Family: Araceae
Arabic Name(s): Ood Alvaj, Waj, Kani Kaathi, عود الوج
Urdu Name(s): Waj, Bach, Agar Turki, بچ، اگر ترکی، وج
English Name(s): Sweet Flag
Parts Used
Root.
Quality/Temperament
Warm and dry in the second order.
Functions and Properties (Pharmacological Actions)
Pungent, bitter, stomachic demulcent, detersive, emetic, anti phlegmatic, desiccative, nervine stimulant, antiepileptic, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, and aphrodisiac, antirheumatic, assists parturition, anthelmintic, antidiarrhoeal, antidysenteric, antiflatulent, antiasthmatic (particularly anti phlegmatic).
Specific Action
Aromatic stimulant, anti phlegmatic.
Medicinal Uses
The root possesses a quality of clearing the mind of waste matters remain there or continuously deposit there particularly the phlegmatic (malhumours) therefore its use with other suitable herbs proves useful in forgetfulness, palsy, paralysis, stammering insanity, epilepsy, and paralysis. During epidemics chewing the pieces of root is regarded as beneficial in protecting the individual from such attack. Root bruised mixed with honey and administered to children (like Pyrethrum) helps children to speak (confidently). With Glycyrrhizagiven in children's fever, cough, common cold and colic. It imparts strength to muscles and is a useful stomachic, relieves dysentery, diarrhea, flatulence and gastric troubles (like indigestion). Decoction is effective as diuretic and emmenagogue and fine powder used as household collyrium to improve eyesight. Paste of the root applied on hydrocele gives relief. A pessary composed of a root, saffron, and milk is used to promote delivery, a hip bath of the decoction is also effective for this purpose. Roots bruised mixed with black pepper and coriander in water are not only useful in children's' diarrhea or dysentery but also in bronchial affections of the children.
Compound Preparations
Anqaruyai Kabir, Itrifal Deedan, Sufuf Musaffi Khas, Ma'jun Baladur, Ma'jun Muqil.
Dosage
1-3 g. (approximately).
Corrigent
Cochlospermum religiosum(L.) Alston (Katira) and honey.
Tenedium
Anacyclus pyrethrum DC. /Chrysanthemum indicumLinn. (Aqarqarha) and Cuminum cyminum Linn. (Zira Safaid).
Comments
In large doses it may produce violent and persistent emesis. Dried powdered if spread on a selected site serves as good insect-repellent.
