Gorakshganja

BOTANICAL NAME: Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. ex Schult.

FAMILY: Amaranthaceaea

CLASSICAL CLASSIFICATION:

Bhavaprakasha nighantu– Haritkyadi Varga

Kaiydeva Nighantu-Aushadha Varga

ENGLISH NAME: Mountain knott grass

COMMON NAME:

Hindi: Gorakhbuti, Kapur jati

Tamil: Sirru-pulay

Kannad: Bilesuli

REFERENCE: BHAVAPRAKASH SAMHITA with link e Nighantu:

https://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/e-Nighantu/bhavaprakashanighantu/?mod=read

HABITAT: Perennial Branching Shrub

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

Aerva lanata (Mountain knotgrass) is a perennial, branching shrub. It is occasionally woody below, prostrate to erect, branched from the base, and often also from above. The stem and branches are densely woolly with whitish or yellowish, shaggy hairs. The leaves are oval in shape, they are alternately arranged. The leaves are present in the main stem. The flowers are like soft spikes. The whitish flowers have two lobes and red bases, grown in leaf axils have the pink, green, white flowers are also seen. The root has a camphor-like aroma. These plants are self-pollinated and bisexual and are grown in a tropical climate.

MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Plant contains Palmitic acid, B-sitosterol,  Alpha-amyrin

THERAPEUTIC USES:

• The decoction of the root of Aerva lanata is given in a dose of 50-60 ml to treat renal calculi and retention of urine.
• Cold infusion of the whole plant is given in a dose of 30-40 ml to treat cough and sore throat.
• The dried leaf and flowers of Gorakshaganja are burnt and the smoke coming from it is used for inhalation

INDICATIONS:

Urinary Calculi Ashmari, Skin Disorder Kushtha, Dysuria Mutrakrichra, Helmenthiasis Krimi

USEFUL PART: Roots

DOSAGE: Decoction 50-100 ml

AYURVEDIC FORMULATION:

1. Marma Gulika
2. Veertaradi Kashayam