Tagar in Ayurveda Tagarah is a very heavy herb containing lots of the Earth element (pr. thivi- tattva).

It sedates the nervous system and va-ta. Too much can dull the mind and be excessively sedating. ENERGETICS Rasa (taste) Bitter, pungent, sweet, astringent Vi-rya (energy) Heating Vipa-ka (post-digestive effect) Pungent Gun.a (quality) Light, unctuous Dos.a effect VPKDha-tu (tissue) Plasma, blood, muscle, nerve Srotas (channel) Digestive, nervous, respiratory CONSTITUENTS Alkaloids Iridoids Valepotriates, valtrate Essential oil Pinene, limonene, cineole, borneol, malliol AYURVEDIC ACTION Unma-daghna Treats insanity and emotional instability Nidra-janana Promotes sleep Di-pana Awakens digestive fire Hr daya Benefits the heart S irsarogaghna Has a specific affinity for treating diseases of the head Sa-ra Laxative BIOMEDICAL ACTION Nervine, sedative, antispasmodic, carminative, laxative, hypotensive, anxiolytic, aromatic INDICATIONS Nerves The heaviness and warmth ground the agitation caused by excessive tension, anxiety and restlessness from high vata. It is used in insomnia, panic attacks and lack of concentration. It specifically cleans the channels of toxins and tension. It can also be used in the treatment of mild depression when there are signs of mania. It is useful in helping to reduce withdrawal symptoms from addictions to cigarettes, amphetamines and benzodiazepines. Good for diseases of the head

from aggravated vata; dull headaches at the back of the head with dizziness. It has a renowned traditional usage in the treatment of epilepsy and possession (Bhavaprakasa). Heart Its relaxing qualities treat palpitations, tightness in the chest and high blood pressure. It clears excessive vata from the thoracic region by regulating vyana and prana vayu. Digestion As a warming carminative it is useful in a formula for vis.amagni with erratic digestion, bloating and constipation. It soothes all spasms in the intestines and prevents the movement of stress from the mind to the intestines. It balances samana vayu and can help to regulate the movement of apana vayu; tagarah has a mild laxative effect in vata prakrti. It prevents intestinal fermentation that is so common in vata types. Its hot and penetrating qualities can increase digestive metabolism in kapha types. Gynaecology Its heavy and antispasmodic qualities can ease menstrual pain and cramps. Its sedative properties can calm menopausal irritability and prevent insomnia. Lungs Its warm and unctuous energetics benefit the wheezing and spasmodic coughing of asthma and bronchitis. The pungency dries and moves the kapha and the demulcent properties oppose the dryness of vata. COMBINATIONS * Brahmi and gotu kola in nervous problems. This is a helpful combination as the cool, light and bitter nature of brahmi and gotu kola oppose the warm, heavy and pungent nature of tagarah.