Yastimadhu

Yastimadhu

 

 

 

LITERARY VIEW

 

MADHUKA OR MADHU YASTIKA are known to the physicians since vedic period. Atharva Parisishta described Madhuka and is considered as Dourbhagya Nashana. Commentators like SAYANA identified it with YASTIMADHU. It was used in the treatment of animal poisons and it is quoted in the context of mulavidhi.

Brihat trayi used this herb extensively in therapeutics but Acharya Charaka included it in many of his Kashaya vargas. He also emphasized its utility among rasayana drugs. Quoting Sushrutha’s view , Chakrapany detailed that though the root of Yasti Madhu is considered as the best for Vamana, The fruits of two varieties of this drug shall be used and we can find reference in Nighantus also. In Dhanvanthry Nigantu as Madhu Yasti, in Raja nigantu as Yasti Madhu and in Madanapala Nigantu as Madhu Yasti.

 

SYNONYMS AND NIRUKTHI

 

1 MADHUKA: Similar to the taste of honey

2.KOSHA PUSHPA: Flowers have cavity inside

3.GUDA PUSHPA: Pushpa will have taste of Guda and Madhu. It is sweet in taste.

4. GOLA PHALA: Fruit is round in shape

5.DOLA PHALA: fruit is round in shape

6. THIKSHNA SARA: Bija majja is Thikshna
7. MADHUKOSTA: Whole part of the plant is sweet in taste
8. MADHU DRUMA: It is used for preparing wine
9. MADHUSRAVA: The essence of plant is sweet in taste.

10 MADHAVA: Flower blossoms in spring season

11. LODHRA PUSHPA: Flower’s color is like Lodra Pushpa
12. VAANAPRASTHA: Plant grows wildly

VERNACULAR NAMES

English: Liquorice root

Hindi: Mulahathi,muleti,jethimadhu

Kannada: Jeshta Madura,athimadhura

Tamil: jeshta Madhuram,athimadhuram

Telugu: Athimadhuramu

Malayalam: Irattimadhuram

 

 

 

 

Varieties (Bedha)

According to Charaka two varieties:

1. Jalaja Madhuyasti
2. Sthalaja Madhuyasti

 

 

 

According to source from where it is obtained there are three varieties.

1. Mishri (Baluchistan) said to be the best.
2. Arbi (Arab Countries) said to be medium.
3. Turkey (Turkey) said to be poor.

 

 

According to modern concept three varieties.

1. Russia – Glycyrrhiza glabra
2. Persia (Iran) – Glycyrrhiza violaceae
3. Syrian – Glycyrrhiza glabra

 

 

 

 

Rasa Panchaka

 

Rasa :- Madhura

 

Guna:- Guru, Snigdha

 

Virya:- Sheeta

 

Vipaka:- Madhura

 

Prabhava:- Tridoshahara,Rasayana, Vrushya

 

 

 

 

Karma :- Daaha Prashamana, Shotahara, Chhardi nigrahana, Vrushya,

Trushnanigrahana, Kantya, Mutrala, Jeevaniya, Chakshushya,

Rasayana, Anulomana.

 

 

 

Indication

 

Vrana, shota, Kaasa, Shwasa, Shirashula, Netravikara, Udhara, Sadyokshata, trut, chaya, Shopha.

Chemical constituents

 

 

Root contains Glycyrrhuzin, a yellow amorphous powder, aspragin, sulphuric acid, mallic acid, calcium and magnesium salts.

 

 

Bark contains a small quantity of tannin and some other chemicals:-

 

Glycyrrhinic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, liquritin, isoliquiritin, neosioliquiritin, liquiritogenin, isoliquiritogenin, glabrine, glabranine, licuraside, licochalcones A & B, hispaglabridin A & B, licoricidin, glabrene, liquiritic acid, glabloride etc…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officinal part (prayojanga)

 

 

 

Officinal part:- Root or moola

 

 

Dosage (Matra)

Dosage:- Moola Churna – 3-5 gram.

 

 

Formulations (aushadhiyoga)

 

 

• Yastyaadi churna
• Yastyaadi kwatha
• Madhuyastyaadi taila
• Eladi gutika

 

 

Therapeutic uses (aamayika prayoga)

 

 

1. Bhagandara: the wound should be applied with Madhu

Taila (Shu. Chi. 8)

 

2. Arthavabhedaka: Yastimadhu is mixed with honey and

Used as Avapidana Nasya (Shu. Ut. 26)

 

3. Hrudroga: paste of Yastimadhu and Katuki should be

Given with Sheethajala (Sugar water).

(Cha. Chi. 26)

 

4. Rasayana: Madhuyasti Churna given with Kshera.

 

5. Promote Lactation: Yastimadhu given with cows milk.

 

 

6. Raktapitta: Yastimadhu and Chandan Churna mix with

milk and given.

 

7. Vranashotha: Yastimadhu Churna paste apply on Vrana.

 

8. Shiraroga: Decoction of YastiMadhu moola.

 

9. Kalithya and Indralupta: Yastimadhu taila apply(Sha. Sa)

 

 

10. Apasmara:root paste of yastimadhu is cooked with

Ghritha fruit juice of Dhatri thus

Madhuyasti Ghritha is prepared given

Orally to Apasmaara patient.(Bha. 23).

 

11. Visha: Yyastimadhu decoction is given.

 

 

12. Swarabhanga:Yastimadhu Churna with Ghee and

Sugar.

 

13. Pitthaja Chardi: Yastimadhu and Raktchandan churan

Given.

 

14. Muthrakruchra: Yastimadhu siddadugda given.

Modern pharmacology

Liquorice- Bp and IP

 

Acts on sore throat, as mild laxative, expectorant, gastric ulcers,, anti-inflamatory show mild mineralo- corcoid action, rheumatism.

 

When the powder is given orally it get mixed with gastric juices and given as action like that of cortisone.

 

Research

 

• Glycyrrhizin showed anti- arthritic and anti- inflammatory effect on formaldehyde induced rat-paw oedema in adrenalectionized rats. It was found to potentiate the anti-arthritic action of hydro cortisone in rats.
• Glycyrrhizin showed a significant anti- diuretic effect in rats and rabbits on oral and perenteral administration.
• Glycyrrhetic acid showed an anti-pyretic activity similar to that of sodium salicylate on rectal temperature of normal and pyretic rat.
• Anti- inflammatory response of glabra was found to be equivalent to that of oxyphenbutazone. It appeared to posses more potent anti-pyretic and anti- exudative.