Apamarga: The healer herb

 

   

   Apamarga is one of the most commonly found herbs in India. It is also known as Prickly chaff flower. The herb have vast medicinal uses and is used as an Antidiabetic and Purgative. Dr.Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian the best Ayurveda doctor in India uses this herb Apamarga to treat conditions involving the doshas Kapha and Vata. Apamarga herb is Kapha and Vata dosha reducing in nature. Apamarga is used to treat disorders like Arsas(Haemorrhoids ), Nadivrana(Sinus) etc. The plant contains Phytoconstituents like Achyranthine, Ecdysone etc. which supports in the Antihypertensive actions.

General Aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Achyranthes aspera       

Family :  Amaranthaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

• Whole plant

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Krimighna varga (antimicrobial )

Susruta Samhita – Arkadi gana

Pharmacological Actions

• Antihypertensive 
• Antimicrobial 
• Purgative 
• Antifungal 
• Abortifaecient 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Agnidipaka (carminative  )
• Visaghna ( Anti poisonous )
• Chardighna (cures vomiting )
• Jawarahara(Cures fever )

Therapeutic indications

• Haemorrhoids (Arsas)- Seeds of Apamarga is taken with rice water.
• Sinus(Nadivrana)- Oil prepared from Apamarga fruit is applied along with warm water
• Diarrhoea (Visuchika)- Paste of root of Apamarga is taken with water to alleviate Diarrhoea 

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 3 g

Kshara - 0.5 – 2 g

Swarasa(Juice)- 10 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. Self intake of herb is not suggested. Avoid this herb in case of pregnancy, unless you are prescribed to take it by a genuine medical practitioner.

Formulations 

• Apamarga kshara  
• Apamarga taila
• Mahapancagavya ghrtha 

Morphology :

Wild perennial herb that grows up to 90cm in height. Stems are aerial erect and greenish. Leaves are simple obovate. Inflorescence is spike. Flowers are small greenish. 

Vernacular names of  Apamarga 

English –Prickly chaff flower

Hindi- Chirachiri 

Malayalam –  Kataladi 

Sanskrit – Apamarga 

Synonyms of Apamarga 

• Kharamanjari
• Marga
• Mayuraka  

Rasapanchaka – Apamarga Phala

 

Rasa- Madhura(Sweet)

Guna-  Ruksha (Dry)

Vipaka- Madhura(Sweet)

Virya- Sita (cold)

अपामार्गः रसस्तीक्ष्णो दीपनः स्तिक्तकः कटुः ।

पाचनो रोचनश्चछर्दिकफमेहोऽनिलापहः ।।

निहन्ति हूडुजाध्मार्शःकण्डू शूलोदरापचीः ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu – Guducyadi varga- Shloka no 220)

  Apamarga - as a whole plant is Vata Kapha reducing I'm nature because of it’s properties like hot potency and Katu vipaka(transformed taste). It is used as purgative medicine and also as a carminative herb. Apamarga alleviates many diseases including Piles(Arsas), Kandu (Itching), Chardi(Vomiting ) etc. The best Ayurveda doctor in the world Dr.Varun Ram Raj, is leading the research for Ayurvedatarian single herbs and herbal combinations for making the availability of high quality single herbal as well as poly herbal products to the globe. Reach Ayurvedatarian and feel the real Ayurveda. 

Researches on Apamarga 

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/264418174_Pharmacognostical_Study_of_Apamarga_Flowers
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6153910/

Frequently asked Questions

1) What are the uses of Apamarga kshara? 

 Apamarga kshara is used to treat Haemorrhoids (Arsas)

2) What is the dose of Apamarga churna ?

Apamarga churna is taken at a dose of 3g for an adult.