# Nagarmotha

> Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus) is classified in Ayurveda as Deepaniya (Appetizer), Grahi (Absorbent), from the Cyperaceae family. Parts used: rhizome/tuber. Charaka classifies it as Lekhaniya (scraping/reducing). Rhizome/Tuber Cyperene Alpha-cyperone Rotundone Mustakone Digestive stimulant Anti-diarrheal Antipyretic Anti-inflammatory Analgesic Emmenagogue Charaka classifies it as Lekhaniya (scraping/reducing).

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Cyperus rotundus
- **Family:** Cyperaceae
- **Ayurvedic category:** Deepaniya (Appetizer), Grahi (Absorbent)

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Nagarmotha |
| Common Names | Nut Grass, Nagarmotha |
| Hindi | Nagarmotha, Motha |
| Sanskrit | Musta, Mustaka |
| Latin/Botanical | *Cyperus rotundus* |

## Parts Used

- Rhizome/Tuber

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta, Katu, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosha Effects

| Dosha | Effect |
|-------|--------|
| **Pitta** | Decreases |
| **Kapha** | Decreases |
| **Vata** | May Increase |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Cyperene](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#cyperene)
- Alpha-cyperone
- [Rotundone](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#rotundone)
- Mustakone

## Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

- Digestive stimulant
- Anti-diarrheal
- [Antipyretic](/reference/antipyretic/)
- Anti-inflammatory
- [Analgesic](/reference/analgesic/)
- Emmenagogue

## How is it used traditionally?

Charaka classifies it as Lekhaniya (scraping/reducing). Called Musta/Mustaka in Sanskrit. Used for Atisara (diarrhea), Grahani (IBS), Jwara (fever), and Artava Vikara (menstrual disorders). One of the most used herbs in Ayurvedic practice.

## Where is it described in the classical texts?

- Charaka Samhita (Lekhaniya group)
- Sushruta Samhita
- Bhavaprakasha Nighantu

## Recommended Dosage

Tuber powder: 3-6g/day; Decoction: 50-100ml/day

## Safety, contraindications and cautions

- Pregnancy
- Constipation (drying effect)

## What is it made of?

**Part(s) Analyzed:** Rhizome/Tuber


## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (rhizome powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Tablets, Essential oil, Arishta (fermented), Lepa (topical paste), Dhupana (fumigation)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g rhizome powder per day; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 500-1000 mg extract capsules daily; 1-3 drops essential oil (diluted)

**Bioavailability:** Sesquiterpenes (cyperene, cyperotundone) have moderate oral bioavailability (~30-40%). Alpha-cyperone shows good GI absorption. Essential oil components are well absorbed via inhalation and topically. Rotundone has extremely low olfactory threshold making trace amounts organoleptically significant. [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) undergo hepatic conjugation.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals for appetite stimulation and digestive fire enhancement; between meals for bloating and gas; morning for menstrual regulation; Arishta after meals

**Standardized Extract:** Essential oil standardized to minimum 30% alpha-cyperone and 15% cyperene. Rhizome extract (8:1 hydroalcoholic) with minimum 5% total sesquiterpenes. Aqueous extract for Kashaya preparations with minimum 3% total phenolics. Mustaka-Arishta with 5-8% self-generated alcohol.

**Shelf Life:** Whole rhizomes: 36 months. Powder: 24 months. Essential oil: 36 months sealed. Capsules/tablets: 30 months. Arishta: 5+ years.

**Storage:** Whole rhizomes in well-ventilated, dry storage at room temperature. Powder in airtight containers below 25 deg C. Essential oil in amber glass, tightly sealed. Arishta at room temperature in glass containers. Protect all forms from moisture.

**Marker Compounds:** Alpha-cyperone, Cyperene, Cyperotundone, Rotundone, Selinene, Cyperol, Isocyperol, [Patchoulenone](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#patchoulenone)

### Extraction Methods

- Steam distillation for essential oil (yield 0.5-1.5%)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
- Aqueous decoction
- Supercritical CO2 extraction
- Solvent extraction with hexane for sesquiterpene enrichment
- Fermentation for Musta-Arishta

### Synergistic Combinations

- Shunthi (digestive stimulant combination - Deepana-Pachana)
- [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) (bioenhancer and digestive)
- [Chitrak](/herb/chitrak/) (Agni-deepana, gastric fire kindling)
- [Haritaki](/herb/haritaki/) (digestive and [laxative](/reference/laxative/) combination)
- [Ashoka](/herb/ashoka/) (uterine tonic and menstrual regulation)
- [Shatavari](/herb/shatavari/) (female reproductive health)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/nagarmotha/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Classical Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Ashtanga Hridaya)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.