Indian Birthwort – Iswari Remedies: Asthma, Skin Diseases

By Dr M S Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu) PhD

Introduction

Indian Birthwort – Ishwari in Sanskrit, is an Ayurvedic herb used for the treatment of snake poisoning, arthritis and infertility.
Botanical name is Aristolochia indica Linn.
Aristolochiaceae family. 

The roots are the usable parts and they have peculiar odor.
The plant is known for its potent anti poisonous effects as well as blood purification properties.
The roots are bitter and astringent in nature and balances all the three Doshas.
Folk healers use this plant in the treatment of the snake poisoning.

The scientists have evaluated  for its emmenagogue, abortifacient, anti-spermatogenic, anti-fertility, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, antiperiodic, diuretic and anti-bilious properties with hopeful evidences.

The main constituents of the root are Aristolochic acid, isoarisolochic acid carbonyl compounds, allantoin, glycosides and steroids .
Mahavishagarbha taila, Gorochanadi vati, Vishaghna choorna etc are the  important formulations of Ishwari root.

Home remedies

Some of the important and simple remedies of Ishwari root are presented here below-

Skin diseases

1. Indian Birthwort Root paste with lemon juice for skin diseases:
The root of Ishwari plant is rubbed well with lemon juice and fine paste is made. This is applied to the skin lesions which are itching in nature such as allergic dermatitis, hives, psoriasis etc.

To induce vomiting

2. Fine paste for internal administration in food poisoning, to induce vomiting:
Approximately 1 -2 teaspoon of fine paste of the root is administered along with water. This causes vomiting and hence relieves the ill effects resulted due to food poisoning. This method of administration cannot be tried at home and should only be done under strict medical supervision.

Worm infestation

3. Iswari Root decoction for worm infestation:
5 gram of root powder is taken and decoction is made.10-20 ml of this is administered in cases of round worm and pin worm troubles.
General method of decoction preparation is –
1 tablespoon (10 grams) of coarse powder of the herb is added with 2 cups of water. Boiled in open air till the total content is reduced to 1 cup. This is filtered and used.

Asthma, cold, cough

4. Aristolochia indica Fine powder with honey in asthma, cold and cough:
1-2 grams of fine powder of the root is licked along with honey. This pacifies cold, cough, asthma, anosmia etc conditions.

Indigestion

5. Root powder with warm water for indigestion and stomach upset:
Fine powder of the drug (2-3 gram) is administered along with warm water in the conditions like indigestion, stomach upset, acid peptic disorders etc.

Ishwari plants are considered as nector to the people who are residing in the forests as well as in foot hills of the forest; It has benefits in most of the systems of the body. In addition, it is a natural antibiotic, viricidal, anti fungal and anti pyretic. Unknowingly these properties safeguard the village people from many diseases.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu), PhD

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