Talk:Apamarga
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Apamarga |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Achyranthes aspera L. |
| Family | Amaranthaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Achyranthes aspera L., popularly known as Apamarga or Prickly Chaff Flower, is a rigid, erect annual or perennial herb distributed widely throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of India. In Ayurveda, it is highly valued for its scraping (*Lekhana*), purgative support, and Kapha-Vata pacifying properties.[1]
English Name
Prickly Chaff Flower
Therapeutic Use
Sula (pain), Udararoga (abdominal disorders), Apachi (cervical lymphadenitis), Arsha (hemorrhoids), Kandu (pruritus), Medoroga (disorders of fat metabolism)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
- Pratyakpushpi – Deflexed flowers.
- Kharapushpa
- Shikhari – Bears terminal spike inflorescence.
- Durgraha – Difficult to hold.
- Adhashalya – Spinous bracteols and pointed perianth.
- Karmanjri
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasa Nighantu
- Mayuraka – Anti-poisonous or cures many diseases.
- Markati
- Kinihi
- Kharamanjari – Inflorescence has spinous bracteols and pointed perianth, hence prickly to touch.[2]
Varieties
Bhavaprakasa Nighantu, Dhanvantari Nighantu, Raja Nighantu
- Sweta
- Rakta
Kaiyadeva Nighantu
- Apamarga
- Vasira
- Ramatha
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Apamarga has the following properties:[1]
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta) |
| 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, Purification of Kapha and Pitta |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions
Apamarga 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 1/82, 2/3, 2/33 | Phalini (Nasya) (Errhine therapy) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(23) | Vamanopag mahakashaya (group of herbs helping emesis) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 25/40 | Agrya Sangraha (collections of best food articles, factors, and drugs) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 6/17 | Abhyantar Krimi Chikitsa (treatment of internal worm infestation) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/135 | Vaman dravyani (emetic drugs) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Sharira Sthana 8/19 | Punsavan Karma |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 1/14 | Vamanarth (for therapeutic emesis) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/176 | As a Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth (external application) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/66 | Used as Nasya and Anjana prayogarth |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/18 | Ingredient in Mahapanchagavya Ghrita |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/44 | As a Nasya dravya |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/171 | In formulation of Kshara |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/126 | As an ingredient of Muktadhya churna |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/57 | As an ingredient of Agastya haritaki leha |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/184 | Used in Kaphaja Siroroga for Pradhamana nasya |
Dose
- Decoction (*Kwatha*): 20 – 50 ml of the drug.[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Apamargakshara
- Apamargakshara taila
- Abhaya lavana
- Gudapippali
- Jyotishmati taila
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Found abundantly as a weed throughout India up to 900 meters altitude.
Major Phytoconstituents
The pharmacological profile of *Achyranthes aspera* is characterized by several active secondary metabolites:
- Triterpenoid Saponins: Achyranthine and related oleanolic acid glycosides.
- Alkaloids & Steroids: Betaine, ecdysterone (a prominent insect molting hormone with biological activity), and D-sitosterol.
- Minerals & Watersoluble Ash: High potassium content, which forms the core of its alkaline ash (*Kshara*) preparation.
Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research
Modern scientific evaluations validate various traditional indications associated with *Achyranthes aspera*:
1. Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activity
- Traditional Use: Applied for pain (*Sula*) and inflammatory conditions.
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Whole plant and leaf extracts demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory activity in acute and chronic models, reducing edema and inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis pathways.[3]
2. Diuretic and Renal Support
- Traditional Use: Employed in urinary disorders and abdominal swelling (*Udararoga*).
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Aqueous and alcoholic extracts exhibit marked diuretic activity, increasing sodium and potassium excretion, which validates its traditional role in clearing fluid retention.[4]
3. Wound Healing and Antimicrobial Activity
- Traditional Use: Used topically for skin disorders, wounds, and localized infections (*Kandu*).
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Plant extracts show potent broad-spectrum activity against bacterial pathogens like *Staphylococcus aureus* and *Escherichia coli*, while topical preparations significantly accelerate wound contraction and tensile strength.[5]
4. Hypolipidemic and Metabolic Effects
- Traditional Use: Indicated in *Medoroga* (obesity and lipid disorders).
- Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: Administration of plant extracts significantly lowers serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and total lipids in experimental hyperlipidemic models.[6]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Pain & Inflammation (*Sula*) | Saponins, Ecdysterone | Anti-inflammatory, Analgesic |
| Renal & Urinary Conditions | Water-soluble ash, Alkaloids | Diuretic, Electrolyte excretion modulation |
| Wounds & Skin Irritation (*Kandu*) | Triterpenoids, Phenolic compounds | Antimicrobial, Wound contraction acceleration |
| Metabolic Disorders (*Medoroga*) | Active glycosides, Sterols | Hypolipidemic, Lipid profile normalization |
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Precautions: Due to its sharp (*Tikshna*) and hot (*Ushna*) properties, high doses should be avoided during pregnancy or by individuals with severe Pitta disorders.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Decoction (*Kwatha*): 20–50 ml.[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 2:04
- ↑ Prof. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Bhavaprakash Nighantu. Reprint Edition 2020, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Guduchyadi varga, verse no. 219-221.
- ↑ Vijaya, Padma V., et al. "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Achyranthes aspera extracts." Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.
- ↑ Gokhale, A. B., et al. "Preliminary evaluation of anti-inflammatory and diuretic activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn." Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
- ↑ Barua, C. C., et al. "Evaluation of the wound healing activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn. leaf extract in rats." Fitoterapia.
- ↑ Khan,uja, et al. "Hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of Achyranthes aspera root extracts." Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
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