Ceylon Leadwort or Chitrakamula

Ceylon Leadwort - Natural Healing Herb Benefits

Nowadays when complaints of flatulence or abdominal distension popularly known as gastric trouble or gas are much in evidence, the use of Ceylon Leadwort or Chitrakamula is often called for.

It is an effective appetizer and digestive which improves digestion by increasing the secretion of digestive juices, as well as improves the absorption of food juices.

The root is the main part used from this herb which is mainly available from southern, northern and western India and Ceylon.

The irritant action of Chitraka was known to our ancient sages. Modern research scholars have found that 'plumbagin; is present in all varieties of plumbago to a maximum of about 0.91% and due to its irritating properties, it has been found efficacious in chronic skin disorders like leucoderma and baldness.

For dyspepsia, Ceylon Leadwort has no parallel. Take rock salt, long pepper, chebulic myrobalan and Ceylon Leadwort in equal parts and powder them. The dose would be 2-3 grams.

According to the ancient system of medicine, the root cause of piles is dyspepsia. Hence it has been found that various preparations made from Chitraka are beneficial to sufferers from piles. The paste prepared from pepper, black pepper, chitrakamula, salt and other appetisers, was applied to the interior sides of a vessel prepared of earth and in this vessel milk was allowed to become curd. The butter milk obtained from this curd is considered a boon for those who suffer from piles.

The well – known ayurvedic remedy, yogaraj Guggula, for rheumatism contains chitraka. Similarly Chitrakadi Vati containing various salts, carminatives and appetizers, has been found highly effective in anorexia, loss of appetite, gas formation, constipation and heaviness in the stomach. A dose of 1-2 pills after meals with water or otherwise, whenever required, gives relief.