ACHYRANTHES ASPERA

 

ACHYRANTHES ASPERA LINN.(APAMARGA)

Gana : shirovirechan, krimighna, vamanopag (c) arkadi (s).

Kula : apamarga kula.

Family : amaranthaceae; amarnath is a latin word meaning not to wither, everlasting.

Latin name : achyranthes - akanthes = thorn; aspera = rough,with very short stiff or hard points.

English name : chaff tree.

Sanskrit name : duragraha, adhashalya (the thorns are in upward direction),kharmanjri (the inflorescence direction in contast to their usual downward direction) , kinihi (it heals wounds) , markat pippali , kshavaka (apamarga seeds are used for "nasya" i.e. nasal insufflation) , karkatpippali, kshudhapamarga (it reduce appetite).

Botanical description : it is a small herb 0.5 to 1 meters high. the branches are thick at the end.the leaves are small , elliptic or ovate , 6-8 cm. long, 5-8 cm.broad, soft and hairy. the leaves are whitish on the dosral side. the flowers are greenish white and appear in inflorescence. fruits - thin, elliptic and greyish. the flowers blossom in winter and seeds disperse in summer.

Varieties : two varieties viz. 1) white and  2)red (a rubrofusco = red dusky).

the branches, leaves, flowers , all organs of red variety are red in colour, hence the name. the branches are thin and quadrangular.modern scientists describe two varieties - 1.A. prophystachs ( red spikes) = raj apamarga - the herb is 1.5 to 2 mts.high and leaves are 6 cm to 0.25 mts. long.

2.A. argentea - the leaves are silver white in colour.

Habitat : it grows all over india.

Chemical composition : the seeds and pendas (leaves,flowers,fruits,stem and root) contain potassium salts.

Properties :

Guna : laghu, tikshna;
Rasa : katu;
Veerya : ushna.

Karna : dosha : kaphvatashamak, kaphapittasamshodhak. the seeds are used for nasya (nasal insufflation) especially inkapha disorders. its juice is given in pitta disorders,whereby it reduce acidity. apamarga is supposed to be the best medicine in gall stones.

External uses : antiinflammatory, analgesic, antidote, antiseptic, nasal decongestant. crushed leaves are applied on inflammatory lesions. it anjan is applied in opthalmic disorders. juice of leaves is used in wounds.the leaves are crushed and applied on the area of scorpion stings. oil processed in apamarga kshar is used in earache (otitis). a fine powder of seeds is used for pradhaman nasya (where this powder is blown through small tube into the nose) this reduces heaviness in the head instantly. the salts (kshars) are used in moles and fistula. crushed seeds are applied locally in bleeding piles. the juice being haemostatic, stops bleeding from wounds.

Digestive system : carminative, appetizer, antacid and anthelmintic in nature. it is agood remedy for excessive appetite. it is used in emesis, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, indigestion, flatulence, ascites, piles, helminthiasis etc. in excessive appetite, the seeds processed in milk and sugar are given as a food supplement.this preparation takes time to digest but does not create any disorders.thus, it pacifies hunger as well. (it is believed that laddus prepared from seeds reduce appetite to such and extent that the person does not feel hungry for a couple of months.) bhasmak is adisease where there is a voracious appetite. the seeds cooked in rice (khichadi)are given in bhasmak for one week apamarga kshara is used in ascites.

Circulator system : it is a blood purifier, it is also a haematinic and antinflammtory.it is used in anaemia,rheumatoid arthritis,oedema and scrofulo,acid peptic disorders.

Respiratory system : the powder of  roots - used in bronchitis,asthma as decongestant.

Urinary system : it is used in renal calculi,cystites,nephritis.

Skin : it is diaphoretac and antipruritac.used in dermatoses,moles.mole falls of when tied with kshara sutra of apamarga. used in treating anal fistula.

Reproductive system : used in punsavan vidhi(vagbatta sharir 1/39 )it is to begte an offspring of desired sex. panchanga of white apamarga crushed & taken internally in pushya nakshatra.roots are tied on abdomen for easy & safe delivery.

Temperature : in malaria and typhoid,it is advised that roots should be tied on arms.this is said to be due to prabhav.the nasal insufflation of roots reduces fever.it is bitter tonic.black pepper and apamarga root along with water are given to drink in snake poisoning.

Srotogamitva:

Dosha : alleviates kapha,vata.

Dhatu : medoghna,raktagami

Mala : purisha,used for eliminating exudates from nose by nasya,urine(lithotripsic)

Organs : heart,head,liver(cholagogue)

Digestive system : appetizer,digestive.