Iramusu (Hemidesmus indicus) also known as Nannari (Tamil) belongs to the Apocynaceae Family. The plant is indigenous to South Asian countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia. It is a fast- growing perennial creeper with a woody fragrant rootstock. The leaves are very slender, smooth and oval shape. They maintain a shiny green colour throughout the year and closely resemble blades of grass.The Iramusu bark ranges from dark red to brown in colour. The Iramusu flower blooms throughout the year. They are small, thin, light green with purple hue inside. The Iramusu seeds are white and covered in tiny silvery white hairs. The roots are very aromatic, emitting a sweet scent reminiscent of Vanilla, Cinnamon and Almond. This ancient healing plant has been transported throughout the world and is prized by many horticulturists and traditional healers for its numerous health benefits and aromatic qualities.
Over the centuries, Ayurvedapractitioners have developed a wide variety of traditional medicines out of Iramusu. Most of the traditional remedies and tonics are made from the plant’s root but more recently skin creams and digestive aids have been manufactured using the whole plant. There are six major therapeutic uses. It has anti-inflammatory and wound–healing properties, prevents miscarriages, improves fertility, treats syphilis, and promotes the flow of urine. For centuries, Iramusu root has been used to promote calm and tranquil state of mind. It is a powerful herb used by many to aid in meditation. It can be used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, epileptic seizures, high blood pressure, immune disorders and stress.
Traditional Ayurveda healers prescribe the herb to cleanse toxins from blood, soothe skin irritations and rashes, reduce burning sensation caused by urinary tract infections and alleviate fevers and acne. Women in rural Sri Lanka use the Iramusu root to reduce the possibility of a miscarriage and to promote a healthy pregnancy. It has been used as a cure for bronchitis, eye diseases, epileptic fits in children and loss of appetite. Iramusu has also been used in combination with other drugs for snake bites.
There are various ways of preparing Iramusu for consumption. The roots of the plant can be dried and grounded into a fine powder. It is mixed with other herbal remedies to create balms or put in hot water and used as a tea. However, modern preparations encapsulate the dried root into a gelatin capsule.
One of the more popular local products made from Iramusu is Ayurveda herbal tea. Every part of the plant from roots, stems, flowers to leaves is used to make this beverage. It is easily made available in tea bags. Iramusu tea has a pleasant fragrance and a lasting taste which leads to fresh breath. This antioxidant-rich, caffeine free herbal tea is refreshing and energizing. It is a natural body deodorizer and promotes hair growth. Noteworthy effects of Iramusu herbal tea include calming, clarifying and tranquil feelings. The drinker can experience an overall relaxing sensation that puts their mind at ease. Many avid dreamers drink the tea an hour before they go to bed, they report that the tea helps them maintain mental clarity and focus as they drift off to sleep. Later in the night they explain that they are able to recognize that they are dreaming and then they can easily achieve lucidity, often four or five times in one night. In addition to the herbal tea, a healthy herbal porridge can also be made from the Iramusu leaves. A combination of boiled white rice, garlic, ginger and coconut milk is added to make this delicious local favourite.
Iramusu is a key ingredient in various personal hygiene products such as herbal soaps and antiperspirant deodorants.Sri Lankan small and medium scale enterprises use Iramusu to manufacture hair-care products because it promotes hair growth. Some of the products include shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, hair oils and other treatments for hair fall. Due to its acne curing properties it is used to manufacture various acne treatments such as creams and face washes. Iramusu is well-known to soothe skin irritations and rashes, therefore, it has been used in wound-healing creams and face scrubs.
In Cosmetology, Iramusu is used for eye-care treatments such as dark circle removers. Due to its calming effects it is used for sleep therapy treatments.It is recommended that the Department of Agriculture and Agrarian Development take effective steps towards the propagation of this ancient herb. These departments should continually support small and medium scale enterprises involved in manufacturing value added products out of Iramusu such as those in the herbal tea and herbal cosmetic industries.
A version of this story originally appeared in Island Newspaper, Sri Lanka
Over the centuries, Ayurvedapractitioners have developed a wide variety of traditional medicines out of Iramusu. Most of the traditional remedies and tonics are made from the plant’s root but more recently skin creams and digestive aids have been manufactured using the whole plant. There are six major therapeutic uses. It has anti-inflammatory and wound–healing properties, prevents miscarriages, improves fertility, treats syphilis, and promotes the flow of urine. For centuries, Iramusu root has been used to promote calm and tranquil state of mind. It is a powerful herb used by many to aid in meditation. It can be used to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, epileptic seizures, high blood pressure, immune disorders and stress.
Traditional Ayurveda healers prescribe the herb to cleanse toxins from blood, soothe skin irritations and rashes, reduce burning sensation caused by urinary tract infections and alleviate fevers and acne. Women in rural Sri Lanka use the Iramusu root to reduce the possibility of a miscarriage and to promote a healthy pregnancy. It has been used as a cure for bronchitis, eye diseases, epileptic fits in children and loss of appetite. Iramusu has also been used in combination with other drugs for snake bites.
There are various ways of preparing Iramusu for consumption. The roots of the plant can be dried and grounded into a fine powder. It is mixed with other herbal remedies to create balms or put in hot water and used as a tea. However, modern preparations encapsulate the dried root into a gelatin capsule.
One of the more popular local products made from Iramusu is Ayurveda herbal tea. Every part of the plant from roots, stems, flowers to leaves is used to make this beverage. It is easily made available in tea bags. Iramusu tea has a pleasant fragrance and a lasting taste which leads to fresh breath. This antioxidant-rich, caffeine free herbal tea is refreshing and energizing. It is a natural body deodorizer and promotes hair growth. Noteworthy effects of Iramusu herbal tea include calming, clarifying and tranquil feelings. The drinker can experience an overall relaxing sensation that puts their mind at ease. Many avid dreamers drink the tea an hour before they go to bed, they report that the tea helps them maintain mental clarity and focus as they drift off to sleep. Later in the night they explain that they are able to recognize that they are dreaming and then they can easily achieve lucidity, often four or five times in one night. In addition to the herbal tea, a healthy herbal porridge can also be made from the Iramusu leaves. A combination of boiled white rice, garlic, ginger and coconut milk is added to make this delicious local favourite.
Iramusu is a key ingredient in various personal hygiene products such as herbal soaps and antiperspirant deodorants.Sri Lankan small and medium scale enterprises use Iramusu to manufacture hair-care products because it promotes hair growth. Some of the products include shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, hair oils and other treatments for hair fall. Due to its acne curing properties it is used to manufacture various acne treatments such as creams and face washes. Iramusu is well-known to soothe skin irritations and rashes, therefore, it has been used in wound-healing creams and face scrubs.
In Cosmetology, Iramusu is used for eye-care treatments such as dark circle removers. Due to its calming effects it is used for sleep therapy treatments.It is recommended that the Department of Agriculture and Agrarian Development take effective steps towards the propagation of this ancient herb. These departments should continually support small and medium scale enterprises involved in manufacturing value added products out of Iramusu such as those in the herbal tea and herbal cosmetic industries.
A version of this story originally appeared in Island Newspaper, Sri Lanka