Indian Medicinal Plants

Cyperus scariosus R.Br. 195
Cyperus rotundus Linn.
Family ◮
Cyperaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout India, as
a weed upto 2,000 m.
English ◮ Nut Grass.
Ayurvedic ◮ Musta, Mustaa, Mustaka,
Abda, Ambuda, Ambhoda,
Ambodhara, Bhadra, Bhadraa,
Bhadramusta, Bhadramustaa,
Bhadramustaka, Ghana, Jalada,
Jaldhara, Meghaahvaa, Nirada,
Vaarida, Vaarivaaha, Payoda,
Balaahaka. Ganda-Duurvaa (var.).
Unani ◮ Naagarmothaa, Saad-e-Kufi.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Koraikkizhangu.
Folk ◮ Mothaa.
Action ◮ Carminative, astringent,
anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic,
hepatoprotective, diuretic,
antipyretic, analgesic, hypotensive,
emmenagogue and nervine
tonic.
Used for intestinal problems, indigestion,
sprue, diarrhoea, dysentery,
vomiting and fever; also as a hypocholesterolaemic
drug and in obesity.
Along with other therapeutic applications,
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia
of India indicated the use of the rhizome
in rheumatism, inflammations,
dysuria, puerperal diseases and obesity.
The tuber is rich in Cu, Fe, Mg
and Ni. Beta-sitosterol, isolated from
the tubers, exhibits significant antiinflammatory
activity against carrageenan-
and cotton pellet-induced
oedema in rats; the activity is comparable
to hydrocortisone and phenylbutazone
when administered intraperitoneally.
The alcoholic and aqueous extracts
of the tubers possess lipolytic action
and reduce obesity by releasing enhanced
concentrations of biogenic
amines from nerve terminals of the
brain which suppress the appetite centre.
Presence of eudalne group of sesquiterpenic
compounds of sesquiterpene
alcohol, isocyperol is said to play
an important role in lipid metabolism.
An alcoholic extract of the plant exhibits
liver-protective activity against
CCL4-induced liver damage in mice.
Methanolic extract of the plant stimulates
the production of melanin in
cultured melanocytes. (Plant extract is
used in preparations used for pigmentation
of skin and hair, also in suntan
gels.)
Aqueous-alcoholic extract of the
tuber exhibited hypotensive, diuretic,
antipyretic and analgesic activities.
These are attributed to a triterpenoid.
The essential oil (0.5–0.9%) from the
tubers contains mainly sesquiterpenes.
C. platystilis Br. is equated with
Kaivarta-mustaka.
Dosage ◮ Rhizome—3–6 g powder;
20–30 ml decoction. (API Vol. III.)
Cyperus scariosus R.Br.
Family ◮
Cyperaceae.
Habitat ◮ Damp situations in Uttar
Pradesh and eastern and southern
parts of India.
English ◮ Nut grass.
Ayurvedic ◮ Bhadramustaa, Musta,
Amoda, Naagaramustaka. (Naagara
C