Achyranthes aspera Linn.
Family Amaranthaceae.
Habitat Throughout the tropical and subtropical regions, up to an altitude of 2,100 m, in the southern Andaman Islands.
English Prickly Chaff Flower.
Ayurvedic Apaamaarga, Chirchitaa,
Shilthari, Shailtharika, Adahshalya,
Mayura, Mayuraka, Kharamanjari,
Kharapushpaa, Pratyakpushpaa,
Aaghaat, Vashira, Kanihi.
Unani Chirchitaa.
Siddha/Tamil Naayuruvi.
Folk Chirchitta, Chichidaa,
Latjeeraa.
Action Astringent, pectoral (ashes of the plant used in asthma and cough), diuretic, hepatoprotective, emmenagogue. Benzene extract of the plant exhibited abortifacient activity. The flowers, ground and mixed with sugar, are given for menorrhagia. Roots—astringent, haemostatic. Seeds—emetic; used for biliousness. Essential oil— antifungal.
Key application As astringent, emetic. (Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)
Along with other therapeutic appli cations, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of the whole plant in lipid disorders and obesity, the root for its blood-purifying property.
The plant juice and ash are used for treating bleeding piles. An aLkaline powder of the plant is used in preparing Kshaarasutra of Ayurvedic medicine, which is recommended for treating fistula-in-ano.
The whole plant contains the ailcabids achyranthine and betaine. Achyranthine, a water-soluble alkaloid, is
reported to dilate blood vessels, lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate and increase the rate and amplitude of respiration. It also shows spasmodic effects on the rectus muscle of frog, diuretic and purgative action in albino rats.
The presence of ecdysterone and oleanolic acid is also reported in the root.
The ashes of the plant yield large quantities of potash. The seeds yield saponins and oleanolic acid and its ester.
The presence of tannins and glycosides is also reported in the plant.
Dosage Whole plant—20—30 g for decoction. Root—5—l0 g. (API
Vols. II, III.) Ash—500 mg to 2 g. (CCRAS.)
