herb padmaka

India is the largest producer of medicinal plants that are used to manage various conditions in an effective manner, Padmaka is one of the most incredible ayurvedic plants that is used from ancient times to gain various medicinal benefits. This plant belongs to the Rosaceae family and is compiled in various herbal formulations to show its properties.

The holistic system of Ayurveda vouches this plant for managing several skin woes with its incredible therapeutic properties, which give the skin get brighter color and glow. It is a medium to tall plant that grows wildly in the Himalayas and is recognized by various names in different languages in English it is named Bird cherry, wild Himalayan cherry in Hindi, Padmaka, Padmak in Malayalam and Gujarati Padmkashtha. It is also a famous plant in the Rosaceae family because its fragrance is almost similar to the lotus. Its famous synonyms are suprabha which means it is very attractive in looks, Hemavarnaka or Peeta rakta which means these are reddish yellow or golden in color.

Classification

Botanical Name
Prunus Cerasoides

Family
Rosaceae

Genus
Prunus

Species
P. Cerasoides

Habitat

This is a medium to a tall growing tree successfully found in the Himalayas from Akka and Khasi Hills in Assam and Manipur or from Kashmir to Bhutan situated at an elevation of 8000 feet from the sea level. This grows in a temperate climate where shady and farming is done effectively.
This can be of medium size or may have bigger trees, these are looking so radiant and charming when the flower blooms.
Its stem or bark is round, looks the gleam of blood red color and consists of nodular growths, this gives fragrance same as lotus. Its skin is moist brown in color. Its bark sheds off gradually into small pieces.
Its leaves are three to five inch long, consist of spikes, and are unctuous in nature.
Its flowers are white or reddish in color and these are bursting into clusters and its pedicles are half to one inch. Its fruits are circular or oval in shape, unctuous, and may grow up to 1.25 cm of red and yellow color.
Its pulp is less and the seeds are solid in nature, the pulp is yellow in color, or blood red in color with some sour taste.
In January flowers bloom and in March fruits grow on the tree.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (Quality) – Laghu (light), Snigadh (Moist)
Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cold)
Vipaka (Post digestive effect) – Katu (Pungent)
Karma (Action) – Balances the Kapha and Pitta dosha
Projyang (Part used) – Seeds and bark are used

Effects on Doshas

It Balances the Kapha and Pitta dosha and is very helpful in Garbha Sthapana which is helpful in conception by managing the condition of the uterus.

Practical Uses

This herb is Kapha- pitta dosha shamak so helps in pacifying those diseases that appear due to Kapha and pitta dosha.
This herb can be used externally by making the paste of its bark or pulp and applied on the skin to improve the complexion, or it can also alleviate the burning sensation and any itching type of symptom.
This herb helps to manage various kinds of skin diseases like visarp (herpes), and discoloration in the skin.
This herb also helps on the channel systems like it is used to manage the pain.
In the digestive system, its astringent rasa is used for stambhan that means which helps to control the flow and helps to control the nauseatic and vomiting feeling.
So due to its astringent taste, it helps to control abdominal inflammation, vomiting, or dehydration-like diseases.
In the circulatory system, this herb helps to manage various types of blood disorders like thinning of blood or clots in the blood, and hyperlipidemia.
In Urinary tract disorders, this herb works like a diuretic, so used to expel out stones, or manages the hyper glycosuria state.
Due to its coolant property and astringent taste this herb helps in conception and decreases the chances of having an abortion.
This acts as an antidote for various poisonings.
In over sweating and skin diseases, this herb is showing its wonderful results.
This is also used in feverish symptoms.