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Large genus (Elaeocarpus. Linn.) of trees
belonging to the family Eleocarpaceae
distributed from South and East Asia through
Malaysia to Australia and Pacific Islands.
About 25 species occur in India. This medium
sized tree also occurs in Nepal, Bihar,
Bengal, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra. But the author has noticed its
presence in the Nicobars, especially in
Great Nicobar Island. Morphologically,
leaves are oblong-lanceolate, subentire,
nearly glabrous. Flowers are white in dense
racemes, arising mostly from old leaf
aisles. Drupe, deep or Bluish purple,
globose or obovoid (0.5 - 1.0 in diameter)
enclosing a hard, longitudinally grooved,
tubercled normally five-celled stone. In
which five seeds are embedded.
The stones are cleaned and polished, some
times stained and used as beads for
rosaries, bracelets and other ornamental
objects. They are frequently set in gold and
stones with fewer or more than five cells,
fetching high prices. Rudraksha beads have
mukhas or 'faces' that differ in number and
this is what distinguishes them from each
other. Almost all beads are five-faced, with
a very small percentage being more or less.
The therapeutic and spiritual attributes of
Rudraksha beads is dependent on the number
of 'faces' it exhibits. Beads having a
single face to about twenty one faces have
been found. The Rudraksha treasured by the
followers of the God of the hindu trinity,
Siva the Destroyer. According to the Siva
Purana, It is impossible to describe
adequately, the benefits of wearing a
Rudraksha even in a 100 years. In Ayurveda,
Rudraksha is useful in the treatment of high
blood pressure, allergies, neurological
diseases, asthma, diabetes, cancer and many
other Raktavaha Srotadhikara (blood
circulatory disorders) and Manas Rogas
(mental disorders), due to its Guru
(heaviness), Snigdha Guna (greasy nature)
Madhura Rasa, Madhura Vapaka and Sita Virya
(cooling properties) and Vata Pitta samaka
pharmacodynamic action. On the basis of
above mentioned pharmacodynamic properties
and actions the significance of various
types of beads of Rudraksha. (Actually it is
a phalasthi (fruit) which is the used part
of this tree) can be considered as follows.
External use-External therapeutic uses of
Rudraksha can be performed by Darsana (By
looking like tratak in Yoga) and Sparsana
(By wearing, and pressing the beads).
The application of lepa of Pancha mukhi
beads leads to pacification of Pitta or
Dahasamana as like as chandana and apply on
Masurika eruption. - Wearing of Eka Mukhi
(one faced) beads fulfils desire. - Wearing
of Dwi Mukhi (Two faced) ensures control of
desires. - Rubbing of Tri Mukhi (three
faced) in milk and applied to the eye in eye
ailments. - Wearing of Chatur Mukhi (four
faced) can increase grasping power and
intelligence. - Wearing of Pancha Mukhi
(five faced) increases mental peace,
normalizes blood circulation. This type is
also used as an ornament. - Wearing of
Shasta Mukhi (six faced) beads increases
memory retention. -Wearing of Sapta Mukhi
(seven faced) increases will power. -Wearing
of Ashta Mukhi (Eight faced) beads increases
concentration, develops knowledge and
removes obstacles in proposed plans and
works. - Wearing of Dasa Mukhi (Ten faced)
useful in spiritual enlightenment and
reduces mental stress and strain. Rudraksha
is also known as Bhuta Nasana (literally,
destroying ghosts) due to its action in
relieving mental disorders. Wearing the
Rudraksha benefits in various ways depending
upon the number of faces. On the basis of
pharmacological experiements by experts, it
has been proven that Rudraksha is beneficial
in the treatment of neurological and mental
disorders. It has been found that, smaller
or medium sized Rudraksha are most effective
for wearing and japam. Moreover, when in
japam (meditation with chanting) using the
rudraksa mala keeping the beads a little
pressed develops a pressure in the thumb and
middle finger, improving blood circulation
in the eye and brain (Acupressure Theory).
They can be worn on the wrist, forearms,
neck, chest, head, forehead, earlobes and
around the midrib. A Rudraksha mala can be
made of 108, 54, 36, 27 or 18 beads. But one
must use only the strong, well formed and
grooved Rudraksha.
The natural central holed ones are the best.
Internal use of Rudraksha Apart from the
external uses, Rudraksha is also
administered in powdered form in dosage of
3-5 gm or mixed with other Ayurvedic herbs.
The internal administration improves their
effectiveness and shortens the treatment
period. The systemic action of Rudraksha is
as follows:- It acts as an anticonvulsant
and analgesic on the nervous system. The
six-faced beads are particularly effective
in the treatment of epilepsy and hysteria,
whereas the ten-faced beads are used in
reducing mental stress and strain. It is
hepatotonic on the gastrointestinal system
and is useful in the treatment of jaundice
and other hepatic disorders. Three faced
beads are useful in curing indigestion.
Three faced and five faced beads are
effective in the treatment of circulatory
system disorders like hypertension. It
affects the respiratory system by acting as
a bronchodilator and is useful in the
treatment of dynsnoea. Three-faced beads are
effective in the treatment of asthma,
whereas ten-faced beads controls whopping
cough. Nine-faced beads are effective in the
treatment of urino-genital disorders, and
aid in the prevention of miscarriages.
Moreover, these beads are also useful in
lowering the body temperature and act as an
antipyretic agent during fever. Three-faced
beads are effective in treating malaria.
Ten-faced beads are effective in treating
temperature regulation related disorders.
Four-faced Rudraksha beads are effective in
treating skin disorders. Form of Uses The
Rudraksha beads are taken orally and
externally in the form of Him (frozen),
Kvatham, Milk, Bhasma (ash), Vibhuti, Tailam
(oil), Kalkam, Mandap, Kirtanan, Mala etc.
Precautions 1. To maintain its potency
Rudraksha beads must be kept off the ground
and wrapped in wool or silk when not in use.
Cleaning the beads with sandal wood oil once
a month is also recommended. 2.
The bigger Rudrakshas are the best for both
medicinal purposes and worshipping whereas
for wearing and japam, smaller sized
Rudraksha are more potent. 3. Only the
strong, well formed and grooved Rudrakshas
are recommended. The natural, central holed
ones are the most effective. 4. It is found
that Rudraksha must be used for more than 40
days, to achieve the desired results. 5.
Before using Rudraksha, one must test its
genuineness by the following ways: - The
central hole of the rudraksa should be
natural - When an original Rudraksha is kept
between two clean copper coins, it will move
slightly due to the magnetic effect - When a
Rudraksha is kept in water, a little heat is
discharged after a few hours and the color
of water changes - Rudraksha sinks when put
in water. As a Rudraksha ages, it loses
weight. Only a genuine Rudraksha must be
selected as it has great medicinal and
spiritual attributes. It is recommended for
physical and mental ailments. To verify this
recommendation in scientific explanation it
is felt by the author to research on
evaluation of Rudraksha. References : The
wealth of India, Raw Materials, Vol. III,
D.E. CSIR New Delhi 1952 Dictionary of
Economic Products, DEP - III, 205,
Commercial Products (CP) 511 Hooker's Flora
of British India (F1. Br. Ind.) I, 400 Kirt
& Basu I, 404 Shruti Sharma in Indian
Express S.K. Bhattacharya et at.
Pharmacological Investigations on
Elaeocarpus ganitrus, Plant Media, October
1775 Dravya Guna Vigyan by Priyavrat Sharma
Chaukhambha Bharti Academy, 1983. Dr.
Raakhee Mehra, M D (Ay.), Ph.D, Officer
In-charge, Tribal Health Care Research
Project (Ay.), Car Nicobar, A & N Islands,
India
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