Rasa (Taste)
Kashaya, Madhura
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Durva (Creeping Cynodon, Conch Grass)
Stem slender, prostrate, widely creeping, forming matted tufts, with slender erect or ascending flowering branches, narrowly linear or lanceolate.
Medicinal Plant
Durva (Creeping Cynodon, Conch Grass)
Cyanodon dactylon(L.) Pers. · Poaceae/Graminae
Stem slender, prostrate, widely creeping, forming matted tufts, with slender erect or ascending flowering branches, narrowly linear or lanceolate.
Scientific Name
Cyanodon dactylon(L.) Pers.
Family
Poaceae/Graminae
Hindi Name
Doob
Used Part
Panchang (Whole Plant)
Botanical Description
About the Durva Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Stem slender, prostrate, widely creeping, forming matted tufts, with slender erect or ascending flowering branches, narrowly linear or lanceolate. Spikes 2-6, radiating from the top of a slender peduncle, green or purplish.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Madhura
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Kaphapitta Shamaka
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Sheeta
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Dahaghna, Raktapitta Shamaka, Truptikara.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Anti-inflammatory, Wound healing, Antioxidants, Antimicrobial.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Phenolic Phytotoxins and Flavonoids.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Durva
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Ghruta cooked with Durva is useful in visarpa.
02
Taila processed with four times Durvaswarasa, applied cures Kachu, Vicharchika and Pama ( Skin disorders).
03
Paste of Durva and Haridra cures urticaria ,Itching.
04
Application of ghee processed with Durva is useful in Arshas (Piles).
05
Durva with Tandulodaka (Rice Water)is given in Chardi (Vomiting).
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Durva is a key ingredient.
- Durvadyataila, Durvadya Ghruta, Durvadikwatha.
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
नीलदूर्वाहिमातिक्तामधुरातुवराहरेत् । कफपित्तास्त्रवीसर्पतृष्णादाहत्वगामयान ।। (भा.प्र.)