BOTANICAL NAME

ACHYRANTHES ASPERA

FAMILY

AMARANTHACEAE

OTHER NAMES

Sanskrit

Adhahsalya, Adhoghanta, Adhvashalya, Aghamargava, Aghata, Apamarga, Apamargah, Apamargaha, Apangakpushpi,

Chamatkara,Dhamargava, Durabhigraha, Durgraha, Kantarika, Kanti, Karkatapippali, Katalati, Katumanjirika, Kharamanjari,

Kini, Kinit, Kishaparni,Ksharamadhya, Kshuraka, Kubja, Malakanta, Markati, Mayura, Mayuraka, Pandukantaka, Parakpushpi,

Pratyakparni, Pratyakpuspa,Pratyakpuspi, Shaikharika, Shkhari, Sikhari, Sthalamanjari, Talakata, Vasira

Hindi

Apang, Chirchira, Chirchitta, Cicimda, Circita, Latjira, Puthkunda, Chichra, Andhi jalo, Katio bhuratio, Undo kanto,

Unta ghada, Latjiri,Lich kuri, Putkanda, Puth kanda, Puthkanda, Khara, Dintara, Kanti, Kantta, Undhokanto,

Appamarg, Andhijhara, Sn apamargh,Ultokure

English

Prickly chaff flower

Urdu

Charchatta, Rakh chirchitta

Marathi

Aghada, Pandhara-aghada, Aghara, Surat, Aghadha, Aghaada, Aghado

Kannada

Utrani-gida, Utranigida, Uttaranee, Uttrane, Uttaraane, Uttaraani gida, Uttarani, Uttaraani, Uttarane, Kempu uthraani,Mayooraka

Malyalam

Cadelari, Kadaladi, Katalati, Valiyakatalati, Vankatalati

Telgu

Antisha, Apamargamu, Pratyukpushpi, Utta-reni, Uttaraene, Uttareni, Antisa, Uttaren, Apamaargamu, Utthareni,Dubbinachettu

Tamil

Na-yurivi, Nayuruvi, Sirukadaladi, Nayurvi, Civanta nayuruvi, Cennayuruvi, Naayurivi, Nayurivi, Nayuviri,

Shiru-kadaladi, Nahiooroovie vayr,Katalati, Naayuruvi, Akatam, Akatamonicceti, Akatturam

OTHER INFORMATION

DESCRIPTION

Annual or perennial herbs, 30 - 90 cm tall, often with a woody base, branches obtusely 4-angled,

striate, pubescent. Leaves variable, ovate- elliptic or obovate rounded. Flowers greenish white,

numerous, in axillary o terminal spikes.

PHARMACOGNOSY

Stem : The stem shows 6-10 ridges and collenchyma is present under each ridge. The epidermis is

covered by glandular hairs and stomata are of rubiaceous type. Idioblasts with prismatic or granular

crystals are present. Pericycle has lignified fibres arranged in discontinuous ring. The vascular tissues

have 5-6 rings of xylem with small strands of phloem tissue embedded within them. The central part of

the stem is occupied by pith with two medullary bundles, either separate or fused. Numerous cells with

clusters of calcium oxalate crystals are dispersed in the parenchymatous ground tissue, being numerous

in the vicinity of the fibrous, conjunctive tissue of the secondary rings.

Leaf : The leaf has a normal dorsiventral structure with numerous cells containing clusters of calcium

oxalate in palisade and spongy mesophyll tissue. Stomata are rubiacaceous and trichomes glandular.

DISTRIBUTION

This species is globally distributed in the Pantropics. Within India, it is common weed found on

roadsides and waste places throughout upto an altitude of 2100 metres and in the Andaman Islands.

CULTIVATION

Commonly found in shady places of the cultivated fields and chir pine plantations as a weed. It also

grows in drier situations but does not tolerate water logging. It can be propagated by seeds.

PART (S) USED

ROOT, TANDOOL, LEAF, PANCHAANG

DOSE

Swaras 10 - 20 ml, Kshar 1/2 - 2 gm

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Ecdysone, Ecdysterone, Inokosterone, Oleanolic acid, Glycoside from roots, Saponin, Alkaloids

achyranthine,Betaine

PHYSICAL CONSTITUENTS

Not Available

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

GUNA (Quality)

Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshan

RASA (Taste)

Katu, Tikt

VIPAK (Metabolism)

Katu

VIRYA (Potency)

Ushan

PRABHAV (Impact)

Yakrit

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION

Diuretic, Spasmolytic, Hypoglycaemic, Antimicrobicidal, Antibiotic, Antifungal, Antiimplantation,

Hypotensive,Purgative,Vasodilator, Cardiac depressant, Cardiac stimulant

THERAPEUTIC USES

Abdominal disorders   ·   Liver disorders   ·   Birth related disorders   ·   Blood purifier   ·   Cough