Herb × Condition

Soma for Heart Disease

Sanskrit: सोम | Ephedra gerardiana (Wall) Stapf

How Soma helps with Heart Disease according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

Last updated:

Overview

Soma is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for heart disease. Soma/Ephedra (Ephedra gerardiana) is discussed as one proposed identification for the Vedic Soma plant. The text provides detailed pharmacological information. The plant grows at high altitudes (7000-12000 feet) in the Himalayas. The stems contain l-ephedrine and d-l-ephedrine alkaloids (0.26-2.2%). It is a powerful bronchodilator - used extensively for asthma. It also has cardiac stimulant properties and can cause vasoconstriction. The text mentions its use in asthma (Shvasa), cough (Kasa), and as a cardiac stimulant. It can raise blood pressure and is useful in epidemic dropsy and left heart failure. Used in tincture form. Dose: Soma-somarasa dharana - 2-3 drops; extract powder 10-60 grains. Verse refs: pages 445-446.

How Soma Helps with Heart Disease

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Soma has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing heart disease:

  • Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
  • Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
  • Taste (Rasa): Kashaya (astringent), Katu (pungent)
  • Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

Other Herbs for Heart Disease

See all herbs for heart disease on the Heart Disease page.

Classical Text References (4 sources)

Because, though substances are of many kinds and qualities, only fire and water (Agni and Soma) are the powerful ones.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dravyadi Vigyaniya

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dravyadi Vigyaniya

Kapya's statement: Soma (Kapha) performs firmness/looseness, nourishment/leanness, enthusiasm/laziness, potency/impotency.

— Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 12: Merits & Demerits of Vata Dosha (Vatakalakaliya Adhyaya / वातकलाकलीय अध्याय)

Anupaya, or inefficient religious rituals such as prokshana (consecration), anashana (fasting), agnihotra (oblation to the fire), trishavana (worship with soma thrice a day while performing sacrifice), abhyukshana (wetting), aavahana (invocation), yajana (leading or guiding sacrificial rituals), yajna (sacrificial rituals), yachana (begging) and entering into water and fire.

— Charaka Samhita, Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 5: Analysis of the Person (Purusha Vichaya Sharira / पुरुष विचय शरीर)

By the use of which the depressed Indra after drained energy due to excessive consumption of soma, recovered from the condition;

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)

It bestows auspicious par excellence by providing nourishment to the Gods in the form of ambrosia, to the ancestors in the form of svadha (the term used for offering oblatory to the ancestors), to dvijas (considered as the twice born) in the form of soma.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)

Which represents the great luster of the Ashwins, the prowess of mantras, and the supremacy of Indra, who perfected soma in the sautramani sacrifice;

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 12: Merits & Demerits of Vata Dosha (Vatakalakaliya Adhyaya / वातकलाकलीय अध्याय); Sharira Sthana — Human Body & Embryology, Chapter 5: Analysis of the Person (Purusha Vichaya Sharira / पुरुष विचय शरीर); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)

Everything in the three worlds is composed of Agni (fire) and Soma (moon/water).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 2: Bhaishajyakhyanaka (Medicine Administration Timing)

Barley, wheat, meats, Chira (flattened rice), green gram, ghee, Saraka, exercise, and wandering/walking are beneficial for those with Soma Roga (seminal/reproductive disorders).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 42: Diet for Seminal Disorders (Soma Roga Pathyapathyam)

Barley, wheat, meats, Chira (flattened rice), green gram, ghee, Saraka, exercise, and wandering/walking are beneficial for those with Soma Roga (seminal/reproductive disorders).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 31: Diet for Seminal Disorders (Soma Roga Pathyapathyam)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Purva Khanda, Chapter 2: Bhaishajyakhyanaka (Medicine Administration Timing); Parishishtam, Chapter 42: Diet for Seminal Disorders (Soma Roga Pathyapathyam); Parishishtam, Chapter 31: Diet for Seminal Disorders (Soma Roga Pathyapathyam)

May Agni protect your tongue and vital breath, may Vayu protect your Prana, may Soma protect your Vyana and Apana, may Parjanya protect you (24).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 5: Agropaharaniya Adhyaya - Surgical Instruments and Procedures

During Dakshinayana — encompassing Varsha, Sharad, and Hemanta — the Moon (Soma) is nourished;

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 6: Ritucharya Adhyaya - Seasonal Regimen

Soma-valli, Indra-valli, shami (Prosopis), thorns of bilva, and roots of mrigadani and others — these should be strung together and worn (as protective amulets).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Soma, amrita, ashvagandha, kakolya group, and sprouts of chiri — suppositories (varti) made from these are known as healing agents (verse 23).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter

A paste of bone marrow (majja), soma, sarala (pine), soma bark, sandalwood, and kakolya group is excellent for wound healing (verse 24).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter

Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 5: Agropaharaniya Adhyaya - Surgical Instruments and Procedures; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 6: Ritucharya Adhyaya - Seasonal Regimen; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 28: Chapter 28; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter

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.