Achyranthes aspera
Other Names : Chaff-flower, prickly chaff flower, devil's horsewhip, 粗毛牛膝, 土牛膝, 倒扣草, अपामार्ग Apamarga
is a species of the Amaranthaceae family. It is an important medicinal herb found as a weed throughout India and invasive in parts of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Though almost all of its parts are used in traditional systems of medicines, seeds, roots and shoots are the most important parts which are used medicinally.
See also : Kshara
Special Precautions of Achyranthes aspera
- In high dose, it may cause vomiting.
- It is not suitable for use in pregnant ladies. Can be used in lactating mothers and in children in lower doses for limited period of time.
- For men, undergoing infertility treatment, it is better to avoid long term usage of Apamarga.
Health Benefits and uses of Achyranthes asperaare
Apamarga has been extensively used in Ayurveda as an anti-inflammatory agent besides being useful in pain, itching, Diseases of Abdomen, Hemorrhoids, indigestion, obesity, cough, asthma, anemia, jaundice, Lymphadenopathy/Scrofula and snake bite. Apamarga oil is used locally in earache. The root powder is sprinkled over the lesion in skin diseases.
- in Uttar Pradesh, the plant is used for medicinal purposes, especially in obstetrics and gynecology, including abortion, induction of labor, and cessation of postpartum bleeding.
- The Maasai people of Kenya use the plant medicinally to ease the symptoms of malaria.
- Ayurveda : Achyranthes aspera is one of the powerful Ayurvedic herb. It is used to prepare a special medicine called Kshara, used extensively in surgical procedures to treat fistula, and as oral medicine for obesity, tumors etc.
- Pancreatic Cancer : Methanolic extract of Achyranthes aspera contains potent anti-proliferative compound with specific activity against pancreatic cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm the in vivo anti-tumorigenicity and subsequent chemical characterization of the active molecule(s).
- Apamarga root paste is applied externally to relieve pain, in scorpion bite, in cases of urticaria, itching etc.
- Apamarga kshara is used in making an oil – Apamarga kshara taila – used as ear drops for ear disorders.
- Achyranthes aspera for weight loss : Chedi – has scraping effect, useful in cholesterol deposition, fat reduction. Hence, Apamarga is one of the efficient herbs to induce weight loss. Medohara – reduces fat deposition.
References
- Khan, A. V. and A. A. Khan. Ethnomedicinal uses of Achyranthes aspera L. (Amaranthaceae) in management of gynaecological disorders in western Uttar Pradesh (India). Archived November 24, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. Ethnoleaflets.
- Bussmann, R. W.; Gilbreath, G. G.; Solio, J; Lutura, M; Lutuluo, R; Kunguru, K; Wood, N; Mathenge, S. G. (2006). "Plant use of the Maasai of Sekenani Valley, Maasai Mara, Kenya". Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 2: 22. doi:10.1186/1746-4269-2-22. PMC 1475560Freely accessible. PMID 16674830.
