Talk:Ativisha
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Ativisha |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Aconitum heterophyllum WALL. |
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Aconitum heterophyllum WALL., popularly known as Ativisha or Indian Atees, is a perennial herb native to the alpine and sub-alpine regions of the Himalayas. In Ayurveda, it is highly valued as a prominent drug for managing fevers (*Jvara*), digestive ailments, and pediatric disorders, acting as a powerful *Ama*-pachana and Kapha-Pitta pacifying medicine.[1]
English Name
Indian Atees
Therapeutic Use
Worms (Krimiroga), Fever (Jvara), Cough (Kasa), Vomiting (Chhardi), Amatisara[1]
Other Varieties / Other Botanical names
- Aconitum heterophyllum Wallich
- Aconitum palmatum
- Aconitum kashmiricum
Identification Characters
- Shuklakanda – Root tubers are white in colour.
- Shrungi – Root tubers are horn shaped.
Types
Based on colours of root tubers as per Raja Nighantu:[2]
- Rakta – Red tubers
- Sweta – White tubers
- Krisna – Black tubers
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
- Ativisha
- Shrungi – Root tubers are horn-shaped.
- Virupa
- Pittadivallabha – Efficacious in Pittaja roga.
- Shwetvaca
- Visha
- Maadri – Plant grows in Maadra desh.
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
- Visha – It assimilates quickly.
- Ativisha
- Vishva
- Shrungi – Root tubers are horn-shaped.
- Prativisha
- Aruna
- Shuklakanda – Root tubers are white in colour.
- Upavisha
- Bhangura
- Dhunavallabha – Root tubers are quickly infested.[3]
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Ativisha has the following properties:[1]
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu) |
| 2 | Potency (Veerya) | Hot (Ushna) |
| 3 | Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) | Pungent (Katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Light (Laghu), Rough (Ruksha) |
| 5 | Dosha Action (Karma) | Reduces Vata, Pitta, and Kapha |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions
Ativisha 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 4/9(3) | Lekhaniya mahakashaya (ingredient of group of herbs for treatment of emaciation) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(12) | Arshoghna mahakashay (ingredient of group of herbs for treatment of piles) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 23/19 | Santarpanajanya vikar chikitsa (management of over-nutrition disease) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 25/40 | Agrya Sangraha |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/139 | Madhur skanda (group of sweet drugs) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/143 | Tiktaskandha (group of bitter drugs) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/204 | As an ingredient of Vatsakadi kashaya |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/219 | As an ingredient of Pippalyadi Ghrita |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/38 | Trikantakadhya Tail/Ghrit in Vata-kaphaj prameha |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/42 | Ingredient in Madhvasava |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/16 | As a diet and drinks in treatment of Kshatakshina |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/44 | Ingredient in Kshar Gudika |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/159 | In formulation of Pippalyadi lavana |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/187 | Used for raktastambhana |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/230 | As an ingredient of Hriberadi ghrita |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/236 | As an ingredient of Sunishanak changeri ghrita |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/98 | Kalka of this drug is used for Aampachan (with usnodaka) |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/99 | Churna of this drug with combination of vaca, musta, etc. is given in aam and shoola yukta mala |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/101 | Churna with hingu, abhaya, vaca etc. used in Sama and Vatakapha adhika grahani with kostha shola |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/105 | Used in Kaphapittaja grahani |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/129 | As an ingredient of Nagaradhya churna |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/134, 15/138 | As an ingredient of Kiratadhya churna (Pittaja Grahani chikitsa) |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/165 | As an ingredient of Madhvarista |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/173 | As an ingredient of Pipallimuladhya Kshara |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/186 | Used in preparation of Chaturtha Kshara |
| 26 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/61 | As an ingredient of Vishaladi Phanta |
| 27 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/115 | As an ingredient of Nagaradi yoga |
| 28 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/22 | As an ama pachak dravya |
| 29 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/51 | As an ingredient of Ativishadi yoga |
| 30 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/105 | As a kwatha dravya |
| 31 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/108 | As an ingredient of Rasanjanadi yoga |
| 32 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/21 | As an ingredient of Vachadi churna |
| 33 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/97 | As an ingredient of Katphaladi kashaya |
| 34 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/101 | Used in Hrudshoola |
| 35 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/201 | As an ingredient of Katukadi kashaya |
| 36 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 27/35 | As an ingredient of Murvadi Choorna |
| 37 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 27/36 | As an ingredient of Swarnakshiradi Choorna |
| 38 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/151 | As an ingredient of Bala taila |
| 39 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 28/168 | As an ingredient of Mulakadhya taila |
Purification (Shodhana)
Ativisha tuberous roots are cut into pieces and kept in Gomutra kvatha for 3 hours and then dried in sunlight.[4]
Dose
- Powder (Churna): 0.6 – 2 g daily.[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Mahavisagarbha Taila
- Rodhrasava
- Siva gulika
- Laksmi narayana rasa
- Rasnaerandadi kvatha Churna
- Sudarshana Churna
- Panchatikta Guggulu Ghrita
- Bala Chaturbhadra Churna
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand
- Out of India: Northern Pakistan, Nepal
Major Phytoconstituents
The pharmacological properties of Aconitum heterophyllum are primarily attributed to its complex alkaloidal and active constituents concentrated in the root tubers:
- Diterpenoid Alkaloids: Atisine, heterophylline, heterophylloidine, atidine, fischimine, and aconine derivatives.
- Lactones & Flavonoids: Bitter principles and phenolic compounds contributing to its digestive and anti-inflammatory actions.
Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research
Modern pharmacological evaluations and experimental research validate several traditional therapeutic indications of *Aconitum heterophyllum*:
1. Anti-diarrheal and Antidysenteric Action (Atisara)
- Traditional Use: Widely used for *Amatisara* (diarrhea associated with toxic metabolic wastes) and pediatric gastrointestinal disturbances.
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Pharmacological studies confirm that root extracts exhibit significant anti-secretory and anti-motility effects. The bitter alkaloids inhibit intestinal hypermotility and suppress common enteric bacterial pathogens responsible for infectious diarrhea.[5]
2. Antipyretic and Anti-inflammatory Properties (Jvara)
- Traditional Use: Indicated in *Jvara* (fever) and chronic inflammatory conditions.
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: In vivo evaluations demonstrate that extracts of *A. heterophyllum* possess notable antipyretic efficacy comparable to standard reference drugs, acting by modulating body temperature regulation and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine pathways.[6]
3. Immunomodulatory and Antimicrobial Activity
- Traditional Use: Used to combat infections and normalize bodily humors.
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Alkaloidal constituents like atisine exhibit significant inhibitory activity against various gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, the extracts enhance cellular and humoral immune responses in experimental models.[7]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Diarrhea & Dysentery (*Atisara*) | Diterpenoid alkaloids, Bitter principles | Anti-motility, Anti-secretory, Enteric pathogen inhibition |
| Fever & Inflammation (*Jvara*) | Atisine, Heterophylline | Antipyretic, Pro-inflammatory cytokine suppression |
| Microbial Infections (*Krimiroga*) | Alkaloidal fractions | Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity |
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Precautions: Raw or unpurified roots contain potent aconite-type alkaloids that can be toxic; hence, strict adherence to classical purification (*Shodhana*) processes is mandatory prior to therapeutic usage.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Root Powder (Churna): 0.6–2 g daily.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:14
- ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi, Raj Nighantu of Pandit Narahari, Pippalyadi Varga, Verse no. 136, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi.
- ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Haritakyadi Varga, Verse no. 186 - 187, Edited by Padmashree Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2015.
- ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi, Raj Nighantu of Pandit Narahari, Pippalyadi Varga, Verse no. 137, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi.
- ↑ Mehta, D. C., et al. "Evaluation of anti-diarrheal activity of Aconitum heterophyllum root extracts in experimental models." Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
- ↑ Sharma, R., et al. "Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities of Aconitum heterophyllum root extracts." Phytotherapy Research.
- ↑ Gupta, V., et al. "Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial efficacy of Aconitum heterophyllum roots." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine.
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