Ushira - Chrysopogon zizanioides

Botanical Name : Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty
Synonym : Vetiveria zizanioides
Family : Poaceaea (Graminae)  

Ayurvedic Classification :
Varnya, Stanyajanana, Chhardinigrahana, Daahaprashamana, Angamradhaprashamana, Shukrashodhana, Tiktaskanda, Vamanopaga (Charaka).
Saarivaadi, Pittasamshamana (Sushruta).
 
Common Names : Hin.- Khas, Eng.- Cuscus; Cuss cuss, Kuss-kuss grass;  Botanical Description :

             It is perrenial grass found in Northern and Western India. It can grow up to 1.5 meters high and form clumps as wide. The stems are tall and the leaves are long, thin, and rather rigid; the flowers are brownish purple. Unlike most grasses, which form horizontally spreading mat-like root systems, vetiver's roots grow downward, 2–4 meters in depth. Its roots are fragrant. Though it originates in India, it is widely cultivated in the tropical regions of the world.
 

Chemical Constituents :
         Roots- Vetiver oil or khus oil is a complex oil containing over 100 identified components. Reported constituents are benzoic acid, furfurol, vetivene, terpinen-4-ol, khusimene, 5-epiprezizane, α-muurolene, Calacorene, α-longipinene, Khusimone, β-humulene, δ-selinene, valencene, α-amorphene, β-vetivone, Iso-khusimol, 3-epizizanol, vetivazulene, γ-selinene, δ-cadinene.
          The oil is amber brown and rather thick. The odor of vetiver oil is described as deep, sweet, woody, smoky, earthy, amber, balsam.   

Ayurvedic Properties :
Rasa : Tikta, Madhura
Guna : Ruksha, Laghu
Veerya : Sheeta
Vipaka : Katu
Doshakarma : Kaphapittashamaka, Daahaprashamana, Deepana, Paachana,
 

Pharmacological Actons :
Indiactions :
Atisweda, Atisaara, Raktapitta,

Part Used : Roots
Dose : 3- 6 gm (root powder); 50 -100 ml Phanta (hot infusion);
Formulations : Yogaraaja Guggulu, Sadangapaiya, Ushiraashava.