Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter, pungent
- Quality (Guna)
- Light, unctuous and penetrating
- Potency (Virya)
- Heating
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent
- Dosha Effect
- VK–, P
- Key Constituents
- Sesquiterpene lactones Phytosterols `-sitosterol Essential oil (Bone 1996)
- Dhatu
- Plasma, blood, muscle, nerve, reproductive
- Srotas
- Digestive, respiratory, urinary, female reproductive, circulatory, nervous
Overview
Elecampane (Inula sp.), known as Pushkaramula in Sanskrit, is one of the best rejuvenative tonics for the lungs. Its energetics are pungent and bitter with a heating virya and pungent vipaka, reducing Kapha and Vata while potentially aggravating Pitta. Its actions include expectorant, antispasmodic, carminative, analgesic, and rejuvenative properties, working on all tissues except reproductive through the respiratory, nervous, and digestive systems.
Elecampane is effective for reducing excess Kapha and strengthening the muscles of the lungs, promoting longevity of lung tissues. It helps absorb water from the lungs and reduce swelling. It is one of the best expectorants and cough-relievers and has a calming action on the digestive system, the mind, and the female reproductive organs.
Key indications include colds, asthma, cardiac asthma, pleurisy, dyspepsia, cough, and nervous debility. The root and flowers are used, typically prepared as a decoction, powder (250 mg to 1 g), or paste. High Pitta conditions are a precaution for use.
Source: The Yoga of Herbs, Section A: Commonly Available Herbs
Ayurvedic Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Rasa (taste) | Bitter, pungent |
| Vīrya (energy) | Heating |
| Vipāka (post-digestive) | Pungent |
| Guṇa (quality) | Light, unctuous and penetrating |
| Doṣa effect | VK–, P |
| Dhātu (tissue) | Plasma, blood, muscle, nerve, reproductive |
| Srotas (channel) | Digestive, respiratory, urinary, female reproductive, circulatory, nervous |
Therapeutic Actions
- Dı-pana: Awakens digestion
- Hr• daya: Affinity for the heart and a heart tonic Śva-sahara Removes breathing difficulties
- Hikka-nigrahan.a: Alleviates hiccups
- Biomedical: Cardiac relaxant, antianginal, hypotensive, carminative, antispasmodic, expectorant, bronchodilator, diaphoretic, diuretic, uterine stimulant and emmenagogue
Safety & Contraindications
Contraindications: None known. DOSAGE
Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known.
Dosage & Combinations
Dosage: 2–6g per day dried or 3–15ml of a 1:3 @ 25% tincture.
Combinations:
- Arjuna, guggulu for angina, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
- Anthrapachaka, pippali, vasa for coughs and respiratory problems.
- Ginger, chitraka, cardamom, cumin for digestive sluggishness.
- Turmeric, rose, shatavari for menstrual irregularity and dysmenorrhoea.
How to Use Pushkaramoola by Condition
Explore how Pushkaramoola is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
Marichadyam choornam contains one kudava (192 gm) of maricha, kunchika, ambashtha (patha), vrikshamlah, ten pala (480 gm) of amlavetas, half pala (24 gm) each of sauvarchala, bidha, pakya, yavakshara, saindhava, sathi, pushkaramoola, hingu and hingushivatika (vamsapatri).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)
In half tula of the decoction of nidigdhika(Solanum xanthocarpum), the powder or paste of one karsha of each of chitraka, pippalimula, vyosha, hingu, duralabha, shati, pushkaramoola, shreyasi, surasa, vacha, bharangi, chinnaruha, rasna, shringi, draksha should be added.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 18: Cough Treatment (Kasa Chikitsa / कासचिकित्सा)
Two palas of each among dashamoola, swayamgupta, shankahpushpi, shati, bala, hasti pippali, apamarga, pippalimoola, chitraka, bharangi, pushkaramoola should be added with one adhaka of water, these drugs should be cooked till the grains of yava becomes soft.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 18: Cough Treatment (Kasa Chikitsa / कासचिकित्सा)
Peya prepared out of yavani, pippali, bilwa, nagara, chitraka, rasna, ajaji, prithakparni, palasha, shati and pushkaramoola by adding snigdha, amla and lavana dravyas is beneficial in vataja kasa.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 18: Cough Treatment (Kasa Chikitsa / कासचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 18: Cough Treatment (Kasa Chikitsa / कासचिकित्सा)
References in Charaka Samhita
If the patient suffers from edema and pain in the peri-anal region, and if there is suppression of the digestive power, then he should be treated with the combination of powder of trikatu [(Sunthi (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum)and maricha (Piper nigrum)], pippalimool (Piper longum), patha (Cissampelos parrira), hingu (Ferula narthex), chitraka (Plumbago Zylanica), sauvarchala (one kind of salt), pushkarmool(Inula racemosa), jeera (Cuminum cyminum), Pulp af bilva (Aegle marmelos),
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
Also add: Kapikacchu (Mucuna pruriens), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum), Gaja Pippali (Scindapsus officinalis), Bala (Sida cordifolia), and Pushkaramoola (Inula racemosa) — each in two Palas (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
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.