Cymbopogon martinii, Rohisha

Russ Grass, Rusa Grass, Palmarosa Grass
Rohisha, Lamajaka (Ayurveda)
Kavathampillu (Siddha)
Izkhir (Unani)
Izkhir Makki (Arabic)

Cymbopogon jwarancusa
K.B. Trinius, Species graminum, vol. 3: (1830-1836)

Cymbopogon martinii
(Photo by Agasthiar1) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Cymbopogon martinii (syn. Andropogon martinii), C. jwarancusa (Andropogon jwarancusa)
Two main oil chemotypes are recognised:

1. Cymbopogon martinii var. Motia (source of Palmarosa, Rusa, East Indian Geranium oil)
2. Cymbopogon martinii var. Sofia (source of Gingergrass oil)

Parts used:

Leaf and stem (sometimes whole plant); Essential oil

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry. Pungent

Constituents:

The oil contains up 80–95% geraniol (motia var.)

Uses:

1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:

-Edema, Dysuria, Strangury
-obstinate Urinary diseases
-Jaundice (Charaka)

2. Clears Damp, Opens Obstructions, Moves Qi:

-promotes Digestion; indigestion and poor appetite
-Bloating, Colic, Intestinal spasm, Abdominal distention and pain
-Gastritis, Diarrhea
-Liver obstruction

3. Clears Phlegm, Settles Wind, Stops Spasms: (Ayurveda, Unani)

-Spasms, Convulsions, Tremors, Epilepsy
-Paralysis, Facial Paralysis, Bell’s Palsy, Hemiplegia
-Brain weakness
-Amnesia
-spasmodic Asthma

4. Clears Wind–Cold:

-Fever associated with Phlegm
-Rhinitis
-Sore Throat, Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma
-Scorpion
-obstinate skin diseases

5. Regulates the Blood:

-Heart disease; Heart weakness
-Bleeding disorders
-Chest Pain

6. Externally:

-paste is applied to hard inflammations
-oil is gargled to strengthen the gums
-oil is applied as a rubefacient
-oil is applied to Muscle and Joint pain and Rheumatism
-oil is a potent mosquito repellent

Dose:

Brief Decoction or Infusion: 5–15 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams

Correctives:

1. Sandalwood (Unani)

Substitutes:

1. Black Pepper
2. Pyrethrum (Unani)

Main Combinations:

1. Bronchitis, Asthma, Cymbopogon martinii with Honey (Sushruta)
2. Weakness of the Heart and Brain, Cymbopogon martinii with Parmelia perlata, Lesser Cardamon, Sandalwood, Basil, Tabasheer, Cinnamon, Peony, Rose (as in Arq-E-Amber of Unani)
3. Stomach weakness, Gastritis, Cymbopogon martinii with Indian Spikenard, Cinnamon, Costus, Mastic (as in Majun-E-Dabid-Ul-Ward of Unani)
4. Move Qi and open obstructions, strengthen Liver, Spleen and Kidneys, Cymbopogon martinii with Indian Spikenard, Costus, Cinnamon, Myrrh, Saffron (as in Dawaul Kurkum Sagheer of Unani)
5. Liver disease, Hepatitis, Cymbopogon martinii with Valerian, Agrimony, Lacca, Costus, Chicory seed, Dodder seed, made into an Electuary with Rose water and Honey (as in Majun Dabeedulvard)
6. Tonic for the Vital Organs (Liver, Heart, Brain), Cymbopogon martinii with Balm, Greater Cardamon, Indian Spikenard, Silkworm Cocoon, Basil seed, Cinnamon, Tabasheer, Mastic, Aloeswood, Saffron, Red Coral, Amber, Pearl (as in Mufarreh Yaqooti of Unani)
7. Tremors, Paralysis, Facial Paralysis, Hemiplegia, Cymbopogon martinii with Pyrethrum, Valerian, Orris, Cinnamon, Agaric, Storax, Frankincense, Myrrh, Mastic, Peony, Rhubarb, Licorice (as in Tiryaq Farooq)
8. Sitz bath for Pelvic inflammation, Cymbopogon martinii with Mugwort, Oregano, Mint, Cinnamon

Major Formulas:

Dawaul Kurkum
Majoon Dabeedul Ward
Arq-E-Amber (Unani)
Majun-E-Dabid-Ul-Ward (Unani)
Dawaul Kurkum Sagheer (Unani)
Mufarreh Yaqooti (Unani)
Tiryaq Farooq=

Cautions:

None noted

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