|
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) |
|
 |
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| 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 |
| |
| |
| 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. |
|