Classical categorization :- Triptighna, trishna-nigrahan, lekhniya, kandughna, stanya-sodhan.(c.) mushtadi, vachadi.(su.) mushtadi, vachadi.(v.)

Latin Name:- Cyperus rotundus Family Name:- Cyperaceae.- d':ts s'n _ Sanskrit Name:- Mushtak, mushta,

varid, sugandhi, gaangeya, megha, himaa. Nepali Name:- df]y] English Name:- Nut grass.

Cyperus rotundus-d':ts_

A perennial erect herb about 10-30 cm long, with elongated slender stolons, bearing hard, black, globose and fragrant tubers. Leaves narrowly linear, finely acuminate, one nerved. Flower spikelets in compound umbel, spikelets straw colored to reddish brown, linear-lanceolate, 10-50 flowered glumes. Fruits nuts, black, trigonous, oblong-ovoid.

Flowering & Fruiting in july-dec.

Botanical description:-

Three varieties are mentioned in Dhanwantrinighantu & Rajnighantu;

1) Mushtak (Bhadramusta) -C. rotundus. one which take care of health of human

beings.2) Nagarmusta-C. scariosus one which is found in and around the Nagar.3) Kaivarta or Jala Musta-C. esculentus one which is found near the water sources.

Varieties:

300-2400mt , east to west.

Major chemical constituents:-Rhizome contains cyperene-1 &

cyperene-2, B-selinene, cyperenone and A-cyperone, mustakone, rotunsone.etc.

Distribution in Nepal:-

Guna: laghu, ruksha.Rasa: tikta, katu, kasaya.Vipak: katu.Virya: sitt.

Ayurvedic Pharmacology of Mustak(Guna):-

Effect on Doshas : - Kaph-pitt samak. Systemic: External: Twak doshhar, sothhar, lekhan, stanyajanan Internal: NS: Medhya, nadibal-pradayak. DS: dipan, pachan, grahi, trishna-nigrahan. CS: Rakt-prasadan. RS: kaphaghna. US: Mutral. Res.S: Garvasya-sankochak,stanyajanan, stanyasodhan. Skin: Twak doshhar. Tem. Jwarghna . Suitability: Balya, bishghna.

Actions (Karma)

Its external application is useful in kandu, twakvikar, stanyakshya.

Its internal application is given in anorexia, despepsia, indigestion, vommiting, infestination, raktabikar, kash, swash, skin diseases, fever,etc.

Uses/Indication:-

Jwara:- musta & parpat are used either with sunthi or gokshur in the form of infusion.(A.H.Ci1)

Atisaar:- Decoction of musta given with honey.(su.ut.-40)

Halimak:-Loh vasma & musta powder are administered with the decoction of khadir.(B.P)

Kaphaj vaman: decoction or powder of musta & karkatshringi is given orally.(c.ci23)

Kaph-pittaj kash: decoction of musta & marich is given orally.(c.ci.23)

Classical therapeutic uses:-

Dosage:- Powder 3-6gm.

Decoction 50-100 ml.

Important preparation:- Mustakadikwath, mustakarishta, mustadi churna, mustadi lep, sadangpaniya.

Parts used:- Tubers