ASTAVARGA Astavarga literally meaning a group of 8 medicines has been frequently used in Ayurveda for various purposes. Of these, 5 are found in Chavanyaprash too. Next few lines are copied from following reference:
http://knol.google.com/k/riyannsh-mundraa/know-about-herbs/3lr953e1lumvz/26# 1. VRIDDHI - Platanthera edgeworthii (Hook.f. ex Collett) R.K.Gupta, Fl. Nainital.: 349 1968). [= Habenaria edgeworthii Hook.f. ex Collett, Fl. Siml.: 504 (1902)] In lower part of India Habenaria acuminata (Thwaites) Trimen, may be used as substitute. Uses: It is emollient, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating and tonic and is beneficial in aggravated vata and pitta, burning sensation in the body, hyperdipsia, fever, cough, epilepsy, insanity, emanciation and general debility (Bhav Prakash, kai, Nirs, so, Ni, Ni, Ra) 2. RIDDHI - Habenaria intermedia D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.: 24 (1825). Uses: Rdhi is Sheetvirya,pacifies vata,pitta, rakta doshas. It is useful in consumption and fevers. It increases kapha dosha and shukra dhatu. It is intellect promoting, aphrodisiac, rejuvenating, tonic and cures emaciation, epilepsy, cough, skin diseases, haematemesis and general debility. 3. JIVAK - Crepidium acuminatum (D.Don) Szlach., Fragm. Florist. Geobot., Suppl. 3: 123 (1995). [= Malaxis acuminata D.Don, Prodr. Fl. Nepal.: 29 (1825)] Uses: It is sheet virya and calms down vata, rakta and pitta doshas and is beneficial in burning sensation of the body, fever, and consumption.It increases kapha and Shukra dhatu. It is aphrodisiac and tonic.It cures haematemesis, aggravated vata and pitta doshas,seminal weakness, dipsia,emaciation,tuberculosis and general body weakness.It increases body flesh and is jeevniya. 4. RISHBHAK - Malaxis muscifera (Lindl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 673 (1891). Uses: Tubers are efficacious cure for pitta, rakta, vata doshas. It is useful in phthisis, burning sensation in the body, fever and increases Kapha and shukra. It is styptic, aphrodisiac and tonic. It is an effective cure in vitiated pitta and vata, seminal weakness, dysentery, emaciation and general debility. 5. KAKOLI - Roscoea alpina Royle, Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts.: 361 (1839) Uses: Root fingers are sweet sheetvirya,pacifies vata pitta,fever due to vitiated vata-pitta.It is beneficial in consumption, burning sensation in body, increases Kapha dosa and shukra. It is also an effective cure for pains due to pitta, vata, rakta dosha, thirst due to pitta, rakta pitta etc. 6. MEDA - Polygonatum verticillatum (L.) All., Fl. Pedem. 1: 131 (1785). Uses: Meda rhizomes are sweet in taste sheetvirya, pacify pitta dosh and increase kapha and shukra dhatu. They are beneficial in phthisis, burning sensation in the body, and fever (Dhan.Ni.).They are emollient, aphrodisiac, tonic, galactagogue, and beneficial in aggravation of pitta, cough, ulcers, skin diseases, general debility and vulnerary. 7. MAHAMEDA - Polygonatum cirrhifolium (Wall.) Royle, Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts.: 380 (1839). Uses: According to Dhanwantri Nighantu,Mahameda is sweet in taste, sheet virya,increases Kapha and shukra dhatu and is beneficial in consumption burning sensation,and fever.Various Nighantus describe its properties as emollient aphrodisiac,galactagoue,tonic and useful invitiation of vata-pitta,strangury seminal weakness, anorexia and general body weakness. 8. KSHIRKAKOLI - Lilium polyphyllum D.Don in J.F.Royle, Ill. Bot. Himal. Mts.: 388 (1840). Uses: It promotes appetite and pacifies vata, pitta, rakta dosas.It is efficacious in bleeding disorders, cardiac diseases, dyspnoea, cough, consumption and diseases of urine system and is vrsya (tonic).Bulbs are refrigerant, galactagogue, expectorant and aphrodisiac. They are useful in bronchitis, burning sensation, hyperdipsia, rheumatalgia and general weakness in the body. ----------------- Regards Pankaj -- *********************************************** "TAXONOMISTS GETTING EXTINCT AND SPECIES DATA DEFICIENT !!" Pankaj Kumar Ph.D. (Orchidaceae) Research Associate Greater Kailash Sacred Landscape Project Department of Habitat Ecology Wildlife Institute of India Post Box # 18 Dehradun - 248001, India
