Achyranthes, Niu Xi 牛膝 Prickly Chaff flower Niu Xi, or Huai Niu Xi (TCM) Apamarga, Chirchita (A. aspera, Ayurveda) Shveta Apamarga (A. bidentata, Ayurveda) Nayuruvi (Siddha) Chirchita (Unani)

Achyranthers aspera
Sibthrop & Smith, Flora Graeca, 1819

Achyranthes aspera
(Photo by Renjusplace) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:
Achyranthes spp.
Two varieties are known:

1. A. bidentata–Niu Xi, Apamarga
2. A. aspera (syn. A. argentea, A. indica), A. longifolia–Tu Niu Xi, Shveta Apamarga

A. aspera and A. longifolia are also used as sources of Niu Xi in some parts of China, just as A. bidentata is also used as a source of Tu Niu Xi. The main difference in TCM is Niu Xi is cultivated and Tu Niu Xi is sourced from the Wild. Most of the Indian market is supplied with wild sourced herb.
Another type of Niu Xi is supplied by Cyathula spp. and is called Chuan Niu Xi.

Parts used:

Root; also Leaf and Seed
Ashes of the whole plant are used for Stones in Ayurveda

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral. Bitter, Sour

Classification:

k. Medicines that Move the Blood

Uses:

A. bidentata (Niu Xi)
1. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-retention of Afterbirth
-Pain from Trauma, especially of the joints
-High Cholesterol (Ayurveda)

2. Tonifies Liver and Kidneys, Strengthens Bones and Joints: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-weakness and pain of the Lower back and Knees
-used in formula to strengthen Memory in Ayurveda
-Threatened Miscarriage (Ayurveda)

3. Clears Heat, Guides Liver Yang Down: (TCM)
-Liver Yang rising up causing nosebleed, bleeding gums, headache, dizziness
-Yin deficiency with rising Heat
-hypertension, hemicrania (Ayurveda)
-hemostatic (Ayurveda)

4. Clears Damp-Heat in the Lower Abdomen: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Painful or obstructed Urination


A. aspera (Tu Niu Xi, Shveta Apamarga)
1. Clears Heat, Resolves Toxin: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-swollen sore, painful throat; Tonsilitis, Diphtheria (TCM)
-Abscesses, Boils, Toxic Sores (TCM); Skin diseases (Ayurveda)
-Snake Bite, Rabid Dog Bite (TCM, Ayurveda)

2. Moves the Blood, Clears Stasis: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea
-promotes Childbirth, used as an abortifacient and as Contraception (India)

3. Clears Damp-Heat in the Lower Abdomen: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Painful or obstructed Urination
-Stones, with painful or bloody urination (whole plant ashed is used in India)
-Leukorrhea
-diuretic in Edema and Ascites (Ayurveda)
-used for cholesterol and Obesity

4. Promotes Vomit: (TCM, Ayurveda)
-emetic in large doses

5. Externally:
-ash is applied to bleeding piles


SALT OF ACHYRANTHES ASPERA (APAMARGA):
-Indigestion, Abdominal pain, Abdominal masses
-Gastroenteritis with pain
-Gravel, Stones
-Asthma

Comment:

1. A. bidentata (Niu Xi) is used in TCM, A. aspera (Apamarga) is used in Ayurveda. Both are synonymous as the latter is used as a local variety of Niu Xi in TCM (Bensky).
2. The roots of both varieties are used similarly. Achyranthes bidentata Niu Xi is farmed, with a larger root, and is a stronger tonic. Achyranthes aspera Apamarga (Tu Niu Xi) is wild-crafted, with a smaller root, and is better to clear Heat and Toxin. However, both varieties are similar and may substitute one another with the exception that Tu Niu Xi (wild sourced root) is not regarded as tonifying in TCM (Bensky).

Dose:

Decoction: 5–10 grams (up to 15 grams) in decoction;
Powder: 1–3 grams
The ash is used in Ayurveda in doses of 500mg–2 grams (some recommend a tablespoonful for Stones)
The Salt extracted from the ashes is given in doses of 125–500mg daily in divided doses.

Preparation:

1. Dry-Fried Achyranthes
  The sliced root is dry fried until it swells and yellows a little. This makes it warmer and enhances the tonifying effect.
2. Wine-Fried Achyranthes:
  The root is sprinkled with rice wine and left to absorb the alcohol. It is then stir-fried to lightly scorched and dried. This strengthens the Blood moving effect and is better for pain and obstruction of the channels, and for menstrual disorders.
3. Salt-Fried Achyranthes:
  The dried root is soaked in salted water for a short time, then stir-fried until dry.. This is better to strengthen the Kidneys and nourish the sinews and bones, for lower back and leg pain and weakness.
4. Charred Achyranthes:
  The roots are dry fried (often with a little water or wine) until scorched on the exterior and yellow on the interior. This eliminates its moist nature and is useful for Fire blazing upward causing toothache and bleeding gums.
5. Ashes of Achyranthes:
  The herb burnt to ashes is used in Ayurveda. Ashes of the root is taken with Honey for Cough. Ashes of the whole plant is used for Edema

Corrective:
1. Long Pepper
2. Honey (Unani)

Substitute:

Cyathula Chuan Niu Xi

Main Combinations:

ACHYRANTHES NIU XI:
1. Lower Back Pain and weakness:
i. and Sciatica, Achyranthes Niu Xi with Eucommia Du Zhong
ii. with leg weakness or disc degeneration, Achyranthes Niu Xi with Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong)
2. Numbness and stiffness of the limbs from Kidney and Liver deficiency, Achyranthes Niu Xi with Polygonum He Shou Wu, Dang Gui, Eucommia Du Zhong, Lycium Gou Qi Zi, Cornus Shan Zhu Yu, Velvet Deer Horn (Lu Rong)
3. Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Arthritis, Achyranthes Niu Xi with Asarum (Xi Xin), Saposhnikovia Fang Feng, Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng), Eucommia Du Zhong, Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Honey-fried Licorice (Zhi Gan Cao), Cinnamon (as in Da Ying Jian)
4. Atrophy, weakness and pain of the lower limbs from Damp Heat, Achyranthes Niu Xi with Coix Yi Yi Ren, Atractylodes Cang Zhu, Phellodendron Huang Bai (as in Si Miao Wan)
5. Blood stasis in the chest and upper body, Achyranthes Niu Xi with Dang Gui, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Safflower (Hong Hua), Peach kernel (Tao Ren), Bitter Orange Zhi Ke (as in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang)
6. Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea:
i. Achyranthes Niu Xi with Dang Gui and Safflower
ii. Achyranthes Niu Xi with Dang Gui, Ligusticum Chuan Xiong, Peony (Bai Shao), Cyperus Xiang Fu, Salvia Dan Shen (as in Jing Qian Fang)
iii. Late or Scanty Menstruation with clotting and pain, Achyranthes Niu Xi with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Honey-fried Licorice (Zhi Gan Cao), Cinnamon (as in Da Ying Jian)
7. Vertigo, Dizziness, Tinnitus:
i. Achyranthes Niu Xi with Mistletoe (Sang Ji Sheng)
ii. Achyranthes Niu Xi with Peony (Bai Shao), Fossil Bones (Long Gu), Oyster Shell (Mu Li), Hematite (Dai Zhe Shi) (as in Jian Ling Tang)
8. Toothache from Stomach Fire with Yin deficiency, Achyranthes Niu Xi with Rehmannia Shu Di Huang, Ophiopogon Mai Men Dong, Anemarrhena Zhi Mu (as in Yu Nu Jian)
9. Edema, Dysuria, Achyranthes Niu Xi with Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi), Water Plantain (Ze Xie)

ACHYRANTHES APAMARGA:
1. Strengthen memory, Achyranthes Apamarga, Convolvulus Shankapushpi, Coleus, Embelia, Calamus, Costus, Chebula (Ayurveda)
2. Threatened Miscarriage, Achyranthes Apamarga, Asparagus Shatavari, Madder, Sesame seed, decocted in Milk (Ayurveda)
3. Tinnitus and Deafness, Achyranthes Apamarga ashes (1 part), alkaline water prepared from the ashes of Achyranthes Apamarga (16 parts), Sesame Oil (4 parts), boil together to form an oil to be dropped into the ears. (Ayurveda)
 

Major Formulas:

Da Ying Jian
Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang
Feng Shi Ma Qian Pian
Jian Ling Tang
Jing Qian Fang
Qi Bao Mei Ran Dan
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Si Miao Wan
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Yu Nu Jian
Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Not used in excessive Menstruation
3. Suppresses appetite in some people (which is negated by applying its correctors).

Main Preparations used:

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• Extra Info
  
• Research

(Last updated 9/2018)

1. ANTI-OXIDANT –Antiobesity, hypolipidemic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Achyranthes aspera seed saponins in high cholesterol fed albino rats 2. ANTI-BACTERIAL –Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Achyranthes aspera extract against Streptococcus mutans: An in vitro study –In-vitro antimicrobial activity screening of some ethnoveterinary medicinal plants traditionally used against mastitis, wound and gastrointestinal tract complication in Tigray Region, Ethiopia. 3. ANTI–VIRAL –HERPES: Anti-herpes virus activities of Achyranthes aspera: an indian ethnomedicine, and its triterpene acid. –RESPIRATORY Sulfated modification can enhance antiviral activities of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in vitro –HIV [Anti-HIV activities of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide sulfate in vitro and in vivo]. 4. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY –Effect of aqueous extracts of Achyranthes aspera Linn. on experimental animal model for inflammation –Src and Syk contribute to the anti-inflammatory activities of Achyranthes aspera ethanolic extract –Achyranthes bidentate saponins protect rat articular chondrocytes against interleukin-1β-induced inflammation and apoptosis in vitro –Anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritis effects of fermented Achyranthes japonica Nakai. 5. ANTI-CONVULSANT –Anticonvulsant activity and acute neurotoxic profile of Achyranthes aspera Linn –Achyranthes aspera Attenuates epilepsy in experimental animals: possible involvement of GABAergic mechanism. 6. UTERINE STIMULANT Saponin content excites Uterine contractions 7. ANTI-FERTILITY The ethanol, chloroform and benzene extracts has demonstrated significant anti-fertility and anti-implantation effects. The active ingredients is ecdysterone –Effect of Achyranthes aspera L. on fetal abortion, uterine and pituitary weights, serum lipids and hormones. –Abortifacient principle of Achyranthes aspera Linn. –Effect of chromatographic fractions of the plant Achyranthes aspera Linn. On fertility in female albino mice. –Post-coital antifertility activity of Achyranthes aspera Linn. root. –Estrogenic and pregnancy interceptory effects of Achyranthes aspera Linn. root. 8. SPERMICIDAL –Spermicidal action of a protein isolated from ethanolic root extracts of Achyranthes aspera: an in vitro study. –Spermatotoxicity of a protein isolated from the root of Achyranthes aspera: a comparative study with gossypol. –Comparative study on the spermicidal activity of organic solvent fractions from hydroethanolic extracts of Achyranthes aspera and Stephania hernandifolia in human and rat sperm. 9. ESTROGENIC –Estrogenic and pregnancy interceptory effects of Achyranthes aspera Linn. root. 10. CARDIOTONIC –Ethanol extracts inhibit the Heart 11. MILD ANTI-HYPERTENSIVE EFFECT –Mild anti-hypertensive and diuretic effect seen in the decoction and ethanol extract. 12. ANTI-CHOLESTEROL –Effect of Achyranthes aspera L. on fetal abortion, uterine and pituitary weights, serum lipids and hormones. –Antiobesity, hypolipidemic, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Achyranthes aspera seed saponins in high cholesterol fed albino rats 13. CNS DEPRESSANT –Study of CNS depressant and behavioral activity of an ethanol extract of Achyranthes Aspera (Chirchita) in mouse model.

14. ANTI–OSTEOPOROSIS effect. –Achyranthes bidentata root extract prevent OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats –Anti-osteoporosis activity of a novel Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide via stimulating bone formation –Osteoprotective effect of extract from Achyranthes japonica in ovariectomized rats –Anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritis effects of fermented Achyranthes japonica Nakai. –Osteoprotective effect of extract from Achyranthes bidentata in ovariectomized rats. –Anti-Osteoporosis Effects of the Eleutherococcus senticosus, Achyranthes japonica, and Atractylodes japonica Mixed Extract Fermented with Nuruk. 15. OSTEOARTHRITIS –Compatibility of Achyranthes bidentata components in reducing inflammatory response through Arachidonic acid pathway for treatment of Osteoarthritis. –Prediction of the molecular mechanism of eucommiae Cortex – Achyranthis bidentatae radix in the treatment of osteoarthritis: network pharmacology and molecular docking. 16. BRONCHODILATOR –Pharmacological Evaluation of Gut Modulatory and Bronchodilator Activities of Achyranthes 17. PROMOTES NERVE GROWTH AND REGENERATION –The Achyranthes bidentata polypeptide k fraction enhances neuronal growth in vitro and promotes peripheral nerve regeneration after crush injury in vivo 18. PROTECTS DOPAMINERGIC NEURONS – DEMENTIA, PARKINSON’S DISEASE –Achyranthes bidentata polypeptide protects dopaminergic neurons from apoptosis in Parkinson’s disease models both in vitro and in vivo 19. NEUROPROTECTIVE – RECOVERY FROM STROKE –[Therapeutic effects of saponins from Achyranthes bidentata in SHRsp –An active component of Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides provides neuroprotection through inhibition of mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway in cultured neurons and in animal models of cerebral ischemia. –Intravenous administration of achyranthes bidentata polypeptides supports recovery from experimental ischemic stroke in vivo 20. NEURO-REGENERATIVE –[Anti-HIV activities of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide sulfate in vitro and in vivo]. 21. ANTI-TUMOR –Achyranthes aspera (Apamarg) leaf extract inhibits human pancreatic tumor growth in athymic mice by apoptosis. 22. ANTI-CANCER –Antineoplastic and immunomodulatory effect of polyphenolic components of Achyranthes aspera (PCA) extract on urethane induced lung cancer in vivo. –Anti-proliferative and anti-cancer properties of Achyranthes aspera: specific inhibitory activity against pancreatic cancer cells. 23. IMMUNOSTIMULATORY –Achyranthes aspera stimulates the immunity and enhances the antigen clearance in Catla catla. –Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharide enhances immune response in weaned piglets. 24. ANTI-HYPERGLYCEMIC EFFECT –In vitro free radical scavenging and anti-hyperglycemic activities of Achyranthes aspera extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice 25. ANTI-ANXIETY –Anxiolytic activity of methanol leaf extract of Achyranthes aspera Linn in mice using experimental models of anxiety. –Study of CNS depressant and behavioral activity of an ethanol extract of Achyranthes Aspera (Chirchita) in mouse model. 26. PROMOTES WOUND HEALING –In vivo wound-healing efficacy and antioxidant activity of Achyranthes aspera in experimental burns.