Review Article

International Ayurvedic Medical Journal

ISSN:2320 5091

LASHUNA: AN AYURVEDIC BOON FOR NATURAL CURE

Nirmala Chandrabhanji Apaturkar1, Kiran Deshbhratar2, M.N.Suryawanshi3
1
Senior Research Fellow, 2Research Officer, Scientist-3, 3Assistant Director Incharge
Ayurveda Mental Health Research Institute, KDK College Road, Nandanvan, Nagpur,
Maharashtra, India.
ABSTRACT
In Sanskrit, garlic is commonly known as lasuna or rasona. The species that is commonly
available in India is botanically known as Allium sativum. Apart from its medical use, it is commonly used as a condiment in the kitchens of Indian houses. As a medicine, it has a significant position. It has many therapeutic properties like Anti-inflamatory, Gastro-protective, Anti-cancerous,
anti-oxidant and skin glow enhancing etc. Garlics antidiabetic, antibiotic and perhaps anticancer
effects are well-accepted world over because of the many of scientific literature supporting these
effects. Garlic also has hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and antihelmentic effect. The other pharmacological effect which required more attention of researcher includes the anticoagulant, anti inflammatory, immunomodulatory and wound healing action of garlic. The wide range of Garlic,
health benefits come mainly from its main ingredient, Allicine. This widely researched component
of garlic is highly therapeutic and is used in various drugs and pharmaceutics. This article briefly
reviews the pharmacological and various therapeutic aspect of garlic.
Key words: Lasuna, Allium sativum, Garlic.
INTRODUCTION

Garlic (Allium sativum) has played an

important dietary as well as medicinal role in
human history.It has more than 45 species
which are used as medicine in different parts
of the globe right from Siberia to tropical
countries like India. Depending upon the geographical condition, its colour and taste varies.
But all the therapeutically useful species of
this plant have the characteristic odour of garlic. Ayurvedic texts are replete with references
to its therapeutic excellence. This plant is extensively used as medicine all over the world.
In spite of its therapeutic excellence for which
it is compared to ambrosia, as a common ingredient of food, it is not held in high esteem
in smruti Shastas (text on religious rites), perhaps, because of its bad odour and sex stimulating property. Manu Samhita which is one of
the premier Smruti Shastras of India, has
treated this as abhakshya( a thing which

should not be eaten).Even though its use is

permitted with reservation for common men,
for Brahmins and those who are engaged in
spiritual practices, it is strictly prohibited.
Yogic classics have strict instructions not to
use this for food because it stimulates passion
and emotion, which are the attributes of rajas
and which go against satva-guna.
This plant, which is of great medical
importance, takes place inside many foods,
especially meat ones due to its sharp odour,
appetizer property and bitter taste and gives
flavour to them. Garlic, its calorie value is
140, has 63.8 g water, 28.2 g carbohydrate, 5.3
g protein, 0.2 g oil and 11 g cellulose in its
100 g (Baytop, 1999; Kutevin and Turkes,
1987). Garlic can be consumed as fresh and
has also its pills, capsules and extracts. While,
it is safe, when taken in careful amounts, it can
lacerate stomach, when consumed in excessive

Nirmala Chandrabhanji Apaturkar et al: Lashuna: An Ayurvedic Boon For Natural Cure

amount. Garlic, with >200 chemical substances in its body, has the capacity of protecting human body against many illnesses. (Ayaz
and Alpsoy, 2007).
This great bulb has a lot of benefits, because
no other plant has been held out for so long as
a cure for so many human ailments. That's
why garlic has been considered as the "Wonder Drug".
Family- Rasona kula [Liliaceae].
Latin name: Allium sativum. Linn.
Regional names
Marathi - Lasun.
Hindi - Lahasuna.
Guj. - Lasan,
Tam. - Vella pundu.

Telgu - Velluli,
Mal. - Velluli.
Eng. - Garlic.

SYNONYMS: In ancient Indian medical

texts, several synonyms of this drug are furnished. Some of them indicate botanical characteristics and some the therapeutic properties
of this plant.

SYNONYMS

IMPLICATIONS OF THESE TERMS

Rasona, Rasuna, Rasonaka, Lasunana

Which is short of one taste(sour)

Ugragandha

Having strong odour

Mahoushadha

Having great medicinal value

Mlecchakanda , Yavaneshta

A bulb liked by yavanas

Mahakanda, Sthulakanda

Having a big bulb

Vatari

Which alleviates vayu

Dirghapatrakka, Pruthucchanda

Having long thick leaves

Sikhimula, Sikhakanda

Having branched bulb

Jugupsita

Which is hated by saints

CLASSIFICATION:
SAMHITA& NIGHANTU
Astang Hridya

VARGA
Rasayana kalpa

Bhavaprakash

Haritkyadi varga

Kaiyadev Nighantu

Aushadhi Varga

Kasyapa samhita

Rasayana kalpa

Nighantu Aadarsh

Lashunadi varga

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION:
A scapigerous herb with underground
bulb, bulbs 2-4 cm in diameter with many
fleshy, creamy, ovoid bulblets or cloves having peculiar alliaceous pun-gent odour, bulbs
covered by outer white thin scales. Leaves 2040 cm long, flat, linear, hol-low. Leaf sheaths

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half as long as blades, sheathing the lower half

of stem. Scopes 60cm long, slender, smooth,
shining. Flowers are small, white in rounded
terminal umbels, enclosed in membranous
spathaceous bracts. Capsule is small.
Flowering and Fruiting: February- April

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It is cultivated throughout India.

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Steamed
distillation of crushed fresh bulbs yields 0.13.6% of a volatile oil some sulphur-containing
compounds that make up this oil are thought to
be responsible for most of garlic's pharmacological properties.
Allicin - Natural antibiotic - fights bacteria, mainly responsible for pungent odor.
When garlic cells are "injured," (i.e.cut,
crushed, etc.) the enzyme alliinase converts alliin contained in raw garlic to allicin the garlic produces allicin to protect
itself from bacteria & other diseasecausing organisms. Extremely unstable &
decomposes rapidly at room temperature
Rasa

(half-life only slightly more than a few

hours)
Allicinase - Inactivated by heat cooked
garlic does not have as strong an odor as
raw garlic (nor nearly as powerful physiological effects)
Ajoene - Decreases blood cell clumping.
Selenium - Antioxidant contained in high
quantities in garlic. Antioxidants fight oxidation & free radicals inside the body that
wear out the body & may lead to cancer
Saponins - Lowers blood pressure, decreasing chance of stroke
Fructans - May stimulate the immune system.
AYURVEDIC PHARMACOLOGY OF
RASONA:

Guna

Virya

Pancharasa, mainly tikta and madhur. Snigdha, tikshna,

Different parts have dufferent tastes.
chila, guru, sara;

Vipaka

pichUshna

Katu

RASA ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT AUTHORITIES:

PART OF RASONA

RASA ACCORDING
BHAVAPRAKASH

In the root of this plant

Pungent

Sweet and Pungent

In the leaf of the plant

Bitter taste

Astringent

In the stem of the plant

Astringent

Saline and Bitter

In the tip of the its stem

Saline

In the seed of the plant

Sweet

Pungent

In the bulb of the plant

Saline taste

USES OF GARLIC:
Digestive system:
It should be used in low fire, tastelessness, indigestion, constipation, pain, worms and
Kapha - Vata diseases due to condensed
doshas, being fire stimulant, digestive and analgesic due to pungent and hot qualities, laxative due to oily and heavy qualities and liver
stimulant and wormicidal due to tastes. Should
be used in Kapha - Vata piles being laxative,
anti-pruritic and anti-spasmodic as it is liver
stimulant and removes stasis in the portal circulation should not be used in haemorrhoids.

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TO

ACCORDING TO KASHYAPA
SAMHITA

Kapha aggravation caused in stomach causes

low fire, indigestion and spasm due to Kapha
covered samanavayu. Rasona baked with ghee
eliminates Kapha and causes onward movement of samana vayu to give relief. KaphaVata condensation is eliminated by removing
accumulated Kapha and causing Vata onward
movement by the use of rasona medicated
milk. Rasona medicated buttermilk is used in
diarrhoea, cholera, sprue and colitis to pacify
samana vayu.
Water metabolism:

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Nirmala Chandrabhanji Apaturkar et al: Lashuna: An Ayurvedic Boon For Natural Cure

Generalised Edema caused by lateral movement of vitiated micro wastes and Kapha by
aggravated vyanavayu is eliminated by the use
of rasona wich removes vitiated micro wastes
and pacifies vyana.
Respiratory system:
It should be used in cough, asthma, hoarseness
of voice, rhinitis,tuberculosis and hiccups to
cause Kapha liquefaction and expectoration by
its oily, penetrating qualities. The oil prevents
the growth of tuberculosis bacteria. Medicated
milk should be used in Chest trauma (internal/external) to heal the cavity. Rasona causes
prana onward movement and pacification in
Vata-Kapha diseases of the chest. Rasona and
pippali gives immediate relief in rhinitis associated with tuberculosis. It should be used as
diet and a garland made of it be worn by children to pacify dormant Kapha present in the
chest.
Circulatory system:
It stimulates Heart and circulation due to its
hot and penetrating qualities and eliminates
ede-ma. It pacifies Vata and Kapha by its hot
and penetrating qualities and helps nourishment of heart and increases its strength.
Hypertension:
Accumulation of vitiated meda and Kapha in
the vascular walls is cleared by rasona and
thus, it reduces blood pressure by reducing
peripheral resistance. It digests meda also.
Arteriosclerosis & Cholesterol:
Numerous clinical trials have shown garlic to
be good for your heart by lowering total cholesterol and blood pressure. Garlic has the
ability to combat plaque formation in the arteries. Its ability to lower serum cholesterol in the
blood can in turn reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Garlic lowers total cholesterol,
LDL cholesterol (the Bad cholesterol) and
triglyce-rides. Garlic can not only prevent, but
also reverse the signs of arteriosclerosis
Rheumatoid arthritis It digests ama circulating in the body and
lodging in the joints. It pacifies vyanavayu and

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re-moves joint edema and pain. Digstion of

rasa penetrated ama reduces fever also.
Sciatica and similar diseases:
In these diseases initially apana onward
movement is carried out by dissolution of
Kapha by its pungent taste and hot and penetrating qualities and later on apana is pacified
by hot and penetrating qualities. However, it
should not be used in Pitta covered apana.
Skin disease:
It should be used in kilasa, vicharchika,
shvitra, etc.as it causes Digestion of skin penetrated vitiated Kapha and pacifies vyanavayu.
Complexion improvement - Bluish black pigmeatation appearing on the face due to obstruction of channels caused by Kapha to the
movement of udana is cleared by its juice
given with ghee. It gives strength to bhrajakapitta also.
Nervous system:
Vata diseases
It removes obstruction of channels by its hot
and penetrating qualities and causes onward
movement and pacification of pranavayu and
nourishes it. Hence, used in bell's palsy, paralysis, monoplegia etc.
Hysteria, Epilepsy: These are caused by
weakness of intellect and memory. Causative
tamas is removed by rasona which should be
ingested with Seasame oil.
Coma: Its juice be given to arouse the patient
by removing Kapha cover and causing vyan
onward movement.
Convulsions: They are produced by excitation
of vyana. To pacify, its juice should be given.
Rasona should be used after breakfast in
vyana diseases.
Reproductive system:
It should be used as shukra producing as it
causes shukra aggravation by its oily, sticky
and heavy qualities and prevents premature
ejaculation by pacifying vyanavayu. Its hot
and penetrating qualities dilate decidual blood
vessels and hence it should be used in dysmenorrhoea as menstrual stimulator.

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Urinary system:
Should be used in Vata dysuria as diuretic and
as antispasmodic as it acts as diuretic by
stimulating kidney function by its hot and
penetrating qualities and by pacifying Vata.
Nutrition and Oja aggravating:
It eliminates strength & oja depletion by causing shukra and oja aggravation and pacifies
Vata.
CLINICAL RESEARCHES & STUDIES:
ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS
Small studies have shown that garlic exerts
antimicrobial activity against gram-positive
and gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, and
parasites. Topical and dietary garlic traditionally has been used in the treatment of infectionsparticularly digestive, respiratory, and
derma-tologic infectionsranging from diarrhea and vaginitis to colds and warts, but few
good clinical studies support this use.
BEST RECOMMENDED IN:
Rasona specially pacifies the Kapha Dosha
which makes it useful to regulate the blood
cho-lesterol levels and also removing toxins
from the body.
Doses and Useful parts:
Garlic bud paste 1 to 6 gms. Oil -1 to 2
drops, Bulb. Oil.
Mode of adminisration:
Since rasona is devoid of sour tastes, it should
be ingested with buttermilk. Since wine is the
best sour stuff. Rasona should be ingested with
wine, meat soup in Vata diseases.
Contra-indications/precautions:

Do not consume more than three to

four raw cloves of garlic a day.

Patients having heart and other problems should take medical advice before consum-ing it.

It's best to avoid garlic before any surgery because it could probably disturb Anticoa-gulants.

If patient is on any medication, always

check with doctor first before taking raw garlic.

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Asthma patients should not use it as it

worsens the symptoms of Asthma.

Do not use in sensitive skin. Raw garlic can burn delicate skin! Do not use directly
on skin if skin is sensitive or susceptible to
rashes or other skin reactions without consulting doctor first. People who are or may be allergic to garlic or any of its sulfur compounds
shouldn't try direct garlic application on skin
too.
SIDE-EFFECTS:
Although, garlic is a natural Anti-biotic but a
very small number of people have been known
to exhibit Hypersensitivity to garlic. Garlic
allergy includes skin rash, temperature and
head-aches. Garlic intolerance could result in
Heartburn or Flatulence.
CLASSICAL PREPARATIONS OF RASONA:
Lasuna yoga, Lasunadya taila, Lasuna ksheerpaka, Rasona kalka, Rasona sarpi, Rasona
panda, Lashunadi vati.
CONCLUSION:
The use of herbal drugs is increasing. One of
these plants used the most intensively and
wide-spread is garlic. Fresh shape, powder
state and garlic oil has been effectively used
all around the world again
Garlic, Allium sativum L. is a member of the
Alliaceae family, has been widely recognized
as a valuable spice and a popular remedy for
various ailments and physiological disorders.
st bacterial, viral, mycotic and parasitic infections.
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Surbharati Prakashana, and Varanasi. Reprint 2000. SutraSthana 27.

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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Dr. Nirmala Chandrabhanji Apaturkar
Senior Research Fellow, Ayurveda Mental
Health Research Institute, KDK college Road,
Nandanvan, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India.
Email: drnirmala21f@gmail.com

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None Declared

IAMJ: Volume 3; Issue 5; May- 2015