Crude drug sample data base

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Crude drug name

Market namePoothkanda
Formal nameApamarga
Other names　　　

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Chirchira (T), Apang (B), Apang, Chichra, Latjira (H), Uttarani (K), Katalati, Vankatalati (M), Apamargamu (Te), Nayuruvi, Katalati (Ta), Puthkanda (Himachal Pradesh), Karalsebo, Gaskaralheba (Sin), Apamarg (N)
English namePrickly Chaff-flower
Original plant nameAchyranthes aspera Linn., Prickly Chaff-flower
Family nameAmaranthaceae
Used partClassificationPlant origin
Sub classification fruit
Collection informationIndia, New Delhi, Hans Raj & Sons
Collection date1991/05/07
CollectorTsuneo Namba, et al.
TMPW No.12499

The capital city, provincial capital city or the representative　　
location of its administrative area is indicated.　　
Production area information
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28.6139391
77.20902120000005
Collection information
India,New Delhi
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Scientific information data base

Crude drug nameAyurvedic name or
Sanskrit name, English name		Apamarga (Fruits), Prickly Chaff-flower
SynonymsSikhari, Kinihi, Kharamanjari, Durgraha, Adhaｈsalya, Pratyakpuspi, Mayuraka, Kandakanta, Saikharika, Markati, Durabhigraha, Vasira, Parakpuspi, Kanti, Markatapippali, Katurmarjarika, Nandi, Ksavaka, Panktikantaka, Malakanta, Kubja
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Original plant nameAchyranthes aspera Linn.
Family nameAmaranthaceae
Used partFruits, Leaves, stem and root
Distribution areaThroughout India along road sides and waste lands as well as on hills upto 900 m altitude.
RemarksAbundant
Common usesThe drug is bitter, acrid, cardio-tonic, astringent, carminative, diuretic and is used in the treatment of hiccough, ascites, skin diseases, piles, pruritis, anorexia and urinary diseases. It arrests bleeding and dysentery. Seeds are emetic and are used in hydrophobia. Its calcinated powder called Apamarga ksara, is an important ingredient in drugs preparations prescribed in liver and spleen disorders and is also used in the cure of anal fistula and piles. Tablets made from the paste of the plant with fruits of Piper longum in water are reported to cure effects of the bite of mad dog. Powdered seeds are soaked in buttermilk and given for biliousness. Seeds are said to be emetic.

Leaves are used as a cure of gonorrhoea/gonorrhea and excessive perspiration. Their extract called Achyrol is used for leprosy and the heated sap for tetanus. Root paste is applied to clear ophthalmic cornea and to wounds as a haemostatic/hemostatic. It is reported to be useful in cancer. A decoction of the roots is used for stomach troubles, and an aqueous extract for stones in the bladder. The flowers ground and mixed with curd and sugar is given as a medicine for menorrhagia. Flower tops are employed for treatment of rabies. The plant is useful for eye and liver complaints.
Therapeutic usesHrdruja (heart pain), Anaha (abdominal distension), Arsa (piles), Kandu (itching), Sula (colic), Udara (ascitic types), Apaci (a kind of tumour/tumor), Sirsakrmi (worms of head), Raktatisara (diarrhoea/diarrhea with blood)
Chemical constituentTriterpenoid saponins
beta-D-Fucopyranosyl-(1 - 4)-(beta-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1-3)-oleanolic acid (*C7).

Others
27-Cyclohexylheptacosan-7-ol (*C1), 16-Hydroxy-26-methoxylheptacosan-2-one (*C1), 36,47-Dihydroxyhenpentacontan-4-one (*C2), 4-Methoxylheptatriacont-1-en-10-ol (*C3), Tetracontano-2 (*C3), Eicosane (*C4), Hexadecane (*C4), Octadecane (*C4), Docosane (*C4)

Pharmacological effectThe saponins on hydrolysis gave oleanoic acid, glucose, galactose, rhamnose and xylose and showed stimulant action on the myocardium of rats and also increased the phosphorylase activity of the heart, the effect being comparable to that of adrenaline. Achyranthine in the plant - a water soluble alkaloid is reported to dilate the blood vessels, lower the blood pressure, depress the heart and increase the rate and amplitude of respiration. Ashes of the plant yield large quantities of potash. They are used in dropsy, asthma and as a remedy for cough.

A compound drug containing this plant as one the ingredients proved efficacious in the clinical recovery from the paracetamol induced hepatopathy in goats.
Medical systemAyurveda (Traditional Indian medicine)
Traditional conceptRasa (Taste)Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent)
Virya (Potency)Usna (Hot)
Guna (Quality)Tiksna (Sharp), Laghu (Light), Ruksa (Dry)
Vipaka
(Post digestive taste)		Katu (Pungent)
Karma
(General action)		Dipana (increasing digestive fire), Pacana (digestive), Navana (good as nasal medication), Raktasamgrahi (stoping blood flow), Chedani (cutting), Vantikrt (Induces vomiting)
Dosakarma
(Action on dosa)		Decreases Kapha Vata
Dhatukarma(Action
on body tissues)		Medas (adipose tissue)
Mala
(Action on excretory mechanism)		Sara (laxative), Sramsini (purgative)
Avayava
(Action on organ)		Vasti (bladder)
Traditional usage1. Liquid gruel prepared of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera) seeds with milk and iguana meat juice alleviates excessive hunger (Bhasmaka).

2. The paste of the seeds of Apamarga taken with rice water alleviates bleeding piles. Similarly decoction of Apamarga, Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea), Satavari (Asparagus racemosus) and Vasa (Adhatoda vasica) cures bleeding piles.

3. The root of Apamarga taken with water destroys visucika (cholera type condition).

4. Radish seeds pounded with the juice of Apamarga or with Kadali ksara (alkali of Musa paradisiaca) mixed with Haridra (turmeric) and applied to the part destroy skin disease (siddhma).

5. Alkali made of Tila (sesamum), Apamarga, Kadali, Palasa (Butea monosperma) and Yava (Hordeum vulgare) should be taken with sheep urine in gravels and stones.

6. Apamarga root taken with milk overcomes dysuria.

7. The root of Apamarga should be introduced and kept in the vagina. This induces labour easily. Similarly the paste of Apamarga root applied on navel, pelvis and vulva acts similarly for difficult labour.

8. Apamarga, Asvagandha (Withania somnifera), Talapatri (Curculigo orchioides), Suvarcala (a type of salt) and drugs of Kakolyadi formulation are recommended for elevation of wound.

9. Oil is prepared with fruits of Apamarga along with urine and applied to sinus. Similarly Tila pounded with fruits of Apamarga and applied as a paste is also useful for sinus.

10. Oil cooked with Apamarga root along with water is applied locally to relieve pain caused by accidental injuries.

11. The paste of Apamarga leaves applied locally checks haemorrhage/hemorrhage.

12. Root of Apamarga rubbed in a copper vessel with rocksalt and curd water and applied locally alleviates inflammation in eye.

13. Apamargaksara taila (oil cooked with alkali water and paste of Apamarga) alleviates tinnitus and deafness by instilling in the ear.

14. Massage with oil cooked with Apamarga fruits remove all types of pain in head.

15. Juice of the leaves of Apamarga is good for wound healing.

16. Ghee cooked with decoction of Apamarga and paste of Pippali (Piper longum) destroys abdominal pain.

17. Roots of Apamarga and Sami (Prospopis cineraria) are pounded and administered with buttermilk. It alleviates jaundice, oedema and anaemia.

18. A pair of leaves of Apamarga introduced into vagina relieves pain instantaneously.

19. Application of the paste of roots of Apamarga and Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) removes vaginal pain during peurperium.
FormulationApamarga ksara taila, Ksara sutra
CommentsApamarga is included in Sirovirecana, Krmighna, Vamanopaga gana of Caraka and Arkadi of Susruta.
ReferencesReference book　

Tips！

[2] Indian Medicinal Plants - A Compendium of 500 species, Varier, P.S., Orient Longman Ltd. Chennai (Madras)
Vol. 1 (Repr.1996), pp 39-41.

Plants in Ayurveda (A Compendium of Botanical and Sanskrit Names), 1997. Abdul Kareem, M., Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bangalore
29.

Dravyagunavijnana, Vols. 1-5, reprint 1998. Sharma, P.V., Chowkhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi
Vol. 2, pp 542 - 544.

Classical uses of Medicinal Plants, 1996. Sharma, P.V., Chaukhambha Visvabharati, Varanasi
p 11.

Research paper*C1 Misra, T. N., Singh, R. S., Pandey, H. S., Prasad, C. and Singh, B. P.; Phytochemistry, 33, 221-23 (1993).
*C2 Misra, T. N., Singh, R. S., Pandey, H. S. and Prasad, C.; Phytochemistry, 30, 2076-78 (1991).
*C3 Misra, T. N., Singh, R. S., Pandey, H. S., Prasad, C. and Singh, S.; Indian J. Chem. Sect. B: Org. Chem. Incl. Med. Chem., 35B, 637-39 (1996).
*C4 Tatke, P. and Gabhe, S. Y.; Indian J. Nat. Prod., 15, 26-28 (1999).
*C5 Misra, T. N., Singh, R. S., Pandey, H. S., Prasad, C. and Singh, S.; Indian J. Chem., Sect. B: Org. Chem., 35B, 637-39 (1996).
*C6 Ali, M.; Orient. J. Chem.; 9, 84-84 (1993).
*C7 Srivastava, S., Gupta, M. M., Verma, R. K., Singh, S. C. and Kumar, S.; J. Indian Chem. Soc., 79, 286-88 (2002)
Last renewal date2024/01/16
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