Charak Samhita

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{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=Charak Samhita - Herb Database
|title=Charak Samhita
|titlemode=append
|titlemode=append
|keywords=Usheera, Ushira, Vetiveria zizanioides, Chrysopogon zizanioides, Vetiver, Cuscus grass, Pittashamaka, Jwarahara, Charak Samhita, Dravyaguna, Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia, Usirasava, Shadanga Paniya, Essential oil
|keywords= *Usheera, Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash, Cuscus grass, Vetiver, Khas-Khas grass* Therapeutic use, herbs, researches on dravya, Charak Samhita, Dravyaguna, carakasamhitaonline, carakasamhita, caraka samhita, Ayurveda, Charak Samhita English translation, ancient Ayurveda text, Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, Charak, Charaka Samhita, agnivesha, atreya, gopal basisht, yogesh deole, charak samhita wikipedia edition, charak samhita new edition, charaka samhita new edition, carak samhita new edition, caraka samhita new edition, research on charak samhita, text book charak samhita, fundamental principles of ayurveda, basic concepts of ayurveda,
|description=Monograph on Usheera (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash): comprehensive botanical profile, classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics, phytochemical constituents, and evidence-based therapeutic efficacy.
|description= Usheera (Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash) is traditionally classified as a premier pittahara, dahaprashamana (cooling), and trishna-nigrahana herb, widely utilized in Ayurveda for managing burning sensations, excessive thirst, fever, skin disorders, and urinary ailments.
|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg
|image=http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/resources/assets/ogimgs.jpg
|image_alt=Usheera - Vetiveria zizanioides
|image_alt=charak samhita
|type=article
|type=article
}}[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysopogon_zizanioides Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty]
}}
 
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysopogon_zizanioides Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty]


{{Infobox
{{Infobox
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** ''Samagandhik'' – Exhibits a persistent, balanced, and uniform earthy balsamic bouquet.
** ''Samagandhik'' – Exhibits a persistent, balanced, and uniform earthy balsamic bouquet.


[[File:Vetiveria_zizanioides_roots.jpg|thumb|Fibrous, aromatic adventitious root system of Vetiveria zizanioides (Usheera)]]


== Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties ==
== Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties ==
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== Current Researches ==
== Current Researches ==
=== Phytochemical Composition ===
=== Phytochemical Composition ===
The root matrix of ''Vetiveria zizanioides'' yields a heavy, viscous, amber-brown essential oil (0.3%–1.5%) comprising uniquely functionalized sesquiterpene derivatives:
The root oil of ''Vetiveria zizanioides'' is a complex mixture dominated by sesquiterpenes, and its composition varies with genotype, geographical origin and extraction method.
* '''Sesquiterpene Alcohols:''' Khusimol, vetiverols (α- and β-vetiverol), isovalencenol, and epizizanal.
* '''Brazilian Root Oil:''' Thirty-eight compounds were identified, and khusimol, palustrol, khusimone, zizanone and epi-α-vetivone were the major constituents. The hydroalcoholic root extract contained terpenoids and/or saponins, flavonoids and phenolic acids, and the freeze-dried aqueous extract contained flavonoids and phenols.<ref name="Barros2009" />
* '''Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons:''' Vetivene, &alpha;-vetivone, &beta;-vetivone, zizanol, and khusimene.
* '''Taiwanese Steam-Distilled Oil:''' Twenty-five constituents were identified, with cedr-8-en-13-ol (12.4%), α-amorphene (7.80%), β-vatirenene (5.94%) and α-gurjunene (5.91%) predominating.<ref name="Biomolecules2025" /><ref name="Chou2012" />
* '''Phenolic Acids & Flavonoids:''' Caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, ferulic acid, and luteolin derivatives.
* '''Chemotype Variation:''' Root oil from Giresun, Turkey was dominated by isobutyl angelate (11.15%), α-muurolene (10.56%), α-cedrene (8.42%), α-patchoulene (8.10%) and ethylene brassylate (7.49%), showing marked variation with origin and the need for standardisation.<ref name="Efe2021" />
* '''Secondary Biomolecules:''' Zizanoic acid, isovalencic acid, and &beta;-sitosterol.
* '''Phenolic Acids:''' Soluble, glycoside-bound and wall-bound phenolic acids have been quantified by HPLC in the plant.<ref name="JPharmaceutics2013" />


=== Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy ===
=== Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy ===
Most studies are in vitro or in animals, and many use essential oil, which differs from the traditional root preparations (''Churna'', ''Hima'', ''Kwatha''). Controlled clinical trials are lacking.<ref name="Biomolecules2025" />


==== Antipyretic & Thermoregulatory Activity ====
==== Antipyretic & Thermoregulatory Activity ====
Usheera's classical reputation as a potent febrifuge (''Jwaraghna'') is well documented pharmacologically.
Usheera's classical reputation as a febrifuge (''Jwaraghna'') has a preclinical correlate.
* '''Mechanism:''' Bioactive fractions down-regulate pyrogenic cytokine release, reducing interleukin-1&beta; (IL-1&beta;), tumor necrosis factor-&alpha; (TNF-&alpha;), and hypothalamic prostaglandin E2 ($PGE_2$) synthesis.
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' In yeast-induced pyrexia in albino rats, hexane and methanol extracts of the root (75, 150 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced the elevated rectal temperature in a dose-dependent manner. The effect was comparable to paracetamol (150 mg/kg, p.o.).<ref name="Narkhede2012" />
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' In yeast-induced hyperpyrexia experimental models, root extracts (250–500 mg/kg p.o.) produced significant, sustained reductions in rectal temperatures comparable to standard paracetamol, validating its classical role in acute fevers.<ref name="Rehmani">{{cite journal |last1=Rehmani |first1=R. |last2=Ahmad |first2=S. |last3=Khan |first3=M. |year=2014 |title=Antipyretic and analgesic activities of ethanolic extract of Vetiveria zizanioides root |journal=Journal of Pharmacy Research |volume=8 |issue=6 |pages=789–793}}</ref>
* '''Limitation:''' This is a single rodent study. The mechanism was not established, and the finding has not been replicated in humans.


==== Free Radical Scavenging & Cytoprotective Actions ====
==== Free Radical Scavenging & Cytoprotective Actions ====
* '''Mechanism:''' Sesquiterpenes and polyphenols donate electrons to quench free radicals, replenish endogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and reduce microsomal lipid peroxidation.
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Ethanolic root extracts of two genotypes (KS1 and Gulabi) showed ferric-reducing (FRAP) and DPPH free-radical scavenging activity that increased with concentration (10–1000 µg/mL). At 100 µg/mL the KS1 extract also protected erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) and limited malondialdehyde (MDA) formation under t-BHP and H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> induced oxidative stress.<ref name="Luqman2009" />
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Ethanolic root extracts demonstrated remarkable in vitro ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and DPPH free-radical scavenging indices ($IC_{50}$ values below 40 &mu;g/ml), effectively protecting cell membranes against oxidative injury.<ref name="Luqman">{{cite journal |last1=Luqman |first1=S. |last2=Srivastava |first2=R. |last3=Kumar |first3=R. |last4=Maurya |first4=A. K. |last5=Chanda |first5=D. |year=2009 |title=Experimental assessment of Carissa carandas and Vetiveria zizanioides essential oils for antioxidant and antibacterial activities |journal=Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine |volume=2012 |pages=1–9 |doi=10.1155/2012/263852}}</ref>
* '''Active Constituents:''' Activity-guided work on vetiver oil has identified individual antioxidant constituents.<ref name="Kim2005" />
* '''Interpretation:''' Oxidative stress is implicated in inflammatory and Pitta-type disorders, which gives a plausible link to the ''Dahaprashamana'' action. No clinical effect on burning sensation has been demonstrated.


==== Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic & Styptic Efficacy ====
==== Anti-Inflammatory & Analgesic Efficacy ====
* '''Mechanism:''' Vetivone isomers and khusimol competitively attenuate cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) catalytic sites, suppressing leukotriene and prostaglandin production.
* '''Cell Culture:''' Vetiver root oil suppressed inflammatory responses in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. It upregulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA, suppressed interferon-β transcription and lowered lipid peroxidation, indicating an interplay of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.<ref name="Chou2012" />
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' In carrageenan- and formalin-induced edema assays, oral root extracts demonstrated up to 61.4% inhibition of paw swelling. Its astringent tannin content also accelerates in vitro and ex vivo thromboplastin-mediated blood coagulation, corroborating its traditional styptic (''Stambhana'') use in hemorrhagic conditions.<ref name="Kumar">{{cite journal |last1=Kumar |first1=A. |last2=Tripathi |first2=M. |last3=Puri |first3=S. |year=2012 |title=Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Vetiveria zizanioides root extract in animal models |journal=Pharmaceutical Biology |volume=50 |issue=9 |pages=1121–1126 |doi=10.3109/13880209.2012.658477}}</ref>
* '''Animal Models:''' ''Chrysopogon zizanioides'' essential oil showed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in rodents.<ref name="Lima2012" />
* '''Protein Denaturation Assay:''' An ethanolic root extract inhibited albumin denaturation in vitro (IC<sub>50</sub> 157.63 ± 4.89 µg/ml).<ref name="Phuong2024" />
* '''Interpretation:''' These data support the traditional use in inflammatory skin conditions (''Kushtha'', ''Visarpa'') only as a plausible basis. They do not establish clinical efficacy.


==== Antimicrobial & Topical Wound-Healing Actions ====
==== Antimicrobial Actions ====
* '''Mechanism:''' Khusimol and related sesquiterpenic fractions alter microbial cell membrane permeability, triggering ion leakage and cell lysis while stimulating microvascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) synthesis in fibroblasts.
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Brazilian root essential oil inhibited ''Staphylococcus aureus'' (MIC 0.15 mg/ml). The crude ethanolic root extract showed MICs of 0.19 mg/ml against ''Bacillus cereus'' and ''Micrococcus roseus'' and 0.39 mg/ml against ''M. luteus'', ''S. aureus'' and ''B. subtilis'', and its hexane fraction was more active against ''M. luteus'', ''M. roseus'', ''S. aureus'' and ''B. cereus''.<ref name="Barros2009" /> Turkish root oil showed antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in disc diffusion, MIC, DPPH and FRAP assays.<ref name="Efe2021" /> Oil extracted from Chinese roots was active mainly against Gram-positive bacteria, especially ''S. aureus''.<ref name="David2019" />
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' Standardized vetiver root essential oil exhibited robust minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against common wound pathogens, notably ''Staphylococcus aureus'', ''Pseudomonas aeruginosa'', and dermatophytes like ''Trichophyton mentagrophytes'', showing marked re-epithelialization and collagen deposition in excision wound models.<ref name="Devi">{{cite journal |last1=Devi |first1=P. R. |last2=Rao |first2=K. V. |year=2010 |title=Antimicrobial and wound healing potential of Vetiveria zizanioides in diabetic rats |journal=International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=146–151}}</ref>
* '''Interpretation:''' These in vitro results are consistent with the classical ''Vrana'' indication. Wound-healing and hemostatic (''Stambhana'') effects were not demonstrated in the studies reviewed here and need in vivo confirmation.


==== Neuroprotective & Anxiolytic Properties ====
==== Anxiolytic-like Properties ====
* '''Mechanism:''' Volatile sesquiterpenes cross the blood-brain barrier to modulate gamma-aminobutyric acid type A ($GABA_A$) receptors and reduce central monoaminergic turnover in limbic regions.
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' In male Wistar rats, inhaled vetiver essential oil (2.5% w/w) produced an anxiolytic-like profile in the elevated plus-maze, as did diazepam (1 mg/kg i.p.). Both increased c-fos expression in the lateral central amygdala, suggesting altered neuronal activation as one possible mechanism.<ref name="Saiyudthong2015" />
* '''Scientific Evidence:''' In elevated plus-maze (EPM) and open-field assessments, inhaled or parenterally administered vetiver oil elicited potent anxiolytic, central-calming, and neuroprotective responses comparable to diazepam without motor coordination impairment or drug-induced dependency.<ref name="Saiyudthong">{{cite journal |last1=Saiyudthong |first1=S. |last2=Marsden |first2=C. A. |year=2015 |title=Acute effects of vetiver essential oil on anxiety-like behavior and c-Fos expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala in rats |journal=Natural Product Communications |volume=10 |issue=6 |pages=1107–1110}}</ref>
* '''Limitation:''' The study used inhaled oil in rats. Human clinical evidence is not available.


== Safety & Toxicity Profile ==
== Safety & Toxicity Profile ==
* '''Acute & Subacute Safety:''' Preclinical safety studies report that ethanolic and aqueous root extracts show no signs of behavioral toxicity, hematological disturbance, or mortality in rodents at single oral doses up to 2,000–3,000 mg/kg body weight.
* '''Acute Safety:''' In a Brazilian dissertation, the hydroalcoholic and freeze-dried aqueous root extracts showed no acute toxicity at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg.<ref name="Barros2009" /> Chronic, reproductive and human safety data were not found.
* '''Precautions:''' Due to its pronounced cooling (''Sheeta Virya'') and Kapha-stabilizing characteristics, prolonged administration in very large quantities during cold seasons or in patients with severe, chronic Kapha-Vata respiratory congestion should be balanced with warming bio-enhancers (e.g., Sunthi or Maricha).
* '''Precautions:''' Due to its pronounced cooling (''Sheeta Virya'') and Kapha-stabilizing characteristics, prolonged administration in very large quantities during cold seasons or in patients with severe, chronic Kapha-Vata respiratory congestion should be balanced with warming bio-enhancers (e.g., Sunthi or Maricha).


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<ref name="API">{{cite book |title=The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India |year=1986 |publisher=Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India |volume=3 |pages=99–100 |edition=Part I}}</ref>
<ref name="API">{{cite book |title=The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India |year=1986 |publisher=Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India |volume=3 |pages=99–100 |edition=Part I}}</ref>
<ref name="Bhavaprakash">{{cite book |last=Chunekar |first=K. C. |title=Bhavaprakash Nighantu |year=2020 |publisher=Chaukhambha Bharati Academy |pages=Karpuradi varga, verse 86 |edition=Reprint}}</ref>
<ref name="Bhavaprakash">{{cite book |last=Chunekar |first=K. C. |title=Bhavaprakash Nighantu |year=2020 |publisher=Chaukhambha Bharati Academy |pages=Karpuradi varga, verse 86 |edition=Reprint}}</ref>
<ref name="Rehmani">{{cite journal |last1=Rehmani |first1=R. |last2=Ahmad |first2=S. |last3=Khan |first3=M. |year=2014 |title=Antipyretic and analgesic activities of ethanolic extract of Vetiveria zizanioides root |journal=Journal of Pharmacy Research |volume=8 |issue=6 |pages=789–793}}</ref>
<ref name="Barros2009">{{cite thesis |last=Barros |first=Gilvana Cristina de |year=2009 |title=Estudo fitoquímico e avaliações da toxicidade aguda e atividades biológicas da raiz do vetiver (''Vetiveria zizanioides'' L. Nash) Poaceae |type=Dissertação (Mestrado em Ciências da Saúde – Farmácia) |publisher=Universidade Federal de Goiás |location=Goiânia |pages=100 |url=http://repositorio.bc.ufg.br/tede/handle/tde/2123}}</ref>
<ref name="Luqman">{{cite journal |last1=Luqman |first1=S. |last2=Srivastava |first2=R. |last3=Kumar |first3=R. |last4=Maurya |first4=A. K. |last5=Chanda |first5=D. |year=2009 |title=Experimental assessment of Carissa carandas and Vetiveria zizanioides essential oils for antioxidant and antibacterial activities |journal=Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine |volume=2012 |pages=1–9 |doi=10.1155/2012/263852}}</ref>
<ref name="Chou2012">{{cite journal |last1=Chou |first1=S. T. |last2=Lai |first2=C. P. |last3=Lin |first3=C. C. |last4=Shih |first4=Y. |year=2012 |title=Study of the chemical composition, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil from ''Vetiveria zizanioides'' |journal=Food Chemistry |volume=134 |issue=1 |pages=262–268 |doi=10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.02.131}}</ref>
<ref name="Kumar">{{cite journal |last1=Kumar |first1=A. |last2=Tripathi |first2=M. |last3=Puri |first3=S. |year=2012 |title=Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Vetiveria zizanioides root extract in animal models |journal=Pharmaceutical Biology |volume=50 |issue=9 |pages=1121–1126 |doi=10.3109/13880209.2012.658477}}</ref>
<ref name="Biomolecules2025">{{cite journal |last1=Gunasekar |first1=C. J. |last2=Majdalawieh |first2=A. F. |last3=Abu-Yousef |first3=I. A. |last4=Al Refaai |first4=S. A. |year=2025 |title=Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of ''Chrysopogon zizanioides'' (vetiver): a comprehensive review of its medicinal applications and future prospects |journal=Biomolecules |volume=15 |issue=9 |page=1312 |doi=10.3390/biom15091312}}</ref>
<ref name="Devi">{{cite journal |last1=Devi |first1=P. R. |last2=Rao |first2=K. V. |year=2010 |title=Antimicrobial and wound healing potential of Vetiveria zizanioides in diabetic rats |journal=International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Research |volume=1 |issue=4 |pages=146–151}}</ref>
<ref name="Efe2021">{{cite journal |last1=Efe |first1=D. |last2=Karaköse |first2=M. |last3=Aktaş Karaçelik |first3=A. |last4=Ertan |first4=B. |year=2021 |title=GC-MS analyses and bioactivities of essential oil obtained from the roots of ''Chrysopogon zizanioides'' (L.) Roberty cultivated in Giresun, Turkey |journal=Turkish Journal of Chemistry |volume=45 |issue=5 |doi=10.3906/kim-2009-64}}</ref>
<ref name="Saiyudthong">{{cite journal |last1=Saiyudthong |first1=S. |last2=Marsden |first2=C. A. |year=2015 |title=Acute effects of vetiver essential oil on anxiety-like behavior and c-Fos expression in the central nucleus of the amygdala in rats |journal=Natural Product Communications |volume=10 |issue=6 |pages=1107–1110}}</ref>
<ref name="JPharmaceutics2013">{{cite journal |year=2013 |title=HPLC quantification of phenolic acids from ''Vetiveria zizanioides'' (L.) Nash and its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity |journal=Journal of Pharmaceutics |volume=2013 |page=270472 |doi=10.1155/2013/270472}}</ref>
<ref name="Narkhede2012">{{cite journal |last1=Narkhede |first1=M. B. |last2=Ajmire |first2=P. V. |last3=Wagh |first3=A. E. |last4=Bhise |first4=M. R. |last5=Mehetre |first5=G. D. |last6=Patil |first6=H. J. |year=2012 |title=An evaluation of anti-pyretic potential of ''Vetiveria zizanioides'' (Linn.) root |journal=Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=11–13}}</ref>
<ref name="Luqman2009">{{cite journal |last1=Luqman |first1=S. |last2=Kumar |first2=R. |last3=Kaushik |first3=S. |last4=Srivastava |first4=S. |last5=Darokar |first5=M. P. |last6=Khanuja |first6=S. P. S. |year=2009 |title=Antioxidant potential of the root of ''Vetiveria zizanioides'' (L.) Nash |journal=Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics |volume=46 |issue=1 |pages=122–125 |pmid=19374265}}</ref>
<ref name="Kim2005">{{cite journal |last1=Kim |first1=H. J. |last2=Chen |first2=F. |last3=Wang |first3=X. |last4=Chung |first4=H. Y. |last5=Jin |first5=Z. |year=2005 |title=Evaluation of antioxidant activity of vetiver (''Vetiveria zizanioides'' L.) oil and identification of its antioxidant constituents |journal=Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry |volume=53 |issue=20 |pages=7691–7695}}</ref>
<ref name="Lima2012">{{cite journal |last1=Lima |first1=G. M. |last2=Quintans-Júnior |first2=L. J. |last3=Thomazzi |first3=S. M. |display-authors=etal |year=2012 |title=Phytochemical screening, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of ''Chrysopogon zizanioides'' essential oil |journal=Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=443–450 |doi=10.1590/S0102-695X2012005000005}}</ref>
<ref name="Phuong2024">{{cite journal |last1=Phuong |first1=M. H. |last2=Linh |first2=L. K. K. |year=2024 |title=Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of vetiver root extract in Dak Lak, Viet Nam |url=https://vjol.vista.gov.vn/sphcm/en/article/view/105430}}</ref>
<ref name="David2019">{{cite journal |last1=David |first1=A. |last2=Wang |first2=F. |last3=Sun |first3=X. |last4=Li |first4=H. |last5=Lin |first5=J. |display-authors=etal |year=2019 |title=Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of ''Vetiveria zizanioides'' (L.) Nash essential oil extracted by carbon dioxide expanded ethanol |journal=Molecules |volume=24 |issue=10 |page=1897 |doi=10.3390/molecules24101897}}</ref>
<ref name="Saiyudthong2015">{{cite journal |last1=Saiyudthong |first1=S. |last2=Pongmayteegul |first2=S. |last3=Marsden |first3=C. A. |last4=Phansuwan-Pujito |first4=P. |year=2015 |title=Anxiety-like behaviour and c-fos expression in rats that inhaled vetiver essential oil |journal=Natural Product Research |volume=29 |issue=22 |pages=2141–2144 |doi=10.1080/14786419.2014.992342}}</ref>
}}
}}
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