Talk:Shigru
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Shigru |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Moringa oleifera LAM. |
| Family | Moringaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Moringa oleifera LAM., popularly known as Shigru (Drumstick plant), is a fast-growing, deciduous tree native to the Indian subcontinent and cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is widely revered in Ayurveda as a powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and scraping (*lekhan*) drug of choice for managing painful edematous swellings, metabolic disorders, and microbial infections.
English name
Horse radish tree, Drumstick plant
Therapeutic Uses
Swelling (sopha), Gulma, Worms (krimiroga), Medoroga, Diseases of spleen (pliharoga), Abscess (vidradhi), Goitre (galaganda).[1]
Other Varieties / Other Botanical names
- Guilandina moringa L.
- Hyperanthera moringa (L.) Vahl
- Moringa pterygosperma Gaertn. nom. illeg.
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional medicine, Shigru is classified as a potent Vata and Kapha pacifying agent with sharp (*tikshna*) and hot (*ushna*) properties. It is exceptionally valued for clearing deep-seated tissue toxins, reducing chronic inflammation, and rectifying lipid metabolism (*medoroga*).
Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
Mentioned 3 types[2]
- Shweta Shigru
- Shyama Shigru
- Rakta Shigru
Raja Nighantu
Mentioned 4 types[3]
- Shigru
- Nila Shigru
- Shweta Shigru
- Rakta Shigru
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Shigru, Shobhanjana, Krishnagandha, Mochaka, Tikshnagandha, Madhushigru.
Additional Synonyms in Bhavprakasha Nighantu
Shobhanjana, Tikshnagandhaka, Akshiva, Maricha.[4]
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 1/116 | Shodhana (Twak) vriksha (Parisarpa, Sotha, Arsha, Dadru, Vidradhi, Galaganda, Kustha, Alaji) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 2/3 | Shirovirechana (Errhine therapy) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 2/23 | Krimighniyavagu (gruel for worm infestation) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 3/4 | Churnapradeha (external application) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(22) | Svedopagmahakashaya (helping diaphoresis/sudation) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(27) | Shirovirechanopagmahakashaya (helping nasal errhine therapy) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 13/10 | Sthavara Sneha Yoni (Vegetable origin of lipids) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/31 | Dravya for Nadi Sweda (fomentation) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 14/32 | Dravya for Nadi Sweda (fomentation) |
| 10 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 23/19 | Santarpanajanya vikar chikitsa (management of disease due to over nutrition) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 27/170 | Harita Varga |
| 12 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 26/84 | Viruddha ahara (unwholesome diet) |
| 13 | Cha.Sa. Nidana Sthana 2/4 | Nidana of raktapitta (cause for bleeding disorder) |
| 14 | Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 6/17 | Abhyantar Krimi Chikitsa (treatment of worms) |
| 15 | Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/135 | Vamana dravyani |
| 16 | Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/142 | Katuskandha (group of pungent drugs) |
| 17 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 7/106 | Ingredient in Sweta-karavirapallavadhya Taila |
| 18 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 7/109 | Ingredient in Tiktekshvadi Taila for Abhyanga in Vata-Kaphaj Kushtha |
| 19 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 7/113 | Ingredient in Kanakakshiri Taila |
| 20 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 7/124 | Bahyaprayogarth Lepa in Vata-Kaphaj Kushtha |
| 21 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 8/79 | Ingredient in Shira-Pashva-Ansha Shula nashak lepa |
| 22 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 8/129 | Ingredient in Atisara nashak Khad-yush |
| 23 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 10/33 | Ingredient in oil preparation Bahyaprayogartha |
| 24 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/67 | As a Snana dravya for Bahyaprayogartha |
| 25 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/70 | Bahyaprayogarth Lepa in Kaphaja Shvayathu |
| 26 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 12/72 | As an Unmardan dravya in Kaphaj Shvayathu |
| 27 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/45 | Used in swedana kriya (fomentation) |
| 28 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 17/98 | Used in yusha preparation for hikka svasa |
| 29 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 23/183 | Used in netragata visha, as an anjana prayoga |
| 30 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/66 | Used in Ashmari |
| 31 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/67 | Used in Ashmari |
| 32 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/186 | Used in Kaphaja Siroroga for Avapeeda nasya |
| 33 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/226 | As an ingredient of Kshara taila |
| 34 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/237 | Used for aaschotana in Vataja netraroga |
| 35 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/240 | As an ingredient of Bruhatyadi varti |
| 36 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/245 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi varti |
| 37 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 27/52 | As an ingredient of Tarkaryadi Parisechana |
| 38 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 27/54 | As an ingredient of Vatsakadi Pralepa |
| 39 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 27/56 | As an ingredient of Shyonakdi Parisheka and Pralepa |
| 40 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/130 | As an ingredient of Triphaladi maha sneha |
| 41 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/168 | As an ingredient of Mulakadhya taila |
| 42 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/176 | As an ingredient of Mulaka taila |
Dose
- Swarasa (Juice): 10–20 ml.[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Ratnagiri Rasa
- Vishatinduka Taila
- Ekangavira Rasa
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh.
- Out of India: Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Africa (Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia), South America (Brazil, Peru, Venezuela), Southern parts of United States, Saudi Arabia.
Phytochemical Composition
The therapeutic value of *Moringa oleifera* is attributed to its rich array of bioactive secondary metabolites distributed across leaves, seeds, and bark:
- Glucosinolates and Isothiocyanates: High concentrations of mairongin and pterYGOSPERMIN derivatives providing strong antimicrobial action.
- Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids: Quercetin, kaempferol, and chlorogenic acid offering potent antioxidant properties.
- Essential Amino Acids and Vitamins: Abundant proteins, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid.
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Edematous Actions
- Mechanism: Isothiocyanates and flavonoids suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit inflammatory pathways, effectively reducing swelling (*sopha*) and deep-seated tissue inflammation.
- Scientific Evidence: Pre-clinical studies validate that bark and leaf extracts successfully curb acute and chronic edema models.[5]
Antimicrobial and Anthelmintic Efficacy
- Mechanism: Pterygospermin and related active principles disrupt microbial cell membranes and metabolic functions, combating bacterial strains and internal parasites (*krimiroga*).
- Scientific Evidence: Laboratory evaluations demonstrate powerful inhibitory effects against multi-drug resistant pathogens and common dermatophytes.[6]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Precautions: Due to its hot potency and uterine stimulant effects associated with root extracts, internal use during pregnancy should be avoided unless strictly monitored by a professional.
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammatory Swelling (Sopha) | Isothiocyanates, Quercetin | Anti-inflammatory, Anti-edematous |
| Worm Infestation (Krimiroga) | Pterygospermin, Glucosinolates | Anthelmintic, Antimicrobial |
| Metabolic Disorders (Medoroga) | Phenolic acids, Flavonoids | Lipid-lowering, Antioxidant |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume II:69.
- ↑ Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavprakasha Nighantu, Reprint 2015, Chaukhambha Vishvabharti, Guduchyadi Varga, p. 324.
- ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi, Raj Nighantu of Pandit Narahari, ed. 2006, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi; Mulakadi Varga, Verse no. 26-33, p. 193-194.
- ↑ Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Bhavprakasha Nighantu, Reprint 2015, Chaukhambha Vishvabharti, Guduchyadi Varga, p. 324.
- ↑ Murugan, K.; Pari, L. (2011). "Antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effect of Moringa oleifera leaves on inflammatory parameters". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 135 (2): 310–315.
- ↑ Eilert, U.; Wolters, B.; Nahrstedt, A. (1981). "The antibiotic principle of seeds of Moringa oleifera and Moringa stenopetala". Planta Medica. 42 (1): 55–61.