Desmostachya bipinnata, commonly known as Haifa grass or Big cord grass, is a perennial grass used in Indian traditional medicine. It grows throughout India. In Ayurveda, it is known by names like Darba and Dhoob. It has fibrous roots and jointed stems. Desmostachya bipinnata contains protein, fiber, ash, and glycosides. It is bitter, astringent, and sweet in taste. According to Ayurveda, it pacifies all three doshas. It is used to treat diarrhea, skin diseases, burns, fevers, bleeding disorders, thirst, urinary problems, and fainting.

1. Darba- Desmostachya bipinnata
Introduction:-
Desmostachya bipinnata, commonly known
in English by the names Haifa grass, Big cord
grass, and Salt reed-grass, is an Old World
perennial grass, long known and used in human
history. In India it is known by many names,
including: Daabh, Dharba, Kusha, etc

2. Synonyms:-
1. Kusa- Roots are deep-seated inside the
ground.
2.Suchyagra- Edge of the leaves are sharp like
needle
3. Yagnabushana:- always used or essential
during holy procedures

3. Vernacular Names:-
San:- Darba
Hin:- Dhoob
Ben;- Durva
Pun;- Dubada
Mar:- Harali
Guj:-Gro
Tam;- Arugam-Pullu
Tel:- Goriya gaddi
Kan:- garike Hullu
Lat:- Cynodan dactylon

4. Varities:-
Usually Kusadwaya or Darbadwaya
Nigantus considered both as one and same
But in samhitas they are coated seperately

5. Habitat:-
all over India

6. • Kula- Yava Kula
• Family – Gramineae
• Gana-
Charaka- Mutravirechaniya
Stanyajanana
Maduraskanda
Sushurta- Tranapanhamolla

7. Morphology:-
Root -Fibrous, cylindrical, upto 4 mm thick, minute
hair-like roots arise from the mainroots; cream
coloured.
Stem -Slender, prostrate, upto 1.0 mm thick, jointed,
leafy, very smooth, yellowish green in colour.
Leaf - 2 to 10 cm long and 1.25 to 3 mm wide,
narrowly linear or lanceolate.
shoots and at the base of the stems;

10. Chemical Composition:-
Protein- 10.47%
Fiber- 28.17%
Ash- 11.75%
Alkaline
Glycoside

11. Properties:-
Guna- Laghu
Rasa- Kasaya, Madura
Veerya:- Sheeta
Vipaka:- Madura

12. Dosha Karma:-
Trodosha

13. THERAPEUTIC USES :-
Atisara, Visarpa,
Chardi, Tvaka Roga
Daha, Kaphaja Jvara
Jvara, Vataja Jvara
Raktapitta, Nasagata raktapitta
Trsna, Taktavikara,
Murccha,

14. Functions Acc to Diff Scholars:-
Bhavamisra:-
Tridoshagna, mutrakrachra, Ashmari, trasna,
Bastishoola, Pradara
Kaiyadeva:-
Visarpa, daha, ashmari, trasna, Bastishoola
Vranda:-
Tridoshagna, Pradara

15. Useful Part:-
moola

16. Dosage:-
Kwatha- 50-100 ml

17. Special preparations:-
tranapanchamoola kwatha
kushavaleha
kushadya gratha

18. Quotations:-
दर्बद्वयं त्रिदोषग्नं मधुरं तुवरं हिमम
मूिक्रच्छ्राश्मररिष्णार्स्ततरुकप्रदरास्रजस्तत ( भा.नन )