Rasna
Rasna is a small plant growing to a height of 2- 4 feet in bushes. The flowers are white, pale yellow or pale purple. The plant is found and cultivated in the planes of Ganga and North West part of India. It’s botanical name is Pluchea lanceolata and it belongs to family Asteraceae.
Chemical Constituents –
The stem and leaves of the plant contains moretenol, neolupenol, hexacosanoic and tetracosanoic acid, triacontanol, stigmasterol and beta- sitosterol –D- glucoside.
Properties –
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antibacterial
• Analgesic
• Laxative
• Digestive
Effect on Doshas –
Rasna reduces vitiated Kapha and Vata dosha and having special action Vishaghana(Controls the poison).
Useful Part –
Leaf and rhizome of rasna plant is used for medicinal purposes.
Dosage –
Decoction – 40 to 50 ml
Powder – 5 to 6 gm
Medicinal Uses –
• Joints pain
Rasna or its oil helps to reduce bone and joint pain in diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis. According to Ayurveda, bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to an imbalanced Vata. Applying a paste of Rasna powder or a massage with Rasna oil helps to reduce joint pain due to its Vata balancing property.
Tips for using this plant in joints pain
Rasna leaves based oil
a. Take Rasna leaves based oil as per your requirement.
b. Mix with Sesame oil.
c. Massage it on the affected area once or twice a day before going to bed to get quick relief in pain associated with arthritis.
• Bronchitis & Asthma
Rasna is good for bronchitis and asthma. The main Doshas involved in respiratory problems are Vata and Kapha. The vitiated Vata combines with deranged Kapha dosha in the lungs causing an obstruction in the respiratory passage which leads to bronchitis. Rasna helps to balance Vata-Kapha doshas and remove the obstruction in the respiratory passage which gives relief in bronchitis.
• Piles
It is beneficial in piles because constipation is mainly responsible for increasing the symptoms of piles. Rasna helps to remove constipation due to its Rechana(laxative) property.
• Diabetes
Rasna is good for diabetes as it helps to maintain a normal blood sugar level. As per Ayurveda, Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) is the prime cause of high sugar levels in the blood. Using Rasna leaves powder reduces Ama in the body due to its Ushna(hot) nature.
• Malaria
It might be used in malaria as it reduces the number of parasites in blood as well as their survival time due to its antimalarial property. It also increases blood glucose and hemoglobin levels in the blood which generally decreases in malaria.
• Kidney Health
Rasna is good for the kidneys as it protects them from damage caused by free radicals and reduces oxidative stress due to its antioxidant properties
• Indigestion
Rasna is helpful to reduce the symptoms of indigestion and prevents constipation. It helps to improve digestive fire and improves digestion due to its Ushna(hot) property.
• Scorpion Stings
Its roots might help in reducing the pain associated with scorpion sting due to its analgesic properties.
Ayurvedic Formulations –
• Rasnadi Guggulu
• Maharasnadi Kashaya
• Rashadi Churna
• Rasna Saptaka Kashaya
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