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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Botanical Name Achyranthes aspera Linn.
Family Amaranthaceae
Sanskrit Name(s)

Adhashalya
Durgraha
Kinihi
Shikhari
Apamarga
Aghata
Markati

English Name(s) Prickly Chaff Flower
Local Name(s) Chirchita (Hin)
Apang (Beng)
Aghedo (Guj)
Aghada (Mar)
Kutri (Punj)
plant image
 
Habitat
Throughout India, upto an altitude of 2100 mtrs, South Andaman Islands, and some parts of South East Asia
 
Phytography
Annual or perennial herbs, 30-90 cm tall, often with a woody base, branches obtusely tetrangled, striate, pubescent. Leaves variable, ovate-elliptic or obovate-rounded. Flowers greenish white, numerous, in axillary or terminal spikes. Seeds sub-cylindrical, truncate at the apex, rounded at the base, reddish brown.
 
Phenology
Planting season End of Summer
Flowering & Fruiting Winter
 
Parts Used
Whole plant, seed
 
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Katu, Tikta
Guna Laghu, Ruksha, Teekshna, Sara
Vipaka Katu
Veerya Ushna
 
Actions & Uses
Decoction & infusion of the plant is diuretic, Leaf-Juice relieves stomachache, piles, boils & skin problems. Root powder for cough. Seeds expectorant, used for bites of poisonous snakes & reptiles, also in pneumonia. Dried whole plant alleviates infantile colic, and also as an astringent in gonorrhea. Also useful in asthma, bronchitis, cardiac disorders, anemia, general debility. It can also be used to ease labor pains.
 
Chemical Constituents
Seeds contain pungent oil, sterols, and some terpenoids. Ecdysone, Inokosterone, Oleanolic acid, betaine, achyranthine, saponins and different alkaloids are also available in other parts of the plant.