Aconitum heterophyllum (ATIVISA )

Aconitum heterophyllum

Ativishi consists of dried, tuberous roots of Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex. Royle (Fam, Ranunculaceae), a perennial herb, native of western Himalayas and found at altitude between 2,500-4,000 m.

SYNONYMS
Sanskrit : Aruni, Ghunapriyi, Vishi.
Nepali: Ativisha
Assamese : Aatich
Bengali : Ataicha
English : Atis Root
Gujrati : Ativishni Kali, Ativikhani Kali
Hindi : Atis
Kannada : Ativisha, Athihage
Kashmiri : Kath
Malayalam : Atividayam, Ativitayam
Marathi : Ativisha
Oriya : Atushi
Punjabi : Atisa, Atees
Tamil : Atividayam
Telugu : Ativasa
Urdu : Atees

CONSTITUENTS – Alkaloids (atisine, dihydroatisine, hetisined and heteratisine). The roots contain an alkaloid, atisine, C22 H3 i N 2 , {Alder Wright) or C4G H74 N3 5 (Bronghton) and Aconitic acid, C 6 HG 6 .

PROPERTIES AND ACTION
Rasa : Katu, Tikta
Guna : Laghu, Ruksha
Virya : Ushna
Vipaka : Katu
Karma : Dipana, Picana, Sangrihiki, Kaphapittahara.

THERAPEUTIC USES – Krimiroga(Antihelmenthic), Jvara, Kasa, Chhardi(vomiting), Amitisira. Often regarded as nonpoisosnous, antiperiodic, antiinflammatory, astringent (used in cough, diarrhoea, dyspepsia), tonic (used after fevers), febrifuge, antispasmodic (used in irritability of stomach and abdominal pains).

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicates the use of the dried, tuberous root in emesis and helminthiasis. It is also used in Tibetan medicine, where it is said to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency. It is used to treat poisoning from scorpion or snake bites, the fevers of contagious diseases and inflammation of the intestines.

IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS – Mahivishagarbha Taila, Rodhrisava, sivi Guiki, Lakashminiriyana Rasa, Risnairandidi Kvitha Churna, Sudarsana Churna, Paµcatikta Guggulu Ghrita, Bila Chaturbhadriki Churna

DOSE – 0.6-2.0 g of the drug in powder form.