Cyperus rotundus

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Cyperus rotundus

Cyperus rotundus L., the nut grass, Cyperaceae, is a common, tropical, grass-like weed (Cyperus rotundus1).

The rhizomes (Cyperus rotundus2) are diuretic, emmanagogue, antibacterial and anthelminthic and also used in digestive disorders.   The rhizomes are widely used for their anti-inflammatory activity, which is much stronger than that of cartisone.   Rhizomes are used in cough in Nigeria.

Several essential oils (pinene, cineol) and fatty acids (oleic, palmitic, linolic acids) occur in the rhizomes.  

Obturastyrine is antibacterial.   b-sitosterol is anti-inflammatory.    Cyperene I has oestrogenic activity, which also has antispasmodic action on the uterus.

The rhizomes are used widely to perfume clothes, as an insect repellent and in embalming.