Talk:Sariva
Hemidesmus indicus (L.) SCHULT.
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Sariva |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Hemidesmus indicus (L.) SCHULT. |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Hemidesmus indicus (L.) SCHULT., popularly known as Sariva (Indian sarsaparilla), is a slender, laticiferous, twining shrub native to the Indian subcontinent. It is widely revered in Ayurveda as a premier blood purifier (raktashodhaka), coolant (pittahara), and rejuvenative (rasayana) drug of choice for managing chronic skin disorders, burning sensations, fever, and metabolic toxemia.
English name
Indian sarsaparilla
Therapeutic Uses
Agnimandhya (digestive impairment), Aruchi (anorexia), Swasa (dyspnea), Kasa (cough), Jwara (fever), Atisara (diarrhea), Kandu (itching), Kustha (skin diseases), Raktavikara (blood disorders).[1]
Other Varieties
- Periploca indica
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Indian medicine, Sariva is classified as possessing sweet (madhura) and bitter (tikta) tastes, with a cooling potency (sheeta veerya) that pacifies all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), though it is exceptionally renowned for subduing aggravated Pitta and blood impurities.
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Sariva, Ananta, Gopakanya, Sphota, Shyama, Krushodari, Asphota, Phanijihvaka, Anantamoola, Gopavalli.
Additional Synonyms in Bhavprakasha Nighantu
Gopi, Gopavadhu, Lata.[2]
Ayurvedic Pharmacological Properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Sweet (madhura), Bitter (tikta) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Cold (sheeta) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Sweet (madhura) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Heavy (guru), Unctuous (snigdha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify vata, pitta and kapha |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 2/24 | Pipasaghniyavagu (gruels for excess thirst and toxicity) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(9) | Kanthya mahakashaya (beneficial for throat & voice) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(18) | Stanyashodhana mahakashaya (galacto-purifiers) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(31) | Purishsangrahaniya mahakashaya (faecal astringents) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(39) | Jwarahara mahakashaya (relieving fever) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 4/9(41) | Dahaprashamana mahakashaya (pacifying burning sensation) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 5/64 | Anutailadravya |
| 8 | Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 25/40 | Agrya Sangraha |
| 9 | Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/139 | Madhurskandha (group of sweet drugs) |
| 10 | Cha.Sa. Sharira Sthana 8/29 | Garbha Vyadhi chikitsa (treatment of constipation during third trimester) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa. Sharira Sthana 8/56 | Kshira vishodhana dravya |
| 12 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/201 | Used as kwatha in Satat jwara |
| 13 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/219 | As an ingredient of Pippalyadi Ghrita |
| 14 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 3/258 | As an ingredient of Chandanadhya taila |
| 15 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 4/76 | As an ingredient of kiratatiktadi churna |
| 16 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 4/81 | As an ingredient of Priyangvadi peya |
| 17 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 7/128 | Abhyantara and Bahyaprayogartha (Pana, Snana, Lepa) |
| 18 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 7/145 | Ingredient in Mahatikta Ghrita |
| 19 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 8/109 | Ingredient in Duralabhadi Ghrita |
| 20 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 9/35 | Ingredient in Kalyanak Ghrita |
| 21 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 9/42 | Ingredient in Mahakalyanak Ghrita |
| 22 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 14/160 | As an ingredient of kanakasava |
| 23 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/106 | Agnivruddhiartha and alleviating kosthagata kapha in grahaniroga |
| 24 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 15/125 | As an ingredient of candanadhya ghrita |
| 25 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 17/110 | Used in treatment of hikka swasha (mentioned as Asphota) |
| 26 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 18/177 | As an ingredient of jivantyadi leha |
| 27 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 19/50 | As a pana dravya |
| 28 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 21/54 | For kashaya pana (decoction) |
| 29 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 21/76 | As an ingredient of Sarivadi pralepa |
| 30 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 21/88 | For pradeha prayoga in kaphaja visarpa |
| 31 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 23/102 | As an ingredient of ksharagada |
| 32 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 23/201 | Used in the treatment of Luta visha (spider poison) |
| 33 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 23/202 | As an ingredient of Madhukadi yoga |
| 34 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 23/243 | As an ingredient of Amruta ghrita |
| 35 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/153 | As an ingredient of Bhargyadi taila |
| 36 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/185 | Used in Kaphaja Siroroga for Pradhamana nasya |
| 37 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/264 | As an ingredient of Sahacharadi taila |
| 38 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/269 | As an ingredient of Mahaneela taila |
| 39 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/168 | As an ingredient of Mahamayura Ghrita |
| 40 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/179 | As an ingredient of Yashtyadi Ghrita |
| 41 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/234 | Used in Pittaja netraroga (eye disease) |
| 42 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 26/243 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi varti |
| 43 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/125 | As an ingredient of Dashamuladi majja sneha |
| 44 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 28/158 | As an ingredient of Amrutadi taila |
| 45 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 29/76 | As an ingredient of Sthiradi Ghrita/Taila |
| 46 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 29/94 | As an ingredient of Madhuparnyadi taila |
| 47 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 29/123 | As an ingredient of Pinda taila |
| 48 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 29/146 | Used in Kaphaja Vatarakta |
| 49 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 30/92 | As an ingredient of Pushyanuga churna |
| 50 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 30/263 | Used in the treatment of Stanya Vairasya |
| 51 | Cha.Sa. Chikitsa Sthana 30/275 | Used in treatment of Dorgandhya Stanya dosha, as an ingredient of Sarivadi lepa |
Dose
- Kwatha (Decoction): 20–30 g of the drug.[1]
Important Formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Sarivadhyasava
Current Availability
Available
- In India: Karnataka, Kerala, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra.
Current Researches
Phytochemical Composition
The therapeutic versatility of Hemidesmus indicus stems from the secondary metabolites present primarily in its roots:
- Volatile constituents: 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde is the major constituent of the aromatic root volatiles (more than 90% in the GC-MS analysis), accompanied by minor terpenoid components such as camphor and borneol.[3]
- Terpenoids and saponins: In a comparison of root extracts prepared with solvents of increasing polarity, the methanol extract had the highest phytochemical content, with terpenoids at 59.82 ± 0.97 mg LE/g and saponins at 15.03 ± 0.45 mg DE/g of extract.[4]
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Anti-inflammatory and Antipyretic Activity (Shotha, Jwara)
- Scientific Evidence: Methanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus root (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg orally) significantly reduced carrageenan-induced paw oedema and brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats compared with control, indicating anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.[5]
Hepatoprotective and Antioxidant Activity
- Scientific Evidence: In rats given bromobenzene, which causes oxidative damage to liver mitochondria, prior administration of an aqueous extract of H. indicus (100 mg/kg) stimulated respiration and prevented the rise in lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls, restoring sulphydryl groups to control levels. Vitamin E could not reverse the damage as effectively.[6]
Antidiarrhoeal Activity (Atisara)
- Scientific Evidence: In castor oil-induced diarrhoea in albino rats, aqueous and ethanolic root extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced faecal droppings, intestinal transit and intestinal fluid secretion; the ethanolic extract at 200 mg/kg gave 75.5% protection in faecal score, 51.2% in intestinal dropping and 56.6% for intestinal fluid secretion.[7]
Antidiabetic Activity
- Scientific Evidence: In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, an aqueous root extract at 500 mg/kg/day decreased blood glucose significantly within 5 h, and over 12 weeks restored serum electrolytes, glycolytic enzymes and hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzyme systems by preventing the formation of liver and kidney lipid peroxides.[8]
Safety, Toxicity, and Dosage
- Acute Toxicity: The methanolic root extract did not cause any mortality in rats up to 500 mg/kg in the anti-inflammatory study cited above; safety of the root in humans has not been established in the studies cited here.[5]
- Dose in Ayurveda: See the Dose section above (API).
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Active Biomolecules | Primary Pharmacological Action |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammation and Fever (Shotha, Jwara) | Methanolic root extract | Anti-inflammatory, antipyretic (rat models) |
| Oxidative Liver Injury | Aqueous root extract | Protection of liver mitochondria from oxidative stress (rat model) |
| Diarrhoea (Atisara) | Aqueous and ethanolic root extracts | Reduced faecal output, intestinal transit and fluid secretion (rat model) |
| Hyperglycaemia | Aqueous root extract | Lowered blood glucose (rat model) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume I:68
- ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga, Verse no. 237, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2020;
- ↑ Nagarajan, S.; Rao, L. J. M.; Gurudutt, K. N. (2001). "Chemical composition of the volatiles of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br.". Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 16: 212–214.
- ↑ Som, S.; Antony, J.; Dhanabal, P.; Ponnusankar, S. (2021). "Phytochemical profiling of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotection linked enzyme inhibitory properties". Pharmacognosy Journal. 13 (1): 196–205.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lakshman, K.; Shivaprasad, H. N.; Jaiprakash, B.; Mohan, S. (2006). "Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities of Hemidesmus indicus root extract". African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines. 3 (1): 90–94.
- ↑ Gopi, S.; Setty, O. H. (2010). "Beneficial effect of the administration of Hemidesmus indicus against bromobenzene induced oxidative stress in rat liver mitochondria". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 127 (1): 200–203.
- ↑ Suyambu, R.; Shalini, R. (2015). "Antidiarrhoeal activity of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Hemidesmus indicus root". International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 7 (3): 403–406.
- ↑ "Hypoglycemic activity of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats". International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries. PMC 2772005 Freely accessible.
