Dhub Grass (Durba)
Also known as
Latin : Cynodon dactylon
English : Dhub Grass, Conch Grass
Sanskrit : Durva
Hindi : Durba
Marathi : Durva
Tamil : Arukampallu
Telugu : Garika
Malayalam : Karuka
Kannada : Garika hallu
How it looks�It is a prostate extensively creeping perennial grass highly branched and rooting at every node. The leaves are narrow and linear and the inflorescence is in
terminal spikes and green or purplish in colour. The fruit grains are at compressed at the sides.
What we use�Whole plant
What it does�It is haemostatic, cooling, depurative, constipating , diuretic and tonic.
How we use it�
In
stings and bites�Boil a handful of the grass in about a litre of water and reduce to half. Drink this decoction to flush out toxins from the system.
In
eczema�You can prepare a medicated oil by boiling in coconut oil a handful of dhub grass, a few sticks of liquorice and some harad powder. This oil must be applied daily before
bath.
For
hair growth�Paste dhub grass, liquorice and harad and boil this in coconut oil until the paste chars. Filter it and use regularly to nourish hair and stimulate growth.
In
burns�Prepare a medicated oil by boiling dhub grass in coconut oil and adding myrrh or Guggulu prices to it. The filtered oil is highly coolant and injures rapid healing of burnt
skin.
In
infertility�Taking half a cup of the juice of dhub grass everyday is said to correct reproductive disorders and facilitate conception. This is also used as a preventive against
abortions.
In
bleeding disorders�The juice expressed from the fresh dhub plant is highly coolant and haemostatic and therefore helps arrest bleeding immediately.
In
urinary disorders�Being highly diuretic, the diluted and sweetened juice of dhub grass clears urinary obstruction of any kind and establishes free flow of urine.
As a
brain tonic�Dhub grass is known for its intellect promoting property and is a component of many a brain tonic preparation. Here too, the fresh juice is taken in doses of an
ounce everyday.
