Talk:Bruhati
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Bruhati |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Solanum anguivi LAM. |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Solanum anguivi LAM. (syn. *Solanum indicum* L.), popularly known as Bruhati, is an erect, prickly shrub belonging to the family Solanaceae. It is highly esteemed in Ayurveda as a prominent medicinal plant, particularly valued for its role in respiratory health (*Kanthya*), pain relief, and pacifying Kapha and Vata doshas.
English name
Indian nightshade, Poison berry
Therapeutic uses
Sula (pain), Swasa (dyspnea), Hridroga (heart disease), Jwara (fever), Agnimandya (loss of appetite)[1]
Other varieties / Other botanical names
- Solanum aethiopicum subsp. anguivi (Lam.) Banfi, Galasso & Bartolucci
- Solanum hermannii Dunal
- Solanum indicum var. brevipedicellatum Bitter
- Solanum sodomeum L.
- (and numerous other taxonomic synonyms and regional variations)
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Vyaghri, Mahati, Kuli, Simhi (very efficacious in kasa), Rashtrika, Hinguli, Vartaki (common plant available in all regions), Sinhi, Mahoshtri, Dushpragarshini
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
Kshudhrabhantaki[2]
Varieties Mentioned in Nighantus
Raja Nighantu
Mentioned 3 types[3]
- Bruhati
- Sarpatanu
- Swetabruhati
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Ayurvedic therapeutics, Bruhati is classified under prominent groups like *Kanthya* (beneficial for voice and throat) and *Jwarahara* (antipyretic). Possessing a pungent and bitter taste (*katu, tikta rasa*), hot potency (*ushna veerya*), and sharp qualities (*tikshna guna*), it is highly effective in counteracting respiratory distress, cough, and localized inflammation.
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Actions (karma) | Pacify kapha and vata |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 2/12 | Asthapana (therapeutic enema) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(9) | Kanthya mahakashaya (beneficial for throat & voice) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(30) | Hikkanigrahana mahakashaya (reducing hiccups) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(38) | Shwayathuhara mahakashaya (relieving respiratory distress/edema) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(39) | Jwarahara mahakashaya (relieving fever) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(44) | Angamarda prashamana mahakashaya (relieving body-ache) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 5/65 | Anutaila dravya |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/139 | Madhura skandha (group of sweet drugs) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 1/1/42 | In formulation of Brahma rasayana |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/210 | As an ingredient of Bruhatyadi kashaya used in sannipata jwara (fever) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/213 | As an ingredient of Bruhatyadi gana used in sannipata jwara and kasadi upadrava |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/224 | As an ingredient of Baladi ghrita |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/234 | Used as Panchamuli shruta paya in kasa, svasa, sirashoola, parshvashoola, jwara |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/67 | To increase effect of Trayushanaadi ghrita |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/97 | Mixed with Shilajatu prayoga |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/143 | Ingredient in Bhallatakadya ghrita for kaphaja gulma (abdominal lump) |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/149 | Ingredient of Mishraka sneha |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/167 | Panaka in kaphaja gulma |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/46 | As Asthapana basti dravya |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/65 | Ingredient in Mustadi churna |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/81 | Ingredient in Triphalasava |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/88 | Bahyaprayogartha lepa in mandala kushtha (skin disease) |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/102 | Bahyaprayogartha taila in kushtha |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/108 | Ingredient in Tiktekshvadi taila for abhyanga in Vata-Kaphaja kushtha |
| 26 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/112 | Ingredient in Kanakakshiri taila |
| 27 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/128 | Abhyantara and bahyaprayogartha pana, snana, lepa |
| 28 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/91 | As a nasya dravya |
| 29 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/93 | Ingredient in Uttarbhatika ghrita |
| 30 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/114 | Ingredient in Baladi kshirapaka |
| 31 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/133 | Diet and drinks for diarrhoea in rajayakshma |
| 32 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/168 | Ingredient in Rajayakshma nashaka ghrita |
| 33 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/36 | Ingredient in Kalyanak ghrita |
| 34 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/42 | Ingredient in Mahakalyanak ghrita |
| 35 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/52 | Ingredient in Apara lasunadya ghrita |
| 36 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 10/18 | Ingredient in Mahapanchagavya ghrita |
| 37 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/36 | Ingredient in Amrutprasha ghrita |
| 38 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/56 | Ingredient in Dvitiya sarpiguda |
| 39 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/62 | Ingredient in Tritiya sarpiguda |
| 40 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/29 | Ingredient in Gandiradhyarishta |
| 41 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/50 | Ingredient in Kansaharitaki avaleha |
| 42 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/73 | As an unmardana dravya in kaphaja shvayathu |
| 43 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/65 | In treatment of vatodara for anuvasana basti |
| 44 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/113 | As an ingredient of Panchakola ghrita |
| 45 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/50 | Dhupana yoga in arsha roga |
| 46 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/144 | As an ingredient of Dantyarishta |
| 47 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/82 | As an ingredient of Dashamuladya ghrita |
| 48 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/106 | Agnivruddhiartha and for alleviating kosthagata kayagni in grahaniroga |
| 49 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 15/156 | As an ingredient of Mulasava |
| 50 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/96 | Used in yusha preparation for hikka svasa |
| 51 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/102 | Used in yavagu preparation for hikka svasa |
| 52 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/105 | Dashamula kwatha is used in condition of trishna in patients of hikka svasa |
| 53 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 17/140 | As an ingredient of Dashamuladhya ghrita |
| 54 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/75 | As an ingredient of dhumapana yoga |
| 55 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/88 | As an ingredient of leha yoga in pittaja kasa |
| 56 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/99 | As a yoga dravya |
| 57 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/101 | As a yoga dravya in sthiradi kshira |
| 58 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/126 | As an ingredient of Kantakari ghrita |
| 59 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/176 | As an ingredient of Jivantyadi leha |
| 60 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/26 | As an ingredient of dipaniya and sangrahi gana |
| 61 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 19/50 | As a yavagu dravya |
| 62 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 25/78 | Used for parishecana in daha & shoola |
| 63 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/61 | As an ingredient of Pashanbhedadi churna |
| 64 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/62 | Used in ashmari with dadhi |
| 65 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/169 | As an ingredient of Mahamayura ghrita |
| 66 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/237 | Used for aaschotana in Vataja netraroga |
| 67 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 26/240 | As an ingredient of Bruhatyadi varti |
| 68 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 27/56 | As an ingredient of Shyonakadi parisheka and pralepa |
| 69 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/65 | As an ingredient of Jeevaniya ghrita |
| 70 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/76 | As an ingredient of Sthiradi ghrita/taila |
| 71 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/58 | As an ingredient of Saindhavadi taila, used in treatment of yoni shula |
Dose
- Decoction: 10–20 g of the drug for preparation[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Dashamularishta
- Dashamula ghrita
Current availability
Available
- In India – Widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions of India as a wild weed or shrub.
Phytochemical Composition
The therapeutic efficacy of Solanum anguivi roots, fruits, and aerial parts is attributed to a rich array of secondary metabolites:
- Steroidal Alkaloids & Glycoalkaloids: Solasodine, solanine, and related glycoalkaloid fractions.
- Phenolic Compounds & Flavonoids: Quercetin, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid with strong antioxidant capacities.
- Saponins & Phytosterols: Beta-sitosterol and various active steroidal saponins.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Respiratory and Anti-Asthmatic Actions
Bruhati's classification under *Kanthya* and *Shwayathuhara* mahakashayas is well-supported by modern pharmacological evaluations targeting airway constriction.
- Mechanism: Glycoalkaloids and active extracts act as bronchodilators, relaxing tracheal smooth muscles and reducing inflammatory mucus secretion in bronchial passageways.
- Scientific Evidence: Preclinical studies demonstrate that root and whole plant extracts significantly inhibit histamine-induced bronchospasm and reduce airway inflammation in experimental models.[4]
Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Properties
Modern research validates its traditional usage in painful inflammatory states (*sula* and *angamarda*).
- Mechanism: Bioactive steroidal fractions inhibit inflammatory mediators, prostaglandins, and suppress neutrophil migration into inflamed tissues.
- Scientific Evidence: Animal model evaluations show marked reductions in carrageenan-induced paw edema and significant analgesic responses in chemical-induced pain assays.[5]
Antimicrobial and Hepatoprotective Actions
Bruhati exhibits broad-spectrum protective effects against microbial pathogens and chemical toxins.
- Mechanism: Alkaloids and polyphenols disrupt microbial cell integrity and enhance endogenous hepatic antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase, glutathione).
- Scientific Evidence: In vitro evaluations confirm strong antibacterial and antifungal activities, alongside marked restoration of liver marker enzymes in hepatotoxicity models.[6]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Acute Toxicity: Bruhati is generally safe when consumed within standard Ayurvedic therapeutic ranges.
- Precautions: Due to its hot potency (*ushna veerya*) and sharp qualities, individuals with high Pitta constitutions or severe gastric ulceration should use it under clinical supervision.
- Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
- Decoction (Kwatha): 10–20 g of drug for preparation[1].
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Asthma & Dyspnea / Swasa | Solasodine, Glycoalkaloids | Bronchodilator, Anti-inflammatory |
| Inflammation & Pain / Sula | Steroidal fractions, Flavonoids | Analgesic, Anti-oedematogenic |
| Fever / Jwara | Polyphenols, Glycosides | Antipyretic, Antioxidant |
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 2: 12.
- ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga, Verse no. 36, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2020;
- ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi, Raja Nighantu of Pandit Narahari, ed. 2006, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Shatavhadi Varga, verse no. 25, 27, 29.
- ↑ Patel, S. S.; Shah, R. S. (2010). "Evaluation of anti-asthmatic activity of Solanum anguivi root extracts in experimental animals". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 128 (2): 462–466.
- ↑ Kiran, G.; Reddy, K.; Rao, B. (2012). "Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Solanum anguivi root extract". Phytotherapy Research. 26 (4): 580–584.
- ↑ Archana, R.; Taranath, T. C. (2011). "Evaluation of antimicrobial and hepatoprotective potential of Solanum anguivi Lam. fruit extracts". Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. 1 (3): 210–214.