Paederia foetida is an important Ayurvedic medicinal herb. Its Sanskrit name is Gandha Prasarini. The word meaning in sanskrit is – it spreads bad smell. It is a unique feature of this herb. Gandha means smell, prasarini means spreading.
Botanical Name- Paederia foetida Auct. Non Linn. [P.scandens(Lour) merr; Paederia tomentosa B1; Gentiana scan dens Lour]
Family – Rubiaceae
Vernacular Names
Hindi Name– Gandhaprasarani or Pasaran
Telugu Name– Takkeda, Savirel
Bengali Name– Gandhabhaduliya, Gandhabhadule, Gandal গন্ধভাদুলে/গাঁদাল
Marathi Name– Hiran- vel
Gujarati Name – Gandhana
Tamil Name– Pinarisangai
Assamese name – Bhedai lota or Paduri lota
Sanskrit Synonyms
Gandhadhadhya, Balya, Rajabala, Sarani
Distribution
Central and Eastern Himalayan Ranges; Western Bengal.
Major chemical constituents
Asperuloside, Padedersoidic acid, paederoside, scandoside – iridous Glycosides; Valine, Tyrosine, Histidine, Carotene, Vit. Cursolic acid; Epifridelinol etc.
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)
Medicinal qualities
Rasa (taste) – Tikta
Guna (qualities) – Guru, Sara
Virya (potency) – Ushna
Vipaka (taste conversion after digestion) – Katu
Effect on Tridosha – Because of its hot property, it decreases Kapha and Vata.
Dosage, part used
Dosage–
Fresh Juice – 10-20 ml, decoction 50-100 ml
Part used– Root, leaf
Therapeutic uses
Vrushya – aphrodisiac
Balakrut – improves strength and immunity
Sandhanakrut – useful in wound and bone healing
Useful in Vata disorders
Almost all the massage oils used for Vata balancing contain this herb as an essential ingredient. On external use, this herb relieves pain, inflammation and stiffness.
It is useful in gout and Kapha imbalance disorders.
It is also used in treating rheumatoid arthritis.
It relieves bloating and abdominal pain.
It is usually administered after treatment of fever, to improve strength and immunity.
Interaction with medicines, supplements
Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.
Can
this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets,
Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most
of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product
per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.
With western
medicines
Seek your
doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western
(allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern
medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is
best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the
Ayurvedic medicine.
Ayurvedic medicines
Ayurvedic medicine with Paederia foetida-
Prasarini Thailam – used in arthritis, sciatica etc.
Maha Narayan Oil – widely used pain relieving massage oil
Marma Gulika – used in disorders of heart, kidney etc.