Nagarmotha (Musta) benefits and side effects

Triterpenoids may be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of nagarmotha, according to a study done with arthritic animals. Another study found that a methanol extract of nagarmotha could reduce the inflammation caused by nitric oxide and superoxide in arthritis. These effects need to be studied in humans, along with the safe doses, to properly reap any benefits of nagarmotha in arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory disorders.

According to a lab study, extracts of Nagarmotha rhizomes show “inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase, two enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion”. For this reason, nagarmotha rhizome extract may help lower blood sugar and prevent diabetes.

Much more research and human trials need to be done to confirm this benefit.

Another lab study in rats showed that 500 mg/kg of nagarmotha extract, when given once a day for seven days, “significantly lowered the blood glucose levels. This antihyperglycemic activity can be attributed to its antioxidant activity as it showed the strong DPPH radical scavenging action in vitro.”

DPPH is 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, a free radical that has been implicated in the damage caused by high blood sugar.

An animal study with shaved albino rats showed that a concentrated extract of Nagarmotha could increase follicle size and prolong the active growth phase (anagen) for hair. The researchers said it could be a potential treatment for “Indralupta”—the traditional medicine name for alopecia.

Animal studies in preclinical research showed that chlorogenic acid in nagarmotha had anti-inflammatory action and could therefore help in conditions like acute or chronic dermatitis. However, more studies and human trials need to be done to confirm this benefit in people.

Some researchers have even argued that valencene—a type of chemical found in nagarmotha rhizome extracts—could prevent signs of photoageing (skin ageing due to sun exposure) like wrinkles, by interfering with some mechanisms (calcium ion channels) responsible for these skin changes. Having said that, the researchers themselves pointed out the need for further research into the uses of nagarmotha as an anti-ageing solution. (Read more: Causes of wrinkles and some home remedies to get rid of them)

Research has shown that nagarmotha (musta) may have antibacterial and antifungal properties. In one study of essential oils from the tubers of C. rotundus grown in Tunisia, it was found to be most effective against S. aureus bacteria that can cause skin infections including abscesses, respiratory infections like sinusitis and food poisoning.

More research and trials need to be done to establish this in humans and the safe dosage for it.

Nagarmotha is an ingredient in a herbal formulation called Amrutadi kwatha which is used in the Ayurvedic treatment of herpes simplex virus infection, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, among other diseases.

Nagarmotha is also an ingredient in Mahamarichyadi taila which is an Ayurvedic remedy for ringworm infection.

Though malaria is a type of infection, it is usually talked about separately because it affects so many people in India—World Health Organization data show that India accounted for 86% of malaria deaths in the WHO South-East Asia Region in 2019. Research attributes the “antimalarial” activity of nagarmotha tubers to the presence of chemicals like:

• Patchoulenone
• Caryophyllene or-oxide
• 10,12-peroxycalamenene
• 4,7-dimethyl-l-tetralone

Also, a decoction made with the rhizomes of nagarmotha, stems of Guduchi and dried ginger is said to bring down the fever in malaria.

This effect of musta (nagarmotha), too, seems to have been studied in animals only, so any claims to the same should be taken with a pinch of salt until more research and data become available.

In a lab study, obese Zucker rats were given hexane extract of nagarmotha tubers for 60 days, in one of two dosages: 

• 45 milligram per kilo of body weight per day (mg/kg/day)
• Or, 220 mg/kg/day

The extract was seen to induce “significant reduction in weight gain without affecting food consumption or inducing toxicity”

Further, the researchers surmised, the plant may contain chemicals that promote fat loss.

Research has found that Cyperus rotundus and Cyperus scariosus (umbrella sedge)—two morphologically different plants of the same family, grown in different soil conditions—may prevent oxidative damage and up-regulate the expression of connexin cell-adhesion protein, to guard against some types of cancer including liver cancer. However, this research was done on mice and was limited to an herbal medication in which Nagarmotha was one of the ingredients. Many more studies need to be done to confirm this.

A study found essential oils from the tubers of Nagarmotha could kill the eggs and larvae of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The researchers concluded that the plant could become a source of natural mosquitocides.

In another study, the hexane extract of Nagarmotha tubers was found to be more effective than DEET (N, N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide) for repelling Anopheles culicifacies, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes that are carriers (vectors) for diseases like malaria and lymphatic filariasis.

Another study found that Nagarmotha is almost as effective as organophosphate and better than for killing ants.

The essential oil from tubers is also used in insect repellants.

The essential oil from tubers is also used in:

• Perfumes and soaps
• For bringing down fever in malaria and typhoid. For typhoid fever, a decoction of nagarmotha rhizomes, the leaves of Fumaria indica (pitpapra), Swertia chirayita, black pepper and ginger is said to be helpful.
• For constipation, thrice daily intake of 25ml juice of nagarmotha rhizome juice is said to help. Dysentery patients and people with stomach problems were traditionally given a mixture of scraped and pounded nagarmotha rhizomes, green ginger and honey.
• In order to increase breastmilk production, the direct application of fresh nagarmotha tubers was advised in traditional medicine.

All of these purported benefits need to be tested through rigorous research and study. Please do not use these remedies without consulting a doctor, and do not consider these a substitute for a doctor’s visit, diagnosis, tests of treatment for any of these conditions. Additionally, if you are taking medicines for a health condition—whether it is acute or chronic—check with your doctor before pairing herbal remedies with any other medicines. Remember that studies on how these remedies interact with medicines have not been done for the most part.