Akarkara Health Benefits: With a sweet-smelling root, Akarkara is a herb that has multiple benefits. Primarily a plant-based medicine, Akarkara is mainly used in treating inflammation and pain. It is also used as a detox tonic for the body and has multiple benefits in indigestion, depression, and anxiety. It is also used as a general tonic for concentration and memory. It has been widely used as a remedy for toothache since ancient times, and it's roots hold the most medicinal value. It is known to increase the production of the male hormone, testosterone, which in turn increases libido, improves sexual performance, and the health of sperm and its mobility.
Akarkara- History and Uses
Also known as akallakka and Anacyclus pyrethrum, Akarkara is mainly found in the Himalayas' foothills and is used in the treatment of Arthritis and inflammation. It has been used in Asia to cure toothache for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and is also considered a natural aphrodisiac. It is also used to treat dermatological problems for its rich antioxidant properties and is known to improve blood flow and its regulation.
Akarkara Usage in treating Health Ailments
The use of Akarkara is well known. It is proved to control the Vata in the body, which is one of the 3 principles, as per the views of Ayurveda, which governs the body's health and functioning.
The following are the tables where scientific and ayurvedic sides of the treatment for various ailments, using Akarkara, are explained.
● In the case of Arthritis
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Science
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Ayurveda
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Akarkara is rich in antioxidants and can be effectively used to control and improve the blood flow and, in turn, reduce inflammation and pain associated with arthritis.
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Arthritis is caused due to the imbalance in the Vata of a body and is referred to as vata dosha. Akarkara is known to balance the vata; that is, it reduces the dosha and effectively relieves arthritis-like pain and inflammation symptoms.
Symptoms can be controlled by ingesting akarkara powder or capsules twice or thrice a day after food.
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● In the case of indigestion
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Science
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Ayurveda
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Akarkara is widely used to treat indigestion as it effectively enhances the secretion of saliva and digestive enzymes, which aids in better digestion.
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Indigestion occurs when the kapha levels in a body are elevated and cause a state of agni mandya or a weak digestive fire. Due to its ushna or hot nature, Akarkara helps improve the agni and thereby aids in better digestion.
Usual intake is by preparing a mix of the medicine powder with honey after food, twice or thrice a day.
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Akarkara Forms and Dosage
Akarkara is used in the form of powder and capsules and can be taken as per the medical practitioner's instruction.
Usually, they are taken as:
● Capsules: 1 to 2 units once or twice a day.
● Powder or Churna: Two to four pinches twice a day.
Usage of Akarkara
● In the form of Capsules
1 to 2 units once or twice a day or as prescribed by the medical practitioner along with water, preferably after food.
● In the form of Powder or Churna
Two to four pinches twice a day or as prescribed by the medical practitioner along with water or honey after food. It can also be consumed, preferably after food, by preparing a mix of the same dose with a teaspoon of honey.
How to use Akarkara
Akarkara powder may be difficult to consume raw. Therefore a mix can be prepared for the easy intake of the medicine. This is usually done by taking two to four pinches or the recommended dosage of the same by a medical practitioner along with a teaspoon of honey.
Akarkara Side Effects
Though infused with healing properties, Akarkara may cause slight side effects such as allergic reactions since it is very similar to chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and other members of the same family. So it is advised to consult a medical practitioner before applying Akarkara if one is allergic to members of the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family.
Akarkara- Some Frequently Asked Questions
Q. From where can we obtain Akarkara powder?
Ans. Akarkara is easily available in all markets, ayurvedic medical stores, as well as in online stores.
Q. How is Akarkara beneficial for the sexual health of men?
Ans. Akarkara is beneficial for male sexual health as it increases libido. Also, it increases testosterone production, the male hormone primarily responsible for the generation of healthy sperms, thereby increasing fertility and sexual health in general. Furthermore, Ayurveda states that the property of Akarkara, which makes it an aphrodisiac, increases vajikarana and solves many male sexual problems like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. It can be applied directly as an oil or consumed in powder form to attain the desired result.
Q. How is Akarkara beneficial in cases relating to the kidney?
Ans. Akarkara is known to be very effective as a natural detox medicine for its diuretic properties. It increases the frequency and the quality of urine, thereby increasing the overall health of the kidney.
Q. What are the benefits of Akarkara root?
Ans. Rich in expectorants, Akarkara is known to clear the respiratory tract by the effective expulsion of mucus from the tract. It aids in better digestion by the stimulation of salivary glands and the production of digestive enzymes. It is beneficial in better kidney health as it increases the frequency and quality of urine and, therefore, also acts as a detox. It is used in reducing inflammation and pain in cases of arthritis. It is also effectively used in the treatment of intestinal worms and toothache for its antibacterial and anthelmintic properties. It is also used as a brain and memory enhancer and a natural tonic for overall health. Ayurveda also recommends the use of Akarkara for its nadibalya or nerve strengthening capacity, which helps manage toothache and bad breath when gargled as a decoction.
Q. What is Akarkara's role in memory enhancement?
Ans. Akarkara is known to inhibit a certain type of enzyme (cholinesterase), which causes loss of memory and thus increases memory power. It is also proven to be beneficial in Alzheimer's cases as it can be effective in memory management and boost it. Ayurveda also supports this as Akarkara is known to increase the nerves or nadibalya and helps enhance memory.
Q. Can Akarkara help reduce joint pain?
Ans. Joint pain, which is mainly caused by arthritis, is due to the imbalance in the Vata of the body and is effectively counteracted by the action of Akarkara. Therefore, the external application of Akarkara oil is found to be beneficial in reducing joint pain. Also, Akarkara improves blood flow and movement, which further helps in reducing joint pain.
Q. How is Akarkara useful in the treatment of insect bites?
Ans. Akarkara is useful in treating insect bites as it is a very good antibiotic and can prevent the growth of microbes and infection in the bite site.
Q. How is Akarkara useful in treating toothaches?
Ans. Akarkara has been widely used for treating toothaches since ancient times for its anti-inflammatory properties and antibacterial properties. The root is powdered and applied as a paste( as mixed with a teaspoon of honey) in the toothache site to relieve the pain.
Q. Is it harmful to take Akarkara in large portions?
Ans. Yes, Akarkara may be dangerous if consumed in large portions. It is therefore advised to consult a medical practitioner before ingesting large portions of the same.