Medicinal Uses Health Benefits Of Apamarga (Achyranthes Aspera)

Apamarga

Apamarga is an important and easily available Ayurvedic herb mentioned in Vedic literature. Apamarga is botanically known as Achyranthes Aspera Linn and in English, it is called a prickly chaff flower. It is an erect, many-branched, spreading herb that lives several years. The plant can grow up to 6 to 7 feet tall, commonly known as chaff flower, prickly chaff flower, devil’s horsewhip. The plant and its all parts like root, seeds, leaves, flowers, and fruits have been used for medicinal purposes. It is mainly found in tropical Asian, African, warmer regions. It is also found in Australia and America, Ceylon, Balochistan. In India, it predominantly grows like a weed on roadsides.

Apamarga has been widely used in Ayurveda as an anti-inflammatory agent. It is useful in Hemorrhoids, indigestion, anemia, jaundice, and snakebite. It shows important medicinal properties and is used in the treatment of cough, bronchitis, and rheumatism, malarial fever, dysentery, asthma, hypertension, and diabetes in Indian folklore. In Atharvaveda, Apamarga is considered the Lord of all plants growing on earth. It cures sterility, physical debility and gives life. Apamarga wipes out the diseases from the body. According to Ayurveda, it is best for Shiro Virechana and also useful in Karna Roga, worm infection, Pandu, and a large number of other diseases. It Balances Kapha and Vata doshas. Apamarga is used in the form of Churna (powder), Kalka (paste), and Svarasa (fresh juice). There are two types of Apamarg available; one is White Apamarg (Achyranthes aspera)and the other one is Red Apamarg (Puppalia lappaceae).

Apamarga - Plant Details

Plant Name: Apamarga

Botanical name: Achyranthes aspera Linn

Parts of the plants used: Roots, seeds, leave

Name Of Apamarga In Different Languages

English: Prickly Chaff Flower.

Malayalam: Kadaladi

Hindi: Puthkanda, Latjira, Chirchira, Lamchichra, Sonpur.

Telugu: Antisha, Apamargamu, Uttaraene

Tamil: Shiru Kadaladi.

Gujarati: Aghedo

Sanskrit: Argvadha

Kannada: Uttrani

Bengali: Apang

Ayurvedic Properties Of Apamarga

• Rasa

  Katu, Tikta(Pungent,Bitter).

• Guna

  Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna (Light, Dry, Sharp).

• Virya

  Ushna (Hot).

• Vipaka

  Katu (pungent).

Medicinal Properties And Medicinal Uses Of Apamarga

Apamarga has sharp, hot, slimy, smooth, pain-relieving properties. It has laxative, anthelmintic, diuretic, lithotriptic, sudorific, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, anticataract, antifungal, antibacterial, hypoglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antiperiodic, antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, anti-allergic properties. All these properties help to treat various health issues.

Some of its medicinal uses include:

• Abdominal lump.
• Pain in the abdomen.
• Gastro-enteritis with piercing pain.
• Dyspepsia (uncomfortable feeling in the upper abdomen).
• Tastelessness.
• Distention of abdomen due to obstruction to the passage of urine and stool.
• Piles. .
• Ear diseases and leucoderma (autoimmune disorder).
• Gravel in urine.
• Helminthiasis (worm infection).
• Hernia.
• Asthma.
• Cold, cough, and other respiratory diseases.

Health Benefits Of Apamarga

Apamarga plants and seeds are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, tannins, and saponins that help to maintain an individual’s overall health. Some of the health benefits of Apamarga include:

• Indigestion

  As per Ayurveda Apamarga has Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. So it helps to improve digestive strength and reduce Ama in the body.

• Treats Cough and Cold

  Due to its hot potency, Apamarga is very effective in treating cough and cold. Apamarga Kshara is strong medicine for removing Kapha in the body and gets relief from cough and cold.

• Cures Piles or Fistula

  The presence of purgative properties in Apamarga helps to loosen the stool along with increasing bowel movement and lowers the risk of piles or fistula.

• Treats Worm infection

  Apamarga also reduces the risk of worm infection in the gut due to its Krimighna (anti-worm) property.

• Renal calculus or Kidney Stone

  Due to its Tikshna (sharp) and diuretic properties helps to break down and eliminate renal calculus (kidney stone) when taken orally.

• Removes Body Fat

  Apamarga plant supplements help to remove excess body fat by preventing accumulation in the abdomen; gluteal regions control body weight.

• Heal wounds

  The Apamarga has anti-inflammatory properties, Therefore, it is used in ulcers or wounds for faster healing.

• Apamarga for infertility

  Apamarga Kshra is an effective medicine in the management of infertility. Studies show that it is very effective for Tubal blockage.

• Treats Corn and Warts

  A corn is a thick layer of skin that develops from constant friction and pressure. While warts have a grainy, fleshly appearance with black pinpoints, corns look more like a raised, hard bump surrounded by dry, flaky skin.
  
  Using Apamarga shows great improvement in treating corns and warts. This medicinal herb reduces pain, burning sensation, discharge, and complete regression of lesion among the patients.

• Apamarga root paste and juice help to lower the pain, reduce itching, skin rashes in insect bites, and urticaria when applied externally, and helpful in earache.

Apamarga has been widely used in Ayurveda to treat different diseases like indigestion, cough, cold, piles, worm infection, kidney stone, infertility, body fat, wounds, corn, and warts. It also helps to lower the pain, reduce itching, skin rashes in insect bites, and urticaria when applied externally and helpful in earache.

Dosage Of Apamarga

Apamarga can be consumed in the form of Juice, Churna, capsules, and paste.

General recommended dosage of Apamarga is:

• Apamarga Juice

  Take two teaspoons of Apamarga juice. Add the same amount of water and honey. Take this mixture before meals once a day.

• Apamarga Churna

  Take ½ teaspoon of Apamarga Churna and mix it with honey and water. Take half a teaspoon of this mixture before meals twice a day.

• Apamarga Capsules

  Take two Apamarga Kshara capsules to swallow them with water after meals twice a day.

• Apamarga Root or leaves Paste

  Take Apamarga leaves or roots and mix them with cow milk. Grind it to make a thick paste. Apply it to the affected area three times a day.

Side Effects Of Apamarga

• Apamarga is generally safe when taken under medical prescription. But excessive intake of Apamarga supplements can cause nausea and vomiting.

Precautions

• Apamarga is generally not recommended for pregnant ladies and infants. .
• Apamarga should be avoided or taken under medical supervision during breastfeeding.
• Long-term use of this medicine might affect the quality and quantity of sperm.
• The leaves or root paste of Apamarga should be used with water, milk, or any cooling substance while applying on the skin due to its hot potency.

Conclusion

All the information regarding Apamarga and its Medicinal uses and health benefits were collected from various Ayurvedic resources. Kindly get the advice of your Ayurvedic practitioner before self-medication.

References

• Charaka Samhita.
• Susrutha Samhita.