Chanda (Laguda, Ugragandha, Chandraki, Chandrahasa)

About

Angelica glauca, known as Chanda in Ayurveda, is a medicinal herb from the Himalayan regions of India. It has traditionally been used for various ailments, including inflammatory, pulmonary, and digestive diseases. Modern research supports its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and gastroprotective properties.

Properties

Anti-inflammatory, Antispasmodic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Histamine suppression

Dosage

General dosage: 1-3 grams of powder per day.

Classical attributes

• Rasa: Bitter, pungent
• Virya: ["Heating"]
• Vipaka: ["Pungent"]

Benefits

• Deepana (appetizer)
• Pachana (digestive)
• Shoolaghna (analgesic)
• Kaphahara (reduces Kapha)
• Vatahara (reduces Vata)

Traditional uses

• Joint disorders
• Allergies
• Digestive weakness
• Respiratory congestion
• Rheumatism
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Gastrointestinal disorders

Dosha effects

• vata: balancing
• kapha: balancing
• pitta: balancing

Preparation methods

• Powder (Churna): Dried roots and seeds are ground into a powder. Mix 1-3 g of powder with warm water or honey and consume twice daily.
• Decoction (Kwath): Boil 5-10g of the root in 400 ml of water until it reduces to 100 ml. Sip while hot, particularly for respiratory issues.
• Tincture/Extract: Use 1-2 ml of a 1:5 root extract in glycerin twice daily.
• Herbal formulations: Can be used as an ingredient in formulations like Chyawanprash.
• Oil: Oil prepared from the herb can be used for massage or as nasal drops.
• Alcoholic beverage: In some regions, the roots are crushed, mixed with jaggery and yeast, and fermented to create a local alcoholic drink for medicinal purposes.
• Tea/Infusion: Dried root or standardized extract can be used to make teas or infusions for respiratory issues.
• Chewing: The root may be chewed directly.
• Paste: A paste of the root can be applied externally.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy: Angelica is contraindicated during pregnancy due to limited safety data on fetal effects and its ability to stimulate menstrual flow, potentially causing abortion.
• Bleeding Disorders: Osthol, a compound in Angelica glauca, may inhibit platelet action and exacerbate bleeding. Therefore, it should be avoided before surgery.
• Hypotension: Terpenes in Angelica glauca might lower blood pressure, so caution is advised for individuals with hypotension.
• Photosensitivity: Angelica glauca contains bergapten, which may increase the risk of sunburn. It can cause skin photosensitivity or dermatitis due to the presence of furanocoumarins. Protection from sunlight is recommended during its use.
• Drug Interactions: It may interact with anticoagulants and antihypertensive drugs.
• Allergy: Individuals sensitive to the Apiaceae family may experience contact dermatitis.
• Peptic Ulcer: It should not be used in peptic ulcers.
• Lactation: Use with caution during lactation. Coumarins can pass into breast milk and cause photosensitivity in infants.
• It is not recommended for heavy use in kids.

Side effects

• Photosensitivity
• Hypotension
• Bleeding disorders
• Allergy risk
• Nervous system irritation
• Pregnancy: Contraindicated during pregnancy due to documented adverse effects.
• Abdominal pain
• Convulsions
• Elevated bilirubin level
• Diarrhea
• GIT hemorrhage
• May affect heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

Interactions

• Anticoagulants: May potentiate anticoagulants. Use caution with warfarin or other anticoagulant medicines.
• Antihypertensives: May interact with antihypertensive drugs.
• Other medications: Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine; it's best to take allopathic medicine first, wait 30 minutes, and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Active compounds

• Osthol
• Bergapten
• Imperatorin
• Pinene
• Limonene
• Gallic acid
• Caffeic acid

Clinical evidence

Several in vivo and in vitro studies support the traditional uses of Angelica glauca. Animal studies show significant anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects. In vitro studies demonstrate antihistamine and antimicrobial properties. Note that human clinical trials are generally lacking to fully support therapeutic applications.

Ayurvedic karmas

• Deepana (appetizer)
• Pachana (digestive)
• Shoolaghna (analgesic)
• Kaphahara (reduces Kapha)
• Vatahara (reduces Vata)

Classical clinical indications

• Joint disorders
• Allergies
• Digestive weakness
• Respiratory congestion
• Rheumatism
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Gastrointestinal disorders

Frequently asked questions