Vigna mungo(Fabaceae) -Urad Bean

Vigna mungo (Black Gram)

1. Scientific name and Basic Taxonomic classification

Species: Vigna mungo

Family: Fabaceae

Genus: Vigna

Related Herbs from the same family:

Groundnuts, Cowpeas, Horsegram, Liquorice.

2. Common names

Scientific Name: Vigna mungo | English: Black Gram, Black Lentil | Sanskrit: Mashaparni, Masha | Hindi: Urad, Ma ki Dal | Tamil: Ulundu | Telugu: Minumulu | Kannada: Uddu | Malayalam: Uzhunnu | Marathi: Udid | Bengali: Biulir Dal | Nepali: Maas |

3. Medicinal Uses:Nutritive Tonic, Strengthening (Balya), Aphrodisiac (Vajikara), Nervine, Demulcent, Diuretic.

Medicinal Parts:The seeds (black gram) are the primary part used. The plant is also used as fodder.

4. Phytochemicals specific to the plant and their action.

High-Quality Protein: Essential for tissue building and repair. Its action is Brimhana (nutritive) and Balya (strength promoting).

Dietary Fiber: Supports digestive health. Its action is Laxative and Prebiotic.

Iron and Phosphorus: Essential minerals. Their action supports Rasayana (rejuvenation), blood building, and bone health.

Phytosterols: Plant compounds that can support hormonal health. Their action is potentially Vajikara (aphrodisiac) by supporting overall vitality.

Isoflavones (Daidzein, Genistein): Phytoestrogens with Antioxidant and Hormone-modulating properties.

5. Traditional and Ethnobotanical uses covering the Medicinal uses.

Brimhana (Nutritive Tonic) & Daurbalya (Debility)

Formulation: Urad dal, often cooked with fats like ghee or oil.

Preparation & Use: Urad dal is used to make rich dals, soups, and the famous dish "Dal Makhani." It is considered one of the most strengthening pulses.

Reasoning: Its Guru (heavy) and Snigdha (oily) qualities, combined with high protein and iron content, make it excellent for building body mass and strength, especially for those with Vata imbalance or emaciation.

Klaibya (Impotence) & Shukra Dhatu Kshaya (Low Semen Volume)

Formulation: Urad dal preparations with milk and jaggery.

Preparation & Use: A classic preparation involves soaking urad dal overnight, grinding it into a paste, and cooking it with milk, ghee, and jaggery to form a nutritive sweet ball (laddoo) given to promote sexual vitality.

Reasoning: It is considered a Vajikara (aphrodisiac) herb that directly nourishes the Shukra Dhatu (reproductive tissue).

Vatavyadhi (Nervous System Disorders) & Sandhi Shoola (Joint Pain)

Formulation: External application of paste.

Preparation & Use: A paste made from black gram flour is applied warm to inflamed and painful joints to reduce swelling and pain.

Reasoning: Its Snigdha (oily) and Guru (heavy) nature helps to pacify Vata dosha, which is the primary cause of joint and nervous system disorders.

6. Healing recipes, Teas, Decoctions and Culinary use (if any):

Black gram is used in a wide variety of savory and fermented dishes across India.

Strength-Building Urad Dal

Purpose: To build mass, strength, and vitality.

Preparation & Use:

• Cook urad dal with ginger, turmeric, and water.

• Temper with ghee, cumin, and asafoetida. Consume regularly.

Urad Laddoo for Vitality

Purpose: A traditional tonic for weakness and as an aphrodisiac.

Preparation & Use:

• Soak urad dal for 6 hours, then dry and roast it.

• Grind into a fine flour.

• Mix the flour with melted ghee, jaggery, and chopped nuts. Form into laddoos.

External Poultice for Joint Pain

Purpose: To relieve inflammation in joints.

Preparation & Use:

• Mix urad flour with warm water or milk to make a thick paste.

• Apply the warm paste to the affected joint and leave on for 30 minutes before washing off.

7. Disclaimer:Vigna mungo is a heavy and hard-to-digest pulse. Its Guru (heavy) property can aggravate Kapha and Ama (toxins) if digestion is weak. It should be consumed in moderation and well-cooked, often with digestive spices like ginger, asafoetida, and cumin. Individuals with sluggish digestion or obesity should use it sparingly.

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8. Reference Books, Books for In-depth Study:

• Indian Materia Medica by Dr. K.M. Nadkarni

• Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

• Bhava Prakasha Nighantu

9. Further study: Plants that might interest you due to similar medicinal properties

1. Vigna radiata (Mung Bean)* Species: Vigna radiata | Family: Fabaceae | Genus: Vigna* Similarities: Both are from the same genus and are fundamental pulses in Ayurveda. However, they have opposite qualities. Mung is light and easy to digest, while Urad is heavy and hard to digest. They are often used for different therapeutic purposes based on these properties.

2. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)* Species: Withania somnifera | Family: Solanaceae | Genus: Withania* Similarities: Both are considered potent Brimhana (building) tonics and Vajikara (aphrodisiacs) in Ayurveda. They are used to combat debility, low weight, and low sexual vitality, and to nourish the nervous system.

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