Pushkarmoola

Sanskrit Names:

Padma patra- As its leaves are like lotus petals

Kashmira- As it generally grows in Kashmira area

Kushthabheda- As its characteristics and actions are like Kushtha(Saussurea lappa)

Lt. Name: Inula racemosa - Compositae

Bio energetics: 

Rasa(Taste)- Tikta (Bitter); Katu (Pungent)

Guna (Characteristics)- Laghu (Light)

Veerya (Potency)- Ushna (Warm)

Vipaka (Post digestion effect)- Katu(Pungent)

Effect on Tridosha (Three bio humors):

Pushkara mool pacifies Vata and Kapha bio homors i.e. it is useful in management of diseases with Kapha/ Vata origin or both.

Actions according to Ayurveda:

Kasa-shwashara- Pushkarmool is useful in cough and respiratory discomfort

Hikka nigrahana- Pushkarmool alleviates hicough

Parshwa shoola hara- Pushkarmool helps in pain in thorax region

Shophaghna- Pushkarmool is useful in all edematous conditions

Pandunashanam- Pushkarmool is useful in Anemia and its complications

Ardit vinashanam- Pushkarmool is useful in conditions involving nervous system specially the facial paralysis

Hrich chhulaghna- Pushkarmool alleviates pain in heart region

Medicinal value:

• Inula racemosa root powder was investigated in patients with proven ischaemic heart disease. The powder prevented ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion as observed in the post-exercise electrocardiogram. This indicates that one of the constituents of Inula racemosa may have adrenergic beta-blocking activity.

• Inula racemosa exhibites antiperoxidative, hypoglycaemic and cortisol lowering activities, it is suggested that its extracts may potentially regulate diabetes mellitus.

• Inula racemosa possesses potent antiallergic properties.

• The herb Inula racemosa was shown to help lower the stress hormone, cortisol, which in turn leads lower blood sugar levels.

Useful part: Roots

Doses: 2-4gm

Some Useful combinations of Pushkara moola:

Pushkaradi choorna; Pushkar guggulu

Some special notes about Pushkara Moola:

• Pushkaramool is the best medicament among those useful in hicough, respiratory discomfort, cough and pain in chest; this indicates its usefulness in asthmatic conditions as well as heart diseases.

• In chest pain, respiratory discomfort, cough and emaciating conditions pushkaramool should be taken with honey.