Achyranthes aspera

APAMARGA (Root)
Apamarga consists of dried root of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Fam. Amaranthaceae); a stiff erect, 0.1-0.9 m high, herb found commonly as a weed throughout the country up to 900 m.

SYNONYMS –
Sansk : Adhahsalya, sikhari, Mayhuraka
Assam : Chirchita
Beng : Apang
Eng : Prickly Chaff Flower
Guj : Aghedo
Hindi : Chirchira, Latjira
Kan : Uttarane, Uttaren
Kash : —
Mal : Kadaledee
Mar : Anghada
Ori : —
Punj : Puthakanda, Lattajeera
Tam : Nayuruvi
Tel : Uttareni
Urdu : Chirchita

DESCRIPTION –

a) Macroscopic:
Tap root cylindrical slightly ribbed, upto 1.0 cm in thickness, gradually tapering, rough due to presence of some root scars; secondary and tertiary roots present; yellowish-brown; odour, not distinct; taste not characteristic.

b) Microscopic:
Mature root shows 6-10 layered, rectangular, tangentially elongated, thin-walled cork cells; secondary cortex consisting of 6-9 layers, oval to rectangular, thin-walled parenchymatous cells having scattered, thick-walled, irregular lignified stone cells, followed by 5-6 discontinuous rings of anomalous secondary thickening, composed of vascular tissues; small patches of sieve tubes are distinct in the phloem parenchyma demarcating the xylem rings; secondary xylem composed of tracheids, fibres and parenchyma; vessels with both simple and bordered pits and with scalariform thickening, measuring 135-348 µ in length and 32-64 µ in width; fibres pointed at both ends with walls moderately thickened, measuring 260-740 µ in length and 12-24 µ in width; tracheids have tapering ends, measuring 165-535 µ in length and 17-34 µ in width.
In A. bidentata BL. vessels show bordered pits and reticulate thickening; medullary rays not distinct; stone cells and prismatic crystals absent in cortex.
Powder – Yellowish-brown; shows fragments of rectangular cork cells, stone cells, vessels showing bordered pits and scalariform thickening, fibres and a few prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate.

CONSTITUENTS – Saponins

PROPERTIES AND ACTION –
Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksha, Sara, Tikshna
Virya : Ushna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Vatahara, Pacana, Rucya, Kaphanasaka, Medohara,Mhutrala, Vantihara.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Agastya Haritaki Rasayana, Maha Pancagavya Ghrita, Vastyamayantaka Ghrita, Maha Vishagarbha Taila, Panaviraladi Kshara, Apamarga Kshara Taila, Ksara Taila

THERAPEUTIC USES – Chhardi(vomiting), Adhmana, Kandu, sula, Apaci, Granthi, Bhagandara, Hrida Roga, Jvara, svitra,Vadhirya, Udara Roga, Yakrit Roga, Danta Roga, Rakta Vikara.
DOSE – 5-10 g