Chenopodium ambrosoides (VASTUKA)

Though vastuka is quoted by brhat trayi, it may be treated as a variety of Capsicum or some other plant till recently.  Actually, we come across two varieties of vastuka in the literature viz., vastuka and tanka vastuka, They are recognized as C. album and C. murale respectively.  Another variety of vastuka is considered as ‘laghupatra Chilli’ by vagbhata (A.H.Su.6/96).  Other species C. ambrosoides (Vide : Vol. 2 pp. 914-915) is known as sugandhavastuka.

Botanical description – A scentless herb, 30.5-91.4 cm high; leaves attenuate, long petiolated; flowers bisexual, clustered at the nodes; stigma 2; seeds keeled.  Flowering and fruiting during winter.  Found in dry lands and in wild throughout India upto an altitude of 4,267 m.

Part used –  Seeds, leaves.

Uses –

Infusion or decoction of leaves is considered to be laxative and anthelmintic.  Seeds are useful in liver and spleen disorders.

Chemical constituents – Ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, xanthotoxin, scopoletin, spinasterol etc.