Tagara: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Tagarah is a very heavy herb containing lots of the Earth element (pr.thivı- tattva). It sedates the nervous system and va-ta. Too much can dull the mind and be excessively sedating.

• Unma-daghna: Treats insanity and emotional instability
• Nidra-janana: Promotes sleep
• Dı-pana: Awakens digestive fire
• Hr• daya: Benefits the heart Śirśarogaghna Has a specific affinity for treating diseases of the head
• Sa-ra: Laxative
• Biomedical: Nervine, sedative, antispasmodic, carminative, laxative, hypotensive, anxiolytic, aromatic

Contraindications: Caution in high pitta. Therapeutic; experience points to certain ‘hot’; individuals being aggravated by; tagarah; the warmth of the herb; increases aggravated heat and; can exacerbate insomnia from; high pitta. This is simply overcome by adjusting dosage and; using with other appropriate

Safety: Caution with central nervous system (CNS) depressants including alcohol. It may potentiate hypotensive medication.

Dosage: 3–9g per day dried root or 3–15ml per day of a 1:3 @ 45% tincture. It balances all the five va-yu as excessive movement is restrained and insufficient movement stimulated. By relaxing constriction it opens the channels for va-ta to flow freely. Q It is traditionally associated with the cerebrospinal fluid, manova-hasrotas and rasa dha-tu. Q Useful to combine with a light and stimulating herb to offset excessive dullness. Q

Combinations:

• Brahmi, gotu kola in nervous problems. This is a helpful combination as the cool, light and bitter nature of brahmi and gotu kola oppose the warm, heavy and pungent nature of tagarah.
• Combines well with vacha to give a calm mental clarity and Chapter 6 PLANT PROFILES oppose the heaviness of tagarah.
• Arjuna, punarnava for tachycardia and constricted chest.
• Haritaki, cardamom, fennel for spasms in the intestines.
• Turmeric, ginger, guggul for dysmenorrhoea.
• Vasa, anthrapachaka, pushkaramoola for respiratory blockages.