The botanical name for Chitrakmool is Plumbago zeylanica, which belongs to the family Plumbaginaceae. This herb has various common names like Leadwort, Ceylon Lead Root, Lautafifi and Wild Leadwort. It is also called Agni in Sanskrit. The roots and roots bark of this herb are used for medicinal purposes in Ayurvedia.
Chitrakmool has various health benefits. It stimulates sweating promotes digestion and improves appetite. It is used for cure of various skin diseases, piles and dyspepsia. Roots powder is used as snuff to treat headache. It is also used as an antidiarrheal. Thus, Chitrakmool herb has several medicinal benefits which are discussed in this article.
Ayurvedic Propertis of Chitrakmool
- Guna – Rukhsa (Dry), Laghu (Light)
- Rasa – Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)
- Virya – Sheeta (cold)
- Doshakarma – Pitta-vatashamak (alleviate vata and pitta dosha)
- Vipaka – Katu (pungent)
Plumbago zeylanica medicinal uses
Chitrakmool herb pacifies vata and kapha doshas. Various health benefits of Plumbago are as follows:
- Perspiration — Chitrakmool is used for relief from excess sweating and it also enhances salivation.
- Dyspepsia — It is used for dyspepsia cure.
- Piles — Piles can be effectively treated with the help of this herb.
- Diarrhea — Plumbago is used to cure diarrhea. It also enhances appetite and stimulates digestive power.
- Skin Diseases — This herb is used to treat chronic skin conditions such as leucoderma in baldness. Paste of the herb is prepared with salt and water to treat several skin diseases like scabies, syphilitic ulcers, varicose ulcers and ringworm.
- This herb helps provide strength to the stomach and improves its actions.
- Rheumatism — This herb is used for treatment of paralytic affections and rheumatism. The herb is blended with a bland oil like coconut oil and then it is applied over the affected body part.
- Urinary Stone — The decoction of this herb is prepared and taken in the doses of 5 to 10 ml to get relief from urinary stones.
This herb is an irritant and narcotic. Hence, it should be taken in the doses of 0.75 to 1.25 grams.
