Soma Uses, Research articles and Medicines

Soma- Ephedra gerardiana is an Ayurvedic herb used for the treatment of asthma, fever, weakened cardiac muscles, difficulty in urination and muscular pain. 

Latin name- Ephedra gerardiana Wall., Ephedra distachya, Ephedra vulgaris
Family- Gnetaceae (Soma kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Somakalpa, Trutigrantha, Tootgant, Som, Somakalpa, Tutgantha,
English name- Joint-pine, Brigham tea
Gujarati name- Sandhiavel, Chirodi
Kannada name- Somalata, Hambukalli
Malayalam name- Somalata
Marathi name- Ransher
Punjabi name- Asmaniya,  Asmania, Budagur
Tamil name- Pulichakodi, Somakodi, Somamum, Kotikkalli
Telugu name- Kondapala, Somalata, Palmakasturi
Chinese name – Mahuang
Japanese name – Maoh Mupen
Sutlej name – Phok
Russian name – Kuzmicheva trava,
Ladakh name – Tipal, Trani

Morphology

Morphology of Ephedra geardiana:
It is a small shrub growing to a height of 1 to 4 feet and is found in the upper Himalayan belt of Sikkim and Kashmir. The stem of the plant has nodules with dark green branches. The leaves are small and round. The flowers are 6-10 mm long and unisexual in nature. The fruit of the plant is sweet, round in shape, red in color and has 1-2 seeds.

Properties, part used, dosage

Properties:
Rasa (Taste) – Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light for digestion), Ruksha (Dry in nature)
Vipaka – Katu (Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion)
Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
Karma (Actions) – Kaphavata shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and vata dosha)

Part used- Branch, Fruit
Dosage- Powder- 1 to 2 g

Chemical composition

Chemical composition: Ephedrine is the major content of the plant.

Uses of Soma:

• Powder of Soma with honey is useful to treat cough and asthma.
• The powder of Ephedra gerardiana is given with Arjuna bark (Terminalia arjuna) to improve the functioning and increase the strength of cardiac muscles.
• Cold infusion of the bark of Soma is given in a dose of 25-30 ml to treat fever and rhinitis.
• The powder of the bark of Ephedra gerardiana is made into paste and applied over the place effected with swelling and pain.
• Cold infusion from the bark of the soma plant is given in a dose of 20-25 ml to treat difficulty in micturition and dysmenorrhea.

Sanskrit verse

Uses, Indications

Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Rasayana – anti aging, causes cell and tissue rejuvenation

Indications as per traditional Ayurveda:
Shwasa – asthma and chronic respiratory disorders
Trushna – excessive thirst
Shosha – emaciation, dehydration

Adverse effect

Alkaloids obtained from the species of Ephedra in herbal medicines containing synthetically prepared pseudoephedrine and ephedrine can cause cardiovascular events. These events have been associated with arrhythmias, palpitations, tachycardia and myocardial infarction. Caffeine consumption in combination with ephedrine has been reported to increase the risk of these cardiovascular events.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines containing Soma:
Bronkasava liquid: It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine. It is useful in asthma, with broad spectrum action to ensure easy breathing.

Branchozen syrup: It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine, useful as an anti-cough preparation used both for dry & productive cough.

Asthmin capsule: It is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine useful to treat asthma, cough, bronchitis etc.

Research

Research articles related to Ephedra gerardiana:
Anti- microbial action: The present study was aimed at evaluating the crude extracts of Ephedra gerardiana (root and stem) with different chemicals for antioxidant and antimicrobial (fungal and bacterial) potential. The results revealed that the ethyl acetate fractions of E. gerardiana (root and stem) have significant free radical scavenging potential.

Anti- asthmatic action: Ephedra gerardiana Wall. has anti-inflammatory properties and in some instances smooth muscles relaxing effects. Since inflammation and airway smooth muscle contraction are two major components of asthma, the present study is going to investigate the effects of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. on airway inflammation and airway resistance in a mouse model of asthma. Ephedra gerardiana wall at 100 and 200 mg·kg^–1 significantly reduced the total number of cells (p < 0.001; n = 6),eosinophils (*** p < 0.001)in BAL compared with the untreated group of OVA sensitised mice.

Classical categorization

Bhavaprakasha- Guduchyadi varga
Kaiyyadeva Nighantu- Oushadhi varga
Raja Nighantu- Guduchyadi varga

Sanskrit Synonyms

Soma, Somavalli, Trutigranthasoma, Salkapatra, Somaksheeri
Dwijapriya – Liked by Sages, Brahmins
Dhanvataru, Yajnaneta – used in Homa, Havans
Raktaphala – red coloured flowers
Pakshapatra, Mahagulma, Mukhaprabhu, Dhanurlata, Gulmavalli

Varieties

24 Soma Varieties as per Sushruta:
Amsuman, Manjavan, Candramah, Rajataprabha,
kanyan, Svetaksa, kanakaprabha, Durva-soma, ratanavan,
talavrnta, Karavira, Amsavan, Svayam-prabha, Maha-sama,
Garudahrta, Gayatrya, Traistubha, Pamkta, Jagata,
Sakkara, Agni-stoma, Ravivata, Yathokta and udupati,

Author: Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D
E mail: drprashanthbk@gmail.com
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Sthanika karma (Systemic Acton)

Externally – Reduce pain and inflammation. External application of its paste is indicated in painful inflammatory conditions

Internally
Nervous system –Stimulates higher centers of the nervous system. Calms down the mind. Indicated in depression, and in vataja type of mental disorders. (Vatika unmada)

Circulatory System – Stimulate heart, Increases blood pressure

Respiratory System – Stimulate the higher centers of respiratory system, It is considered as one of the best medicine for respiratory disorders

Excretory system – Mootrala, indicated in dysuria,Reproductive System – causes uterine contraction. Indicated in delayed labor
Tapakrama – Indicated in running nose, associated fever etc.