Botanical Name: Ischaemum rugosum
Sanskrit / Ayurvedic Status:
- No widely accepted Sanskrit name
- Not one of the “Rasa Panchaka” herbs (those with defined taste, potency, post-digestive effect, and special action in classical Ayurveda)
- Primarily known through ethnobotanical use rather than formal Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia
Possible Ayurvedic Interpretation (Based on Properties):
Though Ischaemum rugosum is not formally codified, grass species in general (like Darbha and Kusha) are understood in Ayurveda to have cooling, stabilizing, and purifying qualities.
Likely Dosha Action (folk use & analogy with other grasses):
- Pacifies Pitta (cooling effect)
- Mildly balances Kapha
- May aggravate Vata if dried and overused
Folk and Regional Uses (Ethnomedicine):
Some traditional or tribal uses observed in parts of India and Nepal include:
- Fodder for cattle (used when tender)
- Mild diuretic effect – Decoction sometimes used to relieve urinary burning
- Used in traditional rituals in place of Darbha grass
- May be applied topically in paste form for minor swellings or insect bites (not standardized)
Precaution:
- Not formally recognized as a medicinal herb in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India (API)
- No verified clinical trials or toxicology studies exist for human medicinal use
- May be confused with toxic grass species in the field, so use caution if foraging
Summary Table:
| Property | Ayurvedic Insight |
|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Possibly Tikta (bitter), Kashaya (astringent) |
| Virya (Potency) | Shita (cooling) |
| Karma (Action) | Possibly diuretic, anti-inflammatory (folk) |
| Dosha | Balances Pitta, may mildly aggravate Vata |