Dasamoola Arishtam

--- by Sheela Rani Chunkath

Made from more than 50 herbs, dasamoola arishtam is like a formulary of the most effective herbs in the ayurvedic canon. The arishtam gets its name from the 10 important herbs called the dasamoola which are further divided into 5 greater herbs and 5 lesser herbs. The five greater ones consist of the five trees, Aegle marmelos (vilvam in Tamil), Premna corymbosa (munnai in Tamil), Oroxylum indicum (peruvaagai in Tamil), Stereospermum tetragonum (Paadiri in Tamil) and Gmelina arborea (kumizham in Tamil). The parts of these trees especially the roots have immense medicinal properties.

It is a pity that many cannot even identify these important and useful trees. Such a skill does not form part of our education. Realizing the importance of these trees, some of them have been traditionally associated with a temple and called the 'sthala vriksha' for the temple.

Thus the vilvam is the 'sthala vriksha' for temples such as Edaganathan temple situated on the banks of the river Vaigai in Thiruvedagam near Madurai and Uruvamazhakiya Nambi Perumal temple at Kuppunkuzhi near Kattumannarkoil. Vilvam is considered sacred to Lord Siva and cultivated in the vicinity of Siva temples.

Peruvaagai can be grown as an ornamental tree as it has attractive off-white to pink flowers. It has long fruit pods which look like dangling sticks or swords. It is a very fast growing tree. It is also called the Indian Trumpet flower tree, Tree of Damocles and Broken bones plant (as the large stalks wither and collect near the base of the tree appearing like a pile of broken limb bones).

Paadiri called the Yellow Flowered Fragrant Trumpet tree is also sometimes called Ponpaadiri because of its golden coloured flowers. Modern research shows that parts of this tree has antiviral and anticancer properties. The root and bark of this tree is helpful in treating the vitiation of the three doshas. The leaf paste is applied to relieve headaches and the juice is used as a wash for ulcers.

Kumizh is a fast growing tree and is used in construction, for making musical instruments and artificial limbs because of its light weight combined with strength and durability. This tree is being popularized by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.

In fact, a strong association between the Forest, Education, Highways Department and the Directorate of Indian Medicine could help in making the general population and the students more aware of our rich heritage and biodiversity.

The lesser five roots of the dasamoola arishtam are Desmodium gangeticum (moovilai in Tamil), Uraria lagopoides (oruvilai in Tamil), Solanum xanthocarpum (kantankathiri in Tamil), Solanum indicum (mullankathiri in Tamil) and Tribulus terrestris (nerunjil mullu in Tamil).

Dasamoola arishtam is a restorative, cardiotonic, good digestive, increases appetite and nervine tonic. It is used to treat diseases of the heart and lung and promotes disease resistance in these systems. It is also used as a supporting tonic for the treatment of fevers and pneumonia. About 15-45 ml of the arishtam taken after food (to be diluted with equal quantity of water at room temperature) helps those who frequently succumb to colds, coughs and fevers. It helps build your immune system and revitalises your energies.

--- The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Govt. of Tamil Nadu and is currently CMD, TN Industrial Investment Corporation; Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail.com