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Meda

Sanskrit Name: Meda

Identification No : SDACH/HG/197

Botanical Name: Polygonatum verticillatum

Family Name: Asparagaceae

Vernacular Names:

  • Hindi: Meda
  • Marathi: Meda
  • Nepali: Meda

Classification:

  • Bhav Prakash: Haritakyadi varga

Habitat & Distribution:

Found in temperate to alpine regions of the Himalayas between 2,000–4,000 m in states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. Also found in parts of Nepal and Bhutan.

Morphology:

  • Fritilaria roylei is perennial, glabrous and bulbous herb, 15-60 cm high and have mottled stem. The leaves are opposite or whorled, linear-lanceolate, flowers are solitary, yellowish green to brownish-purple with chequered pattern in yellowish green or dull-purple.

Varieties:

  • Polygonatum verticillatum is a related species sometimes used interchangeably.

Substitute/Adulterant:

  • Polygonatum verticillatum,

Phytochemicals:

  • Steroidal saponins
  • Flavonoids
  • Polysaccharides
  • Alkaloids
  • Glycosides

Rasapanchaka:

  • Rasa: Madhura
  • Guna: Guru, Snigdha
  • Virya: Sheeta
  • Vipaka: Madhura
  • Prabhava: Jeevaniya (life-promoting)
  • Dosha Karma: Tridosha hara (especially Vata-Pitta shamak)

Karma (Rogaghnata):

  • Rasayana
  • Balya
  • Vrishya
  • Jeevaniya
  • Medhya

Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses:

Internal Uses:

  • General debility: Used as tonic.
  • Sexual weakness: As an aphrodisiac.
  • Tuberculosis & respiratory disorders: As Rasayana.
  • Menstrual irregularities: Helps in balancing hormones.

Part Used:

  • Rhizome

Dose:

  • Churna: 3–6 g
  • Kashayam: 50–100 ml
  • Extract: 250–500 mg (standardized)

Yoga/Formulations:

  • Chyawanprash
  • Meda-Mahameda yoga
  • Jeevaniya Kashaya
  • Balya Rasayana combinations

IUCN Status:

  • Critically Endangered

Research Updates

  1. Study confirmed adaptogenic and immunomodulatory effects of Polygonatum cirrhifolium rhizome extract in animal models.
  2. Identified strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting use in age-related and inflammatory disorders.
  3. Rhizome extract demonstrated neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer’s-induced rat models, validating its traditional Medhya (nootropic) use.
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