Seeds

There is a concept in Ayurvedic textbooks; called as “yatra Akrutihi, tatra gunaah vasanti” meaning if the shape of an herb resembles a disease or an organ, then that herb is most likely to have benefit in the respective disease, related to the organ. Tribulus fruit has quite a resemblance with oxalate stones of the kidney and bladder.

It has a direct affinity for the urine channels as well as the brain and muscle tissues. It soothes the urinary tract membranes and promotes urination.

KEY APPLICATION: Prostate problems, urine retention or obstructed urinary flow, blood in urine, urinary infection, frequent urination, painful urination, eliminate kidney stones, prevent kidney stone formation, improve the immune system, increase body strength, balance the fluid levels in the body, increase libido in both men & women, beneficial for bodybuilding & the performance of athletes, strong effect on a testosterone

PLANT FAMILY: Zygophyllaceae

BOTANICAL NAME: Tribulus Terrestris

VERNACULAR NAMES: Puncture Vine, Cathead, Land Caltrops, Small Caltrops, Gokharu, Gokhshura, Gokshuraka, Chotagokhru, Bindii, Burragokhru, Trikanta, Trikantaka, Swaadu-kantaka, Shvadamstra, Sirunenunji, Nerunji, Kshudra (Laghu), Khaar-e-Khasak Khurd, Nerinjil

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SEEDS

Fruit contain saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and tannins.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The understanding of medicinal properties will help us utilize the herb better. Below are medicinal properties along with its meaning indicating multiple health benefits:

· Aphrodisiac- Stimulate sexual desire

· Anabolic- Help in building up metabolism.

· Antilithic- Prevent or eliminate kidney stones

· Anti-inflammatory- Reduce inflammation

· Cardioprotective- Protect heart

· Diuretic- An agent that increases the flow and volume of urine.

· Demulcent- Help, soothe and protect the mucous membranes in the body, it has a direct action on the lining of the intestines, soothing and reducing irritation.

· Antispasmodic- Used to relieve spasm of involuntary muscle.

· Anti-hypertensive- Lower high blood pressure

· Anti-hyperglycemic- Lower blood sugar

· Lithotryptic- Useful in stones in the kidney & urinary bladder

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Rasa (Taste) – Madhura (Sweet)

Guna (Qualities) – Guru (Heavy), Snigdha (Unctuous or oily)

Virya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cooling)

Vipaka (Post digestive effect) – Madhura (Sweet)

Effect on tridosha (Humors) - Balances all three doshas

DOSAGE

3-6 gm in powder form

(Please note that the exact dose depends on the age, strength, digestive power, nature of the illness, the state of the viscera, humors and disorders.)

IMPORTANT NOTE

The information provided is for educational purposes only. This data is not to be considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Prolactin is a hormone released by the pituitary gland which is considered to be the cause for erection failure in men. The beans of Kaunch are known to release L-dopa which combines with dopamine to restrict the release of prolactin hormone by the pituitary glands. Oral intake of Kaunch seed powder helps in promoting fertility and improves erection.

Treats leucorrhoea (vaginal discharge), menorrhagia (excessive menstrual bleeding) and spermatorrhoea (involuntary ejaculation) which are all signs of leakage of Jing/Ojas, which is the foundational essence of health.

KEY APPLICATION: Uterine stimulant, parkinson’s disease, mood disorders, anxiety, low testosterone in men, erectile dysfunction, impotence, oligospermia, physical weakness, useful in neurological disorder, nervine tonic

PLANT FAMILY: Fabaceae

BOTANICAL NAME: Mucuna Pruriens

VERNACULAR NAMES: Cowhage, Velvet Bean, Cow-itch, Buffalo bean, Kapikacchu, alkusi, makhmali sem, alkushi, cigu, kuncha, atmagupta, Kiwach, kawanch, Khaj-kuiri, Naikurana, Pilliadugu, Nayisonanguballi, Akolchi, Punaippidukkan, Poonaikkaali, Nausukunni , Khajkuhilee, Baikhujnee, Tatgajuli, Kawach, Doolagondi, Duradagondi

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SEED

The main constituent of Mucuna pruriens seeds is L-dopa or Levadopa which acts as natural dopamine.

The seeds of velvet bean are high in protein (20-29 %), lipids (6-7%), dietary fiber (8-10%), ash (3%), carbohydrates (50-60%) and minerals. Also, they are extremely rich in alkaloids (mucunine, mucunadine, mucuadinine, pruriendine and nicotine, besides B-sitosterol, glutathione, lecithin, oils, venolic and gallic acids), saponins, and sterols.

The hairs of the seed pods contain the phytochemical mucunain, the very constituent that irritates the skin when in contact.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The understanding of medicinal properties will help us utilize the herb better. Below are medicinal properties along with its meaning indicating multiple health benefits:

· Aphrodisiac- Stimulate sexual desire 

· Anabolic- Help in building up metabolism.

· Analgesic- Relieve pain

· Androgenic- Increase testosterone level in men.

· Anti-Parkinson’s- Used to manage Parkinson’s disease.

· Antilithic- Prevent or eliminate kidney stones.

· Anti-parasite- Used to kill, repel, or remove parasites. 

· Anti-inflammatory- Reduce inflammation

· Carminative- Cause expulsion of gas from the stomach or bowel.

· Febrifuge- Reduce fever

· Hypochlesterolemic- Prevent the abnormal deficiency of cholesterol in the blood.

· Anti-hypertensive- Lower high blood pressure

· Anti-hyperglycemic- Lower blood sugar

· Nervine- Act on or relieve disorders of the nerves; soothing the nerves.

· Neurasthenic- Manage nerve debility and exhaustion.

· Spermatogenic – Treat oligospermia (low count)

· Vermifuge- Destructive to parasitic worms/ several different intestinal worms. 

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES 

Rasa (Taste) – Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter)

Guna (Qualities) – Guru (Heavy), Snigdha (Unctuous or oily)

Virya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot potency)

Vipaka (Post digestive effect) – Madhura (Sweet)

Effect on tridosha (Humors)- Balances all three doshas (vata, pitta & kapha)

DOSAGE

3-6 gm in powder form

(Please note that the exact dose depends on the age, strength, digestive power, nature of the illness, the state of the viscera, humors and disorders.)

IMPORTANT NOTE

The information provided is for educational purposes only. This data is not to be considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

Silybum was used by ancient physicians and herbalists to treat a range of liver and gallbladder diseases and to protect the liver against a variety of poisons.

It possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to detoxify the body, especially the blood and liver. 

KEY APPLICATION: Chronic hepatitis, alcoholic fatty liver, cirrhosis, liver poisoning and viral hepatitis, jaundice, adrenal disorders and inflammatory bowel syndrome, psoriasis, protect the liver while taking strong drugs or medicine, lower cholesterol, food allergies, lactation disorder, gall bladder disorder, depression, skin eruptions, blotches, pimples, diarrhea

PLANT FAMILY: Asteraceae

BOTANICAL NAME: Silybum Marianum

VERNACULAR NAMES: Cardus Marianus, Milk Thistle, Blessed Milk Thistle, Marian Thistle, Saint Mary's Thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle, variegated thistle and Scotch thistle, Silybum,  dudhpattra, garda-marda bhuss

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SEEDS

Milk thistle contains several phytochemicals such as flavonolignans, silybinin, silymarin, isosilibinin, betaine, silymarin, silychristin, and silydianin. It also offers a rich source of flavonoids.

A traditional milk thistle extract obtained from its seeds contains approximately 4 to 6% of silymarin. It is a complex mixture of several polyphenolic molecules that includes seven flavonolignans (isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silybin A, silybin B, isosilychristin, silychristin, and silydianin) and a flavonoid (taxifolin). The milk thistle extract consists of 20 to 35% of fatty acids including linoleic acid.

Milk thistle also contains other important nutrients such as vitamin E and vitamin C. It also contains a high amount of lipophilic compounds that act as a bioflavonoid antioxidant.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES

The understanding of medicinal properties will help us utilize the herb better. Below are medicinal properties along with its meaning indicating multiple health benefits:

· Antioxidant- Neutralize the oxidation effect of free radicals.

· Anti-inflammatory- Reduce inflammation

· Anti-cancer- Prevent a malignant and invasive growth or tumour.

· Hepatoprotective- Prevent damage to the liver and cure a liver injury or liver dysfunction.

· Immunostimulating- Stimulate the immune system.

· Estrogenic- Promote or produce Estrus.

· Galactagogue- Promote the flow and volume of milk in lactating mothers.

· Cholagogue- Promote the flow of bile from the gallbladder into the duodenum.

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

Rasa (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)

Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Tikshna (Sharp)

Virya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka (Post digestive effect) – Katu (Pungent)

Effect on tridosha (Humors)- Balances Kapha & Vata

DOSAGE

420mg/day in powder form

(Please note that the exact dose depends on the age, strength, digestive power, nature of the illness, the state of the viscera, humors and disorders.)

IMPORTANT NOTE

The information provided is for educational purposes only. This data is not to be considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.