Devdaru : Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Popularly known as "Wood of Gods," Devdaru is a wonder plant-based medicine used for ample benefits in different forms. It is also known as Deodar or Himalayan Cedar. It helps in relieving cough and removing stool from the respiratory tract due to antispasmodic activity. It is also useful in managing asthma and enhances the respiratory tract movement. 

Diabetic patients also use this plant for managing their blood sugar level and controlling insulin secretion. The application cures insomnia of Devdaru because it helps in managing the mind hence improving the sleep schedule. Devdaru is also extremely useful in curing leprosy, osteoarthritis, eye infection, ear pain, etc. The flatulence or wounds are also healed by using Devdaru both in a scientific study and ayurvedic evidences.

Mostly, Devdaru oil is used for external applications and is proved to be very beneficial for a lot of health problems. Diaphoretic properties of Devdaru oil manage fever and enhance the sweating. The anti-inflammatory properties cure joint pain, inflammation, and arthritis of Devdaru. Apart from oil, Devdaru leaves are also used in the paste form for skin disorders and itching. It is used because of its anti-fungal properties.

What are the other names of Devdaru?

Devdaru is commonly known as Himalayan Cedar or deodar. However, there are many other scientific and regional names of devdaru like Cedrusdeodara, Surabhuruha, Amaradaru, Devakastha, Daru, Suradaru, ShajarTuljeen, Devdaroo,,Devdar, TeliyoDevdar, Devdaroo, Deevdar, Devtaram, TelyaDedaroo, Diyar, Dewdar, DevdariChettu, Devdaree.

Benefits of Devdaru for health and body

Devdaru is very beneficial for health. Here are some wonderful benefits of Devdaru: -

• Manages cough and cold

Devdaru, when consumed orally, is useful in controlling cough. As per Ayurveda, cough is known as Kapha disorder. Accumulation of stool or mucus in the respiratory tract causes cough. Kapha balancing properties of Devdaru excretes excessive mucus from the lungs and respiration tract. Moreover, Ushna or hot properties of Devdaru is also helpful for cough ailment.

• Helps in curing Asthma

Vata and Kaphadosha are mainly responsible for Asthma as per ayurvedic studies. Devdaru balances the Vata and Kaphadosha removing excess mucus or stool from the lungs. Difficulty in breathing is due to obstruction of the respiratory tract by imbalanced Vata and Kapha; hence, Devdaru helps relieve asthma symptoms. 

• Beneficial for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a joint disorder that causes pain and swelling in the joints leading to movement difficulties. This happens due to excessive Vatadosha in the body. Devdaru has Vata balancing properties and hence helps manage the symptoms of osteoarthritis. 

• Manages Obesity

Unhealthy food and sleep habits are responsible for weight increase in our body. Weak digestive fire accumulates Ama or stomach toxins in the body, unbalancing the Medadhatu. Consumption of Devdaru improves metabolism reducing the Ama in the body. Moreover, it also enhances the Deepan or appetizing and Pachan or digestive properties, which in turn manages the weight and control obesity. 

• Reduces wrinkles

Devdaru has anti-wrinkle properties. As per Ayurveda studies, wrinkles are mainly caused because of dry skin and no moisture. The increased Vatadosha in the body is responsible for these conditions. Devdaru oil possesses Vata balancing and Snigdha properties, which enhances the glow and moisture on the skin, leaving a smooth texture. Hence, it helps control wrinkles and fine lines. 

• Heals the Wound

Devdaru oil is very beneficial in the quick healing of wounds and reducing the risk of bacterial infection. Ropan or the healing properties of Devdaru oil, helps in achieving a normal texture of wounded skin.

• Helps in curing Urticaria

Sheetpitta, as per Ayurveda and Urticaria in normal scientific language, is a skin allergy caused due to imbalanced Vata and Kapha properties. At times, Pitta impairment is also responsible for Urticaria. Devdaru has a lot of Vata and Kapha balancing properties, which are responsible for curing urticaria.

Treating diseases/health problems using Devdaru

We will be dealing with the uses of Devdaru in treatments methods of different diseases from scientific and Ayurvedic point of view:

• Flatulence

l  Eye Disease

l  Ear Pain

l  Diabetes

l  Leprosy

l  Wound Healing

Forms of Devdaru in Ayurveda with Recommended Dosage

Devdaru in the Ayurvedic treatment is used in many forms like tablets, powder, or capsule form. Each of these forms of Devdaru can be used to create different types of herbal tonics, or Devdaru oil can be applied externally on the affected area to treat the disorder or disease. Devdaru leaves paste is also used for treating skin infections.

If you have not consulted with your doctor regarding the dosage amount for each Devdaru form, you can then follow these dosage recommendations:

For Internal Consumption

• DevdaruChurna or powder: ¼ or ½ teaspoon of Devdaru should be consumed either with milk or water after lunch and dinner.
• Devdaru Tablet: Swallow 1-2 tablets of Devdaru with water after the meal, twice daily.
• Devdaru Capsules: 1-2 capsules twice a day, with water, is advisable after the meal.
• DevdaruKwath: - Take 1 or 2 teaspoons of Devdaru powder added to 2 cups of water. Boil the contents to reduce the quantity to half. Filter the Kwath and consume 10-12 teaspoons of the same with water. Drink the same before a meal, just once a day.

 In case you have consulted with a doctor, then it is advised to stick to their recommended prescriptions.

External Application

• Devdaru leaves powder: - Mix ½ - 1 teaspoon of Devdaru powder with rose water to make a paste. Apply the same on the affected area of 1 - 2 hours for quick healing of inflammation, itching, pain, and swelling. It is recommended to use this paste once or twice daily. 
• Devdaru oil:- Apply 5 – 10 drops of Devdaru oil mixed with coconut oil. Use this for massaging on the joints or other affected areas for easy healing.    

Types of Ayurvedic Care with Devdaru

• Devdaru Powder

Devdaru is available in powder form, taken from the roots or woods as a means to prevent or lower the risk of many diseases like diabetes and skin problems.

Tips:

As prescribed by your doctor, you can mix the Devdaru root or wood powder in milk, warm water, or honey. 

You can use the Devdaru powder to make Devdarukwath.

• DevdaruKwath

Devdaru's roots or powder can be taken in the form of decoction or kwath in curing ailments like leprosy, flatulence, diabetes, etc. 

Tips:

-Boil 2 cups of water in a pan.

-Add 1 teaspoon of Devdaru leaves/ root/ wood powder.

-Let it mix completely in water.

-Boil till the mixture reduces to half.

-Take 10-12 teaspoons of the same and mix them in warm water.

-Drink one cup every day before the meal.

Devdaru powder with honey

Devdaru powder is consumed with honey after lunch or dinner. The combination of both helps in curing digestive ailments, etc.

Tips:-

-Take ¼ or ½ teaspoon of Devdaru powder with 1 teaspoon of honey.

• Devdaru Tablets

Devdaru tablets are also available for consumption about treating the health conditions mentioned above.

Tips:

Take one tablet of Devdaru mixed with warm water or honey after lunch and dinner, twice a day, or as prescribed by your doctor.

• Devdaru Capsules

The Devdaru is also available in capsules form, which you can take with warm water or honey, each after lunch and dinner.

Tips:

-Mix with warm water or honey. You can even add ginger, honey to satiate your taste buds. However, it is not recommended to take more than 2 doses of these capsules unless prescribed by your doctor.

• Devdaru Paste

Devdaru leaves paste is applied externally for curing many illnesses and skin infections:-

Tips: -

Take Devdaru leaves and grind it with rose water to make a smooth paste. Apply it on the affected area to cure the dryness or skin infections.

• Devdaru Oil

Devdaru oil is extracted from the woods and leaves. It is extremely helpful for curing eye disease, joint pain, Inflammation, ear illness, and many other skin problems. 

Tips: -

Take 10-12 drops of Devdaru oil.

Take coconut oil and mix Devdaru oil in it.

Massage it on the joints for curing any joint or bone illness.

Apply on the wounds or dry skin to provide moisture to the skin.

Precautionary guide while using Devdaru

For Pregnant Ladies

View of Ayurvedic Experts

It is advised to avoid Devdaru consumption during pregnancy. In case of urgent use, get a consultation from your doctor for using Devdaru while you are pregnant.

For Ladies, while Breastfeeding

View of Ayurvedic Experts

It is advised to avoid Devdaru consumption during pregnancy. In case of urgent use, get a consultation from your doctor for using Devdaru while you are pregnant.

Any self-medication should also be strictly avoided.

People with hypersensitive skin

View of Ayurvedic experts

Devdaru should be applied with any other oil like coconut oil, or paste should be applied mixed with rose water to avoid any infection or allergy on hypersensitive skin. Moreover, if you are prone to skin allergy, consult a dermatologist before applying Devdaru.

FAQ's about Devdaru

Where can we found Devdaru trees in India?

Mainly found in western Himalayas of Eastern Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan, there are traces of Devdaru tress in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and Darjeeling. It is mainly found at an altitude of 1,500 m -3,200 m.

How can Devdaru woods be used?

Devdaru woods are very useful in making beer storage vats, furniture, and musical instruments. It is also helpful in constructing buildings, canals, bridges, carriages, etc. 

Does Devdaru cure bronchial asthma?

As per modern scientific studies, Devdaru is useful in managing asthma. Due to its antispasmodic activity, it is generally considered anti-asthmatic.

Can Devdaru be used for ulcers?

The Antiulcer and anti-secretory properties of Devdaru oil reduce gastric fluid and acidity.  It also prevents the stomach lining from ulceration and inflammation.

Is Devdaru helpful in curing fever?

Devdaru oil, if applied externally, lowers the body temperature and increases the sweating. Its diaphoretic properties help manage fever. 

What are the benefits of Devdaru on the skin?

Science does not claim any evident benefits of Devdaru on the skin. However, it might be good for skin diseases like skin rashes, boils, and ulcers. Traditionally, it is also used for treating headaches and rheumatic pain. 

Can Devdaru be used in pruritus?

As per the scientific study, it is not evident that Devdaru helps cure pruritus. However, Ayurveda uses Devdaru oil or gum for managing to itch of pruritus.

How is Devdaru oil helpful for health and body?

As per the scientific study, Devdaru oil possesses a lot of health benefits. The external application of Devdaru oil manages skin disorders as it has antifungal properties. Anti-inflammatory properties help in curing inflammations and arthritis. Moreover, diseases and health problems like dyspepsia, insomnia, cough, fever, urinary discharge, bronchitis, eye inflammation, and leucoderma are also managed by using Devdaru oil.

Ayurveda claims a lot of benefits of Devdaru oil on the body. Wrinkles, acne, inflammation, and any other skin infection caused by Vata and KaphaDosha are cured with the external application of Devdaru oil. Vata-Kapha balancing properties prevent skin itching. In addition to this, Ropan properties help in healing wounds and skin infections. 

( Disclaimer : The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or ayurvedic doctor. )