“Breast milk is the churned love of a Mother to her Child”
Importance of breast milk for the newborn is very well documented in our rich wisdom of Ayurvedic classics. In modern science also, the importance of colostrum and breast milk for the newborn is well established. But currently, a stressful lifestyle with unhealthy eating habits, has shaped our society to encounter many challenges like Stanyakshaya (hypogalactia) or stanyanaasha (agalactia), especially with primiparous mothers. So, we have to look out for herbal remedies or drugs which can stabilize or boost the sthanya or breast milk which are generally called galactagogues.
Vidarikanda (Pueraria tuberosa DC.) is an important galactagogue commonly known as Indian Kudzu. It is a rapidly growing woody trailing vine with large tuberous roots, d i s t r i b u t e d nearly throughout India, Pakistan, and Nepal except in very humid or very arid regions. The tubers of Vidari are described as sweet, refrigerant, emollient, laxative, aphrodisiac, galactagogue, diuretic, emetic, cardiotonic, expectorant, and used for the treatment of various ailments like fever, menorrhagia, skin diseases, wounds, bronchial asthma, and jaundice. It shows pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory anticonvulsant, anti-diabetic, fertility, hypo-lipidemic, hepato-protective, antioxidant, anti-ulcerogenic, cardio-protective, immunomodulatory, nephro-protective, neuro-protective and wound healing activities. Vidarikanda can be also used as a memory enhancer, neuro enhancer, cognitive enhancer, and intelligence enhancer drug.
This wonder herb has rejuvenating properties which nourishes the whole body. Ayurveda Vaidyas also lauds this herb as vrushya or aphrodisiac owing to its sweet, cool, and sticky properties it can increase the quality and quantity of semen. This leads to an increase in sperm count and motility which helps in oligospermia. Further it rejuvenates the whole body and increases muscle bulk. This benefits the underweight and persons who are willing to increase their body bulk. Vidari also strengthens the immune system and boosts immunity. It has various quarries of antioxidants and bioactive components. It also portrays the presence of strong antibacterial, anti-viral, and antifungal properties, which is essential in preventing infections like fever, common cold, sore throat, and other respiratory anomalies.
- The powdered form of tuber is primarily used in combination with cow’s milk as a galactagogue agent to abrogate lack of milk production after childbirth.
- Tuber powder of Indian kudzu if taken internally with milk will improve the body mass.
- Vidari powder if taken with Pippali (Piper longum L). powder will cure malnutrition in children.
- For relieving excessive menstruation, the powder is used with honey.
- The tuber of Vidari is made into decoction and is given as demulcent and coolant in fevers.
- A mixture of powdered Vidari and wheat or barley fried in ghee with milk has been advised for sexual enervation and strength.
- For spermatorrhoea, fresh tuber juice of this plant with cumin seeds and sugar has been used therapeutically.
