Live Ayurveda LifeAyurveda

 

 

SALA

Botanical Name : SHOREA ROBUSTA

Family : DIPTEROCARPACEAE

 

It is botanically identified as ‘shorea robusta’ which belongs to Dipterocarpaceae family the drug is commonly a herb the plant is documented to posses beneficial effects as fractures , poisonings, skin diseases, diabetes, prurities etc.

VARITIES

 

Direct reference about different varities of sala are not available. Bhavamisra’s sarja yugma consisting of Sala and Sarja. Apart from these two, asvakarna and Ajakarna are to be identified separately. Therefore the botanical identity of the four trees shall be.

1. Sala – shorea robusta Gaertn.
2. Sarja – Vateria Indica linn.
3. Asvakarna – Dipterocarpus alatus Roxb.
4. Ajakarna – Shorea tumbuggaia Roxb.

 

It is important to note that all these trees yield resinous gums. Hence to avoid confusion, term sala niryasa and sarja niryasa due to be specifically used to denote resins of shorea robusta and vateria indica in future.

 

 

 

SYNONYMS

 

Sala -An attractive tree ,the heart wood is very strong or hard.

Sarja -A resinous exudate.

Asvakarnaka– The leaves look like that of asvakarna

Rala- That which vanishes bad smell.

Kantha- The niryasa or resin looks golden yellow in colour.

Marichapatraka- One leaves are like that of maricha

Ralaniryasa- Exudation from the tree

Snigdhadaru- The wood is oily in nature.

Salaniryasa- The resin obtained from sala tree.

Ajakarna- The leaves are the shape of goat’s ear.

Deepavruksha- The resin is used for preparing candles.

Sarjarasa- The exudation of one plant which is resinous is known as sarja.

Doopavruksha- The resin of one tree is used for humigation.

Vijneya– The resin is used for performing Yajna or sacred fire.

Sakrathu- A big tree.

Sreekara- Resin having good omen.

 

GANA / VARGA

Charaka Samhitha : Vedanasthapana,

Kasaya skandha.

Susrutha samhitha : Salasaradi gana,

Radrahradi gana

Astanga sangraha : Asanadigana, Rodhradi

Gana, vedanasthapama

Dhanwantari Nighantu : Candanadi varga.

Kaiyadeva Nighantu : Osadhi Varga

Bhavaprakasa Nighantu : Vatadi varga

Raja Nighantu : Candanadi varga

VERNACULAR NAMES

 

English – Common sal, Indian Dammer

Hindi – Sakher, sakhu, sal, shal.

Sanskrit – Sala

Tamil – Attam, kungiliyam, shalam

Bengali – Sakher, sakhna , sal

Punjabi – Sal, seral

Gujarati – Ral

Marathi – Guggilu, Rala, Sajara

 

 

PARTS USED

 

 

 

• Bark

 

 

• Gum resin

 

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

 

 

• Sal bark, along with leaves and twigs is a promising tanning material. The spray dried aqueous extract of bark contains 39.6% of tannins (pyrogallol type). Oleanolic acid is also found in the Bark, Benzofuransho reaphenal is found in the bark.
• Sal resin on dry ditstillation yields and essential oil
• Sitosterol , hydroxyanone, dipterocarpol, Asiatic acid, ursolic acid.
• Fat from nuts contained cis-9-10 epoxystearic acid, carlagin, ellagic ,chebulic and gallic acids are isolated from seeds. A new phenolic acid. Shorbic acid is found in the seeds . A new flavone glycoside is reported from the seeds.

PROPERTIES

Rasa – Kasaya, Madhura

Guna – Ruksa, Usna

Virya – Sita

Vipaka – Katu

Dosha – Vata pitta hara, Kapha hara

 

KARMA

 

	Bha.pr	Dha.Ni	Ra.Ni	Kai.Ni	Aa.Ni	Pr.Ni	Su.Su
Kushtagna	ü	ü					ü
Kaphakrimith	ü	ü		ü
Vranasodhana	ü		ü	ü
Vishagna	ü
Stambana		ü	ü	ü		ü
Varnya		ü			ü
Kantugna		ü
Vedanastapana	ü			ü			ü
Samdaaneeya	ü	ü	ü				ü

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDICATIONS

 

INDICATION	Bha.pra	Dha.Ni	Ra.Ni	Kai.Ni	Aa.Ni	Pr.Ni	Su.Su
Prameha	ü					ü	ü
Kushta	ü	ü				ü
Kantu		ü	ü
Visha	ü
Vrana	ü			ü
Athisara			ü
Kaphapandu	ü						ü
Medoroga	ü				ü		ü
Yoniroga		ü				ü
Grahi				ü
Karnaroga				ü
Bagna			ü
Krimi	ü	ü		ü

 

 

PHARMACO THERAPSUTIC ACTION

 

• The non phenolic portion of the essential oil is separated to have a depressing effect on the CNS while the phenolic position is less effective.
• An herbal cream consisting of S.Robusta is reported to be bactericidal as well as bacteriostatic.

THERAPEUTIC USES

 

1. Galaganda – Salaniryasa along with Gomutra to be administered orally. [Su.su ci 18/53]
2. Pandu – Salasaradi gana curna and Amalaki powder with honey is taken internally.[ Su.su.ut 44/24]
3. Prameha – Sala, saptaparna, Kampillaka, vrksaka, vibhitaki, kapitthia, Rohitaka and Arjuna are to be powdered and administered orally. With honey and Amalaki svarasa as Anupana. [A.H Ci 12/15-16]
4. Hikka and svasa– The fumes of resin from sala may be useful.
5. Atisana- Sala, Mocharasa, Amala Beeja Majja, Bilwa fruit and Jati fruit Make it into powder and give internally.
6. Balatisara– 1 grm of salaniryasa and 3 part of Khantasarkara given internally.[Bha.pra]
7. For Dhoomana purpose also it is used.

 

DOSAGE

 

• Decoction of Bark – 50- 100 ml
• Powder of Resin – 1 – 3 g

FORMULATIONS

 

1. Pinda Tailam (C.S Ci 29)
2. Salasaradi Kasayam
3. Sarjarasa Malhar / sveta Malham (Ra. Ta. Sa)
4. Sarja Parpati
5. Adasyadi lepa.

 

Literary View

 

2 varieties of sariva are known from Charakas time. He enumerated Ananth in kashay skandha and gopavalli in madhur skandha.

• Nighantus explain 2 varieties: Black and White
• Dhanvanthari niganttu- Black as Krishna mool.

Sodala nighantu- white variety as uthpal saariva Bhaavmishra described that Krishna saariva is characterized by the leaves which are similar to that of jambu and possess great aroma.

He also denoted White as gopa and Black as Gopavalli.

Dalhana commented that Saariva and utpala Saariva are names of same plant.

• Swetha saariva- hemidesmus Indicus
• Krishna saariva- Ichnocarpus frutescens

 

Synonyms and Nirukti

• Saariva- Extensively Spreading twiner. (Bhavprakash)
• Ananth- Extensively Spreading Creeper (Amar Kosh)
• Utphal Saariva- aroma is similar to lotus (Amar Kosh)
• Karpurilathika- Odour of Karpur (Priya Nighantu)
• Gopakanya- grows hidden like that of virgin (Bhavprakash)
• Gopavadhu­- grows hidden like that of virgin under other plants(Bhavprakash)
• Gopi-Creeper grows under shades of other plants (Bhavprakash)
• Chandan Saariva- Plant smells like that of sandalwood.(Abhidhan Manjari)
• Prathanika- Creeper that grows extensively (Dhanvanthari Nighantu)
• Phanijihvika- Leaves are like serpant tongue (Astang Nidhan)
• Bhadravallika- Strong Creeper (Paryaya ratna Maala)
• Sugandhi Mool- Aromatic roots (Astang Nidhan)

 

Vernacular Names

( ref : Pharmacognosy of indigenous drugs)

• English- Indian sarsaparilla.
• Hindi and Bengali- Ananth Mool
• Kannada- Sogade, Logadaheru
• Malayalam- Narunint
• Tamil- Nannari
• Telugu- sugandhiphala
• Marathi- upalsari
• Gujarati- Upalsari
• Persian- Aushbabe- hindi
• Sinhalese- Irimusu
• Oriya- Dilsukri

 

Varieties

There are two kinds of saariva i.e. Shwetha and Krishna Saariva.

 

Shwetha saariva is botanically known as Hemidesmus indicus. Presently two source plants of Krishna Saariva are botanically identified as Cryptolepis buchananiana and ichnocarpus frutescens belonging to family Asclepiadaceae and Apocynaceae respectively.

 

Cryptolepis buchnani- A climbing or turning glabrous shrub. Leaves 7.575*2.5-7.5 cm, coriaceous, shining above sometimes obovate, apiculate or acuminate, base acute.

 

Ichnocarpus frutescens – woody climber or twining wire, large evergreen latticiferous, woody creeper with rusty red appearance. Plant occurs almost throughout India.

 

 

Chemical Composition

 

Air dried roots yield essentials oil 0.225%, containing p-methoxy salicylic aldehyde as the major component. The aroma of the drug is attributed to this aldehyde. Other constituents present in the roots: B- sitosterol, A and B- amyrins (both free and as esters), lupeol, tetracyclic, triterpene alcohols, small amount of resin acids, fatty acids, tannins, saponins, a glycoside and a ketone.

 

Properties

• Rasa- Madhura, tiktha
• Guna- Guru, Snigdha
• Veerya- sheeta
• Vipaaka- Madhura
• Karma- tridoshahara, graahi

 

• Indications- Jwara, kandu, prameha, kaasa, Shwaasa, pradara, Aruchi, agnimaandya, atisaara.

 

Karma

• Rakta prasadana
• Rakta shodhaka
• Daaha prashamana- shothahara
• Rochana- dipana, pachana, anulomana
• Kaphagna
• Vrishya
• Sthanya shodhaka- garbhasthapana
• Mutrajanana- mutravirajaniya
• Kushthagna
• Jwaraghna
• Rasayana
• Visaghna
• Dourgandhyahara

 

Prayoga

• Rakta Dusthijanya vikara
• Vaatarakta
• Upadamsha- Phiranga
• Jirna- Amavata
• Slipada- gandamala
• Aruchi- Agnimaandhya
• Pravaahika- grahani
• Daaha-shotha
• Netrabhishyanda
• Kaasa- swasa
• Sthanya vikara- stanya ksaya
• Sthanya- durgandhi
• Mutra krechra- paithika prameha
• Kushta- visarpa- visphota
• Jwara-daha
• Pandu sarvanga shotha
• Dourbalya

Prayojyaangna

 

Mool (Root)

 

 

Maatra

• Swaras- 50-100ml
• Kalka-5-10g
• Choorna-3-5g

Important formulations (yoga)

• pinda thaila
• Saarivaadiasava
• Mahathikthaka grutha
• Pipalyadi grutha
• Amrutha grutha
• Saarivaadi kwatha
• Saarivaadi vati
• Saarivaadiavaleha

Therapeutic uses

• Vrana- saariva root is claimed to be useful for cleaning all types of wounds. (V.M)
• Vishamjwara- Decoction of patola, saariva, musta, patha, katuki is useful. (C.S. G-3)
• Kustha- Brihati, Usira, Patola, Saariva and Katuki is to be given for external and internal use.
• Lootha Visha- Nimba, Saariva and Honey given internally.
• Shwaasa and kaasa- Saariva Kwaath with honey.
• In Daha, Rakth pittha, Thrushna, Jwara – Decoction of saarivadi gana i.e. saariva, usheera, pushkaramula, madhuka etc.
• Pithaja Jwara- Kwaath of Saariva and kamalakanda after cooling.

 

Actions and uses

• Doshagnathaa

• Vaathashaman being madhura, snigdha and guru
• Pithshaman being madhur, tikth and sheetha
• Kapha shamana being slightly tiktha but does not aggrevate kapha inspite of being madhura, snigdha and guru.

 

 

 

 

 

Research

• The aqueous extract caused a slight increase in the urinary flow in rats. Alcoholic and aqueous extracts also led to a rise in the BP and splenic contraction in dog and also contraction of Guinea pig ileum. An increase in the cardiac rate in rabbit was noticed with the aqueous extract.
• Saponin was found to have anti-inflammatory activity.
• The ethyl acetate extract exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in both acute and sub-acute and methods of inflammation.
• The anti viral activity may be due to the presence of interferon- like factors in the plant.
• Root is anti-leprotic, plaque formation suppressant and nematocidal.

 

 

 

“PUSHKARMULA” – (bn-inula racemosa)

 

LITERARY VIEW

 

In samhita period caraka introduced it under savasa and hikkanigrahana groups some authors consider it nadyamara of vedic texts is pushkar mula how ever many opined that it is the synonym of kustha.

In agni purana for the first time pushkar is described as a variety of kustha it is familiar to the country by name pushkara desa hence the name pushkar mula.

During the review it is observed that in the Vedas the term ‘Pusan’ was used to denote lord surya whether the term pushkara mula is used in the sense that is belongs to sun flower family asteracear will be an interesting exploration.

 

SYNONYMS

• Pushkara mula
• Paushkara
• Padma patra
• Kashmira
• Mula
• Pushpa sagara
• Dheera
• Gheena
• Sugandhika
• Pushkarajata
• Kushta bheda

INTERPRETATIONS

 

PUSHAKARA MULA – the roots are similar to the roots of lotus or kamala

PAUSHKARA – the plant grows near the water or marshy place

PADMAPATRA – the leaves are like padma leaves

KASHMIRA – it grows in Kashmir and Himalayas

MULA – useful part is mula

PUSHPA SAGARA – having number of flowers

DHEERA – a strong drug used in kasa and svasa

GHEENA – the roots are curved

SUGANDHIKA – having a peculiar smell

PUSHKARAJATA – a plant grows near watery places and having fibrous roots

KUSHTA BHEDA – a variety of kushtha

 

VERNACULAR NAMES

 

 

English : Elicampane

Hindi : Pokharmul

Kannada : Pushkara mul

Telugu : Pushkara

Marathi : Pushkara mul

Tamil : Pushkara mulam

Gujrati : Pohkarmul

Cashmini : Poshkar

MAJOR CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

 

• Alantalactone
• Isoalantalactone
• Inunolide (germacranolide)
• Dihydro isoalanlactone
• Beta -Sitosterd
• D- Mannitd
• Dihydroinundide
• Neo-alantolactone
• Inunolise
• Sesqiterpene
• Lactone (inunol)
• Alantadiene
• Octadecanoic acid .

PROPERTIES

 

RASA à Tikta, katu

GUNA à Laghu, tikshna

VIRYA à Usna

VIPAKA à Katu

KARMA à Kapha – vata hara, hrdya, dipana.

 

INDICATIONS

 

• Hikka
• Kasa
• Svasa
• Parsvashula
• Hrdroga
• Sotha
• Adhmana

 

THERAPEUTIC USES

1. Hrdroga :- Powder of pushkara mula should be taken with honey (V.M)
2. Pasvasula:- Pushkara mula churna is given with honey (B.R)
3. Kasa-Svasa:- Powder of pushkara mula should be administered with dashamula kasaya (V.M)
4. Svara bhanga:– The root of pushkara mula is chewed.

Officinal part:

Root

Dosage:

1-3 gm à Churna

IMPORTANT PREPARATIONS

• Pushkaramulasava
• Pushkaradi churna
• Pushkara churna
• Puskaradi kasaya
• Brhat yogaraja guggula
• Haritayadi churna
• Sudarshana churna
• Narayana churna
• Chayavana prasha

Research

1. Anti – microbial property:
2. a) Roots showed in vitro anti fungal activity against irichophyton mentagophytes and microsporum canies (Tripathi et .al ,1978)
3. b) Curde alcoholic extract exhibited anti-dermatophytic activity(Tripathi ,1978)
4. c) Anti fungal activity against Mentagophytes and C.albicans is reported (wahab et al., 1982)
5. Anti pyretic activity :

It has shown a significant anti-pyretic activity and compared well with sodium salicylates (chowrasia ,1987)

• Anti helmenthic activity :

The essential oil showed varying degrees of anti helmenthic activity against earth worm and tape worms ( Mishra et al., 1979)

1. Cardio tonic activity :
2. a) Cardio tonic activity of aq and alcoholic extracts were studied on isolated frogs heart (Sharma tripathi,1986)
3. The use pushkara mula root in bach ache and allied has disease has been recommended at a dose of 1.2 gm root powder along with honey . Its use as a tonic and stomachic is also suggested (Trivedi,1984)

 

Punnaga(calophyllum inophyllum)

 

Punnaga is a large evergreen commonly called Alaxendrion laurel. Bell tree. It is a small branching and slow growing with broad and irregular crown in Ayurveda, It is mentioned in the Name Punnaga it is explained for various medical purposes. We can find may be references in Nigandu and Samhithas in modern taxonomy. This plant categorized under clusiaceae or Guttiferaceae and it is known by Botanical name Calophyllum inophyllum. Its main action is Raktha stambhaka and Varnya. It is commonly seen in Asia, Africa, Sri lanka, Pacific region.

Punnaga is one among the important drug which is used in Ayurveda for Raktapitta, Raktatisara etc.

LITERARY REVIEW

 

Punnaga is the most Sanskrit name of the plant Calophyllum inophyllum, it is explained in Ma.ni, Kai.ni, Ra.ni etc. and having the synonyms like like Punnaga, Raktarenu, Sugandhi etc. The flower of Punnaga is sacred to Lord Vishnu, forming his garland. Afragrant flower it adorns the hair goddess Lalitambika in the Lalitha sahasram. The flower is used in worship of lord Vishnu as a medicinal Punnaga is widely used for many formulations in Ayurveda. It is administered for Raktapitta, Rakta srava, Raktatisara etc. It is described by Charaka, Vagbhatta etc and its oil is extracted and it is widely used.

SYNONYMS

• Sugandhi Puspa – Flower having good smell.
• Deergamoola – Having long root.
• Devavallabha – Beautiful flower liked by god
• Pitakesara– Having yellow coloured stamens
• Tunga – seen in Himalayan regions
• Vibbudha –having expanded flower
• Raktakesara– having red coloured stamens
• Kanjana– golden coloured flowers
• Punnaga– pumkesarayukta pushpa liked by naga

GANA AND VARGA

 

• Kula – Nagakesara kula
• Gana – Charaka – Varnya

 

VERNACULAR NAMES

English : Alexander lauren

Hindi : Sultan campa, Sultan campak

Kannada : Uma

Sanskrit : Punnagah

Malayalam: Punna

Tamil : Punnai, Punnagam

Telugu : Ponnavittulu

PARTS USED

• Bark
• Leaves
• Seeds

 

MATRA

 

• Twak kwatha: 50 – 100ml
• Taila: 2 – 5 drops
• Beeja Churna: 3 – 5g

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

 

Friedelin, β – Sitosterol, Canophyllor, Calophylloide,(+) – inophylloide, inophyllum A, B and D, Calophyllin B etc.

 

PROPERTIES

Rasa: – Madhura, Kashaya.

Guna: –Laghu, Rooksha

Veerya:– Sheeta

Vipaka: –Madhura.

Doshakara: –Kaphapittasamaka

KARMA

• Vedanasthapana
• Raktapitta Samaka
• Vrana ropana
• Mutrakricchrahara
• Raktapittahara
• Raktatisaragna
• Raktasthampaka
• Varnya
• Deepaka
• Dahaprashamana
• Uttejaka
• Vamaka
• Rakta Shodaka
• Sara

 

INDICATIONS

 

• Raktapitta
• Raktasrava
• Raktatisara – Pravahika
• Amavata – Sandhivata
• Carmarvga
• Mutrakrcchra – Puyameha
• Netraroga – Sukra

 

THERAPEUTICS

 

• Leaves of Punnaga are useful in Chicken pox, Scabies, Sunburn, Skin inflammation, Post natal lactation and Sickness, Eye catarrh and debility and as fish poison.
• Bark is astringent, diuretic emmenagogue and given to babies with fever and running nose.
• It is used in decoction in internal heamorrhage and as a wash for indolent ulcers.
• Juice is purgative.
• Gum exuding from bark is a remedy for wounds and ulcers.
• It is emetic and purgative.
• Seeds are useful in the treatment of Skin, Rash, and Rheumatism and as Vermifuge.
• Oil expressed from seeds and known in Europe as Domba oil is Rubefacient and irritant but on the mucous membrane of genito – urinary organs it is specific.
• It is highly esteemed external application in Rheumatism also in Gonorrhoea and gleet, also applied in Scabies.

FOLKLORE USES

• Decoction of flowers given to cure Syphillis, eczema and insanity.
• Netraroga – Infusion of Punnaga leaves will cure corneal opacity.
• Kustha – Its Oil is applied externally in the skin disorders.

 

RESEARCH

 

• Calophyllolide produced a slight bradychardia madose of 10mcg i.p in isolated perfused rabbit heart. It decreased the amplitude of concentration with an effect on rhythm but increased the coronary flow. It was found to be as effective as quinidine in suppressing ventricular ectopic tachychardia resulting from acute ml in days. It possessed vaso constrictor action on peripheral vessels in isolated rabbit ear perfusion.(Arora etal 1962)
• Inophyllum B and P inhibited HIV reverse trancriptase(Ic5038 and 130nm respectively) and were active against HIV In cell culture(Ic501.4 and 1.6pm respectively)-(J-med.chem 1993,36,41,31)
• Calophyllolide showed potent anti-inflammatory activity in Carragenin – induced Oedema in rats EDSO was 10mg/kg orally. It also mshowed anti-inflammatory and anti – arthritic activity in Formaldehyde – induced arthritis and adjuvant arthritis in arts(I.J.M.B,1980,72,762).

 

PUNARNAVA – Botanically known as Boerhavia diffusa Linn under the Nyctaginaceae family

 

LITERARY REVIEW

 

Punarnava is important herb with excellent therapeutic utility in shotha. Though modern research now and then reported it as Diuretic, it is not emphasized for Mutrala purpose in the major ayurvedic texts. It is appreciated as Rasayana drug in citera tree.

This plant is considered to be dry during summer and which recur during autumn according to sounaka.

Except in the context of vayasthapana group, Acharya Caraka quoted two types of Punarnava (kasahara, Anuvasanopaga and svedopaga groups). In sakha varga he described Punarnava with synonym “Katilla”. Acharya Sushrutha included both Varshabhu and Punarnava in Sakha varga.

In ayurvedic texts usually two variety mentioned, i.e. sveta and rakta Punarnava. They are identified as Boerhavia diffusa and T.Pertulacastrum respectively.

In Raja nighantu another variety Nila Punarnava is described.

 

SYNONYMS AND INTERPRETATION

 

• PUNARNAVA
• VARSHABHU
• KATILLA
• RAKTA PUNARNAVA
• VISHAKA
• SHOTHAHARI
• KSHUDRA VARSHABHU
• VASU
• RAKTA PUNARNAVA
• SHWETA MOOLA
• SHATA PUNYA
• GADA PUNYA
• LALA PUNARNAVA
• GADARPUNA
• SHASHIVATIKA
• VRUSHCHIRA
• DEERGA PATRA
• KATILLAKA
• MAHA VARSHABHU
• MANDALA PATRAKA
• RAKTA PATRAKA
• SADYO VISHOSHI
• VARSHA KETU
• SHIVATIKA

 

VERNACULAR NAMES

Hindi	Lalapunarnav
Kannada	Kommeberu, Sanadika
Tamil	Mukurattai, Sirappu
Telugu	Erra galijeru, Atikamamidi
Malayalam	Chuvanna tazutawa
English	Horse purslene, Hogweed
Bengali n	Gada punya
Punjabi	Itsit
Marathi	Ghetuli
Gujarati	Satodi basedo
Arabian	Handkuki

 

 

Ganasand vargas

Punarnava is classified into different Ganas and Vargas according to different authors.

AUTHORS	GANA/VARGA
Caraka Samhita	Vayasthapana, Kasahara , Svedopaga, Anuvasanopaga varga
Sushrutha Samhita	Vidarigandadi varga
Adarsha nighantu	Punarnavadi varga.
Priya nighantu	Shata pushpadi varga.
Dhanvantari nighantu and Shodala nighantu	Guduchyadi varga.
Bhavaprakasha nighantu	Guduchyadi varga
Kaiyadeva nighantu	Oshadhi varga.
Madanapala nighantu	Abhayadi varga
Raja nighantu	Mulakadi varga

Bhedas

• Two Types

 

1. Sveta Punarnava
2. Rakta Punarnava

 

According to Raja nighantu another variety mentioned Nila Punarnava.

 

 

 

Distribution and habitat

 

Plant occurs throughout as a common weed almost in all parts of country, generally on flat and along road sides, also near water course. It ascends to 1,500 mts in Himalayan regions. Plant is also found in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Assam, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and other regions of country.

 

Grows throughout India in the warmer plains up to 7000 ft.

 

 

Posology

 

• Mula swarasa – 5-10 ml
• Mula curna – 1-6 gm
• Patra swarasa- 10-20 ml
• Mula curna – 5-10 gm (for vamana)

 

 

Vishista yoga

 

• Punarnavastaka kwatha curna
• Punarnavasava
• Punarnavadi mandura
• Sukumara ghrita
• Sothagghna lepa.

Prayoga and uses

The drug Punarnava is antibilary, antipyretic, cardio tonic, diuretic, expectorant, laxative, sodorific and stomachic.

 

It is used in anemia, calculus, cough, colic, haemorrhage, heart diseases, insomnia, internal inflammation, jaundice, leprosy and oedema.

 

Drug used in traditional medicine as antidote against dattura poisoning or dattura visa (toxic effect of Dattura metal linn), spider and snake bite poisons. The studies with petroleum, ether extract and their fractions have revealed diuretic action.

 

 

Prayojyanga –useful part

• Root
• Seed
• Leaves
• Panchanga

 

 

 

Chemical composition

 

Plant contains punarvine 0.01-0.04 %, a slightly bitter alkaloid, potassium nitrate 0.52, chlorides and oils.

 

Ash contains sulphate, chlorides, nitrate and chlorate.

 

Pharmacology-mode of action

 

Properties

 

• Rasa -Madhura, Kashaya, Tikta
• Guna -Laghu, ruksha
• Vipaka -Madhura
• Virya -Usna

 

DOSHAGNATA- Tridoshashyamaka.

 

Karma

 

• Mala sangrahi
• Kaphaghna
• Pittaghna
• Rakta vikarahara
• Svedopaga
• Vayasthapana
• Virecana
• Dipana
• Mutravarechana
• Shothahara
• Kasa
• Vrsya
• Mutra janana
• Svedajanana
• Kushtaghna
• Jwaraghna
• Rasayana
• Vishaghna

 

 

Specific actions

Priya nighantu	Shothahara, Pandu, Kamala, Mutrakruchra.
Dhanvantari nighantu	Urhakshata,Shotha,Hrudroga
Kaiyadeva nighantu	Hrudya,Ruchya,Vrana,Pandu
Shodala nighantu	Shopha
Bhava prakasha	Shotha,Pandu,Deepani, Kapha-Pittahara
Madanapala nighantu	Shotha,Vrana,Rasayana,Grihini, Kapha-Rakta-Pittahara

 

 

Therapeutic uses

• Shotha-Kalka of Punarnava iswarmed and applied externally.

 

• Hrudroga and Shotha in lower limb- Punarnava given with katuki,Shunti and Kiratatikta.

 

• Kaphayukta kasa- Punarnava with Shunti and Vaca.

 

• Shotha and Kupacana-Saka of Punarnava is used.

 

• Abhishyandi and other Netra roga vikaras-Punarnava grained with madhu and applied on the part and given internally also.

 

• Vrschidamsa,Sarpadamsa,Musikavisha-Used internally and externally.

 

• Rasayana-Root used.

 

• Ghrita coated with decoction and paste of Punarnava alleviates oedema. [CD.39.32]

 

• Decoction of Punarnava and varuna alleviates internal abscess.[SG 2/2-125]

 

• Oedema during progency- Decoction of Punarnava, Devadaru and musta mixed with honey should be taken.[K.S.P.96]

 

• Paste of Sati and Shunti taken with decoction of Punarnava for a week alleviates [B.D.Ci.26.42]

 

• Pain in Vagina is relieved by putting juice of Punarnava in to Vagina. [G.N.6/6-15]

 

• Milk boiled with Vrsciva, Bilva and Punarnava along withwater reduced to milk only alleviates all type of fever. [SS.U.39/202]

 

• Root of Punarnava lubricates with oil is introduced in to Vagina, expels the foetus.[GN.6/4/38]

 

• Decoction of Punarnava induces sleep.[H.S.3/15-5]

 

• Guggulu taken with decoction of Punarnava ,Devadaru and Shunthi or simply urine or decoction of Dashamula alleviates oedema.[VM.39/8]

 

• Punarnava removes Itching, Discharge, Colonal opacity, defects of vision and night blindness taken with milk, honey, ghee, oil, sour gruel respectively.[B.P.Ci.63/210]

 

Substitutes and adulterants

 

The drug is commonly available. Adulteration is seldom noticed.

Roots of Boerhavia repend wild are sometime used as substitute. These are comparatively thick and stout with a reddish brown surface and no striations.

 

Research

• The haematinic effect of the drug is reported through a clinical study.[Apparao etal 1967]

 

• A significant diuretic activity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts and the active principle was found in saline loaded albino rats(Haravey,1966)

 

• The total alcoholic extract showed a cardiotonic effect in perfused frog heart preparation and anaesthetized dog heart sites(Singh and Udupa,1972c)

 

• The fibrinolytic activity of Boerhavia diffusa is reported(Srivasva et al,1980)

 

Punarnavoside at eral dose of 25 mg/kg for 7 days stopped IUCD-associated bleeding episodesin rheusus monkey(Ind,J.Chem,1989,28B,163)

 

• Liviodendrin exhibited significant Ca⁺⁺ channel antagonistic effect in frog heart single cell(Chem.Pham,Bult,1991,39,1551)

 

• Boerhavia diffusa produced 50% inhibitionof lipid peroxidationat a concentration of 2.28 mg/ml and 1.84mg/ml in Fe⁺⁺ ascorbate system. Through this the anti oxidant property of B.diffusais established.( Joyand Kuttan,1995)

 

• diffusa is found to be a source of calcium channel blocker.(Aftab.et.al.1996)

 

• Seeds showed inhibitory activity against pseudo, Cichorii, Bacillus subtilis, salm, typhimurium and Esch coli(Sushil kumar etal1997)

 

• The aqueous extract of roots(2ml/kg) collected in summer(1-3cm diameter) exhibited marked hepatoprotective activity.(Rawat,et,al,1997)

 

• Ethanolic extract of B.diffusa showed alpha amylase activity in vitro.(Prashanth,et,al,2001)

 

 

 

Pisaca karpasa(Abroma Augustum)

SYNONYMS

• पीवरी योर्षाणि सा स्याद् योनिव्याप्दिनशिनि

रजोदोषप्रशमनि……../(आ.वि)

• Peevari
• Yoshini are its Synonyms

 

GANAS OR VARGAS

 

• Kula – Pishachakarpasa Kula
• Bhava prakasha Nighantu – Pushpa Varga
• Raja Nighantu – Karaveeradi Varga
• Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Oushadi Varga

VERNACULAR NAMES

 

• English :- Devil’s Cotton
• Hindi :- Ulat Kambala
• Kannada:- Bhangi mara
• Tamil:- Siva pputtutti
• Bengali:- Ulat Kamnal
• Marathi:- Ulat Kambal
• Assamese:- Ban kopashi
• Chinese:- Shvo ma

 

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

• Root bark contain gum resin (exulate) mucilaginous matter, non – srystalline substance and ash.
• Root contains resin, fixed oil and alkaloids in lesser percentage.
• Whole plant has yielded alkaloids and secondary metabolites including steroids, triterpenes, flavonoids, megastimanes, benzoyl drofurans and glycoside and phenyl tanoid glycosides.
• Study of roots yielded some alkaloid bases, reducing sugars and some phytosterols
• Study reported a large amount of Magnesium salts in combination with hydroxyl acids, gums, resins and other organic residues.

 

PROPERTIES AND DOSHAGNATHA

• Rasa :- Katu, Tikta
• Guna :- Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna
• Veerya :- Ushna
• Vipaka :- Katu

Doshaghnatha

Kapha – Pitta shamaka, Pitta vardhaka, Artava janana, Garbhayottejaka, Vedanasthapana, Garbhashya, Balya.

 

KARMA

• Artava janana
• Garbhasayottejaka
• Vedanasthapana
• Garbhashya balya

UPAYUKTANGA

Parts used are:-

• Root – मूल
• Bark – त्वक्
• Root bark – मूल त्वक्

THERAPEUTIC USES

The dry Pisaca karpasa is an emmenogogue agent acting chiefly on uterine organs and functions, it stimulates uterine function tone up uterine (Organ system and Physio pharmacologically effects as emmenogogue resulting into regular and normal consistency in menstruation flow by suppressing painful or difficult and scandy condition.

• The presence of magnesium salts with some hydroxyl acids have made it valuable as a styptic for use in Uterus haemorrhages.
• Pasturition – healing, chaff of plantago major(isobyol) is purchased from market, soaked overnight, then 1 or 2 leaves of Abroma augusta are crushed per fist of Chaff. Bowl amount of Chaffed orally once in a day for 21 days.

FOLKLORE USES

• Root used as efficient emmenogogue
• Infusion of fresh stems and leaves in cold water is a demuluscent and used in gonorrhoea
• In Ayurveda, used for Chronic dysfunctional uterine bleeding
• In Bangladesh leaves and stems used for menstrual disorders and diseases of the uterus; bark and roots for leucomea and menstrual problems. Also used for Stomach aches, diabeties, dermatitis and whitish urinary discharge in men.
• In India used for dysmenorrhoea fresh and dried root bark used as Uteric tonic and emmenogogue.
• In Indonesia, used for Scabies.
• Fresh Viscid Sap is useful in Congestive and neuralgic varieties of Dysmenorrhoea used as regulator of menstrual flow and as uterine tonic.

RESEARCH STUDIES

• Hypoglycemic/Hypolipedemic

Study of aqueous extract of Abroma augusta on alloxan diabetic rats showed both hypoglycemic effects with gradual and significant fall in fasting glucose and improvement in glucose tolerance. It also showed lowering of total and LDH Cholestrol

 

• Anti – Inflammatory

Study evaluated ametuanolic extract of different parts of Abroma augusta for anti – inflammatory activity by carrageenan – induced paw oedema method. Results showed potent anti – inflammatory activity comparable to dicloferae and probably due to alkaloid and flavonoid contents.

–

• Anti – Diabetic/Comparative Study

A Comparative study was made on the anti-diabetic activities of methanolic extracts of Abroma augusta and seeds of Syzigium cumini in alloxan – Induced diabetic rats. Results showed significant reduction of glucose level. The activity was attributed to inhibition of free radical generation and tissue damaged induced by alloxan or potentiation of insulin effect. Comparatively SC was more efficacious than AA.

 

• Anti – bacterial/Anti – fungal/Cytotoxic

Study evaluated the invitro antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic effects of ethanolic and petroleum ether extracts of two Bangladeshi medicinal plants Dillenia indica and Abroma augusta. Results showed both plants possessed moderate anti – microbial and cytotoxic properties.

• Wound Healing

Study evaluated the wound healing profile of an alcoholic extract of Abroma augusta and its effect on dexametosome suppressed wound healing in wister rats.

 

MATRA

• Powder :- 100 to 150 mg
• Extract :- 10 to 20 ml
• Juice :- 5 to 10 ml

VISHISHTA YOGA

• PIVARI CHOORNA