Mustaka (Cyperus rotundus) – Practical Uses, Benefits and Dosage

Mustaka, Nut Grass, Cyperus rotundus

Description of the Plant

Mustaka is present in Indian culture since ancient times. It had been cultivated on high levels in ancient India. It is also known with the name of Cyperus rotundus which is its scientific name. Its common name is nut grass. Mustaka has very huge network of underground slender, creeping and scaly rhizomes which has a bulbous base, arise from a single tuber. This can be 1 to 3 cm in length. The tubers are of blackish brown colour. These are of oblong, ovate shape with a characteristic fragrance. These are red white from inside. The stem of the plant is about 25 cm tall. The leaves are of dark green color and emerging linearly with a grooved upper surface having no ligules or auricles. The flowers of the plant are of red brown color. The nut of the Mustaka is of yellow color, oblong and ovate, having three angles and become black on ripe.

General Description

Mustaka is cultivated in India from very old times. This super bulb has been used for the treatment of numerous illnesses. The scientific and botanical name of Mustaka is Cyperus rotundus. This belongs to Cyperaceae family.

Its description of it is often found in ancient texts. Vagbhata cherish this herb for any kind of fever. He also mentioned it as dipaniya (an appetizer) and pacaniya (digestant). Maharishi charaka also cherish it as thirst relieving and anti-pruritic herb.

It is indigenous to India, but now found in various temperate, tropical and sub-tropical regions.

This plant shows contraceptive, demulcent, emmenagogue, analgesic, astringent, antispasmodic, antibacterial, carminative, emollient, febrifuge, immune-stimulant, laxative, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge, anti-candida, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal, cyto-protective, anti-mutagenic, antibacterial and antioxidant properties.

The plant contains various chemicals such as components like Monoterpene hydrocarbon (like Camphene, Limonene, p-Cymene, Sabinene, α-Pinene and β-Pinene), Oxygenated monoterpenes derivatives (like 1,8-Cineole, Terpinen-4-ol, α-Terpineol, Carvacrol, Borneol, Myrtenol and Thymol), Oxygenated sesquiterpenes like (α-Cadinol, (2E,6E)-Farnesol, α-Cyperone, T-Muurolol, Elemol and Caryophyllene oxide.

Classification

Kingdom – Plantae
Subkingdom – Tracheobionta
Super division – Spermatophyta
Division – Magnoliophyta
Class – Liliopsida
Subclass – Commelinidae
Order – Poales
Family – Cyperaceae
Genus – Cyperus
Species – Rotundus

Habitat

It is extensively distributed due to its ability to adapt wide range of soil types, temperatures, soil pH, altitudes and moisture levels. This plant grows in small clumps up to 100cm high. It is the native of India. Mustaka is found mostly all over the India, also in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, southern Asia, southern and central Europe.

Names of the Mustaka

Sanskrit name – Mustaka, Krodeshta, Hima, Varida, Megha, Raja Kaseruka, Abda, Ambhoda
Latin name – Cyperus rotundus
English name – Nutgrass, Purple Nutsedge, Java-grass, Coco-grass, Sweet Cyperus
Hindi name – Motha, nagarmotha
Tamil name – Korai kilangu
Telugu name – Bhadra-tunga-mustalu
Manipuri name – Shembang kouthum
Marathi name – Barik motha, Bimbal, Nagarmotha
Malayalam name – Muttanga
Kannada name – Tunge-gadde
Gujarati name – Motha
Bengali name – Mutha, Badhail, Bedalle, Dila Motha, Nagarmuta
Oriya name – Mutha
Bangladesh name – Motha
Sri Lanka name – Kalanthi
Swedish name – Nötag
Thailand name – Yaa haeo muu, Yaa khon muu
Turkish name – Topalak
Urdu name – Sad kufi, Habu-ul-zillam, Nagarmotha, Dheela, Mork, Motha
Assamese name – Keyabon
Brazil name – Alho-bravo, Capim-alho, Capim-dandá, Tiririca, Tiriricavermelha
Burma name – Monhnyin-bin
Indonesia name – Teki
Iraq name – Oyarslan
Italian name – Zigolo infestante, Cipero orientale, Cipero rotondo, Stancia
Japanese name – Hamasuge
Mexican name – Cebollin, Pimientillo
Myanmar name – Monhnyin-bin
French name – Herbe-à-oignon, Souchet à tubercules, Souchet rond, Souchet d’Asie,
German name – Rundes Zypergras, Knolliges Zypergras
Greece name – Kupere
Peru name – Coco, Coquillo, Coquito
Philippines name – Mutha, Ahos-ahos, Boto-botones, Balisanga, Mutha, Sur-sur

Ayurvedic Properties

Hindi / Sanskrit		English
Rasa	Kashaya, Tikta, Katu	Taste	Astringent, Bitter, Pungent
Guna	Laghu, Rooksha	Physical Property	Light, Dry
Virya	Sheeta	Potency	Cold
Vipaka	Katu	Metabolic Property (After Digestion)	Pungent

Effects on Doshas

It balances kapha and pitta.

Classical Categorization

Charak Samhita	Sushruta Samhita	Vagbhata
Trishna Nigrahana – Thirst satiating group of herbs Stanya Shodhana – Breast milk cleansing and detoxifying group of herbs Lekhaniya – Group of herbs useful in obesity treatment Kandughna – Group of herbs relieving itching	Vachadi Mustadi	Vachadi Mustadi

Ancient Verse of Mustaka

The Bhavprakash nighantu edition of 1998: verse 92-94, page no-243.

It states the names and properties of mustaka. The Sanskrit names of mustaka are Mustak, musta, varidnamakam and kuruvinda. Other type of mutha known as nagarmutha.

It is pungent, bitter and astringent in taste. It is cold in potency, promotes digestive fire and manages kapha pitta diseases, blood impurities, thirst, fever, anorexia and wounds.

References

The Bhavprakash nighantu with elaborated Hindi commentary by Padmashri prof. K.C. Chunekar, edited by Dr. G.S. Pandey: Edition of 1998, verse 92-94, page no.243.

Practical uses of Mustaka

It is acts as analgesic, astringent, antispasmodic, antibacterial, carminative, emollient, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and more. It shows effect on various ailments.
Mustaka is used in treating skin diseases ailments like eczema, scabies and itching.
Helpful in treating eye disorders such as eye pains, redness of eye, conjunctivitis and ocular discharges.
Helps to burn fat so helps to reduce fat deposition in obese people.
Enhances the size of the breast.
Normalizes the menstrual problems like irregularities.
Improves digestive system, removes toxins and worms from gastrointestinal tract and purifies the blood.
Treats ulcers.
It is a nerve relaxant and helps to treat diseases like psychosis, epilepsy and mental health problems.
Effective in the cases of vomiting, diarrhea and dyspepsia.
Regulates the body temperature.
Treats asthma and cough.
Helps to pacify liver, spleen and pancreas.