97 APAMARGA

Botanical Name Achyranthes aspera Linn.

Family- AMARANTHACEAE

Names in different languages

Hindi- Chirachintakingcingi, Telugu-Uttareni; English- Prickly chaff

flower; Tamil- Nayurvi; Kannada Uttaren; Malayalam- Katalati;
Bengali- Apang; Punjab- Puthakanda; Marathi- Aghad
Synonyms Kapi pippali, Pratyakpuspi, Praticinaphal, Mayuraka,
sikhari, Kinihi, Adhahalya, Markatapippali, Kubja.
Classification according to Caraka, Susruta & Vagbhata
Caraka
sirovirecanopaga, Kimighna, Vimanopaga
Susruta Arkdi
Vagbhata Arkdi

Introduction

Apamarga used for preparing Kshara & removal of excessive water

from our body.

Varieties & adulterants - (CV controversy, AD adulterants)

1. Gouradanda Apamarga
2. sveta (white)
3. Rakta (red)
4. Rmatha (blue).- unknown
5. Pupalia lappacea Rakta [CV]
6. A.bidentata [CV]

Morphology
A stiff erect herb, 30-90 cm high. Branches spreading,
Leaves opposite, velvety-tomentose, 3.8-12.5 cm x 5.1-7.6 cm.
Flowers bisexual, greenish-white, arranged in long spikes, inverted
(Hence Apamarga).
Flowering in winter and fruiting in summer.

Distribution
Common as weed throughout India.
Habitat
It grows all over India
Chemical composition : The seeds and pentads (leaves, flowers, fruits,
stem and root) contain potassium salts Betaine, achyranthine,
hentriacontane, ecdysterone; achyranthes saponins A, B, C, D.

Properties
Rasa Katu, Tikta
Guna Laghu, Rksa, Tiksna
Virya Usna
Vipka Katu
Karma Kapha-vatahara, Sirovirecana, Dipana-pacana, Medohara
Indications Chardi, Hridroga, Adhmna, Kand, sula, Udara, Apaci,
Raktaras, Viscik, Krimi, Sidhma, Sadyo vrana, Mutrakrcchra

External uses : Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidote, antiseptic, nasal

decongestant. Crushed leaves are applied on inflammatory lesions, Its
anjan is applied in opthalmic disorders, Juice of leaves )it 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.

Internal Use:
Digestive system : Carminative, appetizer, antacid and anthelmintic in
nature. It is a good remedy for excessive appetite. It is used in emesis,
loss of appetite, abdominal pain, indigestion, flatulence, ascites. piles,
gall-stones. 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, ii 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 a disease where there is a voracious appetite The
seeds cooked in nce (khichadi ) are given in bhasmak for one week.
Apamarga khara is used in ascites.

Circulatory system : It is a blood purifier, it is also a haematinic and

anti-inflammatory. It is used in anaemia, rheumatoid arthritis, oedema
and scrofula. Apamarga kshara being alkaline is used in acid peptic
disorders.

Respiratory system : The powder of roots is used in bronchitis and

asthma as decongestant.

Urinary system : It is a diuretic and reduces acidic pH of urine. Kshar is

used in renal calculi. cystitis and nephritis.
Skin : It is a diaphoretic and yet antipruritic. It is used in dermatoses,
moles and other skin disorders. Mole falls oft when tied with kshar sutra
of apamarga. It is also used in preparing ksharsutra for treating anal
fistula.
Reproductive system : Apamarga has been used for punsavan vidhi
(Vagbhatta Sharir 1/39). Punsavan vidhi is a procedure to beget an
offspring of desired sex. Panchang of white apamarga is crushed and
taken internally in pushya nakshatra. Apamrga roots are tied on abdomen
for easy and safe delivery.

Temperature: In malaria and typhoid, it is advised that apamarga roots

should be tied on arms. This action is said to be due to prabhav. The
nasal insufflations of roots reduces fever. It is a bitter tonic. Black

pepper and apamarga root along with water are given to drink in snake
poisoning.

Srotogamitva:
Dosha : Alleviates kapha and vata.
Dhatu : Medoghna, raktagami.
Mala : Purisha, useful for eliminating exudates from nose by nasya,
urine (lithotripsic).
Organs : Heart, head, liver (cholagogue).
Part Used Root, seed, leaf, whole plant, ksra
Dosage Fresh juice 10-20 ml, Kra 0.5-2 g.
Important Yogas or Formations
Apamarga ksra taila, Sikhari grhta
Important research work going on
(1) diuretic activity
(2) action in leprosy.
(3) hypoglycaemic activity
(5) hypotension, depression of the heart, dilatation of the blood vessels
(6) inotropic and chronotropic effect
(7) antifungal activity

Therapeutic Uses
(1) Visucik The root of Apamarga is taken with water (B. P.)
(2) Sidhma Seeds of Mulaka and fresh juice of Apamarga are made
into paste and applied externally (V.M.).
(3) Nidrnsa Decoction prepared with Kakajangha, Apamrga,
Ko1cilka and Suparnik is useful (H.S.).