Eranda

 Eranda also known as Castor plant is found through out India. The herb is useful in treating diseases caused by Vata dosha and hence also called Vatari. It is used as a purgative agent because of it’s laxative action (Bhedana property ). Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Eranda in conditions like Vibanda (Constipation) Rheumatoid arthritis (Amavata) etc as the herb alleviates all the three -Vata Pitta and Kapha doshas. Modern researches shows that the herb can be used as an aphrodisiac, carminative and purgative as it contains Phytoconstituents like hydrocyanic acid, lysine etc . 

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Ricinus communis       

Family :  Euphorbiaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

• Root Seed

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Bhedaniya varga (alleviates constipation )

Susruta Samhita – Vidarigandadi gana

Pharmacological action

• Purgative 
• Stimulant 

  

 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Vrishya (Aphrodisiac)
• Kasahara (Alleviate cough )
• Sulahara (Alleviate swelling )
• Deepana (Carminative )

Therapeutic indications

• Constipation (Vibanda)- The oil prepared from Castor plant is considered to be one of the potent medicines to alleviate constipation.
• Haemorrhoids (Arsas )- Decoction prepared from Eranda can be taken internally at a dose of 90 ml per day to alleviate Haemorrhoids.

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 2 g

Decoction (Kashaya )- 60 ml

Oil (Taila)- 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 

• Erandadi kwatha
• Eranda taila 
• Eranda saptaka kwatha
• Eranda ksara

Morphology :

A tall glabrous annual shrub with erect stems and broad palmate leaves. Inflorescence is terminal raceme. Flowers are small. Fruits are globose with long fleshy prickles.

Vernacular names of Eranda

English – Castor plant

Hindi- Arand

Malayalam – Avanakku

Sanskrit -Eranda

Synonyms

• Gandarvahasta
• Panchangula
• Amanda
• Vatari

Rasapanchaka 

Rasa- Madhura (sweet) Katu (Acrid ) 

Guna-  Guru (heavy)

Vipaka- Madhura (sweet)

Virya- Ushna (hot)

एरण्डयुग्मंमधुरमुष्णंगुरु विनाशयेत् ।

शूलशोथकटीबस्ति शिरः पीडोदरज्वरान्  ||

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Guducyadi varga-shloka 62)

  Eranda alleviate all three doshas i.e Vata Pitta and Kapha doshas because of it’s properties like hot potency and sweet taste. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb Eranda in treating diseases caused by the vitiation of Vata dosha and also as a laxative agent. Ayurvedatarian are currently conducting more researches on the herb to fully exploit it’s medicinal values and to prepare new combinations for the alleviation of commonly found diseases.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Eranda kashaya ?

According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Eranda kashaya can be used to treat Diseases caused by Vata doshas and as an analgesic.

2. What is the Dosage of Eranda taila?

          Eranda taila can be taken internally at a dose of 5-10 drops mixed with milk for an adult.