Scindapsus, Gajakrishna

Gajakrishna, Gajapippali (Ayurveda)
Anaitippili (Siddha)
 Picture
Picture Scindapsus officinalis
R. Wight, , Icones Plantarum Indiae Orientalis, (1846)

Botanical name:


Scindapsus officinalis

Parts used:


Fruits

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Pungent, Sweet

Uses:


1. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheezing:
-Chronic Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma with excess Phlegm (Ayurveda, Unani)
-acute throat diseases

2. Clears Wind-Cold, Promotes Sweat:
-Fever, acute diseases
-promotes sweat

3. Warms the Stomach, Clears Damp:
-digestive disturbance caused by excess Phlegm
-Poor appetite, indigestion, Colic
-Diarrhea, Dysentery (fruit)

4. Clears Wind-Damp:
-Gravel, Stones
-Wind-Cold-Damp muscle and joint pain; Arthritis, Rheumatism (whole plant, fruit)
-Jaundice
-obstinate skin diseases associated with Wind-Damp; Leukorrhea, Black Moles, Leprosy
-also used for Tumors and Cancer

5. Warms and Strengthens the Kidneys, Benefits Yang:
-Edema
-Hypoglycemia
-Aphrodisiac (Ayurveda, Unani)
-regarded as useful for Fractures
-regarded as Cardiotonic (Unani)
-powdered fruit is taken in water for bleeding following childbirth
-used as a strengthening tonic by hill tribes in Thailand

6. Promotes Milk:
-increase Breast Milk
-enhances Breast development

7. Kills Worms:
-Ascaris

8. Externally:
-Leaf or Fruit pulp is applied to Rheumatism
-topically to Goiter
-used topically to promote hair growth


Dose:


Fruit / Mature Spadix in Decoction: 2–3 grams (API); usually prepared as an infusion in hot water, left to steep overnight.
Decoction (1 in 10): is given in doses of 2–6 drams

Substitute:


1. Balanophora indica is used as a substitute in Kerala
2. Cubeb is a possible substitute, having been used as an adulterant (substitute?).
3. Scindapsus has been used as a substitute for Long Pepper root in Ayurveda.

Main Combinations:


1. To clear Phlegm and Damp:
i. Scindapsus with Honey and Calamus
ii. Scindapsus with Triphala, Ginger and Long Pepper
2. Chronic Diarrhea and Dysentery, Scindapsus with Aegle, Andropogon muricatus, Symplocos
3. To promote Breast development, Scindapsus with Withania, Calamus, Costus

Major Formulas:


Majun Jograj Gugal
Candraprabha Vati
Agasthya Rasayana

Cautions:


Not used during Pregnancy, or in young Children

Main Preparations used:



  • Extra Info
  • Research
1. GENERAL / REVIEW:
–Ethnobotanical and phytopharmacological review of Scindapsus officinalis