Dam Bel
Dam bel is a medicinal herb found in the central, eastern, and southern India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Borneo. It’s botanical name is Tylophora Indica which belongs to Asclepiadaceae family. In English Dam bel is also known as Indian Ipecac and Emetic swallow-wort. In Hindi it is known by the name Antamool and Damabuti.
It is an evergreen climbing shrub. It can also be called a branching climber or shrub that can grow up to 1.5 m high. Its leaves are oval, 3–10 cm long. Its roots are fleshy for a long time with a lubricating bark. Its flowers are small and umbrella-like.
Properties –
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Antihistamine
• Expectorant
• Laxative
Useful Part –
Leaves and roots of Dam bel are the parts used for medicinal purposes.
Dosage –
• Powder – 3 to 5 grams
• Decoction – 30 to 40 ml
Benefits –
• Asthma
Dam bel possesses incredible medicinal value that is beneficial in the treatment of asthma. The leaves of this plant work as an expectorant and help to get rid of the excess mucus accumulated in the lung tissues.
It also acts as an antibacterial agent and cures the infections in the lungs, which can aggravate asthma or trigger an attack of breathlessness. Patients suffering from this disease can chew two to three leaves of Tylophora Indica every day to reduce the intensity and frequency of the attacks of breathlessness. It can also be used to brew tea. Few leaves of this plant can be added to a mug of boiling water and allowed to steep for a few minutes. The tea can be strained and consumed on an empty stomach in the morning.
Children suffering from asthma can also be treated using this herb. About one-fourth of the leaf should be crushed to extract the juice. It can be administered to the child after adding one teaspoon of honey.
☆ It may not help if the patient has a nonproductive asthmatic cough. Generally, most cases of asthma are nonproductive. Wheezing appears in them due to swelling and narrowing of the airways that occur due to the inflammatory response to triggers.
• Other Respiratory Infections
It is also useful for the treatment of infections in the respiratory tract such as bronchitis and whooping cough. Chewing the fresh leaves of Tylophora Indica in the early morning every day can provide moderate to even complete relief from the symptoms of respiratory diseases.
The improvement in the symptoms can be noticed within 3 to 4 weeks of starting this treatment. The expectorant action of this herb allows the patients to get rid of the mucus in the air passages and thus, reduces congestion in the throat and the chest.
• Energy Booster
It can be used by adults as well as children to experience a remarkable improvement in their stamina and ability to perform the physical tasks.
• Sinusitis
It can be used by the patients suffering from acute and chronic sinusitis. It helps to reduce the symptoms caused by these conditions such as a headache, nose block, congestion in the nose, and running nose.
• Digestive discomfort
The roots of Tylophora Indica can be used as a digestive stimulant. The dried leaves of this plant are commonly used as an emetic and hence, are indicated in an over-loaded state of the stomach such as after overeating or severe indigestion.
• Poisoning
The emetic action produced by this herb is helpful in cases of poisoning. It helps in expelling the contents of the stomach and allows the body to get rid of the poisonous substance.
Precautions –
• Due to its abortifacient effects it should be avoided in pregnant women.
• As it is very bitter in taste, it could cause vomiting.
• It could upset your stomach, if taken in excess.
• It should not be used for more than 10 days continue in a month.
• Always use it in the supervision of your health care provider.
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