Talk:Usheera
Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Usheera |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Usheera (Latin: Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash, accepted name: Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty; family: Poaceae) is a densely tufted, perennial C4 aromatic grass native to the Indian subcontinent. In Ayurveda, the fragrant, spongy roots of Usheera are revered as an archetype of cooling therapy (Sheeta Virya), widely indicated for relieving burning sensations (Dahanashana), hyperpyrexia (Jwarahara), persistent morbid thirst (Trishnanigrahana), and hemorrhagic diathesis (Raktapittasamana).[1]
Botanical & Vernacular Names
- Botanical Name: Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash (syn. Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty)
- Family: Poaceae (Gramineae)
- English Names: Cuscus grass, Vetiver, Khas-Khas grass
- Sanskrit / Classical Names: Usheera, Virana, Nalada, Amrunala, Samagandhika
- Hindi: Khas
- Gujarati: Valo
- Bengali: Khas-Khas, Bena
- Tamil: Vettiver, Vettiveru
- Telugu: Vettiveru, Kuruveeru
Synonyms in Classical Texts
- Synonyms in Bhavaprakash Nighantu:[2]
- Virana – Denotes the whole mother plant producing the fibrous root clump.
- Nalada – Endowed with an inherently soothing and delightful fragrance.
- Mrunala / Amrunala – Root fibers display structural morphological resemblance to fibrous lotus rootlets.
- Sevya – Worthy of regular therapeutic consumption and administration during fevers (Jwara).
- Samagandhik – Exhibits a persistent, balanced, and uniform earthy balsamic bouquet.
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Usheera combines a cooling potency with digestive-promoting attributes without aggravating Agni:[1]
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Bitter (Tikta), Sweet (Madhura) |
| 2 | Potency (Veerya) | Cold (Sita) |
| 3 | Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) | Sweet (Madhura) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Light (Laghu), Unctuous (Snigdha) |
| 5 | Dosha Action (Karma) | Pacifies Pitta and Kapha (Pittakaphahara), balances Vata |
| 6 | Specific Actions (Karma) | Relieves burning sensation (Dahanashana), antipyretic (Jwaraghna), thirst-quenching (Trishnanigrahana), styptic/hemostatic (Stambhana), digestive/carminative (Pachana), complexion enhancer (Varnya), diaphoretic/deodorant (Svedapanayana) |
References in Charaka Samhita
Usheera is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:
| Sr. No. | Reference in Charaka Samhita | Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/32 | Listed under the Thirst-Relieving Group (Trishnanigrahana Mahakashaya) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/34 | Listed under the Burning-Relieving Group (Dahaprashamana Mahakashaya) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/44 | Listed under the Diaphoretic-Pacifying Group (Angamardaprashamana Mahakashaya) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/199 | Key ingredient of cooling decoctions in acute Pitta fever (Paittika Jwara) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/205 | Compounded in medicated thirst-quenching decoctions for chronic fever |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/219 | Ingredient of cooling medicated ghee (Ghrita Yoga) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/245 | Ingredient of therapeutic unctuous enema (Anuvasana Basti) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/73 | Formulated for systemic internal bleeding disorders (Raktapitta) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/102 | Prescribed for external immersion baths (Avagaha) and affusions (Parisheka) in burning syndrome |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/30 | Astringent decoction indicated in Pitta-dominant urinary disorders (Pittaja Prameha) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/144 | Vital therapeutic component of Mahatikta Ghrita for chronic dermatosis |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/186 | Styptic hemostatic compound indicated in bleeding anorectal piles (Raktarsha) |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/76 | Indicated in cooling topical paste applications (Lepa) for acute erysipelas (Visarpa) |
Therapeutic Indications (Classical)
Usheera is indicated in the clinical management of:[1]
- Jwara (Pyrexia / Intermittent and infective fevers)
- Trushna (Excessive thirst / Polydipsia)
- Daha (Peripheral burning sensation / Neuropathy / Erythema)
- Raktapitta (Hemorrhagic diathesis / Epistaxis / Hematuria)
- Mutrakruccha (Dysuria / Urinary tract inflammation)
- Prameha (Metabolic syndrome / Glycosuria)
- Kushtha & Visarpa (Dermatological inflammatory eruptions / Erysipelas)
- Vrana (Infected cutaneous wounds and thermal ulcerations)
- Svedadhikya & Daurgandhya (Hyperhidrosis and foul body odor)
Dosage & Administration
- Root Powder (Churna): 3 – 6 g daily in divided doses.[1]
- Cold Infusion (Hima): 40 – 80 ml infused overnight with potable water.
- Decoction (Kwatha): 50 – 100 ml taken twice daily.
Classical Formulations
- Usirasava
- Shadanga Paniya (Shadanga Kwatha)
- Yogaraja Guggulu
- Mahatikta Ghrita
- Chandanadi Churna
- Ushiradi Taila
Current Researches
Phytochemical Composition
The root oil of Vetiveria zizanioides is a complex mixture dominated by sesquiterpenes, and its composition varies with genotype, geographical origin and extraction method.
- 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.[3]
- 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.[4][5]
- 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.[6]
- Phenolic Acids: Soluble, glycoside-bound and wall-bound phenolic acids have been quantified by HPLC in the plant.[7]
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.[4]
Antipyretic & Thermoregulatory Activity
Usheera's classical reputation as a febrifuge (Jwaraghna) has a preclinical correlate.
- 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.).[8]
- 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
- 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 H2O2 induced oxidative stress.[9]
- Active Constituents: Activity-guided work on vetiver oil has identified individual antioxidant constituents.[10]
- 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 Efficacy
- 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.[5]
- Animal Models: Chrysopogon zizanioides essential oil showed antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in rodents.[11]
- Protein Denaturation Assay: An ethanolic root extract inhibited albumin denaturation in vitro (IC50 157.63 ± 4.89 µg/ml).[12]
- 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 Actions
- 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.[3] Turkish root oil showed antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in disc diffusion, MIC, DPPH and FRAP assays.[6] Oil extracted from Chinese roots was active mainly against Gram-positive bacteria, especially S. aureus.[13]
- 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.
Anxiolytic-like Properties
- 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.[14]
- Limitation: The study used inhaled oil in rats. Human clinical evidence is not available.
Safety & Toxicity Profile
- 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.[3] 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).
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. 3 (Part I ed.). Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. 1986. pp. 99–100.
- ↑ Chunekar, K. C. (2020). Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Reprint ed.). Chaukhambha Bharati Academy. pp. Karpuradi varga, verse 86.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Template:Cite thesis
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Gunasekar, C. J.; Majdalawieh, A. F.; Abu-Yousef, I. A.; Al Refaai, S. A. (2025). "Pharmacological and therapeutic potential of Chrysopogon zizanioides (vetiver): a comprehensive review of its medicinal applications and future prospects". Biomolecules. 15 (9): 1312. doi:10.3390/biom15091312.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chou, S. T.; Lai, C. P.; Lin, C. C.; Shih, Y. (2012). "Study of the chemical composition, antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil from Vetiveria zizanioides". Food Chemistry. 134 (1): 262–268. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2012.02.131.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Efe, D.; Karaköse, M.; Aktaş Karaçelik, A.; Ertan, B. (2021). "GC-MS analyses and bioactivities of essential oil obtained from the roots of Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty cultivated in Giresun, Turkey". Turkish Journal of Chemistry. 45 (5). doi:10.3906/kim-2009-64.
- ↑ "HPLC quantification of phenolic acids from Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash and its antioxidant and antimicrobial activity". Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2013: 270472. 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/270472.
- ↑ Narkhede, M. B.; Ajmire, P. V.; Wagh, A. E.; Bhise, M. R.; Mehetre, G. D.; Patil, H. J. (2012). "An evaluation of anti-pyretic potential of Vetiveria zizanioides (Linn.) root". Research Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics. 4 (1): 11–13.
- ↑ Luqman, S.; Kumar, R.; Kaushik, S.; Srivastava, S.; Darokar, M. P.; Khanuja, S. P. S. (2009). "Antioxidant potential of the root of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash". Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 46 (1): 122–125. PMID 19374265.
- ↑ Kim, H. J.; Chen, F.; Wang, X.; Chung, H. Y.; Jin, Z. (2005). "Evaluation of antioxidant activity of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) oil and identification of its antioxidant constituents". Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 53 (20): 7691–7695.
- ↑ Lima, G. M.; Quintans-Júnior, L. J.; Thomazzi, S. M.; et al. (2012). "Phytochemical screening, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Chrysopogon zizanioides essential oil". Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 22 (2): 443–450. doi:10.1590/S0102-695X2012005000005.
- ↑ Phuong, M. H.; Linh, L. K. K. (2024). "Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of vetiver root extract in Dak Lak, Viet Nam".
- ↑ David, A.; Wang, F.; Sun, X.; Li, H.; Lin, J.; et al. (2019). "Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash essential oil extracted by carbon dioxide expanded ethanol". Molecules. 24 (10): 1897. doi:10.3390/molecules24101897.
- ↑ Saiyudthong, S.; Pongmayteegul, S.; Marsden, C. A.; Phansuwan-Pujito, P. (2015). "Anxiety-like behaviour and c-fos expression in rats that inhaled vetiver essential oil". Natural Product Research. 29 (22): 2141–2144. doi:10.1080/14786419.2014.992342.