Lekhaneeya Gana Herbs: Weight Reducing Benefits, Review, Medicines

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD.
‘Lekhana’ means that which has the ability to scrap out the excess tissues from the area where it is located. Such drugs are indeed essential to decrease the body weight.

Hence in several metabolic derangements they are necessarily useful to correct the mechanism of patho – physiology.

Classical reference: Charaka sutra 4/9

Lekhaneeya Gana

Lekhaneeya Gana – Scraping, decreasing weight:
Musta (Cyperus rotundus Linn.) – Rhizome
Circulation provider, absorbant, scraping, digestive and carminative.
It improves lactation, relieves fever, burning sensation, excessive thirst. Commonly known as nut grass, it is also used in treating diarrhea, dyspepsia, herpes and more.

2. Kushta – Saussurea lappa – Rhizome
Purifier of the semen/reproductive tissues, clearant, digestive, blood purifier, fat metabolizer and wormicidal.
Indian costus root is famous Ayurvedic herb used in treating gout, skin diseases, respiratory disorders etc.

3. Haridra (turmeric – Curcuma longa) – Rhizome
Epilator, complexion enhancer, lipolytic, anti hyperglycemic, adaptogenic etc.
Turmeric is one of the very useful and famous Ayurvedic herbs. It is used in many forms and through many routes of administration, such as – nasal, oral, over the skin etc.

4. Daru Haridra – Tree Turmeric (stem) – Berberis aristata – Roots
Skin detoxifier, eye tonic, scraping, liver stimulant, hair tonic, anti hyperglycemic etc.
Daru Haldi is used in Ayurveda to treat eye disorders, skin disorders with itching, diabetes, urinary tract diseases, etc. This is found in Himalaya and Nepal region.

5. Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.) – Rhizome
Stimulant, scraping, memory enhancer, carminative, digestive, anti spasmodic etc.
Sweet flag used in Ayurvedic medicines since the times of Chakara and Sushruta. Improves speech, intelligence

6. Ativisa (Aconitum heterophyllum Wall.) – Roots
Anti helmethic, anti pyretic, diaphoretic, scraping, metabolizer, absorbant etc.
Atis is an Ayurvedic herb, especially used in diseases of children. Charaka has declared – Of all the herbs having digestive, carminative, absorbent and Tridosha balancing properties, Ativisha is the best.

7. Katurohini – Picrorhiza kurroa – Rhizome
Purgative, liver stimulant, cholegogue, blood purifier, anti hyperglycemic etc.
Kutki is a powerful Ayurvedic herb used in treating mainly chronic fever, skin disorders and diabetes. It is also used in purgation (Virechana Panchakarma) procedure.

8. Chitraka– Leadword – Plumbago zeylanica – Roots
Digestive, carminative, abortificient, stimulant, lipolytic etc.

9. Chirabilva – Holoptelia integrifolia –Stem bark
Blood purifier, laxative, circulation provider, vaso constrictor etc.
Indian elm is a herb mentioned in Ayurveda for the treatment of localized swelling, skin diseases, nausea, diabetes, indigestion, piles and acts as blood purifier. It is commonly called Chirabilva in Ayurveda.

10. Haimavati – Iris versocolor – Rhizome
Stimulant, memory enhancer, absorbant, anti helmethic etc.

Qualities

Qualities in general and actions of Lekhaneeya gana drugs:
The above mentioned drugs of Lekhaneeya gana are dry – rough – light – hot – minute and motile in nature. They are bitter – pungent and astringent in taste and most of the drugs are hot in potency and undergo pungent kind of metabolic transformation (Katu vipaka). Due to these qualities they act as scraping agents in therapeutic action.

Therapeutic uses

Therapeutic uses of Lekhaneeya gana drugs:
The above mentioned drugs are useful in Mamsa – Medo vriddhia vikaras (diseases manifested due to the increase of muscle and adipose tissues) like malignancy, abscess, hyperthyroidism, Type II DM, obesity, worm infestation, fatty liver, few of the metabolic disorders etc.

Ayurvedic formulations

Formulations containing Lekhaneeya drugs :
Formulations like
Mustakarishtha,
Dashamoolarishtha,
Cirabilvadi kashaya,
Amritarishtha,
Sudarshana choorna,
Navayasa loha etc contain few of the ingredients of the above said group.

Disadvantages

Disadvantages of Lekhaneeya gana drugs:
As the drugs of Lekhaneeya gana are hot and sharp in nature and scraping in action, they are to be avoided in the individuals who are debilitated, in emaciating disorders, pregnancy, puerperal period, anemia, menopausal syndrome etc.If such formulations are to be administered proper medicine which has compensating effect has to be prescribed.

Simple formulations that can be made from the above drugs and their application in routine practice:
As the drugs of this group have the nature to decrease the moisture and unctuousness, by taking the drugs like Chirabilva, Haridra, Daruharidra etc decoctions or hot infusions can be made and can be used to wash the face, clean the wound etc. Likewise to these ingredients few of the drugs like Katukarohini, Kushtha, Musta etc can be added and the decoction of which has the potency to heal the wounds and ulcers. They can be used for sitz bath etc in the diseases like hemorrhoids, fistula etc.

Formulation development opportunities:
Kushtha – Haridra and Daruharidra can be used as complexion enhancing effect followed with scar removing ability. They can be made into ointments which can be useful to remove the scars, effectively manage the pimples/acne etc. For stretch marks also this can be used if suitable base is used.
Click to consult Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD.