Herbs & foods20 min
Nagarmotha (Musta): Benefits and Uses
Nagarmotha is a fragrant Ayurvedic root used for digestion, loose stools and as a cooling water. Simple home use and when to see a doctor.
What to know about nagarmotha
Nagarmotha (musta) is the fragrant root of a sedge grass. Ayurveda uses it for digestion, loose stools and as a cooling water infusion.
Musta is a favourite of Ayurveda for digestion and is a key part of shadanga paniya, a traditional water boiled with musta, khus, sandalwood, ginger and other herbs for fever and heat.
A simple version is a light decoction of crushed musta in water, cooled and sipped through the day in hot weather.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp crushed nagarmotha
- 1 litre water
How to prepare
- Boil the crushed root in water for 10 minutes on low heat.
- Cool and strain into a clean bottle.
How to use
- Sip through the day for one or two days.
- Make fresh daily.
Helpful habits
- Buy dried tubers whole; they have a pleasant woody smell.
Precautions
- See a doctor for fever, blood in stools or diarrhoea in children.
- Avoid in pregnancy; check with a doctor for any diarrhoea lasting more than two days.
- Stop if you notice itching, rash, stomach upset or any other discomfort.
Frequently asked questions
What is shadanga paniya?
- A classical six-herb water used during fevers and hot weather, made with musta and other cooling herbs.
Does nagarmotha smell nice?
- Yes, it has a woody, slightly spicy aroma and is also used in perfumery.
Is nagarmotha the same as khus?
- No, they are different roots, though both are cooling.
