Akashavalli Cuscuta reflexa: Uses, Remedies, Research, Side Effects

Akashavalli- Cuscuta reflexa is a plant mentioned for the treatment for eye diseases, cough, asthma, diarrhea and indigestion. 

Latin name- Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
Family- Convolvulaceae

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Amarbel
English name- Beggar weed, Lady’s lace
Bengali name- Swarnalata
Gujarathi name- Akasbel
Malayalam name- Akashavalli, Mudillatali
Marathi name- Nirmuli, Amarvela
Kannada name- Akashaballi
Tamil name- Erumaikottan
Telugu name- Nulu tega

Sanskrit synonyms

Swarnalatha- The plant is golden colored
Vyomavallika, Vyomavalli, Khavalli, Amaravalli- The plant has a long life
Nirmuli- Plant do not have proper root
Dusparsha, Asparsha, Katkara, Avanti, Amaravalli

Morphology

Morphology of Cuscuta reflexa:
is a parasitic plant climbing to bigger plants and tree nearby and is found all over India in the plains and coastal region. The plant is green in color and turns to golden color as it grows. It does not have any leaf. White colored flowers are seen in the plant.

Properties, part used, dosage

Properties:
Rasa (Taste) – Kashaya (Astringent), Tikta (Bitter)
Guna (Qualities) – Picchila (Slimy)
Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cold)
Vipaka – – Katu (Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion)
Karma (Actions) – Kaphapitta shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and pitta dosha)

Part used- Whole plant
Dosage- 10 to 20 ml of juice

Sanskrit verse

Chemical constituents

Chemical constituents of Cuscuta reflexa:
D-Mannitol, Kaempferol, myricetin and beetasitosterol, amarbelin, cuscutin, cerotic, linolenic, linolic, o leic, stectoric and palmitic acids, phytosterol, abscissic acid, dulcilol, luiteolin and its glucoside, quescetin, aminoacids, casculatin, are reported from this plant.

Uses, Indications

Uses of Akashavalli:

  • The juice of Akashavalli is used as eye drops to treat conjunctivitis.
  • The fresh paste of the plant is applied over wound to control bleeding and reduce inflammation.
  • Oil formulated using sesame oil and Cuscuta reflexa is applied over the scalp to reduce hair fall and promote strong hair root.
  • The paste of Akashavalli is applied externally over the area affected with scabies.
  • Cold infusion of the plant is given in a dose of 40 ml to treat difficulty in micturition.
  • The decoction of Cuscuta reflexa is given in a dose of 30-40 ml to treat diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.
  • The fresh juice of the plant is given in a dose of 10-15 ml as appetizer and liver stimulant.

Traditional uses:
Picchila – Sticky, Slimy
Agnikari – Deepana – improves digestion strength
Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Vrushya – aphrodisiac, improves vigor
Rasayani – anti aging, causes cell and tissue rejuvenation
Balya – improves strength and immunity
Indications:
Akshiroga – eye disorders

Adverse effect

No adverse effect is known or reported from the use of Akashavalli.

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.

Research

Research articles related to Cuscuta reflexa:
Anti- diabetic activity: The hypoglycemic effects of methanol and chloroform extracts of whole plants of Cuscuta reflexa, and methanol extract of leaves of Calotropis procera were investigated in oral glucose tolerance tests in Long Evans rats and Swiss albino mice, respectively. Both methanol and chloroform extracts of Cuscuta reflexa whole plant demonstrated significant oral hypoglycemic activity in glucose-loaded rats at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight.

Anti- tumor action: The antitumor activity of the chloroform and ethanol extracts of Cuscuta reflexawas evaluated against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor in mice at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight orally, respectively, while acute oral toxicity studies were performed to determine the safety of the extracts. Administration of the extracts resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in tumor volume and viable cell count, but increased non-viable cell count and mean survival time, thereby increasing the life span of the tumor-bearing mice.

Anti- oxidant action: In the present study, comparative anti-oxidant activity of alcoholic extracts of Cuscuta reflexa and Cassytha filiformis was assessed. Cuscuta reflexa plant is reported to have greater in vitro antioxidantactivity than Cassytha filiformis which were expressed as IC50. Ethanolic extracts of Cuscuta reflexa contained more polyphenols content compared with ethanolic extracts ofCassytha filiformis.

Classical categorization

Bhavaprakasha- Guduchyadi varga
Kaiyyadeva Nighantu- Oushadhi varga
Raja Nighantu- Guduchyadi varga

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Sub-kingdom: Angiospermia
Class: Dicoty ledon
Sub-class: Cololliflorae
Order: Natural
Family: Convolvulaceae
Genus: Cuscuta
Species: Reflexa

Author
Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu.) Ph.D
E-Mail: drprashanthbk@gmail.com

8 comments on “Akashavalli Cuscuta reflexa: Uses, Remedies, Research, Side Effects

  • kiran

    18/02/2017 - 7:13 am

    Hello Dr,
    Can you please name any Ayurvedic hair oil with cuscuta as main ingredient.
    Thank you

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      12/03/2017 - 2:40 pm

      I have not found such oil yet.

      Reply to comment
  • kiran

    25/02/2017 - 10:58 am

    Can you please mention any Ayurvedic formulas based on this.
    Thanks

    Reply to comment
  • Afshan

    08/08/2017 - 4:23 am

    Hello doctor ive heard that amer bail or ghas bail is very efficient for grey hair but it is poisnous and should not be contact to skin directly?

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      08/08/2017 - 11:30 am

      Hi, as per my knowledge, it is not poisonous.

      Reply to comment
  • vidya

    08/07/2018 - 7:36 pm

    One of the ingredients is Amar Bel in this oil. https://deepayurveda.com/product/sparsh-hair-oil/

    Reply to comment
  • Kiran

    09/07/2018 - 5:11 pm

    Thank you @vidya

    Reply to comment

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