Hermal is a thicket like herb and is highly beneficial to health in several ways. It is commonly known as Syrian rue or wild rue. Seeds of Hermal are dried and used for medicinal purpose. Its seeds contain various chemical components like harmolol, harmine, hermaline and peganine.
The botanical name of Hermal is Peganum hermala which belongs to the family Nitrariaceae. The herb is used to treat various health conditions such as asthma, irregular menstruation, tapeworm infestation and to get relief from asthma. It has various medicinal properties like aphrodisiac, steriliser and germicidal. Various health benefits of Hermal herb are discussed in this article.
Health Benefits of Hermal
Hermal herb has following medicinal properties:
- Fever — Hermal herb is used to treat irregular fevers. It is also used in cure of persistent malaria. Seeds of the herb are administered in decoction, infusion or pulverised form.
- Tapeworm Infestation — The seeds of the herb are used to used to remove tapeworm infestation. Hermaline is an alkaloid which has anthelmintic action. Pulverised seeds are given to eject worms.
- Insomnia — This herb is known to have sedative properties. Thus, the herb is used in insomnia cure.
- Menstrual Disorders — Hermal is used to cure irregular menstruation. Seeds decoction is given in 15 to 50 ml doses.
- Lactation — Hermal seeds are given to feeding mothers as it has galactagogue properties, which enhances milk secretion in lactating mothers.
- Head Lice — Roots of this herb are made into paste form with mustard oil and massaged in scalp to get relief from lice.
- Laryngitis — The seeds decoction is used as a gargle to cure the swelling of larynx, i.e. laryngitis.
The drug should be used under physician’s prescription as its large doses can be poisonous and lead to severe depressant action on the nervous system.
