Achyranthes aspera
It is an Indian plant, found as a herb all over India. Up to 1m in height, leaves opposite 2.5 to 12.5 cm. Morphologically variable, but thick pubescent tomentose velvety, rarely glabrate, short petiole, spike robust. In local language it is known as Apamarga or Khara manjari. It is a safe medicine and it mainly contains alkaline salts of potash along with other constituents. Sapogenins up to 2%, hentriacotane, oleanolic acid and a glycoside.
A homoeopathic tincture is made from the whole plant excluding roots. It is covered by Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia of India. It was introduced by Dr. S. C. Ghose. It acts as an astringent, diuretic, alternative, and antiperiodic and in large doses as purgative. In homoeopathy, it is considered as a powerful astringent, used in menorrhagia, diarrhoea, dysentery, and as diuretic. Externally it is reported to be of value in skin eruptions. Some authors have also reported it as a useful medicine for dropsy (possibly because of its diuretic effect), for boils and in colic. Studies 5 6 have proved its hypoglycaemic activity , serum bactericidal activity , direct free radical scavenging activity , etc. Reports also support that it stimulates immunity . Some clinical trials have reported it useful in urinary tract infections.
Recommended dose: Q/1x,5-10 drops.
References:
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P. N. Varma, InduVaid, Encyclopaedia of Homoeopathic Pharmacopoeia, Updated edition 2007, B. Jain Publishers, New Delhi.
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Muhammad Shoaib Akhtar, Javed Iqbal, Evaluation of the hypoglycaemic effect of Achyranthesaspera in normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits, Journal of Ethnopharmacology,Volume 31, Issue 1, January 1991, Pages 49-57.
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Y. Vasudeva Raoa, B.K. Dasb, P. Jyotyrmayeeb, Rina Chakrabartia,Effect of Achyranthesaspera on the immunity and survival of Labeorohita infected with Aeromonashydrophila, Fish & Shellfish Immunology, Volume 20, Issue 3, March 2006, Pages 263-273.
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Pankaj Tahiliani, AnandKar, Achyranthesaspera elevates thyroid hormone levels and decreases hepatic lipid peroxidation in male rats, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume71, Issue 3, August 2000, Pages 527-532.
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Y. Vasudeva Raoa, B.K. Dasb, P. Jyotyrmayeeb, Rina Chakrabartia,Effect of Achyranthesaspera on the immunity and survival of Labeorohita infected with Aeromonashydrophila, Fish & Shellfish Immunology, Volume 20, Issue 3, March 2006, Pages 263-273