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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, globosely
or obovoid (0.5 - 1.0 in diameter) enclosing a hard,
longitudinally grooved, tubercle 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 experiments 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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