Talk:Ativisha

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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.[1] In Ayurveda, it is highly valued as a prominent drug for managing fevers (Jvara), digestive ailments, and pediatric disorders, acting as an Ama-pachana and Kapha-Pitta pacifying medicine.[2][3]

English Name

Indian Atees

Therapeutic Use

Worms (Krimiroga), Fever (Jvara), Cough (Kasa), Vomiting (Chhardi), Amatisara[2]

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.[4]

Types

Based on colours of root tubers as per Raja Nighantu:[5]

  • 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

[4]

  • 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.

Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties

According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Ativisha has the following properties:[2]

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.[6]

Dose

  • Powder (Churna): 0.6 – 2 g daily.[2]

Important Formulations

As per A.P.I.[2]

  • 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

Conservation status: the species is reported as critically endangered because of over-harvesting.[1]

Major Phytoconstituents

The pharmacological properties of Aconitum heterophyllum are primarily attributed to its diterpenoid alkaloids, which are concentrated in the root tubers:[3]

  • Diterpenoid Alkaloids: Atisine,[7][8] atidine,[8] heteratisine and benzoylheteratisine, and aconitine (used as the HPLC marker compound for standardisation).[9] Heterophylline, heterophylloidine, fischimine and aconine derivatives [citation needed]
  • Lactones & Flavonoids: Bitter principles and phenolic compounds contributing to digestive and anti-inflammatory actions

Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research

Modern pharmacological evaluations and experimental research support some of the traditional therapeutic indications of Aconitum heterophyllum:

1. Anti-diarrheal Action (Atisara)

  • Traditional Use: Widely used for Amatisara (diarrhea associated with toxic metabolic wastes) and pediatric gastrointestinal disturbances.[2][3]
  • Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: In rat models, an ethanol extract of the roots showed anti-diarrheal activity in castor oil-induced diarrhea and fecal excretion tests. Further tests showed reduced small intestinal transit, reduced intestinal fluid accumulation and inhibition of PGE2-induced enteropooling, indicating antisecretory and antimotility effects that appear to be mediated through the nitric oxide pathway.[9]

2. Antipyretic and Anti-inflammatory Properties (Jvara)

  • Traditional Use: Root tubers are commonly used in pediatric medicine for fever management and have been used as an antipyretic and anti-inflammatory agent.[3]
  • Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: A network pharmacology and docking study, validated in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages, found that a root extract reduced nitric oxide release and iNOS expression, and suppressed EGFR/AKT1 and EGFR/JAK2/STAT3 signalling.[10] These findings are preclinical (in silico and in vitro); direct experimental evidence for the antipyretic effect was not identified in the sources reviewed.

3. Antimicrobial Activity

  • Traditional Use: Used to combat infections and normalize bodily humors.[3]
  • Mechanism & Scientific Evidence: An aconitine-standardised root extract (0.0833% w/w aconitine) showed antibacterial activity against microbes implicated in diarrhea.[9]

Summary of Therapeutic Profile

Therapeutic Applications of Aconitum heterophyllum
Indication Active Biomolecules Primary Pharmacological Action
Diarrhea & Dysentery (Atisara) Diterpenoid alkaloids (aconitine used as marker) Anti-motility, anti-secretory, antibacterial[9]
Fever & Inflammation (Jvara) Diterpenoid alkaloids Traditional antipyretic use;[3] inhibition of NO release and EGFR/JAK2/STAT3 signalling in vitro[10]
Microbial Infections Aconitine-standardised extract Antibacterial activity in vitro[9]

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.[6]
  • Standard Therapeutic Dosage:
    • Root Powder (Churna): 0.6–2 g daily.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wani TA, Kaloo ZA, Dangroo NA. Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle: a critically endangered medicinal herb with rich potential for use in medicine. J Integr Med. 2022;20(2):104–113. doi:10.1016/j.joim.2021.12.004
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Part I, Vol. I. New Delhi: Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; 1986. p. 14.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Mathew A, Chandrashekar KS, Kishore A, Pai V, Aswatha Ram HN, Pemmereddy R. Therapeutic potential of Aconitum heterophyllum: a review on phyto-pharmacological properties. Res J Pharm Technol. 2023;16(1):470–476.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bhavamishra. Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Haritakyadi Varga, verses 186–187. Chunekar KC, editor. Reprint ed. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2015.
  5. ↑ Tripathi I, editor. Raj Nighantu of Pandit Narahari, Pippalyadi Varga, verse 136. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Tripathi I, editor. Raj Nighantu of Pandit Narahari, Pippalyadi Varga, verse 137. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy.
  7. ↑ Malhotra N, Kumar V, Sood H, Singh TR, Chauhan RS. Multiple genes of mevalonate and non-mevalonate pathways contribute to high aconites content in an endangered medicinal herb, Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. Phytochemistry. 2014;108:26–34. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2014.08.025
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jowett HAD. Contributions to our knowledge of the aconite alkaloids. Part XIII. On atisine, the alkaloid of Aconitum heterophyllum. J Chem Soc Trans. 1896;69:1518–1526. doi:10.1039/CT8966901518
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Prasad SK, Jain D, Patel DK, Sahu AN, Hemalatha S. Antisecretory and antimotility activity of Aconitum heterophyllum and its significance in treatment of diarrhea. Indian J Pharmacol. 2014;46(1):82–87. PMC3912813
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Meng X, Xu X, Shi L, Liu Y, Deng J, Huang X. Network pharmacology combining molecular docking to unveil the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Aconitum heterophyllum. Food Nutr Health. 2025;2:7. doi:10.1007/s44403-025-00016-1

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