It is an
important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments.
The botanical name for devadaru is Cedrus deodara which belongs to Pinaceae. It
is also known as the wood of gods
Kannada - Bhadradaaru, Daevadaaru
Hindi - Devdar
Malayalam - Devataram
Tamil - Devadaram, Devadaru
Sanskrit - Amarataru, Badradaru
English - Devdar, Himalayan cedar
Gujarat - Devdaar
Marathi - Deodar
Urdu - Burada deodar
Tibetan - Tha n sin
Nepali - Devadaru
It is
widely distributed in the Himalayan region across Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal,
and India. The altitude range of this herb is 1200-3000m in Jammu and Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Uttarakhand. It is a large and tall tree it is 75m in
height and it ranges from 2.4 to 3.6 m in girth. The wood looks hard, brown to
light yellowish-brown. The female cones are barrel in shape and 7-13 cm long,
5-9cm broad, and the male cones are 4-6 cm long. It can live up to 1000 years.
Its flowers and fruits appear from October to November.
Devadaru contains Terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, P-methyl acetophenone, atlantone, and Sesquiterpenes.
Actions:
Traditional view:
Because of
its Deepan and Pachan property, it helps to keep the digestion healthy and it
also digests the food easily, and the gas formation
Due to the
imbalance of Kapha dosha eye diseases such as watery eyes, itching can occur.
It is considered that the use of devdaru helps to balance the Kapha activity
It is
considered ear pain occurs due to an imbalance of Vata dosha the use of devdaru
helps to balance the Vata dosha and relieve ear pain
Diabetes
can occur due to an imbalance of Vata and Kapha dosha and interfere with the
amount of insulin in the body. Devadaru control the insulin level by its Vata
and Kapha balancing property
Modern view:
It is
considered that the use of devdaru has a carminative property which helps to
expel gas easily and control flatulence
Information
regarding the use of devdaru in the treatment of eye diseases is not available
but traditionally it is used in the conditions like conjunctivitis
Information
regarding the use of devdaru in the treatment of ear diseases is not available
It reduces
the glucose level in blood and activates the insulin receptors to absorb the
sugar in the blood by its antidiabetic property
DEVDARU AS EXPECTORANT
By
removing the mucus from the respiratory tract it helps to relieve cough by its
expectorant activity
DEVDARU AS ANTISPASMODIC
It is
useful in controlling asthma by increasing the movements of the respiratory
tract by its antispasmodic activity
DEVDARU AS ANTI-DIABETIC
It controls
the sugar level in blood by stimulating the secretion of insulin and it also
helps to relax the mind and improve the pattern of sleep which results in
managing insomnia
DEVDARU AS DIAPHORETIC
The use of
this oil helps to increases the sweating to reduce the fever by its sweat-inducing
property
DEVDARU AS ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
It is used
to reduce the pain and inflammation that occurs due to arthritis due to its
anti-inflammatory property
DEVDARU AS ANTI-FUNGAL
The paste
of this leaf helps to reduce the itching and also prevent the skin from
infection by its anti-fungal activity
The dose
of the drug used according to physicians
Decoction - 60-90ml
Powder - 3-5gm
Oil - 20-40 drops
It is
contraindicated to use this drug in patients during breastfeeding and
pregnancy.
COUGH AND COLD
It is
known as Kapha disorder and it usually occurs due to the accumulation of mucus
in the respiratory tract. The use of this herb helps to balance the imbalance
of Kapha and remove the excess mucus from the respiratory tract
ASTHMA:
According
to Ayurveda, it is considered that the main doshas which are involved in asthma
are Vata and Kapha. The combination of Vata and Kapha in the lungs obstructs
the respiratory passage and leads to breathing difficulty. The use of this herb
balances the imbalance of Vata and Kapha and reduces the excess amount of mucus
in the respiratory tract and reduces the symptoms of asthma
OSTEOARTHRITIS:
It usually
occurs due to the aggravation of Vata dosha which causes pain, swelling, and
movement difficulty. The use of this herb balances the Vata and reduces the
symptoms of osteoarthritis.
OBESITY:
Due to
lifestyle modification and unhealthy food habits which results in weak
digestive fire and this increases the accumulation of ama and causes an imbalance
in Meda dhatu and leads to obesity. The use of this drug control obesity by
reducing the ama and also b improving the metabolism
ANTI-WRINKLE:
According
to Ayurveda wrinkles occurs due to the aggravation of Vata this is control by
devdaru oil which reduce the wrinkles by increasing the moisture content of the
skin by balancing the Vata
WOUND HEALING:
Due to its
ropan activity, it promotes quick healing by decreasing inflammation and also
brings the normal texture of the skin.
The
Devadaru comes in various formulations includes
Internal use:
Devdaru powder
Take the
required amount of the powder and consume the powder with water after every
meal
Devdaru decoction:
Take the
required amount of powder and add 2 cups of water and boil until it reduces to
half a cup and filter the water and take 10-20 teaspoons of this decoction and
add the same quantity of water into it and consume the drink after the meals
Devdaru capsule
Take the
capsules of devdaru as per the required dose. Consume the capsule with milk or
water after lunch and dinner.
External use:
Devdaru oil:
Take the
required amount of devdaru oil and mix it with coconut oil if you have allergic
skin
What is Devdaru formulation is
available in the market?
The
available devdaru formulations in the market are churna, capsule, and oil
Is Devdaru powder available in the
market?
Yes, it is
available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic
medical stores.
How to store Devdaru?
It should
be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat
and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children.