Dasapushpam –Ten Magical Herbs And Its Health Benefits

Dasapushpam

Dasapushpam means a group of ten potential herbs which are culturally and medicinally significant to the people of Kerala in India. These herbs are found almost everywhere in Kerala, especially in the Western Ghats region. These herbs are used effectively in home remedies due to their medicinal properties and ability to cure naturally.
In Ayurveda, these herbs are used to treat various diseases. It has medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antifungal, antipsychotic, anti-rheumatic, ant arrhythmic, antidiarrheal, anthelmintic, anti-diabetic, etc.

Ten Herbs In Dasapushpam And Its Benefits

Dasapushpam or the ten sacred flowers are traditionally significant to Kerala Ayurveda.The names of ten herbs are Karuka, Mukkutti,Uzhinja, Thiruthali ,Muyal Cheviyan ,Vishnukranthi,Puvankurunthal,Nilapana, Kayyonni and Cheroola.

1. Karuka (Cynodon Dactylon)

One of the most important herbal plants in the category of Dasapushpam is Karuka. In Sanskrit, it is called Durva. Karuka is also called Bermuda grass. The plant belongs to the family Poaceae. It contains elements of proteins, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, and potassium. The plant has antiviral and antimicrobial properties.
The important benefits of Karuka As following:

• It is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections, skin diseases, blood disorders, dysentery, and prostatitis.
• It has the power to reduce blood sugar levels in the blood.
• The plant extract is used to relieve the discomforts caused due to phlegm.
• The juice is cool, sweet and palatable, and is nutritious.
• The cooling property of the plant cures mitigating thirst and burning sensation.
• Due to its detoxifying properties clears the stomach. .
• The herb mixed with curd is used in leucorrhea.
• It helps in curing minor cuts and wounds.
• In general, it is a good tonic for the body.

2. Mukkutti (Biophytum Sensitivum)

Biophytum sensitivum is a small flowering plant, a sensitive annual herb, growing throughout the tropical regions of South Asia, Africa, and Madagascar. The plant belongs to the family of Oxalidaceae. In Sanskrit, it is known as Viparitalajjalu. It is known for its immune-stimulatory and antitumor effects. The herb has astringent, antiseptic, antipyretic, and diuretic properties.
The important Benefits of Mukkutti include:

• It helps to pacify Kapha and Pitta Dosha.
• This powerful medicine cures diseases like arthritis, sprain, stiff neck, etc.
• It can clean the uterus. So it is given to women after delivery.
• It also treats heavy bleeding in women. .
• A paste made of the leaves mixed with buttermilk is used in cases of diarrhea.
• It is the best remedy for cough and chest congestion.

3. Uzhinja (Cardiospermum Halicacabum)

Cardiospermum halicacabum, known as the balloon plant or love in a puff is a climbing plant widely distributed across tropical and subtropical areas. The plant is a perennial climber and has small white flowers. Fruits are covered with a bladder and the seeds are globose. It is famous for its huge curative properties. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and laxative properties.
The important benefits of this Ayurvedic herb are:

• It is used in treating earaches and in relieving swellings. .
• The juice is also used in curing minor wounds.
• The juice is said to reduce obesity. .
• The herb is also used in hair oil preparations to reduce dandruff and for darkening the hair. .
• It treats stiffness of the limbs, rheumatism, nervous conditions as well as snakebites.

4. Thiruthali (Ipomea Maxima)

It is also called Morning glory. The plant belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. It is a small vine with a bell-shaped flower. The plant has cooling and aphrodisiac properties. It has diuretic and deobstruent properties also. The juice is also used as a herbal shampoo. It is also used as an antidote for arsenic poison.
Health benefits of Thiruthali include:

• It is used as a laxative in piles and other problems related to sleeplessness and headache.
• It treats itching.
• The plant is also used in the treatment of liver diseases, constipation, diabetes abscesses, mental illness, and intestinal problems, nose bleeds, and high blood pressure.
• It possesses medicinal properties like anthelmintic, antiepileptic, hypolipidemic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory.
• The dried juice possesses a potent purgative property and antimicrobial activity.
• The plant is also effective in the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. .
• Flower buds are used in the treatment of ringworm. .
• It cures jaundice and nervous debility. .
• Decoction and infusion of leaves are useful in the case of snakebite and malarial fever respectively.

5. MuyalCheviyan (Emilia Sonchifolia)

Emilia sonchifolia belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is commonly known as cupid’s shaving brush. It is an annual herb with weak or erect stems. The flowers are lavender, purple, or pink. It can be seen in open fields and wastelands. It contains calcium, phosphorus magnesium, sodium, and potassium. It contains vitamins like riboflavin and niacin.
The health benefits of Emilia sonchifolia are:

• The plant pacifies Kapha and Vata doshas.
• It is effective in treating fever, tonsillitis, cough bronchitis, etc.
• The juice is used as a natural remedy for eye diseases.
• It is also good in conditions like worm infections and allergies. .
• It is used to cure intestinal worms.
• The paste of the plant is useful for bleeding piles. .

6. Puvankurunthal (Vernonia Cinerea)

Vernonia Cinerea is a terrestrial annual herb. Its shape is erect and has cylindrical stems. Leaves are ovate and the flowers are either white or purple and occur in small head inflorescence. The plant grows in wastelands, open fields, and roadsides. It is often called a poor man’s herb. The seeds contain fatty oil which is used as an anthelmintic.
The main Benefits of Puvankurunthal include:

• It helps to pacify Vata and Pitta Dosha.
• It is also beneficial for purifying the blood.
• It is used to cure tonsillitis, stomach ailments, fever, etc.
• The juice extracted from the leaves is mixed with cow’s milk and is used to treat conjunctivitis. The roots cure swelling and inflammation.
• The juice is also effective in treating poisonous insect bites. .
• It is also beneficial in flatulence and intestinal colic. .
• It treats skin problems like leucoderma and other skin diseases.

7. Nilapana (Curculigo Orchioides)

It is a perennial herb belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae. It is commonly called golden eye grass and grows in a temperate climate and is commonly seen in south India. The rhizome of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. It increases Kapha and reduces Vata and pitta.
Major Health Benefits of Nilappana are:

• It treats digestive, respiratory, urinary, and reproductive problems. .
• The plant is beneficial in treating piles and blood-related disorders.
• It is beneficial for treating cough and asthma.
• It is helpful in cases of vomiting and diarrhea.
• The herb is powerful for increasing sperm count. .
• It is also good for skin-related ailments.

8. Vishnukranthi (Evolvulus Ulcinoides)

It belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. It is an annual creeper and grows in open grassy places throughout India. The leaves are small and are covered with fine hairs. The flowers are blue. The fruits appear in small capsules. According to Ayurveda, this herb pacifies pitta dosha. It is used externally for medicinal purposes.
The major health benefits are:

• The medicated oil of the herb is useful as a hair tonic, to promote hair growth, and prevent the premature graying and falling of hair.
• Its paste is also applied externally in skin diseases.
• The whole plant juice is traditionally used in various mental disorders.
• Due to its astringent properties, it treats minor memory disturbances, nervous debility, and dementia. So it is widely used as a brain tonic.
• The juice of the plant stimulates appetite and is also used as a mild laxative.
• A decoction of the herb with cumin and milk is used for treating fever.

9. Kayyonni (Eclipta Alba)

Kayyonni is commonly known as Bhringaraj and belongs to the family Asteraceae. It grows in moist places and has weak stems. The flowers are white. As per Ayurveda, it has a lot of medicinal values. In ayurvedic medicine, the leaf extract is considered a powerful liver tonic, rejuvenating, and especially good for the hair. A black dye obtained from Eclipta alba is used for dyeing hair and tattooing.
The other health benefits of kayyonni include:

• It treats ailments such as athlete’s foot, eczema, and dermatitis, and on the scalp to address hair loss.
• The leaves are beneficial in the treatment of scorpion stings. .
• It is used as anti-venom against snakebite. .
• It also helps to improve hair growth and color.
• It is useful in cases of Kapha and Vata imbalances. .
• It is effectively used in treating conditions like premature graying and hair fall.
• Regular application of oil gives the hair black and luxuriant. .
• It acts as a powerful liver tonic and is also useful in jaundice and spleen disorders.
• It is also used against anemia and eye diseases.
• It enhances memory and acts as an anti-aging agent.
• It treats minor burns and cuts.

10. Cheroola (Avera Lanata)

It is a woody, perennial herb belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. It is considered a common weed and grows widely in plains. According to Ayurveda, It helps to pacify pitta. The herb consists of phenol acids and alkaloids. Aerva lanata is commonly described in Ayurveda as a diuretic with anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, anti-bacterial, and mild analgesic effects.
Some of the benefits of Cheroola include:

• It is used in the treatment of lithiasis, cough, asthma, and headache and as an antidote for rat poisoning.
• Aerva Lanata possesses wonderful antioxidant properties. .
• Aerva Lanata lowers blood sugar levels and internal consumption will have a positive impact on diabetic patients. .
• The water decoction of the plant treats diarrhea.
• Aerva lanata is famous for treating kidney stones. The water decoction of the plant is given for dissolving kidney stones.
• The presence of anthelmintic properties treats intestinal worms, especially tapeworms.
• It is used to cure sore throat.
• Roots are used for treating headaches. The leaves are edible for cooking.
• The plant also has anti-cancer properties.

Dasapushpam or the ten sacred flowers are traditionally significant to Kerala Ayurveda.The names of ten herbs are Karuka ,Mukkutti,Uzhinja, Thiruthali ,Muyal Cheviyan ,Vishnukranthi,Puvankurunthal,Nilapana, Kayyonni and Cheroola. Each of them has its own medicinal and ayurvedic properties. They help to cure a lot of diseases.

Conclusion

All the information related to Dasapushpam is based on various Ayurvedic resources. Always prefer the advice of an Ayurvedic doctor before self-medication.