Khas (Ushira)(Vetiveria zizanioides)
Khas (Ushira) (Vetiveria zizanioides)
Ayurvedic Name: Ushira.
Hindi Name: Khas, Khas-Khas, Khus-Khus.
Botanical Name: Vetiveria zizaniodes.
It is a cooling herb. Antacid and pacify the high Pitta (fire).
It removes excess heat from the body and gives a cooling effect.
Roots for preparing Sharbat (sherbet) or soft drink during summer, especially in North India.
Roots as water flavoring agent:
Khas: Khas or Khus grass in India, is a perennial grass with thick fibrous adventitious roots which are aromatic and highly valued. This tufted grass grows throughout the plains of India ascending up to an elevation of 1200 m. Having wide ecological amplitude, this grass grows in a wide variety of ecological habitats covering all bio-geographic provinces of India. No wonder that this is one grass which has been extensively used by almost all the tribes. Vetiver has been known to India since ancient times.
Ushira is popularly known as Khas, Khas or Khus grass in India. It is a densely tufted grass, found throughout the plains and lower hills of India, particularly on the riverbanks.
Khas grass grows wild in many states, namely Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh and throughout South India.
The plant is used as anthelmintic for children. It is also used for boils, burns, epilepsy, fever, scorpion sting, snakebite, and sores in the mouth. Root extract is used for headache and toothache.
Different parts of this grass is used for many diseases such as mouth ulcer, fever, boil, epilepsy, burn, snakebite, scorpion string, fever, headache, enlarge prostate etc.
Traditional Use: India is inhabited by a wide variety of tribal populations who dwell in forested areas and depend on surrounding resources for their livelihood. Among the several hundreds of plants which are gathered by tribal populations, Khas grass, particularly in North Indian plains, takes a leading role. Various tribes use the different parts of the grass for many of their ailments such as mouth ulcer, fever, boil, epilepsy, burn, snakebite, scorpion sting, rheumatism, fever, headache, etc. The Santhal tribes of Bihar and West Bengal use the paste of fresh roots for burn, snakebite and scorpion sting, and a decoction of the roots as a tonic for weakness; the Lodhas of West Bengal use the root paste for headache, rheumatism and sprain, and a stem decoction for urinary tract infection; the Mandla and Bastar tribes of Madhya Pradesh.
Use the leaf juice as anthelmintic; the tribes of the Varanasi district inhale the root vapour for malarial fever. The root ash is given to patients for acidity by the Oraon tribe. Likewise, there are very many different applications of the plant for different ailments among different ethnic tribes (Jain 1991; Singh & Maheshwari 1983).
Principal Constituents: The main constituents are a- and b- Vetivone. Zizanal and Epizizizanal were isolated from the oil.
Pharmacology: Zizanal and Epizizanal exhibited insect repellent activity.
Note: The quality and part of the plant used are highly important in the manufacturing and processing of herbal powders. Certain parts are more potent and effective than others. Fiber and other unwanted material should be removed as they do not have any herbal properties (except to increase the weight and quantity).
The properties of single herb may differ from region to region. Ripening and timely harvesting are yet another important factor for the potency of any particular herb.
There are guidelines for collection of different herbs at different times and there is a particular span of time for collecting some particular herbs.
Naturally grown herbs are assumed to be more potent and effective than cultivated herbs because habitat plays an important role.
All related factors, including the above, are considered very carefully and thoroughly
Wild crafted herb from their natural habitat without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides or preservatives.
GMP & ISO Certified Manufacturing Facility: Laboratory tested for quality, purity and heavy metal standards.
No preservatives or artificial colors.
**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any Disease.
