Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market nameKusha
Formal nameRohisa
Other names　　　

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Gandh bel (H), Kavatham pillu (Ta)
English nameRosa Grass, Rusa Grass
Original plant nameCymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Watson (= Andropogon martini Roxb.) (= Andropogon schoenanthus var. martini Hook. f.), Rosa Grass, Rusa Grass
Family nameGramineae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification whole plant
Collection informationKingdom of Nepal, Kathmandu, Kilagal tole M.G.M. Shakya
Collection date1991/04/13
CollectorTsuneo Namba, et al.
TMPW No.14756

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
location of its administrative area is indicated.　　
Production area information
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27.7172453
85.3239605
Collection information
Kingdom of Nepal,Kathmandu
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Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name		Rohisa, Rosa Grass, Rusa Grass
SynonymsDhyamakam, Uditam, , Samalam, Vinducitam, Syamaka, Bhuniskam, Visagandhakam, Pauram, Palasam, Trnam, Davadagdhakam, Dhamanam, Kattrnam, Dagdham, Puggalahvam, Jvalanabha, Saugandhikam, Bhutikam, Dhupagandhikam, Mudgalam, Alatam, Pavanam, Gandhavaham, Kusumbhakam.
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Original plant nameCymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Watson (= Andropogon martini Roxb.) (= Andropogon schoenanthus var. martini Hook. f.)
Family nameGramineae
Used partStem, leaves, flowers, oil
Distribution areaA tall perennial sweet scented grass, 5-8 feet high, occurring in the drier localities of India, from Kashmir through Punjab hills to Almora, Garwhal, Singhbhum, Rajputana, Bombay and south India.
RemarksCommon.
Common usesThe plant is acrid, bitter, thermogenic, appetizer, carminative, digestive, cardiotonic, depurative, galactagogue, diuretic, sudorific and febrifuge and is used in the treatment of neuralgia, lumbago, stiff joints, bronchitis, cough, catarrh, helminthiasis, anorexia, dyspepsia, colic, cardiac debility, leprosy, skin disease, aglactia, strangury, epileptic fits in children, pharyngopathy and fever.
Along with sandal wood oil, it is used in ointments for warding off mosquitoes. It is said to be a cure for baldness.
Taken internally, in small doses, it serves as a remedy for bilious complaints.
Therapeutic usesKrmi (worm infestation), Kotha (eruptions), Jvara (fever), Hrdroga (cardiac disorders), Kandu (pruritus), Visuci (a kind of indigestion), Ajirna (indigestion), Sula (colic), Balagraha (ill effects of planetary forces on children), Aruci (anorexia).
Chemical constituentLipids
Pentadecane (*C1), Hexadecane (*C1), Heptadecane (*C1), Octadecane (*C1), Nonadecane (*C1), Eicosane (*C1), Heneicosene (*C1), Docosane (*C1), Tricosane (*C1), Tetracosane (*C1), Pentacosane (*C1), Hexacosane (*C1), Heptacosane (*C1), Octacosane (*C1), Nonacosane (*C1), Tricosane (*C1)

Monoterpenoids
alpha-Pinene (*C1), beta-Pinene (*C1), alpha-Phellandrene (*C1), Myrcene (*C1), alpha-Terpinene (*C1), Limonine (*C1), grama- Terpinene (*C1, *C3), o-Cymene (*C1), m-Cymene (*C1), p-Cymene (*C1), Terpinoline (*C1), Geraniol (*C3), Geranyl acetate (*C3), Elemol (*C3)

Sesquiterpenoids
beta-Cubebene (*C1), beta-Elemene (*C1), beta-Caryophyllene (*C1), grama- Elemene (*C1), beta-Helmiscapene (*C1), alpha-Humulene (*C1), beta-Farnesene (*C1), grama-Muurolene (*C1), delta-Selinene (*C1), grama-Bisaboline (*C1), alpha-Amorphene (*C1), Germacrene D (*C1), beta-Selinene (*C1), alpha-Selinene (*C1), Bicyclogermacrene (*C1), beta-Bisaboline (*C1), beta-Curcumene (*C1), delta-Cadinene (*C1), grama-Cadinene (*C1), Cubenene (*C1), alpha-Farnesene (*C1), Selina-4,7-diene (*C1), alpha-Cadinene (*C1), alpha-Curcumene (*C1), Germacrene B (*C1), cis-Calamenene (*C1),trans-Calamenene (*C1), Calacorene (*C1)

Others
Cymbodiacetal (*C2), Methylheptanone (*C3)

Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
Virya (Potency)Usna (Hot)
Guna (Quality)Laghu (Light), Ruksa (Dry), Tiksna (Sharp)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)		Katu (Pungent)
Karma
(General action)		Dipana (appetiser), Balagrahavinasanam (removes the ill effects of planetary forces afflicting children), Pumstvaghna (destroys libido), Vaktrasodhana (cleans the mouth), Sastradosghna (removes bad effects of weapons), Salya dosaghna (removes bad effects of foreign bodies).
Dosakarma
(Action on dosa)		Decreases Kapha Vata
Avayava
(Action on organ)		Vaktradosaghna (purifies mouth)
Traditional usage1. Rohisa (Cymbopogon martini) is one of the ingredients of "Agaruvadya taila" (a formulation) prescribed in fever with cold.

2. It comes in "Mahapancagavya ghrta" (a formulation) used in epilepsy.

3. Rohisa is one of the constituents of "Manassiladi dhuma" (a formulation) which is inhaled to alleviate cough.

4. Rohisa, Jiraka (cumin), Vaca (Acorus calamus), Tarkari (Premna mucronata) and Canaka (Cicer arietinum) should be inhaled for chronic coryza.

5. Paste of Trivrt (Operculina turpethum), Kustha (Saussurea lappa), Sarangesta (Dregea volubilis), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara) and Rohisa pounded with Yavaksara (alkali of Hordeum vulgare) and salt and slightly heated should be applied on head in cold.

6. "Dhanvantara ghrta" (a formulation) is a compound formulation that contains Rohisa.

7. Mushroom growing on elephant's faeces and Rohisa root should be pounded with Slesmataka (Cordia dichotma) juice and made into a pill which is rubbed and pasted on the spot in case of scorpion sting.
FormulationDhanvantara ghrta, Agurvadya taila, Mahapanca gavya ghrta.
ReferencesReference book　

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[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 2 (Repr.1997), p 285.

Plants in Ayurveda (A Compendium of Botanical and Sanskrit Names), 1997. Abdul Kareem, M., Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore
49.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, p 623.

Classical uses of Medicinal Plants, 1996. Sharma, P.V., Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi
p 326.

Research paper*C1 Gaydou, E. M. and Randriamiharisoa, R. P.; Phytochemistry, 26, 183-85 (1987).
*C2 Bottini, A. T., Dev, V., Garfagnoli, D. J., Hope, H., Joshi, P., Lohani, H., Mathela, C. S.and Nelson, T. E.; Phytochemistry, 26, 2301-02 (1987).
*C3 Srivastava, H. K. and Satpute, G. K.; J. Genatics & Breeding, 55, 21-30 (2001).
RemarksPalmarosa or motia oil is extensively used in India for adulterating Attar of Roses. The attar is either diluted, or rose petals are sprinkled with the oil prior to distillation. Large quantities of the oil are exported to Red Sea ports and Egypt for use in perfumery. Palmarosa oil is used as a base for several perfumes and in cosmetic. As a soap perfume, it is used for imparting a pronounced and lasting rose note Ginger grass oil is chiefly used as a soap perfume. Palmarosa oil is used in Europe and America as a source of geraniol in perfumery for imparting geranium odour. True geranium (Pelargonium sp.) oil, which can be used for the same purpose, is more expensive (Trotter, loc. cit.). Geraniol is also extracted from Java citronella oil, but the product obtained from palmarosa oil has a finer aroma and is preferred.

Two varieties are known, Motia and Sofia, which are morphologically indistinguishable. It is stated that experienced farmers can distinguish them in the field both by their appearance and scent. The two varieties have different habits and grow under different ecological conditions. The motia variety is not gregarious and it occurs in patches 1-2 feet apart. It grows in open forests or clearings on dry sunny slopes. The sofia variety, on the other hand, is gregarious and covers considerable areas. It grows in lower altitudes and valleys, in shady nullas, and dense moist areas with poor drainage.
Last renewal date2024/01/15
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