Dashmool is a famous Ayurvedic combination of medicinal herbs. It is one of the most common polyherbal combination used in preparation of many Ayurvedic medicine that are indicated in the treatment of a variety of ailments especially Vata Roga.
Dash means ten and Mool or Mula means roots. So the literal meaning of Dashmoola is ten roots. In ten roots, five roots are of the tree and other five are roots of shrubs.
Dashmoola is Tridosha Nashak and balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. It is excellent medicine for treating inflammatory condition or Vata vyadhi. In inflammatory conditions, it reduces swelling, inflammation and fever. It is such an intelligent blend of medicinal herbs that balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Study show, it exhibits aspirin-like antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.
Overview of Dashmula
- Definition: Combination of Kshudra Pancha Mool (Sarivan, Pithvan, Badi Kateri, Choti Kateri and Gokhru) and Mahat Pancha Mool (Bilva, Agnimantha, Shyonak, Kashmari and Patala).
- Synonyms: Dasamula, Dashmoola, Dashmool, Dashamula, Dashmulam
- Chief Indication: inflammation, swelling in the body
It generally alleviates all the three dosh and is effective especially when Vayu and Kapha are aggravated in excess.
- Availability in market: Coarse powder of ten roots, decoction
- Chief Indication: Standard Ayurvedic therapy for inflammatory disorders or Vata Vyadhi and to reduce pain and fever associated with it.
Composition of Dashmula
The roots of big five tree are known as Brihat Pancha Moola. The roots of small five shrubs are Laghu Pancha Moola. Dashmula is prepared by mixing equal parts of these roots.
Brihat panchamula (5 roots of trees)
| No. | Botanical name | Common name | Family |
| 1 | Aegle marmelos | Bilva | Rutaceae |
| 2 | Premna obtusifolia / Clerodendrum phlomidis | Agnimantha | Verbenaceae |
| 3 | Gmelina arborea | Gambhari | Verbenaceae |
| 4 | Oroxylum indicum | Shyonak | Bignoniaceae |
| 5 | Stereospermum suaveolens | Patala | Bignoniaceae |
Laghu panchamoola (5 roots/whole plant of shrubs)
| No. | Botanical name | Common name | Family |
| 6 | Desmodium gangeticum | Shalparni | Fabaceae |
| 7 | Uraria picta | Prishniparni | Fabaceae |
| 8 | Solanum indicum | Brihati | Solanaceae |
| 9 | Solanum xanthocarpum | Kantakari | Solanaceae |
| 10 | Tribulus terrestris | Gokshuru | Zygophyllaceae |
- Bilva roots alleviates Vayu and Kapha. It cures Chardi (vomiting) and it does not aggravate pitta. It is given in case of intermittent fever, hypochondria, melancholia and palpitation of the heart, diarrhea and gastric ailments, etc.
- Agnimantha / Arani/ Harimantha / Agni-mantha / Vahuimantha, alleviates Shotha (oedema). It is hot in potency and it is useful for patients suffering from diseases caused by Vayu. It cures fever.
- Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens DC.) alleviates Kapha and Vata. It is slightly pungent. It is constipative and digestive stimulant. It is regarded as cooling, diuretic and tonic.
- Kashmari / Ghambhari, Sriparni (Gmelina arborea Linn.) is astringent, bitter, tonic, stomachic, laxative, and useful in fever, indigestion, and anasarca. It alleviates Kapha.
- Shyonak / Arlu, Phalphala, Sona (Oroxylum indicum) is astringent and tonic and is useful for diarrhea and dysentery. It is diaphoretic and employed in the treatment of rheumatism, otorrhoea and piles.
- Trikantaka (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) is aphrodisiac, strength promoter and alleviator of Vayu. It cures Mutrakricchra (dysuria).
- Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad & Wendle.) is hot. It alleviates Vayu and Kapha. It cures shvasa (asthma) and Kasa (bronchitis).
- Brihati (Solanum indicum Linn) carminative, constipative, hot, and alleviator of Vayu.
- Prishniparni and Shaliparni (Uraria picta Desv. & Desmodium gangeticum DC.) are very useful in diarrhea caused by Pitta, and Kapha and Vata Prakriti people.
The ten roots individually possess various beneficial activities, but as a whole they balance Kapha, Pitta and Vata doshas, and useful especially for Vata vyadhi.
Ayurvedic Action of Dashmula
- Ama Nashak: toxin digester
- Balya: Increases strength
- Kapha-Vatahar: Remover of the Humor of Kapha-Vata
- Shvashar: Gives relief in Asthma
- Shothhar: Gives relief in inflammation
- Jwarhar: Reduces fever.
Important Medicinal Properties
- Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms.
- Antipyretic/antifebrile/febrifuge: Effective against fever.
- Anti-rheumatic: Alleviating or preventing rheumatism.
- Antioxidant: Neutralize the oxidant effect of free radicals and other substances.
- Analgesic: Acting to relieve pain.
- Sedative: Promoting calm or inducing sleep.
- Tranquilizer: Reduce tension or anxiety.
- Tonic: Restore or improve health or well-being.
Indication / Therapeutic Uses of Dashmula
Dashmula is especially effective in inflammatory conditions in the body or Vata Roga. It is given in the form of decoction in osteoarthritis, rheumatism, arthritis, joint pain and swelling, after delivery, and chikungunya.
- Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Gout
- Asthma, Pleurisy, Cough
- Backache
- Chikungunya fever
- Diseases supposed to be caused by the derangement of all the humors
- Headache
- Hiccups
- Inflammation and Oedema
- Inflammatory Affections within the Chest, Affections of the brain
- Kasa (bronchitis) caused by the simultaneous aggravation of all the three Dosha
- Painful Inflammatory Condition
- PMS
- Rheumatism
- Sciatica
- Remittent Fever, Puerperal / Post-Partum Fever, Pyrexia
- Parkinson’s
- Post-Partum Bleeding
Health Benefits of Dashmoola
- It has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.
- It balances both Vata and Kapha.
- It gives relief in pain.
- It reduces inflammation.
- It digests Ama or undigested food toxins produced in the body.
- It helps in asthma, fever, and pain.
- It reduces numbness and stiffness.
- It reduces tremors and hence it is useful Parkinson’s disease.
- It helps in regaining the strength of the uterus after the delivery.
- Study shows anti-inflammatory activity Dashmula is comparable to that of Diclofenac sodium and it can be a possible alternative to Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- It is a tonic drug.
- It is a herbal combination without any side-effect.
How to Use Dashmula Powder
- Dashmula is available in market as coarse powder. It can be boiled and prepared as a decoction. This decoction can be taken twice a day.
- To make the decoction, take 1-2 spoon or 10-12 gram of coarse powder in one glass water and boil till water reduces to half cup. Filter this and drink half cup twice a day.
- Drink Dashmula Kwath after having meal.
- After delivery, Women can take Dashmula decoction thrice daily.
- In the case of diarrhea, take Dashmula decoction mixed with 2.5 grams of Shunthi or dry ginger powder.
Famous Dashmoola containing Ayurvedic medicines
- Dashamoolarishta
- Dashamoola Kwatha
- Dashamoola Churna
- Dashamoola Ghrita
- Dashamoola Kalpa
- Dashamoola Oil
- Dashamoola Haritaki Rasayana
Contraindications, Interactions, Side-effects, and Warnings
- This is a herbal combination and does not have any known side-effect.
- As a general rule do not take any medicine during pregnancy without consulting doctor.
- It can be safely taken during breastfeeding and after delivery.
Availability
- Baidyanath Dashmool Ark 450 ml Price: Rs. 53.00 /-
- Divya Dashmool Kwath Coarse Powder
- JIVA Dashmool kwath dry Coarse Powder 150 gm Price: ₹ 125.00
- Sandu Dashmool Kadha Liquid form