Varahikanda

     Varahikanda , commonly known as “Yam” is found through out India. The plant have high therapeutic values and is used to prepare different combinations of medicines especially in Rejuvanative formulations. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Varahikanda for the treatment of disorders involving vitiation of Vata,Pitta and Kapha doshas. The herb is tridosha alleviating as it normalizes all three doshas. It is used in conditions like Diabetes , Worm infestation etc. Varahikanda contains Phytoconstituents like diosgenin, sinodiosgenin etc. The herb is one of the commonly used Rejuvanative medicine.

General aspects and geography

Botanical name : Dioscorea bulbifera      

Family :  Dioscoriaceae 

Habitat: All over India

Parts used

• Tuber 

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda textbooks

Charaka Samhita – not mentioned 

Susruta Samhita – not mentioned 

Pharmacological action

• Aphrodisiac 
• Rejuvanative 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Balya ( Promotes strength)
• Kushtaghna (alleviate skin disease)
• Rasayana (Rejuvanative)

Therapeutic indications

• Sinus (Nadi vrana)- Powder of Varahikanda is mixed with oil and is applied on sinus
• Rejuvanative (Rasayana )- Daily intake of Varahikanda with milk acts as a Rejuvanative medicine.

Dosage

Powder(Curna)- 5 g

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 

• Varahyadi curna
• Varahyadi ghrtha

Morphology :

A twining perennial herb with long roots. Leaves are ovate. Fruits are capsule. Seeds are winged.

Vernacular names of Varahikanda

English – Yam

Hindi- Zamin kand

Malayalam – Kattu

Sanskrit – Varahikanda

Synonyms

• Badara
• Grushti

Rasapanchaka

Rasa- Madhura(Sweet ) Tikta (Bitter)

Guna-  Laghu (Light)

Vipaka- Katu (Acrid )

Virya-  Ushna (Hot )

वाराही तु रसे स्वाद्वी तिक्ता पाके पुनः कटुः ।

शुक्रायुः स्वरवर्णानि बलपित्तविवर्द्धिनी

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Haritakyadi varga-shloka 179)

Varahikanda is Tridosha alleviating because of it’s properties like acrid taste and Light in nature. The herb is used to alleviate diseases including Sinus , Diabetes etc. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, is currently conducting various researches based on ancient Ayurvedic textbooks, involving Varahikanda for preparing various combinations of medicines to alleviate conditions involving vitiation of Kapha, Vata and Pitta and also to prepare Rejuvanative medicines. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health management.

Frequently asked Questions

1. What are the uses of Varahikanda Powder?

Used in improving intellect and memory and also Rejuvanative.

2. What are the useful parts of Varahikanda?

Tuber is used.