Shalparni is one of the most important Ayurvedic herbs. It is one among Dashamoola (Group of 10 herbs)and hence is used in innumerable Ayurveda medicines. Its botanical name is Desmodium gangeticum DC., It belongs to Fabaceae family.
Vernacular names, Sanskrit synonyms
Hindi name: Sarivan
Tamil and Malayalam name: Pullati
Sanskrit synonyms:
Vidarigandha – The odour is like that of Vidari
Anshumati – Root of Salaparni is fibrous
Saumya – Salaparni is sita pradhana
Sthira – Salaparni strengthen the body
Dirghangri – Roots of Salaparni are very long
Sophaghni – Salaparni reduces the oedema
Shalaparni – leaves resemble the leaves of the herb
Guha – Root goes very deep in the soil
Different Species
- Pseudarthria visicida
- Desmodium diffusm
3. Desmodium tilraefolium
4. Desmodium semialata Roxb
Morphology
Habit- Undershrub grows 60 to 120 cm height. Stem- Irregularly angled, glabrescent.
Braches- Angled, clothed with white hairs.
Leaves- Unifoliate, Petioles 1 to 2 cm long. linear-subulate. Leaflets membranous, ovate-oblong, acute or slightly acuminate, margin is wavy reticulately veined, base is rounded
Inflorescence- Terminal and Axillary racemes
Flowers- Violet or white coloured, filiform, pubescent, bracts subulate, hairy, teeth triangular
Fruit-Pod, indehiscent, sparsely clothed with minute hooked hairs.
Useful part-Root
Classical categorization
Charaka Samhita:
Angamardhaprashamana – group of herbs that help to relieve myalgia.
Shothahara – anti-inflammatory group of herbs
Balya – group of herbs that improve strength
Snehopaga – group of herbs that are used in Snehana (oleation – preparatory procedure to Panchakarma)
Madhura Skandha – Group of herbs with sweet taste.
Sushruta Samhita – Vidarigandhadi gana, Laghu Panchamoola
Medicinal qualities
Rasa (taste) – Madhura – sweet, Tikta – Bitter
Guna (qualities) – Guru (heavy to digest), Snigdha (unctuous, oiliness)
Vipaka – taste conversion after digestion – Madhura – sweet
Veerya – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – balances all Tridoshas.
Guru (heavy to digest)
Chardijit – useful in vomiting
Jwarahara – useful in fever
Shwasahara – Useful in dyspnoea, Asthma, Bronchitis and Chronic respiratory disorders.
Atisarajit – Relieves dysentery and diarrhoea
Doshatrayahara – balances all the three Doshas
Santapanashini – relieves burning sensation
Part used
Whole plant, root
Dosage
Powder – 3 – 5 g
Kwatha (Decoction) – 40 -80 ml
Substitute
Flemingia chappar
Flemingia semialata
Uraria hamosa
Desmodium pulchellum
Shalaparni for heart diseases due to Vata
Use of Shalaparni for heart diseases due to Vata imbalance:
Hrudayagata Vata Chikitsa:
हृदि प्रकुपिते सिद्धमंशुमत्या पयो हितम्||९६||
hṛdi prakupite siddhamaṃśumatyā payo hitam||96||
If the Vata is aggravated in the heart, then milk boiled by adding Amsumati (Shalaparni) is useful. Charaka Chikitsa Sthana 28th chapter.
Interaction with medicines, supplements
Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.
Can
this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets,
Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most
of the dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product
per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.
With western
medicines
Seek your
doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western
(allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern
medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is
best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the
Ayurvedic medicine.
Ayurveda medicines
Dasamoolarishtam – used in postpartum care and as an anti inflammatory.
Mritasanjeevani Sura – useful to improve immunity and to put on weight.
Amritarishtam – used in fever.
