Nagarmotha

• Other names: Nagarmotha, Gimbal (Marathi), Korai (Tamil), Tungagaddi (Telugu)
  • It is also known as Nut Grass.
• Genus: Cyperus
• Family: Cyperaceae
• Origin: India
• Distribution: Mainly found in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions, such as Asia, South Africa, Australia and South America etc.
• Main features:
  • Its maximum height is up to 75 cm. It has a branchless stem.
  • Its roots and seeds are edible.
  • Nagarmotha has been included in the world's worst weeds in terms of unnecessary production.
  • It is a native plant of India which is found at an altitude of about 2000 meters above sea level.
  • It remains safe for a long time even in adverse environment.
• Uses: Since the properties of Nagarmotha are similar to Atis and Camphor, hence they are used together in various Ayurvedic formulations.
  • Apart from this, Nagarmotha is also used as a substitute for both the above mentioned plants.

Medicinal properties of Nagarmotha:

• Nagarmotha has various medicinal properties like anti-cancer, energy enhancer, anti-ulcer, anti-malarial, anti-depressant, anti-diabetic, analgesic and anticonvulsant, anti-microbial.
• The roots of Nagarmotha contain abundant amount of essential oil. The main constituent molecules of this oil are cyperotandone, cyprene, rotandine, cyprene epoxide, mustakone, alpha-cypron, aristolone and nootkatone etc.
  • The quality of these oils depends upon the molecules present in them and their quantity (concentration) and it has been found that this quantity varies in plants grown in different places of the same country or in different countries.