Talk:Dipyaka
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Dipyaka |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Carum copticum Benth. & Hook |
| Family | Umbelliferae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Carum copticum Benth. & Hook., commonly known as Dipyaka or Ajowan, is an annual herbaceous plant widely cultivated for its aromatic fruits. In Ayurveda, it is highly valued as a carminative, digestive stimulant, and Kapha-Vata pacifying medicine.[1] Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague is regarded as a synonym of Carum copticum.[2]
English Name
Ajowan
Therapeutic Use
Gulma (abdominal lump), Aruchi (anorexia), Adhmana (abdominal distention), Hikka, Chardi (vomiting), Krumi roga (worms), Sula (pain)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
- Dipyaka – Increases appetite.
- Yavani
- Bhutik
- Dipya
- Ajamodika
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasa Nighantu
- Ajamoda
- Kharashva – Fruits of ajamoda have an odor similar to a donkey.
- Maayuro
- Brahmakusha
- Kaaravi
- Lochamastaka[3]
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Dipyaka has the following properties:[1]
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Pungent (Katu) |
| 2 | Potency (Veerya) | Hot (Ushna) |
| 3 | Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) | Pungent (Katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Light (Laghu), Rough (Ruksha), Sharp (Tikshna) |
| 5 | Dosha Action (Karma) | Pacifies Kapha and Vata |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions
Dipyaka is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:
| Sr. No. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 23/20 | Santarpanajanya vikar chikitsa (management of over-nutrition disorder) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/170 | Harita Varga (Class of green herbs) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/307 | Krutanna Varga (Class on food articles) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/69 | Ingredient of Hingusauvarchaladya ghrita |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/71 | Ingredient of Hapushadya ghrita |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/86 | Ingredient of Shatyadi Churna |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/165 | Pathya Diet in Gulma (wholesome food in treatment of abdominal lump) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/168 | Vata, Kapha and Mala Anulomanarth |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/27 | Used for making decoction in Kaphaj prameha (diabetes) |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/29 | Used for making decoction in Kaphaj prameha (diabetes) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/38 | Trikantakadhya Tail/Ghrit in Vata-kaphaj prameha (diabetes) |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/41 | Ingredient in Madhvasava |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/54 | Ingredient in Apara lasunadya Ghrita |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/55 | Ingredient in Apara lasunadya Ghrita |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/36 | Ingredient in Triphaladhyarishta |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/43 | Ingredient in Kshar Gudika |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/55 | Ingredient in Chitrakadi Ghrita |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/103 | In treatment of Kaphaja uadara roga |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/125 | As an ingredient of narayan churna |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/63 | As an ingredient of traushnadi churna |
Dose
- Powder (Churna): 1 – 3 g daily.[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Ajamodarka
- Ajmodadi churna
Current Availability
Available
Major Phytoconstituents
The pharmacological activity of Trachyspermum ammi (Carum copticum) is mainly attributed to its essential oil. The oil composition varies with geographical origin: thymol is the main component of oil from south Indian plants (reported up to 97.9%), whereas carvacrol, γ-terpinene and p-cymene are the main components of oil from other regions.[2]
Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research
Modern pharmacological studies support several of the traditional uses of Trachyspermum ammi (Carum copticum):
1. Gastrointestinal and Antispasmodic Activity (Deepana & Pachana)
- Traditional Use: Used for Gulma (abdominal lump), Adhmana (abdominal distention), Aruchi (anorexia) and Sula (colic pain).[1]
- Scientific Evidence: The aqueous-methanolic seed extract inhibited K+-induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum and shifted Ca2+ dose-response curves to the right, similar to verapamil, indicating a calcium channel blocking (antispasmodic) effect.[4]
2. Antimicrobial Efficacy (Krumiroga)
- Traditional Use: Employed in Krumi roga (worms / microbial infections).[1]
- Scientific Evidence: The essential oil of Carum copticum and its main compounds have been reported to have antibacterial and antifungal activity, assessed by MIC and MBC methods.[5]
3. Respiratory Support (Swasa & Bronchodilation)
- Traditional Use: Used in asthma and dyspnea (Swasa) and cough; the plant is described in traditional medicine as anti-asthmatic and anti-dyspneic.[2]
- Scientific Evidence: The seed extract inhibited carbachol- and K+-induced contractions in isolated guinea-pig trachea and shifted the carbachol and histamine dose-response curves to the right, suggesting a non-specific bronchodilator effect possibly mediated through calcium channel blockade.[4] Bronchodilator effects of C. copticum have also been reviewed.[2]
4. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties
- Scientific Evidence: The essential oil of Carum copticum showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in laboratory evaluation.[5]
5. Hepatoprotective and Antihypertensive Activity
- Scientific Evidence: In rats, pretreatment with the seed extract (500 mg/kg orally) prevented the rise in serum ALP and aminotransferases induced by paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride, and the extract caused a dose-dependent fall in arterial blood pressure in anaesthetized rats (3–100 mg/kg).[4]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Gastrointestinal Colic / Flatulence | Seed extract (calcium antagonist constituents) | Antispasmodic (calcium channel blockade)[4] |
| Microbial / Fungal Infections | Essential oil | Antibacterial, antifungal[5] |
| Respiratory Disorders / Asthma | Seed extract | Bronchodilation, tracheal smooth muscle relaxation[4] |
| Inflammation / Oxidative Stress | Essential oil | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory[5] |
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Precautions: Due to the hot potency (Ushna veerya) and sharp qualities (Tikshna guna), it should be used cautiously in individuals with high Pitta aggravation or severe gastritis. This is a classical rationale rather than a clinical finding.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Fruit Powder (Churna): 1 – 3 g daily.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. I (Part I ed.). New Delhi: Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. 1986. p. 02.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Boskabady, M. H.; Alitaneh, S.; Alavinezhad, A. (2014). "Carum copticum L.: a herbal medicine with various pharmacological effects". BioMed Research International. 2014: 569087. doi:10.1155/2014/569087.
- ↑ Bhavamishra, Shri (2020). Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Edited by Padmashree Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar (Reprint ed.). Chaukhambha Bharati Academy. pp. Haritakyadi Varga, verse 77.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Gilani, A. H.; Jabeen, Q.; Ghayur, M. N.; Janbaz, K. H.; Akhtar, M. S. (2005). "Studies on the antihypertensive, antispasmodic, bronchodilator and hepatoprotective activities of the Carum copticum seed extract". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 98 (1–2): 127–135. PMID 15763373. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.01.017.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Kazemi, M. (2015). "Phenolic profile, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of Carum copticum L. essential oil". Bulgarian Chemical Communications. 47 (1): 149–155.
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