Overview

Nala is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for urinary disorders. Nala (Phragmites) is the common reed growing near water bodies. It is related to Nala mentioned in conjunction with Lobelia nicotianaefolia (Wild Lobelia/Wild Tobacco) and Campanulaceae family plants. The reed is used as a diuretic and coolant. Its root decoction is given in urinary disorders and burning sensation. Dose: decoction 1-2 tola.

How Nala Helps with Urinary Disorders

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Nala has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing urinary disorders:

Potency (Virya): Sheeta (cold)
Post-digestive (Vipaka): Madhura (sweet)
Taste (Rasa): Madhura (sweet), Kashaya (astringent)
Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light)

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa): Sweet (Madhura), Astringent (Kashaya)
Quality (Guna): Light (Laghu)
Potency (Virya): Cold (Sheeta)
Post-digestive (Vipaka): Sweet (Madhura)
Also Known As: English: Common Reed
Sanskrit: नल, नड, नलक, पोटगल
Hindi: नरसल, नरकट

▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)

The shaival (moss), root of nala (phragmites australis), gojihva (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius), vrsa karnika (Calystegia soldanella) and indranishaka (Vitex agnus-castus) mixed with ghee.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

Triphala (haritaki, bibhitaki and amalaki), padmaka (Prunas cerasoides), usir (Vetiveria zizanioidis Linn), samanga (Mimosa pudica), karviraka (Nerium indicum), root of nala (Phragmites australis) and ananta (hemidesmus indicus) should be used externally as a pradeha.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

A paste of Triphala, Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides, wild Himalayan cherry), Ushira (vetiver), Samanga (Manjishtha, Rubia cordifolia), Karavira (Nerium oleander), Nala Mula (root of Arundo donax/giant reed), and Ananta (Sariva/Hemidesmus indicus) -- this paste destroys Kapha-type Visarpa.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

For Rakta Pitta (bleeding disorders): a paste made from Dhatri (Amalaki/Emblica officinalis), Kaseru (Scirpus kysoor), Hrivera (Pavonia odorata), Padma (lotus, Nelumbo nucifera), Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides), Chandana (sandalwood, Santalum album), Durva (Cynodon dactylon), Ushira (vetiver), and the roots of Nala (Arundo donax) should be applied.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

For Pitta-type wound swelling: a paste of Madhuka (licorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra), Chandana (sandalwood), Murva (Marsdenia tenacissima), Nala Mula (Arundo donax root), Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides), Ushira (vetiver), Balaka (Pavonia odorata), and Padma (lotus) is applied.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

For PUNCTURING (vedhya) — practice on the veins of dead animals, lotus stalks (utpala-nala).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 9: Yogya Sutriya Adhyaya - Training on Practice Models

with nala (reed), vanjula, kahlara (lotus), sandalwood, utpala (blue lotus), padmaka, bamboo, shaivala (moss), yashti (licorice), musta, and lotus.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 26: Chapter 26

The Viratarvadi Gana consists of: virataru, sahachara (two types), darbha, vritta, adani, gundra, nala, kusha, kasha, bhedaka, agnimantha, morata, vasuka, vasira, bhalluka, kuratika, indivara (blue lotus), kapota-vanka, and shvadamshtra (verse 12).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

The Trina group (grass group) consists of: kusha, kasha, nala, darbha, and kanda-ikshu (verse 75).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs

In this case an alkaline compound prepared of the ashes of the dry plants of barley (Yava-nala), Rishabhi (Atma-gupta) and Vrihati should be prescribed.
— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 6: Mushika-Kalpa

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 9: Yogya Sutriya Adhyaya - Training on Practice Models; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 26: Chapter 26; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 6: Mushika-Kalpa

Other Herbs for Urinary Disorders

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Narkul Arundo donax Linn.

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Bada Gokhru Pedalium murex Linn.

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Bhumyamalaki Phyllanthus amarus/ niruri (erroneously)

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Bhutrina

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Big Vetiver Andropogon muricatus Retz.

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Cat's Tail Typha angustata Bory & Chaub.

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Coriander Coriandrumsativum Linn.

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Devadaru Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud.

See all herbs for urinary disorders on the Urinary Disorders page.

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.