altitude of 1200 m in the western part of the Indian peninsula, but now it grows widely throughout tropical Asia. Wonderful huge trunk-like roots, spreading out from extensive branches, are the specialty of banyan. A banyan starts its life as an epiphyte. It is really wonderful to see its seeds germinating from the cracks and crevices on a host tree, or even on structures like buildings and bridges! Banyan tree has medium, leathery and glossy green leaves with a special shape. Like most of the fig-trees, leaf bud is covered by two large scales. As the leaf develops the scales fall. Young leaves have an attractive reddish tinge. Banyans have unique fruit structures and are dependent on fig wasps for reproduction. Fruits called figs are about 1.8cm in diameter, orange-red turning scarlet when ripe. The fig is not a fruit, but it is some sort of pouch or a fleshy receptacle which contains hundreds of flowers. The fig ripen between February and May, when they become bright red and are very popular with birds, bats, squirrels, certain insects and monkeys.

The seeds of banyans are dispersed by fruiteating birds. The seeds germinate and send down roots towards the ground, and may envelop part of the host tree or building structure with their roots. It is why they are called ‘strangler fig.’ Older banyan trees are characterised by their aerial prop roots that grow into thick woody trunks which, with age, can become indistinguishable from the main trunk. This huge tree towers over its neighbors and has the widest reaching roots of all known trees, easily covering several acres. It sends off new shoots from its roots, so that one tree is really a tangle of branches, roots, and trunks.

The banyan tree regenerates and lives for an incredible length of time–thus it is thought of as the immortal tree. Regardless of its origin, the tree needs lots of space, and the soil must be deep enough to let the roots grow down a long way. It is a large tree of about 20 m height with a well-developed crown. It can grow in a wide variety of soils and prefers deep sandy loam with a lot of moisture. It tolerates short spells of drought better than other evergreen species. The banyan saplings are extensively used for creating Bonsai, due to the complex structure of the roots and extensive branching. Taiwan’s oldest living bonsai is a 240-year-old banyan housed in Tainan! The wood and bark of the banyan tree are suitable for making paper, and the roots are often used to make ropes to secure wood bundles. Nepalese women crush the root of the banyan tree with a paste to create a hair and skin conditioner.

The banyan tree is also used to produce shellac, which is widely used as an adhesive and surface-finisher in the industrial world. Medicinal uses The Banyan tree has several medicinal properties. Its leaf, bark, seeds and fig are used for the variety of disorders like diarrhea, diabetes, polyuria and some other urine disorders. Ayurveda recommends the use of a concoction made with its astringent milky sap to arrest miscarriages. Therefore, the tree is associated with healing, protection, sensitivity, reliability and generosity. The sap treats external skin inflammations and bruising. The bark and seeds are used as a tonic to cool the body, as well as to treat patients with diabetes. The roots and sap are used to treat skin ulcers, dysentery, and toothaches. Twigs of the banyan tree are sold as toothpicks in India and Pakistan to promote dental health.

Do you know?

The first banyan tree in the U.S. was planted by Thomas Alva Edison in Fort Myers, Florida. It was given to Edison by Harvey Firestone after Firestone visited India in 1925 and was planted in the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. The tree, originally only 4ft tall, now covers 400ft. Kolkata’s Botanical Garden is home to the world’s largest banyan tree, the Great Banyan. This “forest” is all one tree, approximately 250 years old. India’s second largest banyan is at the Theosophical Society in Chennai.

gum herb

The golden gum

Guggul
Botanical name: Commifora mukul
Other common names: Indian Bdellium Tree, Gum Guggul
Ayurvedic names: Guggul, Guggal, Guggulu
Part used: Gum resin
Scientific Classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Burseraceae
Genus: Commiphora
Species: C.wightii
Binomial name: Commiphora wightii
Synonyms: Commiphora Mukul
Guggul

Guggul has been a key component in many Ayurvedic medicines. Grown very common across India, especially in the North, Guggul is at present facing scarcity, thanks to its depleting cultivation and increasing demand. The widening demand-supply gap has forced the World Conservation Union (IUCN) to include it in its ‘Red Data List’ of endangered species. Guggul, found from North Africa to central Asia, prefers arid and semi-arid climates and is tolerant of poor soil. It does not grow very tall; it reaches a maximum height of 4 meter with a thin bark. It has thorny branches and simple or trifoliate leaves. It has flowers with four small petals, red in colour, sometimes vary up to pink. It is gynodieoecious, with some plants bearing bi-sexual and male flowers, and others with female flowers. The part used is gum resin and these plants typically begin yielding resin after 5 years and a healthy tree begins yielding 250-500 grams of resin in one season, and within five years it rises upto 1600gm per plant. For cultivation stem cuttings from matured plants at natural habits are collected and pretreated.

These cuttings are planted in plastic bags containing soil and manure in the ratio 1:3 and then transferred to green shade house. Plant may grow from seeds, but it is a slow process. The freshly collected gum resin is pale yellow, brown or dull green in color; aged resin is dark brown in color. The resinous sap produced by guggul is known as gum guggul and it is the most important resin used in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic texts give ample reference to guggul and its medicinal properties. Susrutha Samhita describes the use of guggul for a variety of conditions like rheumatism, obesity and atherosclerosis. Charaka Samhita states that “Guggul is the best among herbs that are used for obesity and Vata disorders”(sutra sthānam, Ch 25).
Guggulu resin

Guggulu is the principal ingredient in medicines such as navaka guggulu,Vātāri guggulu, Kaishora guggulu and Yogarāja guggulu, which are traditionally used, respectively for excess fat deposition, body pain, skin disorders and neurological and musculoskeletal problems. Guggul has pungent, bitter, astringent, and sweet tastes; its qualities are viscous, light, penetrating, and drying. It is hot in potency and has post-digestive effect. It is vata and kapha pacifying and pitha aggravating. Guggul helps increase white blood cell count, reduces cholesterol, increases appetite, clears the lungs and regulates menstruation. It can be applied externally as a paste, as well as a gargle for ulcerated conditions of the mouth and throat. It acts as a catalyst for tissue generation, particularly nerve tissue. It reduces fat, toxins, tumors and necrotic tissue. And it is the best medicine for arthritic conditions.

Guggulu resin is produced more during autumn and it is stronger in potency during this season and it is the best time for resin collection. Freshly collected Guggulu has a weight increasing (brumhaṇa effect) and the old resin (at least one year) has a weight reducing (atilekhana) quality. Before administering, it should be purified well and given along with other herbs. Guggulu administered excessively to individuals with pitha constitution may cause skin irritation and other blood related disorders. Normally it is not used during pregnancy.