Ayurvedic Herbs: Gokshura

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Five-Prana_Ayurvedic-Herbs-Gokshura

Ayurvedic Herbs

Ayurvedic herbs are one of the many chikitsas or treatments used in Ayurvedic medicine. These herbs are used as part of an herbal protocol recommended by an Ayurvedic professional. Thusly, all the Ayurvedic herbs should not be self-administered and Ayurvedic herbs should only be taken under-advisement of your Ayurvedic Counselor/Practitioner/Doctor and approved by your Primary Care Physician. The information on the Ayurvedic herb of Gokshura is only meant to educate you on the ways in which it is traditionally used in Ayurveda and is presented for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a qualified, licensed medical professional. The facts presented are offered as information only, not medical advice, and in no way should anyone infer that we are practicing medicine. Seek the advice of a medical professional for proper application of this material to any specific situation. Do not use the information found within this post to self-diagnose any medical conditions or treat any health problems or diseases. The information provided is not intended to prescribe or be taken as medical advice. If you have or suspect that you have a medical condition please contact your health care provider immediately.

“The essence of all beings is Earth. The essence of Earth is Water. The essence of Water is plants. The essence of plants is the human being.

Esam bhutanam prthivi rasha, prthivya apo raso-pam osadhayo rasa, osadhinam puruso rasah.”
— Chandogya Upanishad I.1.2
Five-Prana_Ayurvedic-Herbs-Gokshura

Gokshura

  • Latin Name: Tribulis terrestris

  • Plant Family: Zygophyllaceae

  • English Name: Puncture vine fruit, Caltrops

  • Sanskrit Name: Goskshura means cow hoof and kshura means scratcher

  • Part Used: fruit

  • Botanical Description: shrub that is 0.5 to 1 meters in height; branches spread from all sides; flowers are small with five petals and yellow in color; fruits have 2-3 sharp thorns; roots are 10-13 centimeters in length

  • Taste (Rasa): sweet, bitter

  • Energetics (Virya): cooling

  • Post-Digestive Effect (Vipaka): sweet

  • Quality (Guna): heavy, unctuous

  • Dosha: VPK=, primarily V-

  • Tissues (Dhatu): plasma (rasa), blood (rakta), bone (asthi), nerve/bone marrow (majja), reproductive tissue (shukra [male]/artava [female])

  • Systems (Srotamsi): respiratory (prana vaha srotas), urinary (mutra vaha srotas), reproductive (shukra/artava vaha srotas), nervous (majja vaha srotas)

  • Constituents: tribuloside, saponins (protodioscin, stigmasterol, terrestonins); alkaloids (harmala); potassium nitrate; flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin); aspartic and glutamic acids

  • Actions: diuretic, lithotriptic, tonic, rejuvenative, aphrodisiac, nervine, analgesic

  • Ayurvedic Actions: diuretic (mutravirechana); dispels dysuria (mutrakrcchraghna); lithagogue (asmarihara), scratches accumulations from the system (bhedana); reduces pain (vedanasthapana); reduces swellings (sothahara); increases sexual appetite (vajikarana); sperm purifier (sukrasodhana); blood purifier (raktasodhana); increases body mass (brimhana); enhances strength (balya); reduces all three dosha (tridoshara)

  • Biomedical Actions: diuretic, lithotriptic, aphrodisiac, reproductive tonic, nervine, antispasmodic, anabolic, alterative

  • Indications: urinary, reproductive, nerves, skin

  • Precautions: dehydration, dryness, caution during pregnancy, caution with antipsychotic drugs especially MAO inhibitor medications as its harmala alkaloid content may speed up the breaking down of the medication in the digestive system, thus reducing the effectiveness of the drug

  • Preparations: decoction, milk decoction, powder, medicated oil

  • Formulations: gokshuradichurna, goshuradi-avaleha, gokshuradi guggul, goshuradi kwath, dashmoolarista (ingredient in dashmula)

Gokshura has a special affinity for the reproductive system and urinary tract system. It is especially beneficial for Vata prakruti (constitution) and vikruti (imbalances). Gokshura is sattvic meaning harmonious, peaceful and balanced.

References

Frawley D. Yoga & Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press; 1999.

Frawley D, Lad V. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press; 2001.

Gogte VM. Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants: Dravyagunavignyam. New Delhi, India: Chaukhambha Publications; 2016.

Pole S. Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Singing Dragon; 2013.