What are the benefits of Vatsnabh
Vatsnabh – Aconitum ferox is a herb used as ingredient in many ayurvedic medicine. Altough it is poisonous however when used in small quantity and after purification it acts as medicine. It has many health benefits.
Latin Name: Acotinum-ferox
Vernacular Names:
- Hindi: Bachnag, Methavish
- Bengali: Kathvish, Katvish
- Tamil: Amam, Aman,omam
- Telugu: Nabhi
- Kannada: Vatsnabhi
- Malayalam:
- Marathi: Bachnag
- Gujarati:
- Punjabi: Mohari
- English : Monk’s hood, Aconite
Sanskrit Name:
Visha mean a poisonous herb
Amruta act as a nectar if used in suitable dose
Kshveda means consuming it causes unconsciousness
Garaka means one which kills a person
Vatsnabhi, Stokaka, Pranahara
Vatsnabh Benefits & Ayurvedic Description
Vatsnabh plant is found in alpine zone of himalaya, skikim, and nepal. The roots of vatsnabh are tuburous and biennial. stems are erect covered with short, spreading yellow hair in the upper part,glaberous below.Leaves are scattered with slender, petioles. Flowers are slender pedicel,erect. Fruits are follicle seed abovoid, wingal.
Vatsnabh helps in balancing all the three dosha’s especially Vata and Kapha dosha
Ras ( Taste)
- Madhur ( Sweet)
- Katu ( Pungent)
- Tikta (Bitter)
- Kashay ( Astringent)
Veerya ( Potency)
- Ushna (Hot)
Vipaak ( Post-digestive effect)
- Katu (Pungent)
Guna ( Qualities)
- Vyavahi (Lightness)
- Vikasi (Dry)
- Teekshna ( Piercing)
Classical Categorization
In Ayurveda Charak acharya has classified vatsnabh in group of sthavar visha means poison of plant and mineral origin.
Bhavprakash nighantu – Dhatvadi varga ( group)
Shushrut – Kanda visha- tuber poison
Benefits of Vatsnabh
Helps in Neurological problems
Vatsnabh is an excellent vataghana herb and helps in dealing with neurological problems , paralysis, hemiplegia and neuropathy.
Useful to Eye problems
This herb is very useful in various eye disorder like glaucoma, night blindness(nishandhyahara), conjuctivitis ( abhishyanda) and relieves eye swelling ( netra shothar).
Aids in Arthritis
Because of its Vataghan property it helps in Rheumatoid Arthritis.
To Relieve Tumor
Vatsnabh is found to be effective in treatment of abdominal tumor that are benign in nature. In addition to this it can be used in treatment of lipomas, cyst and uterine fibroids also.
Helps in Irritable bowel syndrome
Vatsnabh has got deepan ( digestive) quality and is useful in many digestive problems. It is very effective in treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in which there is imbalance of Vata- Kapha dosha. Moreover it is also useful in mal-absorption syndrome.
Does Vatsnabh help in relieving fever
Fever generally occurs due to the imbalance of Pitta dosha and leads to an increased body temperature. Vatsnabh helps bring down the high body temperature, thereby providing relief from fever due to it’s Pitta balancing property.
Advantages of Vatsnabh in Ayurveda
Yogavahi : Acts as catalyst for other herbal ingredients to deliver swift therapeutic action.
Bruhana : Improves nourishment
Veeryavardhan: Improves sperm quality and quantity.
Kanthruk: Useful in throat disorder.
Sannipataghna : Useful in chronic fever last stage of fatal disorder
Rasayana : .Reguvenating and anti ageing
Deepana : Improves digestion strength .
Balvardhana : Improves strength and immunity.
Vatarakthhara : helpful in gouty arthritis
Pleehodar : Useful in speelnomegaly.
Shwas & Kasahara : useful in asthma, cough cold and other respiratory diseases.
Vataghna : Balances Vata dosha.
Acotinum ferox chemical composition
The roots of vatsnabh contains toxic alkaloids, pseudo-aconitine, bilchaconitine, chasmaconitine, indaconitine.
Aconitine is the toxic chemical derived from this herb.
Aconitum root also contains catecholamine alkaloids, quaternary, ammonium compound, isoquinolines and other compound.
How to use Vatsnabh
Vatsnabh should always be consumed in after purification process is done:
- Vatsnabh root powder: 125 mg twice a day.
- As it poisonous if taken in large quantity it may because death.
- Fatal dose : Root 1 grams & Extract 250 mg
- Fatal Period : 20 min to 24 hrs.
Purification process of Bachnag
Vatsnabh in its raw form can be toxic. Shodhana (purification) process is important to nullify the toxicity of the plant.
In the Ayurveda textbook the following method is suggested for the purification of Vatsnabh:
-Take Vatsnabh roots and tie them in a cotton cloth
-Now put the cotton packet in goat or cow milk and let it boil in it for 3 hours.
-Vatsnabh roots are also purified when putting them into cow urine for three days.
Cautions And Contraindications
While vatsnabh has many benefits however it is considered as most poisonous herb that contains most toxic alkaloid called pseudacotinine. Fatal dose of this herb may cause fatal symptoms like :
- Severe Vomiting
- Weakness of both the limbs upper and lower
- Fall in blood pressure
- Body fatigue
- Cardiac and Renal failure
- Blindness
Avoid using this herb in childrens.
Keep out of reach of childrens.
Always use this herb in prescribed doses only.
Frequently asked question
1.Can this herb be used while taking homeopathic medicine ?
Yes. This herb does not react with homeopathic medicine.
2.Can this herb/medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin, omega 3, spirulina ?
Yes .Generally this herb goes well with most dietary supplement. However if you are taking more than one product per day please consult your doctor for opinion.
3. With western/modern medicine
Seek your doctors advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic/modern) medicine. Some ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
When taking ayurvedic medicine or herb with modern medicine it is best to keep one hour gap in between both the medicine.
4. How long does Ajwain seeds take to start showing result ?
It depend on any existing disease, overall health, your prakriti ( genetic make up) all these factors plays a role in how quickly vatsnabh root work.
5.Can it be used in people with diabetes?
Yes. But always keep watch on your sugar levels. This herb can lower your blood sugar levels. Do not stop your diabetes medicine once you start taking this herb/medicine. Keep in touch with your ayurvedic doctor. They will guide you in this respect.
6.Are there any diet restriction( Pathya) while taking this seeds ?
No .There are no such restriction while taking this product. However if you have been advised with any specific diet based on disease, you should continue to follow it.
Ayurvedic medicine that contains Vatsnabh
Vatsnabh (Acotinum ferox ) is one of ingredients in following medicines
Vishtinduk vati : It is one of the ayurvedic medicine which is used to manage indigestion, neuralgia and arthritis.
Mahavishgarbh oil: Useful for external application in sciatica pain, back pain and osteo arthritis.
Sanjivani vati : This is very useful to reduce accumulation of ama ( toxins) that is the root cause of various disease such as IBS, coronary artery disease, raised cholesterol levels piles and rheumatism.
Conclusion
Vatsnabh (Aconitum ferox), known as Monk’s Hood, is a powerful yet highly toxic Ayurvedic herb that must be purified before medicinal use. It is widely used in treating digestive disorders, respiratory issues, joint pain, and neuralgia. However, due to its toxic nature, it should only be taken under expert guidance. With proper dosage and formulation, Vatsnabh can be an effective part of Ayurvedic healing.
Please consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
This Article is written by Dr. Ashutosh Tiwari B.A.M.S, PGDCR Director of Risha’s Health And Ayurvedaa Solutions.He is having more than 20 years of experience in field of Ayurvedic medicine.
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Disclaimer :The content provided here is for informational purpose only. This blog is not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek medical advice of a qualified healthcare provider for any questions or concern you may have regarding a medical conditions.
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