Dashamula दशमूल
Also known as: Dashmula, Dasamoola, Ten Sacred Roots
Part used: Ten roots
Dashamula is not a single herb but a classical group of ten roots — five from trees and five from shrubs and herbs. Together they form Ayurveda's principal Vata-pacifying and anti-inflammatory formulation, used for joint pain, respiratory complaints, fever and post-partum recovery.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Part used: Ten roots
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Dashamula decoction (Kwatha) 40–80 ml, or as Dashamularishta; also used in medicated enema and oils.
Dashamula in other languages
Introduction
Dashamula ("the ten roots") is one of Ayurveda's most versatile classical groups — a combination of ten roots that together pacify Vata, reduce inflammation and support the respiratory tract, joints and post-partum recovery.
Composed of
- Bilva बिल्व Brihat Panchamula — Aegle marmelos
- Arni अरनी Brihat Panchamula — Agnimantha, Clerodendrum phlomidis
- Syonaka श्योनाक Brihat Panchamula — Shyonaka, Oroxylum indicum
- Parhal पाटला Brihat Panchamula — Patala, Stereospermum suaveolens
- Gambhari गम्भारी Brihat Panchamula — Gmelina arborea
- Shalparni शालपर्णी Laghu Panchamula — Shalaparni, Desmodium gangeticum
- Prashnaparni पृश्निपर्णी Laghu Panchamula — Prishniparni, Uraria picta
- Brihati बृहती Laghu Panchamula — Solanum indicum
- Kantakari कण्टकारी Laghu Panchamula — Solanum virginianum
- Gokshura गोक्षुर Laghu Panchamula — Tribulus terrestris
Classification
Dashamula is a formulation of ten roots — five great roots (Brihat Panchamula: Bilva, Agnimantha, Shyonaka, Patala, Gambhari) and five lesser roots (Laghu Panchamula: Shalaparni, Prishnaparni, Brihati, Kantakari, Gokshura). Warming and Vata-pacifying, together they are Shothahara (anti-inflammatory) and Vata-hara.
Uses & benefits
Dashamula is not a single herb but the ten roots taken together, five greater and five lesser. It is the base of Ayurveda's Vata management: used in body ache, stiffness, sciatica and the aching weakness that follows fever, and in respiratory Vata-Kapha conditions. It is also the classical post-partum drug.
Dashamula for joint pain
The classical Vatahara group, used across arthritis, back pain and stiffness where the complaint is one of dryness and pain.
Dashamula for respiratory complaints
Used in cough, asthma and breathlessness, particularly the dry, tight variety rather than congested.
Dashamula for fever
Named in Jwara, especially the lingering low fever that follows an infection.
Dashamula after childbirth
One of its most established uses — a decoction given through the post-partum weeks to restore strength and settle Vata.
Dashamula for sciatica
Used in Gridhrasi, taken internally and used as a warm decoction for Basti.
Dashamula as Basti
Dashamula Kwatha is a standard medicated enema in Panchakarma for Vata disorders.
Dashamula for headache
Used in Vata headaches with stiffness of the neck and shoulders.
Dashamula for oedema
Its anti-inflammatory character extends to swelling, taken as a decoction.
Dashamula for abdominal pain
Used in colicky Vata pain, often combined with digestive drugs.
Dashamula in Dashamularishta
The fermented preparation built on this group, widely used for post-partum recovery and chronic Vata complaints.
Dosage — how much to take
Dashamula decoction (Kwatha) 40–80 ml, or as Dashamularishta; also used in medicated enema and oils. Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Dashamula?
The citations held for Dashamula in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Vata & Shotha context); Sharangdhara Samhita (Kwatha & Arishta Kalpana).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Dashamula?
The ten roots cited among Vata-pacifying, anti-inflammatory groups. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Vata & Shotha context.
What does the Sharangdhara Samhita record about Dashamula?
Describes Dashamula Kwatha and Dashamularishta. Reference: Sharangdhara Samhita — Kwatha & Arishta Kalpana.
What is Dashamula traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Dashamula is not a single herb but the ten roots taken together, five greater and five lesser. It is the base of Ayurveda's Vata management: used in body ache, stiffness, sciatica and the aching weakness that follows fever, and in respiratory Vata-Kapha conditions. It is also the classical post-partum drug.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Dashamula?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Dashamula classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Dashamula carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Dashamula is used medicinally?
The part used is Ten roots.
How much Dashamula is taken, and how?
Dashamula decoction (Kwatha) 40–80 ml, or as Dashamularishta; also used in medicated enema and oils. Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Dashamula be avoided?
Generally safe in classical doses under guidance; a widely-used foundational group.
Where does Dashamula grow?
The ten roots are gathered from trees and herbs across India, combined in classical proportion.
What is Dashamula composed of?
Component drugs: Bilva, Arni, Syonaka, Parhal, Gambhari, Shalparni, Prashnaparni, Brihati, Kantakari, Gokshura.
Classical references
- Sharangdhara Samhita — Kwatha & Arishta Kalpana
Describes Dashamula Kwatha and Dashamularishta. - Charaka Samhita — Vata & Shotha context
The ten roots cited among Vata-pacifying, anti-inflammatory groups.
Modern research
-
Anti-inflammatory effects of Dashmula, an Ayurvedic preparation, versus Diclofenac in animal models
(see source). Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research (2012)
A study reporting the classical ten-root Dashamula preparation reduced acute and chronic inflammation in animal models, comparably to standard anti-inflammatory drugs.
View study
Safety & precautions
Generally safe in classical doses under guidance; a widely-used foundational group.
Where it grows
The ten roots are gathered from trees and herbs across India, combined in classical proportion.
Frequently asked questions
What are the ten roots in Dashamula?
Five from trees — Bilva, Agnimantha, Shyonaka, Patala and Gambhari — and five from smaller plants: Shalaparni, Prishniparni, Brihati, Kantakari and Gokshura. The first five are called Brihat Panchamula, the second five Laghu Panchamula.
What is Dashamula used for?
It is Ayurveda's principal Vata-pacifying group, used for joint pain, sciatica, dry cough and asthma, lingering fever, post-partum recovery and abdominal pain. It is taken as a decoction, as Dashamularishta, or given as a medicated enema.
What is the dose of Dashamula?
Decoction (Kwatha) 40–80 ml twice daily. As Dashamularishta, 15–30 ml with an equal quantity of water after meals. The decoction is the classical form and is usually made fresh.
Is Dashamula safe after delivery?
Post-partum use is one of its oldest and best-established indications across Indian practice. Even so, have a physician confirm timing and dose for your situation, particularly if you are breastfeeding or recovering from a caesarean.
Can Dashamula be taken daily?
It is normally taken in courses of several weeks for a specific complaint rather than indefinitely. Dashamularishta is often given over longer periods, as a physician directs.
Are there side effects of Dashamula?
Well tolerated. It is warming, so it may aggravate Pitta and is less suited to someone with hyperacidity. The Arishta form contains self-generated alcohol, which matters if you avoid alcohol or take medication that interacts with it.
Is Dashamula good for cough?
Yes, particularly a dry, tight, unproductive cough with chest discomfort — the Vata pattern. A wet congested cough is better served by the Kapha-clearing drugs such as Bibhitaki or Talisadi.
