VATSANABHA

Introduction:

Vatsanabha is a shrub found all over India in high altitude. Many varieties of this shrub is found in India, mainly white and Black. Roots of this plant are poisonous hence usually other plants are not growing around this plant. Roots are used in Ayurveda. Roots are tuberous, black in colour; heavy roots are selected for medicinal use. The roots are used after purification in small quantities. Leaves are like Nirgundi leaves, large at bottom and small at top of the plant. Fruits are capsule like, Flowers are blue, yellow, and pink.

Purification:  Roots are required to be purified before it is used for internal use, for external use purification is not required. Two methods are used for purification.

1. Selected roots are tied in cotton cloth and dipped in Cow urine and kept in sunlight. Next day change the cow urine and continue doing for three days. Fourth day wash the roots with water and dry it before use.
2. Small pieces of roots are dipped and boiled in cow’s milk. Continue doing so till the milk is thickened. Take out the pieces, wash with clean water and dry it before use.

Uses:

1. Paste of Vatsanabha is applied externally on Scorpion, Snake bites.
2. Paste prepared with Neem juice is applied externally for relief in pain, inflammation, oedema, backache headache etc.
3. Vatsanabha is an antipyretic hence powder is given with honey to treat fever.
4. Vatsanabha enhances digestive fire hence powder is given in indigestion and as appetizer.
5. Powder is given to treat cough and asthma.
6. In vitiligo a small quantity of powder is given internally, and paste is applied externally on the affected part.
7. For Ear pain, Vatsanabh and vacha powder is boiled in sesame oil and drops instilled in ear.
8. In skin diseases and eczema vatsanabha powder added with nux vomica and copper sulphate powder is applied externally on affected part.

Caution:

Vatsanabh is highly poisonous, any preparations containing Vatsanabha to be taken under guidance of expert Vaidyas only.