Talk:Trivrut
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Trivrut |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Operculina turpethum (L.) S. MANSO |
| Family | Convolvulaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Operculina turpethum (L.) S. MANSO, popularly known as Trivrut (Indian Jalap or Turpeth), is a large perennial twining herb belonging to the family Convolvulaceae. It is widely acknowledged in Ayurveda as one of the premier *Virechana* (therapeutic purgative) agents, highly valued for its efficacy in managing gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders.
English name
Indian Jalap, Turpeth, St. Thomas lidpod
Therapeutic Uses
Malabandha (constipation), Gulma (abdominal lumps), Udararoga (generalized enlargement of abdomen), Jwara (fever), Pandu (anemia), Pleeha (splenic disorders), Vrana (wound), Krumi (worms), Kustha (skin diseases), Kandu (itching)[1]
Other Varieties / Other Botanical names
- Merremia turpethum (L.) Shah & Bhatt.
Varieties Mentioned in Nighantus
Bhavaprakasa Nighantu
Mentioned 2 types[2]
- Sweta trivrut
- Syama trivrut
Raja Nighantu
Mentioned 2 types[3]
- Trivrut
- Rakta trivrut
Dhanwantari Nighantu
Mentioned 2 types[4]
- Shyama Trivrut
- Shukla Bhandi
Kaiyadeva Nighantu
Mentioned 2 types[5]
- Trivrut
- Shyama
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Ayurvedic therapeutics, Trivrut is classified under primary cleansing herbs used for *Shodhana* (purification therapy), particularly via therapeutic purgation (*virechana*). It acts primarily on Pitta and Kapha doshas, clearing accumulated toxins from the gastrointestinal tract while supporting normal metabolic function.
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Trivrut, Tribhandi (due to its triangular stem), Shyama, Kutarana, Sarvanubhuti (useful in many disorders), Suvaha, Triputa, Sarala (safe purgative), Nishoth
Additional Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
- Shveta Trivrut: Tribhandi, Trivruta, Triputa, Sarvanubhuti, Sarala, Nishotri, Rechani
- Shyama Trivrut: Shyama, Trivrut, Ardha chandra, Palindi, Sushenika, Masuravidala, Kali, Kaishika, Kalameshika[6]
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 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), Sharp (tikshna) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify Kapha and Pitta |
| 6 | Extra ordinary effect (prabhava) | Helps in purgation (virechana) |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 1/77 | Mulini (Virechana) (Therapeutic purgation) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 2/9 | Churna pradeha (external application) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 3/5 | Used for Lepa as external application with other herbs and mustard oil in skin diseases |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(25) | Asthapanopag (helping corrective enema) mahakashaya |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 15/17 | Dravya for Virechana (purgation) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 6/18 | Abhyantar Krimi Chikitsa (treatment of worms) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/135 | Vamana dravyani (drug for emesis) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 1/6 | Shodhanartha (for purification) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 7/3-4 | Shodhanartha (for purification) |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 7/04 | Trivritta Synonyms |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 8/11 | Aragvadha Yoga |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 8/12 | Aragvadha Avaleha |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 10/14 | Panaka Yoga |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 10/15 | Nasya Yoga |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/209 | Used in Pitta-Kaphaja jwara (fever) with sarkara |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/231 | Used for virechana karma with madhu-sarpi |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/299 | Used in Vishama jwara (fever) |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 4/57 | As a Virechana dravya (drug for purgation) |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/44 | As Virechana dravya (drug for purgation) |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/56 | For scrapping action |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/69 | Ingredient in Triphaladi Churna |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/85 | Bahyaprayogarth lepa in mandala kushtha (skin disease) |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/124 | Bahyaprayogarth lepa in Vata-Kaphaja kushtha (skin disease) |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/153 | Ingredient in Mahakhadir Ghrita |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/20 | Ingredient in Mahapanchagavya Ghrita |
| 26 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/44 | As a Nasya dravya |
| 27 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/21 | In treatment of Kaphaja svayathu (swelling) |
| 28 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/24 | In treatment of Vataja svayathu (swelling) |
| 29 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/25 | In treatment of Vataja svayathu (swelling) |
| 30 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/69 | Indicated in treatment of pittodara (for virechana) |
| 31 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/138 | In treatment of udararoga for virechana (Hapushadya churna) |
| 32 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/120 | As an ingredient of Patoladi churna |
| 33 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/126 | As an ingredient of Narayana churna |
| 34 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/134 | As an ingredient of Hapushadya churna |
| 35 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/155 | Taila prayoga is vedanahara in vatodara |
| 36 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/164 | In formulation of ksharvatika |
| 37 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/167 | In condition of vibandha (constipation) in udararoga |
| 38 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/181 | In sannipatodara (after vishaprayoga) |
| 39 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/54 | Used as lepa on arsha (hemorrhoids) |
| 40 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/55 | Used as lepa |
| 41 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/66 | Use trivrut churna with triphala kwatha |
| 42 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/122 | Shaka prayoga in arsha (hemorrhoids) |
| 43 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/231 | Used in treatment of tikshnagni |
| 44 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/57 | Used in Snehottar Virechana Yoga |
| 45 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/59 | Used in Kaphaja Pandu Roga |
| 46 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/66 | Used in Swarnakshiradi yoga |
| 47 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/93 | As an ingredient of Punarnava Mandura |
| 48 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/135 | Used in chikitsa of halimaka |
| 49 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/85 | As a virechana dravya in pittaja kasa |
| 50 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/121 | As a yoga dravya |
| 51 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/151 | As a mrudu sodhana dravya |
| 52 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 20/26 | For anulomana in pittaja chhardi (vomiting) |
| 53 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/64 | For virechana, give along with ghrita, paya, or ushnodaka |
| 54 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/66 | For subsiding visarpa and jvara, give ghrita and trivruta churna with triphala kwatha for virechana |
| 55 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 21/67 | In guru koshthi patient, give along with amalaki rasa for virechana |
| 56 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/203 | As an ingredient of Karnika nashaka yoga |
| 57 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/241 | As an ingredient of Nagadantyadi ghrita |
| 58 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/85 | Used as vranashodhaka lepa |
| 59 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/12 | Used to make udavarta varti |
| 60 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/14 | Used in udavarta for pradhamana |
| 61 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/98 | As an ingredient of Udumbaravleha |
| 62 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/110 | Used in treatment of udavarta, vatala, mahayoni & strasta |
| 63 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/254 | Used in treatment of stanya dosha (vitiated breast milk) |
Dose
- 1–3 g of the drug in powder form[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Hrudyavirechana leha
- Ashwagandharishta
- Avipatikara churna
- Manibhadra guda
Current availability
Available
- In India – Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra.
- Out of India – Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Australia, Oceania, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Oman.
Phytochemical Composition
The therapeutic potential of Operculina turpethum root extracts is driven by a diverse profile of bioactive secondary metabolites:
- Glycosides & Resins: Turpethin, a complex glycoside resin responsible for its strong cathartic and purgative action.
- Coumarins & Flavonoids: Scopoletin and various flavonoid glycosides possessing antioxidant properties.
- Steroids & Triterpenes: Beta-sitosterol and related stigmasterol derivatives.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Gastrointestinal Prokinetic and Cathartic Effects
Trivrut is celebrated primarily as a safe and effective purgative agent (*virechana*).
- Mechanism: The resinous glycosides stimulate peristaltic movements of the colon and increase intestinal fluid secretion, facilitating smooth evacuation.
- Scientific Evidence: Pharmacological evaluations confirm significant increases in wet fecal output and intestinal transit speed following root extract administration without producing excessive mucosal irritation when properly administered.[7]
Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Actions
Traditional indications for skin conditions (*kustha*) and inflammation are supported by modern investigations.
- Mechanism: Ethanolic and aqueous extracts suppress pro-inflammatory cytokine pathways and inhibit neutrophil infiltration at inflammatory sites.
- Scientific Evidence: Studies demonstrate marked inhibition of acute and sub-acute inflammation models, such as carrageenan-induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma tests.[8]
Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Properties
Trivrut exhibits protective capabilities against chemical-induced hepatic oxidative stress.
- Mechanism: Enhances hepatic glutathione reserves, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase activities while lowering lipid peroxidation markers.
- Scientific Evidence: Experimental research indicates that root extracts normalize elevated serum liver enzymes (SGOT, SGPT) and restore tissue architecture in hepatotoxicity models.[9]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Acute Toxicity: High doses can cause severe purging, abdominal griping, and electrolyte imbalance due to its sharp (*tikshna*) potency. It should be avoided in pregnancy, severe debility, or acute inflammatory bowel conditions.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Root Powder (Churna): 1–3 g daily or as directed by an Ayurveda specialist[1].
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Constipation / Malabandha | Turpethin (resinous glycosides) | Purgative, Prokinetic stimulant |
| Skin Diseases / Kustha | Scopoletin, Flavonoids | Anti-inflammatory, Blood purifier |
| Abdominal Disorders / Udararoga | Glycosides, Terpenoids | Laxative, Carminative, Detoxifying |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume III:96.
- ↑ Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Reprint 2015, Chaukhambha Vishvabharati, Guduchyadi Varga, p. 384.
- ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi, Raj Nighantu of Pandit Narahari, ed. 2006, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi; Pippalyadi Varga, Verse no. 168-169, p. 169.
- ↑ Acharya Priyavat Sharma, Dhanwantari Nighantu, ed. 2008, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi; Guduchyadi Varga, Verse no. 236-237, p. 59.
- ↑ Prof. Priyavat Sharma, Kaiyadeva Nighantu, Reprint 2009, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Oushadhi Varga – 298, verse no. 1015-1019, p. 187-188.
- ↑ Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Reprint 2015, Chaukhambha Vishvabharati, Guduchyadi Varga, p. 383, 385.
- ↑ Shukla, V. J.; Ravishankar, B.; Anand, T. (1999). "Purgative property and safety profile of Operculina turpethum roots in experimental animals". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 65 (1): 45–51.
- ↑ Sivaraman, D.; Murugesan, T.; Pal, M. (2010). "Anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing properties of Operculina turpethum root extract". Phytotherapy Research. 24 (5): 721–726.
- ↑ Thongpraditchote, S.; Gritsanapan, W.; Bhunak, S. (2005). "Hepatoprotective effect of Operculina turpethum extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats". Phytomedicine. 12 (6): 433–439.