Naagdon
Naagdon is very common plant and mainly used as ornamental plant because of its dark green stem and leaves. This plant propagates through stem cuttings. The herb is very commonly found in all areas and can be easily located in gardens and parks in a collection of shrubs or hedges. Naagdon, or Nagdon, is more commonly known as Devil’s Backbone around the world and is also used as a decorative plant.
Generally plants which produce latex are poisonous but this medicinal herb is non toxic. It’s botanical name is Euphorbia tithymaloides which belongs to Euphorbiaceae family. It is also known as Vishmar, Nagdaman & Nagdamani. In English it is known as Wormwood.
Naagdon plant is not very big in size. It can be grown in a pot. It’s leaves are dark green in color of size 3-4 inches in length and 1-2 inches in width. The plant leaves are bitter in taste and are on the thicker side while being foot shaped. The leaves are smooth and elliptical and the plant bears flowers which are void of any scent. Even though no distinct scent can be traced to a Naagdon plant, one way to identify it is by observing the humming birds or cabbage worms in the vicinity, both highly attracted to this particular herb. The flower is void of scent.
Chemical Constituents –
The plant’s leaves and stems also contain beta-sitosterol, cycloartenone, octacosanol, and oxime, all of which have known medicinal for medicinal properties.
Properties –
• Antimicrobial
• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-cancer
Parts Used –
Leaves, stem and root of Naagdon is used for medicinal purposes.
Dosage & Preparations –
It can be used and consumed in many ways depending on the problem to be cured. It is very versatile, as mentioned previously, and can be consumed in solid and liquid form.
• Naagdon powder prepared with black pepper
• Naagdon juice prepared with dudhi( bottle gourd) or water
• Naagdon tea brewed from the root as well as the leaves
• Naagdon decoction prepared with black pepper
• Naagdon paste prepared with castor leaves and til oil
Benefits –
• Bleeding piles
Take Naagdon 1-3 leaves, wash to remove dirt. Grind leaves and 2-3 black pepper with it. Add in water and drink this preparation empty stomach in morning. It gives good relief in bleeding piles.
• Menorrhagia
Grind leaves of naagdon (1-3) and black pepper(3). Take this juice daily empty stomach in morning for good results.
• Joint Inflammation, Boils, Wound
Warm Naagdon leaves and castor leaves, add til taila and apply at affected areas. This preparation act as anti-inflammatory action at the swelling place.
• Constipation
From acute to chronic constipation, it is an effective medicine regulating one’s bowel. Chewing Naagdon leaves acts over our digestion and cures constipation.
• Ulcerative colitis
From acute to chronic constipation, it is an effective medicine regulating one’s bowel. Daily morning empty stomach intake of juice of Nagdon leaves mixed with water gives good results in ulcerative colitis problem.
• Amoebiasis, Intestinal infection
Mix naagdon leaves (3) juice with Doodhi grass juice and take to cure infection of intestine.
• Abdominal pain with blotting
Chew 2-3 leaves of Naagdon empty stomach in morning gives relief from abdominal pain and blotting.
• Scanty urination with urinary tract infection ( UTIs)
Prepare Sharbat of Naagdon leaves in water, add honey or sugar and drink twice a day expels out urinary tract infection.
• Cancer
It has anticancer properties that’s why it can be used in cancer patients to get some more help in treating patient.
• Respiratory Diseases
In folk medicine, tea has been brewed from the leaves which has been used to treat asthma, persistent coughing and laryngitis.
Precautions –
• High blood pressure and diabetes patients should use this herb cautiously and under doctorssupervision.
• Pregnant and lactating mothers also should avoid use of this herb.
• Kidney and liver patients should use it with doctors advice only.
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