Uraria picta – Prishnaparni – Benefits, Usage, Ayurveda Details

Prishnaparni is one of the most important Ayurvedic herbs. It is one among Dashamoola (Group of 10 herbs). Hence used in innumerable Ayurvedic medicines. Its botanical name is Uraria picta (Hedysarum pictum). It belongs to Fabaceae family Simbi kula / Aparajita upakula)

Vernacular names, Sanskrit synonyms

Hindi name – Dabra, Pithavan
Tamil name – Sittirappaladai, Kolaponna

Sanskrit Synonyms –
Prishniparni – having thin long leaves
Prithakparni – Leaves appears very distinct from other plants
Kalashi – Prishniparni increases shukra dhatu
Dhavani – Prishniparni expels toxins from the body
Kostruka puchika – Its inflorescence resembles tail of jackal
Simhapuchi – Its inflorescence resembles tail of lion
Guha – Roots goes very deep in to the soil
Shrugalavinna, Chitraparni
Anghriparni – Leaves thickly arranged on the stem

Classical categorization

Charaka Samhita:
Angamardhaprashamana – A group of herbs that help to relieve myalgia.
Shothahara – anti-inflammatory group of herbs
Sandhaneeya – group of herbs that are used in fractures and dislocations

Sushruta Samhita – Vidarigandhadi gana, Haridradi group of herbs
Vagbhata – Haridradi gana
Bh Pr ni – Guduchyadi varga

Varieties

Uraria hamosa
Uraria lagopoides

Adulterant

Flemingia species
Desmodium species

Morphology

Habit- An erect, little branched, perennial herb grows 1 to 2 meters in height.
Stem-Stout, up to 1.2 cm in diameter.
Leaves- Compound, 1 to 3 foliate, imparipinnate, linear oblong or lanceolate, petioles 4 to 6 cm long, stipules subulate.

Inflorescence- cylindrical racemes 15 to 30 cm long and 1.5 to 2 cm broad
Flower- Purple coloured and corolla is 6 mm long.

Fruit-Pod, glabrous, pale lead-coloured, 3 to 6 jointed and polished.

Seeds – 3 mm long and 2 mm wide, folded on one another.
Useful parts-Root

Medicinal qualities

Rasa (Taste) – Madhura – sweet, Tikta – Bitter
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (light to digest), Snigdha (unctuous, oiliness)
Vipaka – taste conversion after digestion – Madhura – sweet
Veerya – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – balances all the three Doshas.

Sangrahika – absorbent, relieves mild diarrhea
Vatahara – balances Vata
Tridoshaghna – balances all the Three Doshas
Vrushya – aphrodisiac
Sara – promotes natural movement of body fluids
Dahahara – relieves burning sensation
Jwarahara – useful in fever
Shwasahara – Useful in dyspnoea, Asthma, Bronchitis and Chronic respiratory disorders.
Raktatisarahara – relieves diarrhea associated with bleeding
Trut hara – relieves excessive thirst
Vamihara – acts as natural anti-emetic. Relieves vomiting

Prishniparni root powder taken for three weeks causes healing of fractured bone.

Part used

Root

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.

Ayurvedic medicines

Mahanarayan Oil – Used for massage in neuro-muscular conditions
Manasamitra Vatakam – used in depression and psychiatric conditions.
Dhanvantharam Thailam – used in joint disorders and rheumatic conditions.

Sthanika karma (Action on different system)

Nervous system – Strengthens the nervous system, pacifies vata dosha.
Digestive system – Carminative, absorbent, Facilitate normal movement of doshas. Indicated in bloody diarrhea, Bleeding hemorrhoids, Malabsorption syndrome, excessive thirst etc.
Circulatory System – Indicated in edema, gouty arthritis, Blood borne diseases. acts as a cardiac tonic.
Respiratory system – Expel out vitiated kapha dosha, indicated in cough, breathing diseases etc.
Reproductive system – Aphrodisiac. indicated in oligospermia
Excretory system – Indicated in dysuria. increases urine production
Satmikarana – Anti poisonous, helps fracture healing, promote strength, indicated in general weakness
Tapakrama – Antipyretic, indicated in fever associated with burning sensation.