Lamajjaka – Andropogon jwarancusa: Benefits, Indications, Qualities, Usage

By Dr Renita D’Souza
Lamajjak is an aromatic Ayurvedic herb used in the treatment of burning micturition, fever, bleeding disorders, skin diseases, burning sensation, excess sweating etc. It balances all three doshas.

Botanical Name – Cymbopogon jwarancusa
Family – Poaceae
Synonym – Andropogon jwarancusa Jones.

Vernacular names, Qualities

Vernacular Names of Lamajjak:
Hindi Name – Lamajak, Lakhavi, Karankush
Kannada Name – Karilavacha
Bengali Name – Kaaraamkus
Marathi Name – Pivlavala
Gujarathi Name – Pilovalo

Medicinal Qualities of Lamajjaka
Rasa (taste) – Tiktha (bitter)
Virya (potency) – Sheetha (cold)
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (light to digest)
Karma (action) –
Asrajith – detoxifies blood and relieves blood related disease.

Uses, indications

Indications of Lamajak
Skin Diseases
Sweda – Excessive sweating
Kruchra – Difficulty in passing urine
Daha – Burning sensation
Raktapitta – bleeding disorders like nasal bleeding, heavy menstrual bleeding etc
Visha – Toxic conditions, Poisoning
Jwara – Fever
Trit – excess thirst
Shrama – Fatigue
Murcha – fainting, giddiness

Usage of Lamajak
Its flowers are used to stop bleeding in injuries. Externally plant paste is applied in swelling. Traditionally it is used as purgative.

Effect on Tridoshas
Balances all three doshas – Vata, Pitta and Kapha Dosha

Part used, pharmacology, Sanskrit verse

Part used Whole plant

Pharmacological Activity of Andropogon jwarancusa
Antioxidant, Anti-allergic, Antimicrobial, Anti parasitic, Analgesic and Antipyretic.

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 of the 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.

Controversy, chemistry, medicines

Controversies Ushira – Vetiveria zizanioides is used as a substitute of lamajjaka.

Chemical constituents of Andropogon jwarancusa
Leaves yield essential oil. Piperitone, borneol, cadinene, camphene, camphor, farnesene, geraniol, alpha-and beta-pinene are the major constituents of oil.

Ayurvedic Medicines with Lamajaka Ingredient
Baladhatryadi Thailam – It is an Ayurvedic oil used in the treatment of burning sensation in eyes, head and whole body, gout, headache etc. On oral intake it purifies blood and strengthens muscles.
Chandanbala Laxadi Oil – On external application it relieves burning sensation, itching, headache, tiredness etc. As a internal medication it is used in heavy menstrual bleeding, asthma, oilgospermia, bleeding diseases etc

Research, morphology, category

Research –
The study reveals that various phytochemical constituents isolated from Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Poaceae) is used for treatment of Blood, Skin, Vomiting, Abdominal Tumors, unconsciousness and Fever.

Morphology of Andropogon jwarancusa
Lamajjak is a aromatic grass which grows up to 6 ft in height. Leaf blade 30 cm long and 3 – 5 mm wide. It has long, aromatic, soft, yellowish stem.

Classical Categorisation
Sushrutha Samhitha – Shleshma Samshamana Varga
Bhavaprakasha – Karpuradi Varga
Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Aushadi Varga
Raja Nighantu – Chandanadi Varga
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Chandanadi Varga
Shodala Nighantu – Chandanadi Varga

Scientific classification
Kingdom – Plantae
Division – Mangoliophyta
Class – Liliopsida
Order – Cyperales
Family – Poaceae
Genus – Cymbopogon Spreng.
Species – Cymbopogon jwarancusa (Jones) Schult.

Synonyms, distribution

Sanskrit Synonyms of Lamajak
Lamajjaka, Sunala Mrenaala, Laya, Ishtakaapathaka, Sevya, Nalada, Avadaataka Dhirgamula Jalashaya Lava, Laghu, Shigra

Distribution Found in Himalaya, Uttarpradesh, Punjab, Sindh, Bihar and Mumbai.

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