Rasa (Taste)
Tikta, Madhura
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Ushir (Khus -Khus grass)
Ushira is a dense, tufted perennial grass with an extensively deep root system.
Medicinal Plant
Ushir (Khus -Khus grass)
Vetiveria zizanioides · Gramiacea
Ushira is a dense, tufted perennial grass with an extensively deep root system.
Scientific Name
Vetiveria zizanioides
Family
Gramiacea
Hindi Name
Khasa
Used Part
Usheer Root, Vetiver Oil
Botanical Description
About the Ushir Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Ushira is a dense, tufted perennial grass with an extensively deep root system. Famous for its highly aromatic and cooling roots, this grass features tall, stiff stems, linear rigid leaves, and purplish-brown flower panicles.
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)
Ruksa, Laghu
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Katu
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Kapha-pittahar
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Sheeta
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Pachana, Stambhana, Dahaprashaman, Varnya, Jwarahara , Mutrala.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Antimicrobial, Anxiolytic,Diuretic effects, Antioxidant , Anti-inflammatory, Astringent & Hemostatic.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Etiselinenol , Khusimol, Allokhusiol, Benzoic acid, Cyclocapacamphene, Epikhusinol, Epizizanal, 2-epizizanone, Beta- eudesmol, Eugenol, Isokhusimol, Isokhusinoloxide, Isovalencenol, Isovalencic acid, Isovalesenol, Khusimene.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Ushir
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Jwara - shadangapaniya preparation of ushira is beneficial in fever.
02
Chardi - ushira and balaka powder with rice water is beneficial in vomiting.
03
Mutrakrichha - root powder with rock sugar is beneficial in burning micturition.
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 Ushir is a key ingredient.
- Ushirasava, Shadangapaniya
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
उशीरं पाचनं शीतं स्तम्भनं लघु तिक्तरम् । मधुरं ज्वरदाहतृप्तिमदमूर्च्छापित्तहृत् । तृष्णाविषविसर्पपित्तदाहकुष्ठकृमिघ्नम्