Chandrashura — Garden Cress

Ayurvedic herb Chandrashura (Lepidium sativum) — Garden Cress. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Katu, Tikta, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Lepidium sativum seeds are highly nutritive, promoting strength and lactation after delivery.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKatu, TiktaKatu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant; Tikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
GunaLaghu, SnigdhaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Snigdha (Oily/Unctuous) — moistening, nourishing
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaBalya, StanyajananaBalya — strengthens, increases strength and stamina; Stanyajanana — promotes lactation

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Chandrashura is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Chandrika, Ravika, Asalika, Pippali

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Chandrashura are: bija.

Main Indications

Chandrashura is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Vata Vyadhi, Kshaya, Stanya Alpata, Daurbalya.

Dosha Effects

Chandrashura pacifies Vata, Kapha.

It may aggravate Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Chandrashura is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kauu, Tikta
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Rūkṣa, Tikṣḍa
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Balapuṣuivivardhana, V¡ta¿leṣmahrt
Dose3-6 g of the drug in powder form
Therapeutic Uses: Hikk¡, Atis¡ra, V¡tarakta
Important Formulations: Kastūry¡di (V¡yu) Guuik¡
Botanical Name: Lepidium sativum Linn. (Cruciferae)
Part Used: Sd.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
fruitGoutMESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25ISBN:9770972795006
leafAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9788173717048
leafAntidotesMESH:D000931,UMLS:C0003295, ICD-11:XM1S43ISBN:9770972795006
leafAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9789327275590
leafBronchial diseasesMESH:D001982,UMLS:C0006261, DOID:1176, ICD-11:CB40.YISBN:9789327275590
leafBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9770972795006
leafDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717048, ISBN:9789327275590
leafDysentery, amebicMESH:D004404,UMLS:C0013370, ICD-11:1A36.00ISBN:9789327275590
leafFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9789327275590
leafFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9770972795006
leafGalactogoguesMESH:D056669,UMLS:C2717873ISBN:9789327275590
leafHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9789327275590
leafIrritable bowel syndromeMESH:D043183,UMLS:C0022104, DOID:9778, ICD-11:DD91.0ISBN:9789327275590
leafLiver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
leafNervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9770972795006
leafGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717048, ISBN:9789327275590
leafScurvyMESH:D012614,UMLS:C0036474, DOID:13724, ICD-11:5B56.0ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717048, ISBN:9789327275590
leafSexually transmitted diseasesMESH:D012749,UMLS:C0036916, ICD-11:1A9ZISBN:9789327275590
leafSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9789327275590
leafUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9770972795006
rootAbortifacient agentsMESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1ISBN:9770972795006
rootIrritable bowel syndromeMESH:D043183,UMLS:C0022104, DOID:9778, ICD-11:DD91.0ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717048
rootSexually transmitted diseasesMESH:D012749,UMLS:C0036916, ICD-11:1A9ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
rootSyphilisMESH:D013587,UMLS:C0039128, DOID:4166, ICD-11:1A6ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
seedAbortifacient agentsMESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
seedAntidotesMESH:D000931,UMLS:C0003295, ICD-11:XM1S43ISBN:9770972795006
seedAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
seedAphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717048
seedArthralgiaMESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82ISBN:9770972795006
seedAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172362461, ISBN:9788173717048
seedCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9770972795006
seedCardiovascular systemMESH:D002319,UMLS:C0007226, ICD-11:XA4PM9ISBN:9770972795006
seedCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788173717048
seedDemulcentsMESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232ISBN:9770972795006
seedDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536
seedDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717048
seedDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
seedDysentery, amebicMESH:D004404,UMLS:C0013370, ICD-11:1A36.00ISBN:9788172362461
seedDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
seedDisorder of ejaculationUMLS:C0235969ISBN:9788173717048
seedEye diseasesMESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1ZISBN:9788172362461, ISBN:9788173717048
seedFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9788172362461
seedFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
seedFractures, boneMESH:D050723,UMLS:C0016658, ICD-11:ND56.2ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172362461
seedGalactogoguesMESH:D056669,UMLS:C2717873ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717048
seedGoutMESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25ISBN:9770972795006
seedGraves ophthalmopathyMESH:D049970,UMLS:C0339143, ICD-11:5A02.0ISBN:9788173717048
seedHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788173717048
seedHiccupMESH:D006606,UMLS:C0019521, ICD-11:MD11.6ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717048
seedHypercholesterolemiaMESH:D006937,UMLS:C0020443, ICD-11:5C80.0ISBN:9770972795006
seedHypertensionMESH:D006973,UMLS:C0020538, DOID:10763, ICD-11:BA00.ZISBN:9770972795006
seedInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9770972795006
seedIntestinal diseasesMESH:D007410,UMLS:C0021831, DOID:5295, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9770972795006
seedCounterirritantUMLS:C0010215ISBN:9788173717048
seedKidney diseasesMESH:D007674,UMLS:C0022658, DOID:557, ICD-11:GC2ZISBN:9770972795006
seedLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
seedLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
seedLeukorrheaMESH:D007973,UMLS:C0023533, DOID:3766, ICD-11:MF3AISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
seedLow back painMESH:D017116,UMLS:C0024031, ICD-11:ME84.2ISBN:9788173717048
seedMenstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788173717048
seedPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788172361266
seedGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
seedScurvyMESH:D012614,UMLS:C0036474, DOID:13724, ICD-11:5B56.0ISBN:9788173717048
seedSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172362461, ISBN:9788173717048
seedSplenomegalyMESH:D013163,UMLS:C0038002, ICD-11:ME10.01ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717048
seedSprains and strainsMESH:D013180,UMLS:C0038048ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717048
seedWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAntiviral agentsMESH:D000998,UMLS:C0003451ISBN:9788172362461
whole plantBronchial diseasesMESH:D001982,UMLS:C0006261, DOID:1176, ICD-11:CB40.YISBN:9788172363130
whole plantHemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9788172363130
Abortifacient agentsMESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1ISBN:9788172363130
Antirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172361266
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9770972795006
ColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9770972795006
Common coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
DysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788172363130
ExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788172361266
HemorrhoidsMESH:D006484,UMLS:C0019112, DOID:9746, ICD-11:DB60.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
HiccupMESH:D006606,UMLS:C0019521, ICD-11:MD11.6ISBN:9770972795006
Irritable bowel syndromeMESH:D043183,UMLS:C0022104, DOID:9778, ICD-11:DD91.0ISBN:9788172361266
Sexually transmitted diseasesMESH:D012749,UMLS:C0036916, ICD-11:1A9ZISBN:9788172361266
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006
Uterine diseasesMESH:D014591,UMLS:C0042131, DOID:345, ICD-11:GA1YISBN:9770972795006
Whooping coughMESH:D014917,UMLS:C0043167, ICD-11:XE6LTISBN:9788172363130