Aerva lanata: Astanabayda fights high blood glucose

By Syed Akbar

Aerva lanata is a weed and many can mistake it as a useless plant. But Aerva (astanabayda  in Sanskrit) is a multipurpose medicinal plant whose medicinal properties are quite large. The prominent medicinal properties of Aerva lanata are maintaining blood sugar to optimum level and removing stones from kidneys.
Other health benefits include its ability to fight headache, stomach and digestive problems, neck and back pain, control body temperature, promote urine in case of body swellings, relief from burning urination and regulate body’s metabolic activity.
Ayurveda and Siddha doctors often prescribe Aerva as a general tonic for pregnant women. There have been scientific studies on rats that showed how leaf extract of Aerva brings down high blood sugar levels. Its ability to fight kidney stones has also been documented in rats. All parts of the plant are used in medicinal preparations in Siddha and Ayurveda. Aerva is capable of fighting pathogens both on the skin and inside the body, thanks to its anti-microbial activity.
===========
Home remedies
===========
If you are chronic diabetic and want to keep your blood sugar under control, Aerva lanata is one of the best herbal remedies. Collect the herb, take out the leaves, wash them properly and dry them under shade. Once dry, powder them and keep it in a clean and neat bottle. Use a little quantity of Aerva leaves powder twice daily for relief from high blood sugar.
Extract from Aerva lanata leaves is often prescribed in small quantities for relief from kidney stones.
Take fresh or dried leaves of Aerva lanata wash them properly. Crush the leaves and apply on injuries or inflamed portions of the skin. It gives quick relief from pain.
Root decoction is often prescribed by Siddha and Ayurveda practitioners for relief from headache.
Flowers of Aerva lanata are soft and look like cotton. Take the Aerva flowers, and burn them. Obtain the ash and sieve it in a fine cloth to remove any impurities. The ash thus obtained can be gently rubbed on the back for relief from backache.
The juice obtained from Aerva leaves is said to reduce painful urination. It has to be taken in small quantities to avoid any side effects.