Aragwadha: The ultimate skin care herb

   

Aragwadha, commonly known as purging casia is one of the most potent herb used for treatment purposes. The name Aragwadha itself means that the plant completely cures all ailments. It is one of the most widely used purgative  herbs in Ayurveda.Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Aragwadha to treat conditions involving vitiation of Vata and Pitta doshas as the herb is Vata Pitta hara in nature. The herb is used to cure Skin ailments and Erysipelas. The plant contains Phytoconstituents like Anthraquinone, Lignoceric acid etc and these aids in it’s Purgative actions. Aragwadha can also be used in conditions like Itching, Diabetes, Arthritis etc.

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Cassia fistula     

Family :  Caesalpinaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

• Fruit 

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Kandughna varga (alleviates itching  )

Susruta Samhita – Aragwadhadi gana

Pharmacological action

• Purgative 
• Febrifuge 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Sramsana ( laxative )
• Pramehahara (Beneficial for reducing Diabetes )
• Sulahara (Analgesic )
• Jwaraghna (Reduces fever )

Therapeutic indications

• Diabetes (Prameha)- Decoction of Aragwadha is taken at a dose of 90 ml per day can check Diabetes.
• Rheumatoid arthritis (Amavata)- Leaves of Aragwadha are fried in mustard oil and is used for chewing to reduce RA.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 5 g

Juice(Swarasa)- 10 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

• Aragwadhadi kwatha
• Mahamanjishtadi kwatha
• Aragwadhadi taila
• Aragwadha ghrtha 

Morphology :

A medium sized perennial tree with erect stem and greenish bark. Leaves are alternate and glabrous. Inflorescence is long axillary pendulous racemes. Flowers are yellow in color. Fruits are long with flat seeds in it.

Vernacular names of Aragwadha

English – Purging casia   

Hindi- Amaltas

Malayalam – Konna

Sanskrit -Aragwadha 

Synonyms of Aragwadha

• Kruthamala
• Dirghaphala
• Rajavriksha
• Chathurangula 

Rasapanchaka of Aragwadha

Rasa- Tikta (bitter)  Madhura(Sweet)

Guna-  Guru (heavy)

Vipaka- Madhura(Sweet)

Virya- Sita (cold)

आरग्वधोगुरुःस्वादुःशीतलःस्रंसनोत्तमः।

ज्वरहृद्रोगपित्तास्रवातोदावर्तशूलनुत् ||

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Haritakyadi varga-shloka 149)

Aragwadha alleviate Vata Kapha doshas because of it’s properties like Sweet taste and cold potency etc. Hence the herb can be used to treat conditions caused by the vitiation of Vata Pitta doshas. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb Aragwadha to cure disorders involving these 2 doshas. Ayurvedatarian uses the herb to alleviate Skin ailments, Diabetes, Rheumatoid arthritis etc. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health.

Researches on Aragwadha

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337623948_Study_of_Aragvadha_Cassia_fistula_Linn_with_special_reference_to_phyto-pharmacological_properties_An_overview

2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/49612832_Medicinal_Properties_of_Aragvadha_Cassia_fistula_Linn

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Aragwadha kashaya?

Decoction of Aragwadha is taken internally at a dose of 90 ml to cure Diabetes.

2. What is the Dosage of Aragwadha beeja churna?

          The normal dose of Aragwadha beeja churna is 3-6g.