RASUANT

botanical source

It is dried aqueous extract of Berberis aristata.

English Name : Indian Barberry

Arabic Name : Huzuz, Darhald (Root), Zarishk (Berries)

Chinese Name : Huang lian

French Name : Epine-vinette d’lnde

German Name : Indischer Berberitze

Hindi Name : Rasaut, Darhald (Root),Zarishk (Berries)

Persian Name : Filzahrah (Root), Zarishk (Berries)

Urdu Name : Darhald

Uses

Useful in Following diseases : Anaemia, Biliousness, Blood Impurities, Bronchitis, Constipation, Convalescence, Cough, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Fevers, Gastritis, General Debility, Heartburn, Hepatitis, Hepatomegaly, Hypertension, Indigestion, Jaundice, Leucorrhoea, Liver Dysfunction, Malaria, Menorrhagia, Neuralgia, Persistent Infection due to Low Immunity, Pharyngitis, Piles, Rheumatism, Sinusitis, Sore Throat, Spleen Dysfunction, Splenomegaly, Ulcers, Varicose Veins, Vitamin C Deficiency, Weakness of Eyesight.

• Used externally for pimples, boils and oriental sores, unhealthy ulcers, Abrasions and ulceration of the skin. (Nadkarni.Vol.I P-188).
• Contains Berberine- a broaed spectrum antibiotic for bacteria and protozoa. Bark of stem and root considered antiseptic. CRC-Duke’s. P-78.
• Antipruritic. Promotes sweating,wound-healer,rich in berberine, Useful both internally and externally. Externally for wound –dressing,unhealthy wounds, abrasions and ulcerations of the skin. (Paranjape. P 66-67).
• Charaka has categorized Berberis Aristata as arsoghana ( Anti-hemorrhoidal) and handinghana ( Anti – Pruritic ). Susruta mentions its as a ropana – wound- healer. Externally – the wounds are dressed with the medicated oil of the decoction of daruharidra ( Called Rasanjana / Rasaunt) it reduces the pruritus also. The paste applied on painful and swollen parts effectively mitigates the symptoms. Extremely valuable in bleeding piles. ( Paranjape – P 66-67).
• In bleeding piles it is administered( internally ) in doses of 5 to 15 grains with butter. Its solution ( 1 m 32 ) is used as a wash for piles. Its ointment made with camphor and butter is applied to pimples and boils… applied locally to inflammatory swellings and as a couyruim for the eyes in conjunctivitis. (Nadkarni vol I. P88).
• Tonic, stomachic, astringent, antiperiodic, diaphoretic, antipyretic and altertive. Used in fevers ( remittent, intermittent and malarial). Locally in eye troubles. In rheumatism as a blood purifier. In liver spleen bilious problems. In congestions of the abdominal and pelvic cavities and rheumatism. Also in gastric and duodenal ulcers. (Nadkarni, Vol I, Pages 187-191).
• Internally, daruharidra is useful in a vast range of diseases. The properties like cholegogue, hepato- stimulant and astringent are useful in treating anorexia, dysentery, hepatitis and liver disorders. As a blood purifer. In reducing swellings. In obesity, diabetes and uterine inflammations. In fevers and as a general tonic and debility, especially due to fevers. (Paranjape Pages 66-67).
• Barberry has been used by Amerindians, for kidney ailments, rheumatisms, sores & ulcers. It has been recommended for arthritis, fever, gout, lumbago, rheumatism, stomatitis and ulcers etc. Also in inflammations, biliary colics dysruria, neuralgias, sacral pain, side pains and vaginismus. It contains goodly amounts of berberine- a broad spectrum antibiotic for bacteria and protozoa. ( Dukes . Page 78 ).
• A bitter tonic. It effectively reduces uterine inflammations hence is valuable medicament for leucorrhoea and menorrhagia. It also helps in healing the ulcers of the cervix. (Paranjape Pages 66-67).

 

KASNI

Botanical Source : Whole plant of Cichorium intubus  and C. endive.
Family : Asteraceae
Common Names :
     English Name : Endive/ Chicory
     Hindi : Kasni
     Sanskrit Name : Kasni
     Arabic Name : Hinduba
 
Botanical Description :

      Habitat : In India plant is found in the northwestern regions like Kashmir and Punjab and in area of south India. In western countries is now a days cultivated with the name endive. It is cultivated in completely black outed area to make leaf soft and pale in appearance. This plant has it origin in Europe and now has spread all over world.

     Morphology : It is a bushy perennial plant that attains a height of 1 to 3 feet. The stem has edges having hard branches. Leaves are sphere shaped having a bitter taste. Flowers are of blue of lavender color having a diameter of 1 to 1 ½ inch, which is bit thicker at the center. Fruit is angular, having light color. Root is like a tail of a cow and is fleshy having brownish color from outside and white color from inside. It has a length of 2 ½ feet and has a bitter taste. The other related species that is cultivates is Cichorium endivia. It is generally found in cultivated lands and gardens.

Chemical Constituents : Their seed contains oil. Roots has sticky substance which is about 7.5 %, glucose 1.1 %, bitter substance 4 %, fat 0.6 %, cellulose, insulin and resins etc. ash contains more of potassium. It also contains colorless potassium glycosides, cichorin and lactucina and intybin. There is very peculiar smell when the root is roasted and is very often used as coffee.

Properties :
   Guna (properties) - Laghu (light) and Ruksh (dry)  
   Rasa (taste) - Tikta (bitter)
   Veerya (potency) - Ushna (hot)
 
Actions :
 

Indication : Head ache, Indigestion, Hypertension, Urticaria, Gouty arthritis, Burning sensation, Insomnia, Jaundice, Dehydration, Liver related disorders, Dysurea, Blood impurity, Menstrual disturbances, Chronic fever, General body weakness.

Pharmacology : It is kapha and pitta suppressant. It is relaxant and induces sleep. It acts as pain reliever and anti inflammatory agent. It works as appetizer, liver stimulant and increases digestive powers. It acts as blood purifier and provides strength to heart. It is a diuretic. Its roots reduce menstrual disturbances. It has good effect in lowering down the burning sensations in the body. It also helps in lowering the blood pressure. It decreases the raised body temperature in fevers.

Part Used : Roots, leaves and seeds.
Formulations :
References :