Talk:Dipyaka
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Dipyaka |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Carum copticum Benth. & Hook |
| Family | Umbeliferae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Dipyaka (Latin: Carum copticum Benth. & Hook.; family: Umbelliferae) is an annual herbaceous plant widely cultivated for its aromatic fruits. In Ayurveda, it is highly valued as a carminative, digestive stimulant, and Kapha-Vata pacifying medicine.[1]
English Name
Ajowan
Therapeutic Use
Gulma (abdominal lump), Aruchi (anorexia), Adhmana (abdominal distention), Hikka, Chardi (vomiting), Krumi roga (worms), Sula (pain)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
- Dipyaka – Increases appetite.
- Yavani
- Bhutik
- Dipya
- Ajamodika
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasa Nighantu
- Ajamoda
- Kharashva – Fruits of ajamoda have an odor similar to a donkey.
- Maayuro
- Brahmakusha
- Kaaravi
- Lochamastaka[2]
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
According to classical Ayurvedic pharmacodynamics (Rasa Panchaka), Dipyaka has the following properties:[1]
| Sr. No. | Pharmacological Criteria | Properties (Ayurvedic Attributes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (Rasa) | Pungent (Katu) |
| 2 | Potency (Veerya) | Hot (Ushna) |
| 3 | Post-digestion Effect (Vipaka) | Pungent (Katu) |
| 4 | Qualities (Guna) | Light (Laghu), Rough (Ruksha), Sharp (Tikshna) |
| 5 | Dosha Action (Karma) | Pacifies Kapha and Vata |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its Actions
Dipyaka is prominently documented across multiple therapeutic chapters of the Charaka Samhita:
| Sr. No. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity / Formulation / Therapeutic Use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 23/20 | Santarpanajanya vikar chikitsa (management of over-nutrition disorder) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/170 | Harita Varga (Class of green herbs) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/307 | Krutanna Varga (Class on food articles) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/69 | Ingredient of Hingusauvarchaladya ghrita |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/71 | Ingredient of Hapushadya ghrita |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/86 | Ingredient of Shatyadi Churna |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/165 | Pathya Diet in Gulma (wholesome food in treatment of abdominal lump) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 5/168 | Vata, Kapha and Mala Anulomanarth |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/27 | Used for making decoction in Kaphaj prameha (diabetes) |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/29 | Used for making decoction in Kaphaj prameha (diabetes) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/38 | Trikantakadhya Tail/Ghrit in Vata-kaphaj prameha (diabetes) |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 6/41 | Ingredient in Madhvasava |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/54 | Ingredient in Apara lasunadya Ghrita |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 9/55 | Ingredient in Apara lasunadya Ghrita |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/36 | Ingredient in Triphaladhyarishta |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/43 | Ingredient in Kshar Gudika |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/55 | Ingredient in Chitrakadi Ghrita |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/103 | In treatment of Kaphaja uadara roga |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 13/125 | As an ingredient of narayan churna |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 14/63 | As an ingredient of traushnadi churna |
Dose
- Powder (Churna): 1 – 3 g daily.[1]
Important Formulation
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Ajamodarka
- Ajmodadi churna
Major Phytoconstituents
The pharmacological efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi is predominantly attributed to its essential oil content, which ranges from 2% to 5%. The primary active constituent is thymol (accounting for 35% to 60% of the oil), accompanied by p-cymene, γ-terpinene, α-pinene, β-pinene, and carvacrol.
Therapeutic Efficacy & Modern Scientific Research
Modern pharmacological evaluations and clinical studies validate many of the traditional claims associated with *Trachyspermum ammi*. Its core therapeutic domains include:
1. Gastrointestinal and Carminative Activity (Deepana & Pachana)
- Traditional Use: Used for *Gulma* (abdominal lump), *Adhmana* (abdominal distention), *Aruchi* (anorexia), and *Sula* (colic pain).
- Scientific Evidence: Animal and in vitro studies demonstrate that the extract and essential oil of *T. ammi* exhibit significant anti-spasmodic (anticholinergic-like) and smooth-muscle relaxing properties. The carminative action is primarily mediated by thymol, which stimulates the secretion of gastric juices, enhances metabolic activity, and relieves flatulence and intestinal colic.
- Reference: *Tharakan, S. T., et al.* "Evaluation of spasmolytic and bronchodilator activities of Trachyspermum ammi." *Journal of Ethnopharmacology*.
2. Antimicrobial and Antifungal Efficacy (Krumiroga)
- Traditional Use: Employed in *Krumi roga* (parasitic and microbial infections).
- Scientific Evidence: *T. ammi* essential oil and isolated thymol exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against various pathogenic bacteria (including *Staphylococcus aureus*, *Escherichia coli*, *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*) and fungi (such as *Candida albicans*). The high phenolic content disrupts microbial cell membranes, causing leakage of intracellular constituents.
- Reference: *Khosravi, A. R., et al.* "In vitro antifungal activity of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil against dermatophytes." *Mycoses*.
3. Respiratory Support (Hikka & Bronchodilation)
- Traditional Use: Used in respiratory distress, asthma (*Swasa*), and cough.
- Scientific Evidence: Pharmacological studies confirm that the bronchodilator activity of *T. ammi* is comparable to standard reference drugs (like theophylline/atropine). The relaxation of tracheal chains by thymol and carvacrol facilitates easier airflow, validating its traditional use in obstructive airway diseases.
- Reference: *Boskabady, M. H., et al.* "Bronchodilator and anticough effects of Trachyspermum ammi." *Research Reports*.
4. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties
- Scientific Evidence: *T. ammi* seeds possess significant free-radical scavenging abilities due to their high concentration of phenolic compounds. In vivo anti-inflammatory models show that extracts can reduce acute and chronic inflammation, partly by inhibiting inflammatory pathways and prostaglandin synthesis.
- Reference: *Javed, I., et al.* "Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Trachyspermum ammi extracts." *Phytotherapy Research*.
Current Availability
Available
Current Researches
- Under development.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. 1 (Part I ed.). Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India. 1986. p. 02.
- ↑ Chunekar, Krushnachandra (2020). Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Reprint ed.). Chaukhambha Bharati Academy. pp. Haritakyadi varga, verse no.– 77.
This article is under development ..