Botanical Name: Cyperus rotundus

Common Name:

English: Nut Grass
Ayurvedic: Musta, Mustaa, Mustaka
Unani: Naagarmothaa, Saad-e-Kufi

Also, known as: Sedge Root, Musta, Ya Haew Moo, Mustaka, Abda, Ambuda, Ambhoda, Varida, Mutha, Somad Koophee, Bhadraa, Bhadramusta, Mutha, Musta, Nut Grass, Moth, Nagarmoth, Motha, Mothaa, Nagarmotha, Konnari Gadde, Muthanga, Nutgrass, Nutsedge, Castañuela,Koraikkizhangu, Nirada, Vaarida, Vaarivaaha, Purple Nut Sedge, Purple Nutsedge, Soad, Soadekufi, Kari Mustan, Moth, Nagarmoth, Motha, Bhadramustaka, Souchet rond, Bimbal, Mutha, Korai, Mushkezamin, Korai-Kizhangu, Tungamustalu, Sad Kufi, Xiang Fu, Coco Sedge, Cocograss, Coco-Grass, Purple Nut-Sedge, Red Nut Sedge, Ambodhara, Bhadra, Chakranksha, Junça, tiririca-comum, Charukesara, Bhadramustaa, Ghana, Jalada, Jaldhara, Meghaahvaa, Meghahva, Payoda, Balaahaka, Vomonniu, Nagaramothaya, Nussgras, Rundes Cypergras, Ganda-Duurvaa, and Gandadurva.

Origin: India

Harvested: Wild

Parts Used: Rhizome

General Information:

Cyperus rotundus, is a slim, erect, perennial plant which spreads by means of a fibrous root system and may attain a height of upwards to 50-55 inch. Nut grass, a cosmopolitan weed, is found in all tropical, semitropical and temperate areas of the globe. In India, it is commonly known as Nagarmotha and it belongs to the family Cyperacea.

The leaves grow from the root of the plant and are arranged along the stem in groups of three, glossy, dark green, long, narrow, with a grooved upper surface, a sharp tip, and generally measuring up to 15-25 cm in length and 0.25-1.2 cm wide. This rapidly growing plant can quickly form dense groups due to its ability to produce an extensive system of rhizomes and tubers. The typical life cycle starts with growth of the apical bud of a tuber. As the tuber shoot extends, it swells to form a basal bulb, usually near the soil surface, from which an aerial shoot and roots are produced. Some rhizomes grow upward in the soil, then form a bulb-like structure from which new shoots and roots grow, and from the new roots, new rhizomes. The root system of a young plant initially forms white, fleshy rhizomes, up to 25 mm in dimension. The rhizomes of the nut-grass also form tubers, which store starch as a food reserve and can give rise new rhizomes or new plants. Chains of rhizomes and tubers become an extensive underground network. Tuber dormancy may last for at least 7 years. Despite the bitter taste of the tubers, they are edible and have nutritional value. Some part of the plant was eaten by humans at some point in ancient history. The stems of the nut-grass are smooth and erect, usually making around 30 to 40 cm in height, and are triangular in cross-section. Flowers borne in compound umbel, spikes loosely spicate of 3-8 spikelets at the final stages of which are red-brown to purple ‘spikelets’. The color of the spikelets gives the nut-grass its alternative name of ‘purple nutsedge’.

How to use:

Powdered Herb:

There are different ways to use powdered herb.

Food Preparation: You can add powdered herbs to any super food, herbal smoothie, sauces, spreads and even cookies. Also for children, you can mix powdered herbs with honey or glycerin to make a paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help the medicine go down. This method is also known as "Electuaries".

Capsules: Encapsulating your own powdered herb at home, give you assurance that the contents of the capsules are pure herb and no filler or any other products. These capsules can be taken with liquid.

Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.

Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Nutgrass Powder (Nagarmotha)