Hemidesmus, Sariva

Indian Sarsaparilla
Sariva, Anantamula (Ayurveda)
Sugandhi (Hindi)
Ushba (Unani)
Nannari (Siddha)
Picture Picture
Hemidesmus indicus
Witsen, N., Jager, H. de, Plantae Javanicae pictae, ex Java transmissae’ (1700)

 Hemidesmus indicus
Burman, J., Thesaurus Zeylanicus, (1737)
Picture Hemidesmus indicus
(Photo by Rison Thumboor) (Wikimedia)

Picture

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Botanical name:


Hemidesmus indicus (syn. Periploca indicus)
Traditional Ayurvedic texts described 2 varieties of Sariva:
  1. Black Variety: Cryptolepis buchananii
  2. White Variety: Hemidesmus indicus
They are similar in effect, and were often used together. Today, Hemidesmus is most used.

Parts used:


Root

Temperature & Taste:


Neutral, Sweet

Classification:


B. Clear Heat
3K. EXPECTORANT

Uses:


1. Clears Heat and Poison:
-Skin diseases, Eczema, Erysipelas, Leukoderma, Acne Rosacea
-Scrofula, Lymphatic Swellings and Nodes, Elephantiasis
-Syphilis, Gonorrhea
-Chronic Fever, Burning Sensations

2. Clears Phlegm-Heat, Stops Cough: 
-Cough, Bronchitis, Wheezing, Asthma
-Loss of Voice, Hoarseness

3. Benefits Qi and Yin:
-weakness, pale complexion
-Consumption, Wasting diseases, Loss of weight
-Sperm-promoting; used for Impotence and male Infertility

4. Clears Heat and Damp:
-Diarrhea, Dysentery
-Urinary Tract Infections; Dysuria; cloudy, painful urine; Prostatitis
-abdominal swelling
-Leukorrhea
-aching limbs, Rheumatism, Arthritis with red and swollen joints
-Venereal Diseases from Damp-Heat, Heat-Toxin

5. Externally:
-applied as a paste over inflammations
-as a paste or ointment for any of the above-mentioned skin diseases


Dose:


Powder: 3–5 grams

Substitutes:


… available in PRO version


Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Fever, Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


2. Burning Sensation anywhere on the body, Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


3. Skin diseases:
i. Acne, Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


ii. Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


4. Diarrhea, Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


5. Urinary Tract Infections, Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


6. Syphilis, Elephantiasis, Chronic Skin diseases, Hemiplegia, Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


7. Arthralgia and Skin disorders, Hemidesmus with

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8. Arthritis with Heat, Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


9. Calm the mind and settle the emotions, Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


10. Bleeding, Hemidesmus with

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11. Male infertility, Hemidesmus with

… available in PRO version


Cautions:


None noted

Main Preparations used:



  • Extra Info
  • Research
GENERAL / REVIEW
–Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): Recent progress in research on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology.