Overview
Kusha Grass is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for urinary disorders. Kusha (Desmostachya bipinnata / Eragrostis cynosuroides) is the sacred grass used extensively in Hindu rituals. It grows commonly in dry areas. The root is the main medicinal part. It is sweet in taste and cooling in nature. It is especially valued as a Mutral (diuretic) and Ashmari-bhanjana (lithotriptic - breaks urinary stones). The small variety is a different species from the larger one. The roots when dried become hard and are 2 to 4 inches long. Rhizomes are sweet-smelling. The root decoction is given for urinary calculi, dysuria, and bleeding disorders. It is also an important ritual plant in Hindu ceremonies. Several related grass species are discussed including similar ritual grasses. Dose: root decoction 2-4 masha; 1-2 tola.
How Kusha Grass Helps with Urinary Disorders
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Kusha Grass 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), Snigdha (unctuous)
Other Herbs for Urinary Disorders
See all herbs for urinary disorders on the Urinary Disorders page.
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
9 10, Kushapatra- Razor resembling Blade of Kusha grass and 11, Atimukha- razor resembling the beak of a hawk are meant for draining, edge is two Angula – in length.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Shastra Vidhi
9 10, Kushapatra- Razor resembling Blade of Kusha grass and 11, Atimukha- razor resembling the beak of a hawk are meant for draining, edge is two Angula – in length.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Shastra Vidhi
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Shastra Vidhi
Ripe fruits collected in spring-summer during auspicious constellations (Pushya, Ashvini, Mrigashira) should be wrapped in kusha grass, coated with cow-dung, stored eight days in grain heaps, softened, dried, mixed with ghee, honey, and sesame paste, then filled in clean earthen vessels.
— Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 1: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Madanaphala (Madanakalpa Adhyaya / मदनकल्प अध्याय)
Processing: roots smeared with Pippali paste and honey, wrapped with Kusha grass, coated with mud, and baked.
— Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 12: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Danti and Dravanti (Dantidravanti Kalpa Adhyaya / दन्तीद्रवन्तीकल्प अध्याय)
In such conditions, a decoction prepared with the roots of virana (Veriveriazizanoides Nash), shali (Oryzasativa Linn), sashtika (a variety of Oryza species), kusha (Desmostachya bipinnata Staf), kasha (Saccharum spontaneum Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर)
The patient should be given warm water sitz bath with the decoction of madhuka, nifnala, padmaka, chandana (Santalum album), kusha (Desmospachya bipinnata) and kasha (Saccharum spontaneum) in cases suffering from bleeding, burning sensation and stickiness.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Two palas each of yavasa, kusha, kasha, flowers of semul and adventitious roots of nyagrodha, udumbara and ashwattha should be added in six prasthas of water, two prasthas of milk and boiled till two prasthas remain.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 1: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Madanaphala (Madanakalpa Adhyaya / मदनकल्प अध्याय); Kalpa Sthana — Pharmaceutical Preparations, Chapter 12: Pharmaceutical Preparations of Danti and Dravanti (Dantidravanti Kalpa Adhyaya / दन्तीद्रवन्तीकल्प अध्याय); Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 8: Guidelines for Lineage (Jatisutriya Sharira / जातिसूत्रीय शरीर); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
The roots of danti and dravanti should be specially collected from between earth and kusha grass.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 44: Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations
Danti Preparations and Final Guidelines (Verses 46-60) The roots of danti and dravanti should be specially collected from between earth and kusha grass.
— Sushruta Samhita, Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations
For the initiation ceremony: on an auspicious day (tithi), planetary conjunction (karana), auspicious moment (muhurta) and constellation (nakshatra), facing an auspicious direction, in a clean and level place, prepare a four-cubit square altar, plaster it with cow dung, spread it with darbha (kusha) grass, and honor it with gems, flowers, parched grain, and offerings.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student
There are twenty sharp instruments (shastras): (1) Mandalagra (circular-tipped scalpel), (2) Karapatra (saw), (3) Vriddhipatra (broad-leaf knife), (4) Nakha-shastra (nail/claw knife), (5) Mudrika (ring knife), (6) Utpala-patra (lotus-petal knife), (7) Ardhadhara (half-edged knife), (8) Suchi (needle), (9) Kushapatra (kusha-grass-leaf knife), (10) Atamukhya (sharp-mouthed), (11) Shararimukha (arrow-faced), (12) Antarmukha (inward-facing), (13) Trikurchaka (triple-bristled), (14) Kurchaka (bristle
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 8: Shastravacharaniya Adhyaya - Sharp Surgical Instruments
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
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 44: Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations; Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 2: Shishyopanayaniya Adhyaya - Initiation of the Student; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 8: Shastravacharaniya Adhyaya - Sharp Surgical Instruments; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
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.