Rasna pluchea lanceolata

Rasna or Pluchea lanceolata is a medicinal plant that is known for its therapeutic uses. It is considered as a valuable herb for the management of anti-inflammatory diseases. In Ayurveda, Pluchea lanceolata is commonly used for the treatment of indigestion, pain, cough, gout, and debility.

What is Pluchea lanceolata?

Pluchea lanceolata is a xerophytic perennial herb that belongs to the family Asteraceae. The plant contains numerous secondary metabolites, such as flavonoids, pluchine, taraxosterols, triterpenes, sitosterols and many more, which exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Due to these properties, the herb is widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, cough, neurological diseases, edema, sciatica, psoriasis, bronchitis, dyspepsia, and piles.

Pluchea lanceolata grows in open wastelands, which are sandy-saline lands. It mostly occurs in the Indo-Gangetic plains and grows up to 30-60 cm in height. The stems and branches of the plant are slender and softly pubescent. It has sessile, oblong, finely silky, and coriaceous leaves, which are 2-6 cm in length.

What are the benefits of Pluchea lanceolata?

The whole plant of Pluchea lanceolata is used in ayurveda medicine. It is a classical drug for the treatment of arthritis. The decoction of Pluchea lanceolata is used for rheumatic conditions, edema, muscular pain, and fever.

• Bad breath: The regular use of Pluchea lanceolata is known to prevent bad odor from the mouth, thereby helping to treat bad breath.
• Asthma: It is caused by repeated exposure to allergens, such as fur of animals, dust, pollen, the perfumes, and pollution. Regular use of Pluchea lanceolata is known to prevent asthma attacks resulting from breathlessness.
• Lower respiratory tract infections: Pluchea lanceolata helps in relieving cough, breathing difficulties, and chest pain resulting from lower respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, acute and chronic bronchitis.
• Upper respiratory tract infections: Pluchea lanceolata or rasna is used to relieve the symptoms caused by the upper respiratory tract infections, such as laryngitis, common cold, sore throat, acute and chronic sinusitis.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CPOD): Use of Pluchea lanceolata on regular basis enables in achieving faster results in patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Autoimmune diseases: Pluchea lanceolata is known to be effective in treating autoimmune conditions, such as thyroiditis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the medicinal properties of Pluchea lanceolata?

The following are the medicinal properties of Pluchea lanceolata:

• Laxative: The extracts of Pluchea lanceolata leaves are aperients that exhibit laxative properties, thereby enabling easy bowel movements.
• Analgesic: The analgesic properties of the herb helps in providing pain relief.
• Antipyretic: Pluchea lanceolata exhibits antipyretic properties by lowering body temperature, thereby resulting in fever reduction.
• Anti-inflammatory: The herb exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by reducing joint inflammation in conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• Antioxidant effects: The extracts of Pluchea lanceolata helps in eliminating free radicals, thereby protecting the lung tissues in patients suffering from chronic respiratory infections, such as tuberculosis.
• Decongestant: The decongestant property of Pluchea lanceolata helps to reduce the nose blockage.
• Immunosuppressant: Pluchea lanceolata exhibits immunosuppressant action, thereby helping to manage autoimmune disorders.

What are the side effects of using Pluchea lanceolata?

So far, there are no known side effects of Pluchea lanceolata.

Using Pluchea lanceolata safely

Antipsychotic drugs: Caution should be exercised while using Pluchea lanceolata along with anti-psychotic medications, especially MAO indicators. The alkaloid content in these drugs can enhance the breakdown of the medication, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the drug.

Heart diseases: People with heart conditions should use the herb under proper clinical guidance as it can increase the blood pressure and affect the functioning of the heart.