Vijaysar is an important herb mentioned in Ayurveda for its healing properties especially for its ability to heal diabetes. According to the ancient Ayurvedic texts, the bark of the Vijaysar tree is helpful in diarrhoea, diabetes and bleeding, the leaves for skin disorders and the inner part of the bark or the heartwood is helpful in fighting obesity, skin disorders, anaemia, urinary problems, heart problems and intestinal worms.
Vijaysar which is the Hindi name of the herb is called Indian Kino tree in English and Beejaka in Sanskrit. The tree’s scientific name is Pterocarpus marsupium.
Vijaysar: Plant Anatomy And Distribution
Vijaysar is that tree the bark of which is called the miracle cure for diabetes. The tree can grow up to the height of 10 to 15 meters. The bark of the tree is rough and dark brown to grey-brown in colour. The leaves are three to five inches long and have a wavy margin. The flowers can be white to yellowish in colour and approximately 1.5 cm long.
This medium to large size deciduous tree is native to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. It can be found growing in dry forest regions situated at an altitude of about 250 to 1200 m. In India, Vijaysar occurs in the outer Himalayas or Shivaliks, in the parts of Western Ghats and in the forests of central India.
Uses And Properties
According to Ayurveda, Vijaysar is useful in the following:
- Krumi – works against intestinal worms
- Rasayana – is a rejuvenating herb
- Visarpa – helps in fighting herpes
- Keshya – for long and healthy hair
- Shvitra– useful in vitiligo
- Tvachya – makes the skin supple and glowing
- Pramehaghna – one of the best remedies against diabetes
- Raktamandala – useful in ringworm infection
- Medohara – lowers the cholesterol and fat level
- Gala dosha – helpful in throat related disorders
The medicinal properties of the Vijaysar herb are:
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antidiabetic
- Antioxidant
- Antihyperlipidemic
- Anti toxin
- Anti helminthic
- Antimicrobial
- Analgesic
- Astringent
- Carminative
- Blood Purifying
- Rejuvenative
- Therapeutic
- Hepatoprotective
Ayurvedic Properties or Gunadharma
- Physical property (Guna) – light (laghu) and dry (rooksha)
- Taste (Rasa) – tikta (bitter) and kashaya (astringent)
- Potency (Veerya) – sheeta or cool
- Conversion after digestion (Vipaka) – pungent after digestion
- Effect on doshas – Vijaysar helps in balancing Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Benefits Of Vijaysar
Vijaysar And Diabetes
Vijaysar is one of the most famous ayurvedic herbs known for its ability to keep diabetes in control. It helps in suppressing diabetes symptoms like the need for frequent urination, dryness in the mouth and painful limbs. The aqueous extract from the heartwood of the tree improves insulin and proinsulin levels by reduceing the glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract. It also said to be effective in beta-cell regeneration.
Vaijaysar improves metabolism and this is how it helps in maintaining the right level of blood sugar. In fact, it is not some new herb beneficial in keeping diabetes under control; it has been used for thousands of years in a very unique manner. In ancient times, people used to make tumblers from the heartwood of the Vijaysar tree. Diabetes patients would keep water in these tumblers overnight and drink it in the morning.
Consuming water soaked in Vijaysar helped in maintaining a low level of blood sugar. This soaked water was reddish-brown in colour but neutral in taste. One tumbler could last as long as 45 days.
Even nowadays these tumblers are easily available for buying. Even research performed by ICMR points to Vijaysar’s ability to keep type II diabetes or diabetes mellitus under control.
Helps In Purifying Blood
Vijaysar has the ability to free the body of toxins. Toxins are absorbed in the body and become the part of the bloodstream not just because of the food we eat but also because of the type of air we inhale and the surfaces we touch.
As a purgatory herb, Vijaysar helps in the detoxification of the blood. This, in turn, affects our liver too, which is the most important organ performing the function of detoxification. It helps in lowering the pressure on the liver and acts as a hepatoprotective.
Beneficial In Skin Problems
Vijaysar acts as a skin tonic because of the numerous properties that make it beneficial for the skin. As mentioned, it helps in purifying the blood and this property of the herb automatically leaves you with a fresh and glowing skin as dull and rough skin is often associated with the accumulation of toxins in the body.
Possessing anti-inflammatory property, Vijaysar also helps in the treatment of a number of skin conditions which are a result of inflammation. Apart from this, the antimicrobial properties of this herb ensure that the skin remains supple and healthy and free from pathogens. This is why Vijaysar can be an effective remedy against acne which are caused due to skin inflammation and spread by microbial growth. If used as a tonic for approximately three to four months, Vijaysar can even help in dealing with chronic skin problems like psoriasis, eczema and vitiligo.
Suggested Remedy: By merely applying crushed leaves paste of the Vijaysar plant on the affected area can help to relieve the skin condition.
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Vijaysar For Weight Loss
One of the major benefits of Vijaysar is that it can help one lose weight by losing the excess fat deposited in the body. Consuming Vijaysar churna regularly can help improve the functioning of the digestive system, lead to better absorption of nutrients and elimination of toxins from the body.
Provides Relief From Diarrhoea
Vijaysar is quite a powerful herb if one is looking for a remedy for gastrointestinal disorders. The resin and bark of the tree are used when a person suffers from diarrhoea. In fact, apart from diarrhoea, it is also helpful in irritable bowel syndrome and constipation. This is because it helps remove ama from the body.
Ama is the undigested food particles which are present in the body as toxins. The presence of these toxins in the body can even lead to further complications like respiratory issues & joint disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.
Protects Against Infections
Vijaysar has anti-microbial properties and thus can help fight infections. Consuming Vijaysar ensures that the body remains protected against any kind of seasonal flu. Also, it can be applied externally on wounds to prevent infection and promote healing.
Helps In Managing Cholesterol
The antihyperlipidemic properties of the herb help in managing cholesterol by reducing the level of lipids. It lowers the level of LDL or bad cholesterol, serum triglyceride and VLDL. However, the herb does not lead to any change in the HDL or good cholesterol level.
Helps In Fighting Intestinal Worms
Vijaysar has antihelminthic property and thereby consuming it regularly ensures that our stomach is free from helminths. Helminthes inside the intestine can cause poor appetite, vomiting and fatigue and hence even doctors recommend consuming anti helminths medicines at least once a month. The affected person might even experience a sudden loss of weight. Consuming Vijaysar ensures the intestine remains free of these parasitic worms.
Suggested Remedy: A herbal tea can be prepared out of the bark of the Vijaysar tree and administrated regularly until a person is free from the infestation of intestinal worms.
Has Anti-Inflammatory Property
Blessed with anti-inflammatory properties, the herb is quite beneficial in relieving pain caused due to inflammation like bruises and swellings. It can prove to be very helpful for those suffering from joint problems like rheumatoid arthritis. External application on the affected area provides relief from the pain and swelling.
Vijaysar For Dental Problems
Antimicrobial properties of Vijaysar also make it a useful part of many oral health-related medicines. Its astringent properties make Vijaysar helpful in providing relief against spongy gums, gum infections, gum bleeding and toothaches. It also helps strengthen the teeth and keeps bad breath at bay. Often the twigs of the tree are used as toothbrush and it is even used as an ingredient in tooth powders.
Other Benefits Of Vijaysar
- Vijaysar has antioxidant properties and thus it helps save the body against oxidative stress by flushing out free radicals from the body. Indirectly Vijaysar also saves the body against malignant and benign tumours which are formed due to accumulation of free radicals. Hence it also protects the liver which is prone to damage from the free radicals.
- Since Vijaysar is a rejuvenating herb, it is anti-ageing.
- The juice of the leaves of the tree along with honey can be applied on wounds to promote faster healing.
- It is an immunomodulatory and strength-giving herb. It helps in fighting general debility and weakness and strengthens the immune system’s functioning.
- It also helps in relieving the buildup of stress in the body.
Recommended Dosage
Although the dosage of the herb can vary according to the condition for which it is being consumed, the general recommended dosage of the Vijaysar herb is:
- As churna or powder – 3 to 5 g
- As the barkwood decoction – 50 to 100 ml
Popular Formulations
This herb is also used as a constituent in many other drugs and herbal formulations like:
- Asana Vilwadi Tailam – it is an ayurvedic medicated oil with Vijaysar as a major ingredient and is helpful in relieving problems related to the eye and ears.
- Maha Manjistadi Kashyam – this herbal formulation is helpful in skin-related disorders.
- Narsimha Rasayan – this ayurvedic formulation helps in curing debility and weakness.
Vijaysar: Side Effects And Precautions
Any herb or medicine should always be used within its recommended dosage as excess might cause unwanted side effects. Consuming Vijaysar within the dosage limit proves to be quite beneficial, however, when consumed in excess, it can cause a few side effects and thus a few precautions must also be taken.
- Vijaysar has Kashaya or astringent properties which means too much Vijaysar can cause constipation. Also, people who report constipation as a regular problem must prefer not consuming Vijaysar.
- Vijaysar is one of the best herbs that help in fighting diabetes mellitus due to its ability to reduce the level of blood sugar. However, diabetes patients already on medication should not consume this herb along with their prescribed medicines. It is always better to obtain a doctor’s opinion. People consuming Vijaysar regularly should also keep checking their blood sugar level from time to time. Also, consumption must be stopped at least two weeks before a person goes for any kind of surgery.
- Pregnant and lactating women must obtain a doctor’s prescription before consuming the herb.
Any herb must be consumed after obtaining a prescription from a registered medicine practitioner and care must be taken if it is being consumed in combination with any other herb, allopathic medicine or a health supplement.
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