Rudanti (Rudravanti)

Rudanti (also called Rudravanti) is Rasayana (alterative and rejuvenating) herb. Generally, it is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases. It is beneficial in bronchitis, respiratory infections, tuberculosis, phthisis, breathing troubles and asthma. It is likely to have anti- tubercular properties and widely accepted as antitubercular herb among ayurvedic physicians. Along with Swarna Bhasma, or Vasant Malti Ras (Gold), it is used for the management of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis and provides promising results.

Rudravanti (Rudanti) is also used in common cold and fever associated with respiratory infections. It reduces inflammation, stops microbial growth and acts as mucolytic. Therefore, it can be used when the patient has increased mucus production or secretion, wheezing, chest congestion, and feels some relief and relaxation after coughing up sputum from the lungs or respiratory track.

It is not suitable (when used alone) if the patient has a dry cough occurring after irritation or itching in the throat. Therefore, the best indication for Rudanti is a productive cough or excess mucus secretions or nasal discharge, which can be white, thin or thick, but not yellow-greenish color. If the patient has yellow-greenish thick mucus, then best medicine is Vasaka (Adhatoda Vasica) and Praval Pishti. However, Rudravanti can be used along with Vasa in such cases for its antimicrobial and antibacterial actions, but Rudanti should not be used alone because it actually produces dryness in the body and may increase throat dryness and irritation. Alternatively, it can be taken with cow’s milk in such cases to reduce such effect.

In ayurveda, it is first described in Sarngadhara Samhita in which it is called Rasayana, a rejuvenating, alterative and strengthening herb.

Controversy about Rudanti

Rudanti is controversial herb about its real species. There are three species, which are taken as Rudanti or Rudravanti.

1. Cressa Cretica
2. Capparis Moonii
3. Astragalus Candoleanus

However, these three species have USHANA VIRYA (hot potency), some similar medicinal properties, and used in same almost diseases, but have a slight difference.

Difference in Ayurvedic Properties

 Difference in Medicinal Properties

Difference in Medicinal Parts

Difference in Availability

Verdict

In the market, Capparis Moonii fruits are sold as Rudanti or Rudravanti.

Capparis Moonii fruits have bacteriostatic and tuberculostatic activities, according to several research studies and clinical trials.

According to clinical experience of several ayurvedic doctors, Capparis Moonii fruits are effective in a cough, asthma, phthisis or pulmonary tuberculosis, and all listed diseases in this article.

In this article, we are providing details for both Capparis Moonii fruits and Cressa Cretica as Rudanti. Both have similar properties, benefits, and uses.

Medicinal Parts

• Capparis Moonii: Fruits (commonly available in the market and named as Rudanti or Rudravanti)
• Cressa Cretica: Whole Plant (all parts including leaves and stem) – rarely available

Medicinal Properties

Rudravanti (Rudanti) has following healing properties.

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antitubercular
• Antihemorrhagic
• Antibacterial
• Rasayana (alterative and rejuvenating)
• Mucolytic
• Antitussive
• Anthelmintic
• Stomachic
• Aphrodisiac
• Haematinic
• Antifungal
• Anticancer

Ayurvedic Properties

Therapeutic Indications

Rudravanti (Rudanti) is helpful in following health conditions.

• Bronchitis
• Asthma

Respiratory Diseases: Main indicating symptoms are a productive cough, wheezing, chest congestion, or tightness of the chest, thin or thick, but white sputum.

• Loss of appetite
• Gas or flatulence
• Bloating
• Abdominal distension
• Diabetes
• Skin diseases
• Anemia
• Constipation

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Rudravanti is highly recommendable in the case of excess mucus secretion and production, wheezing, congestion, tightness or nasal discharge. It can be used in any respiratory disease in which these typical symptoms are present.

Common Cold & fever

Rudravanti (Rudanti) reduces nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing and fever occurring in common cold. It also reduces body ache and headache.

Rudanti Churna (Rudravanti powder) can be taken with honey or warm water for this purpose. Alternatively, 10 grams fresh or dry stem and leaves of Rudanti plant can be taken for preparing a decoction with 240 ml water, which should be reduced to 60 ml. Then it can be taken an hour after meal twice daily for the treatment of common cold and fever.

Bronchitis

The anti-inflammatory action of Rudravanti reduces the inflammation of the linings of the bronchial tubes and reduces excess mucus production and secretion.

If mucus or sputum production is clear and white, it can be used alone or along with Tulsi, Haritaki, Bibhitaki, Kantakari, and Trikatu Churna.

If mucus is thick, yellowish-gray or green in color, then it should be used along with Yashtimadhu, Praval Pishti, Vasaka (Adhatoda Vasica) and Banafsha.

Asthma

Rudravanti is a good medicine to reduce breathing troubles in asthma. It reduces chest congestion and wheezing. It should be used if the patient has excess mucus accumulation in the lungs and airways. It reduces mucus production and modulates its secretion. In such cases, it should be used with honey or warm water. If the patient has breathing difficulty, but mucus production and secretion is likely to be normal, then it should be taken with warm milk.

Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Rudanti (Capparis Moonii) has tuberculostatic activity and bactericidal property. It stops the growth of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, so acts as bacteriostatic as well as a bactericidal agent. (1, 2)

It is found effective for reducing lung lesions occurring in tuberculosis. It is found that 6 months treatment with Rudanti fruit powder leads to the disappearance of lesions in the lungs, which is confirmed by pre and post X-ray examination of the lungs/chest.

In ayurveda, Rudanti fruit powder is used in dosage of 3 to 6 grams in Tuberculosis along with milk. It helps to gain weight, assists in the treatment of T.B., restores the body strength and reduces fatigue and weakness.

However, Cressa Cretica is also believed to have anti-tuberculosis action, but no research study available for claiming these effects. It is also found to be bactericidal, but its effects on T.B. bacteria are still unknown.

Tuberculosis of Bones & Joints

6 to 12 months treatment with Rudanti and some other ayurvedic medicines helps in the treatment of the tuberculosis of bones and joints. In ayurveda, the following combination is advised in this case.

Bleeding Disorders & Hemorrhages

Capparis Moonii fruits are well-known for their antihemorrhagic properties. In folk medicine, it is commonly used for reducing postpartum hemorrhage and preventing nasal bleeding. It will provide best results when used in combination with Vasaka (Adhatoda Vasica) leaf juice.

Eosinophilia

However, the best medicine for eosinophilia is Turmeric (Haldi) powder, but adding Rudanti Churna in Turmeric powder enhances its effects in eosinophilia and normalizes the level of eosinophils in the blood.

Dosage & Administration

Safety Profile

Rudravanti (Rudanti) is considerably safe for most individuals in recommended dosage when taken under professional supervision.

Side Effects of Rudravanti

There are no side effects reported with Rudravanti or Rudanti when used in recommended dosage and wisely as per its indications.