English Name: Nut Grass
Hindi Name: Nagarmoth, Motha
Sanskrit Name: Mustaka, Varida
Latin Name: Cyperus rotundus Linn Pennell
A perennial herb with long tough rootstock emerging in the rainy season in many parts of the world including India. Rhizome of the plant is used for its medicinal properties.
Application
Nut grass is widely used by Ayurveda to treat many types of disturbances caused by vitiation of pitta. It is traditionally used to quench hard throat of summers, fevers, solar dermatitis etc. It is known through experimental investigations that it exhibits marked anti-inflammatory activity.
Chemical composition
The tubers contain fat, sugar, gum, carbohydrates, essential oil, albuminoid matter, starch fiber and ash. There are traces of an alkaloid. The essential oil is reported to contain about 27 compounds like cyprene-1, cyprene-2, cyprenone, β-selinene, rotundone etc.
Effect on dosha
Pacifies kapha and pitta.
