Shalparni – Desmodium gangeticum – Benefits, Usage, Ayurveda details

Shalparni is one of the most important Ayurvedic herbs. It is one among Dashamoola (Group of 10 herbs)and hence is used in innumerable Ayurveda medicines. Its botanical name is Desmodium gangeticum DC., It belongs to Fabaceae family (Simbi kula/ Aparajita upakula)

Vernacular names, Sanskrit synonyms

Hindi name: Sarivan
Tamil and Malayalam name: Pullati

Sanskrit synonyms:
Vidarigandha – The odor is like that of Vidari
Anshumati – Root of Salaparni is fibrous
Saumya – Salaparni is sita pradhana
Sthira – Salaparni strengthen the body
Dirghangri – Roots of Salaparni are very long
Sophaghni – Salaparni reduces the oedema
Shalaparni – leaves resemble the leaves of the herb
Guha – Root goes very deep in the soil

Different Species

1. Pseudarthria visicida
2. Desmodium diffusm
   3. Desmodium triflorum
   4. Desmodium semialata Roxb

Morphology

Habit- Undershrub grows 60 to 120 cm height. Stem- Irregularly angled, glabrescent.

Branches- Angled, clothed with white hairs.

Leaves- Unifoliate, Petioles 1 to 2 cm long. linear-subulate. Leaflets membranous, ovate-oblong, acute or slightly acuminate, margin is wavy reticulate veined, base is rounded

Inflorescence- Terminal and Axillary racemes

Flowers- Violet or white coloured, filiform, pubescent, bracts subulate, hairy, teeth triangular

Fruit-Pod, indehiscent, sparsely clothed with minute hooked hairs.

Useful part-Root

Classical categorization

Charaka Samhita:
Angamardhaprashamana – A group of herbs that help to relieve myalgia.
Shothahara – anti-inflammatory group of herbs
Balya – group of herbs that improve strength
Snehopaga – group of herbs that are used in Snehana (oleation – preparatory procedure to Panchakarma)
Madhura Skandha – Group of herbs with a sweet taste.
Sushruta Samhita – Vidarigandhadi gana, Laghu Panchamoola

Medicinal qualities

Rasa (taste) – Madhura – sweet, Tikta – Bitter
Guna (qualities) – Guru (heavy to digest), Snigdha (unctuous, oiliness)
Vipaka – taste conversion after digestion – Madhura – sweet
Veerya – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – balances all Tridoshas.

Guru (heavy to digest)
Chardijit – useful in vomiting
Jwarahara – useful in fever
Shwasahara – Useful in dyspnoea, Asthma, Bronchitis and Chronic respiratory disorders.
Atisarajit – Relieves dysentery and diarrhea
Doshatrayahara – balances all the three Doshas
Santapanashini – relieves burning sensation

Part used

Whole plant, root

Dosage

Powder – 3 – 5 g
Kwatha (Decoction) – 40 -80 ml

Substitute

Flemingia chappar
Flemingia semialata
Uraria hamosa
Desmodium pulchellum

Shalaparni for heart diseases due to Vata

Use of Shalaparni for heart diseases due to Vata imbalance:
Hrudayagata Vata Chikitsa:
हृदि प्रकुपिते सिद्धमंशुमत्या पयो हितम्||९६||
hṛdi prakupite siddhamaṃśumatyā payo hitam||96||
If the Vata is aggravated in the heart, then milk boiled by adding Amsumati (Shalaparni) is useful. Charaka Chikitsa Sthana 28th chapter.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurveda medicines

Dasamoolarishtam – used in postpartum care and as an  anti-inflammatory.
Mritasanjeevani Sura – useful to improve immunity and to put on weight.
Amritarishtam – used in fever.

Sthanika karma (Action on different system)

Nervous system – Strengthens the nervous system, pacifies vata dosha.
Digestive system – Carminative, Unctuous, Absorbent Anti helminthic. Indicated in vomiting, diarrhea, Helminthiasis, hemorrhoids etc.
Circulatory System – Indicated in edema, acts as a cardiac tonic. Ksheerapaka of Salaparni is indicated in Hridsula
Respiratory system – Expel out vitiated kapha dosha, indicated in emaciation, TB etc.
Reproductive system – Aphrodisiac. indicated in oligospermia
Excretory system – Indicated in dysuria, diabetes etc. increases urine production
Satmikarana – Indicated in general weakness, TB, emaciation etc.
Tapakrama – Antipyretic, (vishamajvara)