Vacha
Vacha is an ancient herb, very rich in medicinal values, used in Ayurveda medicines. It’s botanical name is Acorus calamusand belongs to Araceae family.The name “Vacha” in Sanskrit means speaking clearly because this herb stimulates intelligence and expression. It is also known as sweet flag. In Ayurveda, it is known as a rejuvenating herb because of its effect on the nervous system.
Vacha is a semi-aquatic perennial monocotyledonous plant. It is seen to grow near water bodies like streams and rivers. These plants have narrow long leaves that can grow to a length of 2-4 feet.
Chemical Constituents –
The Vacha plant is a storehouse of helpful chemicals such as Acolamone, Acorenone, Acoragermacrone, Acoramone, Acorone, Cis- & trans- asarone, B-& ofasarone, Azulena, Cadalene, Calamenone, Calamenene, Calamenol, Calamone, calamenone, Calamenenene, calarene, B- gurjune, Camphene, Eugenol, Telekin, Preisocalamendiol, Acoric acid, Calamen, Diol, Calamenone etc.
Properties –
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Appetizer
• Digestive
• Antitussive
• Healing affect
• Antidepressent
Effect on Tridosha –
This herb balances Kapha and Vata Dosha.
It has a special effect – Medhya i.e. improves intelligence.
Dosage –
• Vacha Churna – 1-2 pinch twice a day with honey
• Vacha Capsule – 1-2 capsule twice day with honey
• Vacha oil – For external application
Part Used –
Sweet flag Rhizome is the part used of this herb for medicinal purposes.
Benefits –
• Beneficial in speech problems of children
Children who have speech delay can also benefit from this wonder herb as it helps them to speak and communicate from the proper age.
• Fights depression
It is known to calm nerves and helps improve a person’s memory. Being similar to a nerve tonic it helps a person to relax and rid one’s self off stress and depression and improves memory.
• Digestive
Vacha helps to improve appetite due to its Deepan (appetizer) property. It increases the digestive fire and accelerates the digestion process. It is useful in managing digestive problems like flatulence (gas formation) and bloating.
• Relieves arthritis pain
Vacha oil is also effective in treating arthritic or rheumatic pain and swelling. These conditions can get very severe and cause immobility and change lifestyle.
• Expels phlegm
It reduces chest congestion, wheezing and burning in lungs. It’s Antitussive properties reduces cough by removing phlegm.
• Prevents hair lice
Vacha oil is a natural insecticide and this property makes it effective in killing lice. It is safe for external application and gentle on the skin, hence applying it on the scalp does not cause any harm.
Ayurvedic formulations having vacha as ingredient –
• Kolakulathadi Choornam –
It isused for powder massage (udvartana) to relieve joint stiffness and to treat obesity
• Manasamitra Vatakam–
Helpful to improve intelligence, speech problems, etc.
• Brahmi Vati –
It is used in the treatment of depression, blood pressure etc.
• Chandroday Varti –
This medicine isa wick, used for eye disorders. Used in the treatment of early stage of cataract, pterygium, growth over the eyes, etc
Side Effects –
Because it induces contractions in uterus, it is not safe to use this herb during pregnancy. It is best to avoid this during lactation.
It can be used in very minute quantities in children.
Because of its hot effect, some people with Pitta body type may find it difficult to tolerate this herb.
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