GORAKHMUNDI [Sphaeranthus indicus], Probable Mode of action in correction of Eyesight

Sphaeranthus indicus Linn., Sp. Pl. 927, 1753; Hook.f., FBI 3: 275, 1881; Cooke, Fl. Bombay Pres. 2:28, 1904; Almeida, Fl. Savantwadi 233, 1990; Almeida, FM 3:136, 2001. 

FAMILY : Asteraceae
ESTD. by: Mundi (Bhavprakash Nighantu), Gorakhmundi (P.R.Doshi)

DESCRIPTION: A much branched herb. stem and branches cylindric with toothed wings, glandular hairy. Leaves sessile, decurrent, obovate-oblong, spinous-serrate or dentate, narrowed at the base, rounded or sub-acute at apex. heads globose-ovoid, ebracteate on solitary, glandular peduncles, with toothed wings. Flowers purple. involucral bracts linear, pubescent, ciliate. achenes stalked, glabrous. A common plant in rice-fields and in wastelands after monsoon crop harvest.

Phenology (Fl. & Frt.): November-June.

NLAM LINK FOR NOMENCLATURE & RESEARCH

http://nlam.in/plant.php?i=ad61ab143223efbc24c7d2583be69251&c=03afdbd66e7929b125f8597834fa83a4

USES DOCUMENTED AND EVALUATED

Glands, Filariasis, Eye disorders, Neurologic disorders, Mental disorders, general health, Menstrual disorders, Malignancies

NOTES REGARDING OPTHALMIC DISORDERS 

Mundi is termed as Rasayan (Charak, Gan:Rasayan) and it acts on all three doshas as per P.V Sharma (It pacifies Vat due to its Ushna Virya, Pitta due to its Tikta Rasa and Kapha due to its Laghu Ruksha guna.) Mundi internally and externally is a very good medicine to treat disorders of eye. It improves all Indriyas and hence termed as Medhya.

Traditionally in tribal folk and also many healers (Vd. Vishnu Gadre, Vd. Parshuram Chitnis ) have used this plant in various disorders of ENT and Opthalmology. Mundi internal consumption over a period of time boosts eyesight and other perceptions. In my observations patients who complained of sight problems (Myopia especially) benefitted immensely. However the effect is unique which again makes me beleive in the Sookshma bhava [micro afflictions and corrections] of Ayurveda principles.

Out of 20 children tested who could not read letters or barely from first bench of their class (with spectacles) after intaking this herb started reading from last benches and without spectacles. However on doing computerised report of vison the ocular reports showed only marginal improvements. This led me to believe that the herb must be acting on the optical area of the brain [LGN and optic pathway through the dorsal thalamus encompassing the various areas of visual cortex..] and fortifying the Sookshma Indriya [micro senses]. From Shastras [ancient Ayurved literature] we understand Chaksu [eyes] are the Jnyanindriya [sense organ] but the Rupa Tanmatra [sense of vision] lies in the sookshma form. The Tanmatra gives us the sense of vision. Th Jnanindriya are just a medium. For example how do we read in dreams. This leads us to believe that the occipital perception in the conscious optic pathway if enhanced can lead to potentiated Sookshma Drishti so much explained through our Shastra. With Mundi medicine the test students started grasping things very well. Their reflexes in threading a needle, fine work improved drastically. However structural anomalies of the eye did not show much improvement. I do not want to get into details of conscious and subconscious visual perception, the LGN pathway and visual cortex as thats just a support discussion to our Shastra.

For example as we know from researches that from retina the images are first relayed to LGN through cross pathways (optic chiasm, left -right, right -left) and then the LGN to the primary visual cortex (Area 17, ventral pathway )in the occipital lobe . This cortex is situated on the either side of the lobe divided by calcarine fissure. This decodes the identity of object and sends the info ahead to secondary cortex (Broadmans area 18 , 19, parietal lobe, dorsal pathway) which calculates location. Any drop lapse in signals through the entire pathway may cause vision troubles. So first the image must be formed on retina (acceptable image though not required to be clear) and then as per the funaction of the brain if it is apt at decoding the signal and location. Which means even if the image structure relayed from the Jnanindriya is half good, the brain from its previous memory storehouse can decipher and locate the object if th eventral and dorsal pathways are fortified. This exchange and decipehering of information at minute level is done by Sadhaka Pitta and Mundi exhibits its prabhava here. 

However this may not be possible if the child is born blind as his Sookshma Indriya is not activated. Hence if a born blind child is made to recognize plate and cup by touch and then if he would be by any research allotted vision he may not be able to differentiate between the two because the Indriya in Sookshma[micro] form is devoid of active Sanskaras [experiences]. Its present in Shupta avastha [un-initiated state] in the Kundalini [the seat centre of all consciouness in a human body as per Vedic science]. Hence in many traditional formulations regarding brain I have always used Mundi along with  with Shankpushpi, Brahmi as a brain herb. Along with internal medicines Eye drops with Mundi as a prime herb were created as I thought that along with Tanmatra the Jnanindriya must also be treated of structural deformities. The working can be corelated to a digital camera where any hindrance in light perception, focussing of the subject if enhanced can give even better results which can be confirmed with Ayurvdic procedures of Aschotan and Anjan which have an corrective action on Alochak Pitta and enhance vision. Creating eye drops with this knowledge that Sthanik dosh[Local corruption of Doshas] must be treated an attempt was made for curiosity sake.

The herb worked in an appreciable manner especially in people who had vision problem It must be due to the disturbances in Alochak Pitta and the Ushna virya and overall Tridishaghna effect of the herb must be contributing to its corrrectiveness. I always feel and endevour to understand the though process behind the terms Medhya, Sookshma and Sthool Indriya , Nidra (one of the Trayostambh)from our curent knowldge of advanced physics in terms of imaging .

NOTE

Healers inform of two varieties of Gorakhmundi. The varieties are segregated with respect to size of the plant and termed as Mundi (small variety) and Maha or Mothi Mundli (big variety). Both varieties exhibit similar properties.  Mundi procured from rice fileds is considered best.

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