Chikkika Centipeda minima: Benefits, Remedies, Research, Side Effects

By Dr. B.K. Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D
Chikkika- Centipeda minima is a plant mentioned in Ayurveda for the treatment of rhinitis, headache, toothache, skin disease and indigestion.

Latin name- Centipeda minima Linn.
Family- Asteraceae (Bhringaraja kula)

Properties, part used, dosage

Centipeda minima – medicinal properties:
Rasa (Taste) – Katu (Pungent)
Guna (Qualities) – Teekshna (Hot)
Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
Vipaka – – Katu (Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion)
Karma (Actions) – Kaphavata shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and vata dosha). Increases Pitta Dosha.

Part used- Seed
Dosage- Powder of seed 1-3 g

Sanskrit verse

Chemical constituents, Uses

Chemical constituents of Spreading Sneeze weed
The plant contains flavonoids, sesquiterpenes and amide.

Myrioginin is the important chemical constituent with antihistamine, antitussive and expectorant properties. Leaves are anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic.
Chikkika has pungent taste, hot potency and pungent bio- transformation (katu vipaka).
The seeds, roots and leaves are deep penetrative, hot and minute channel propagating in nature.

Chikkani has the ability to pacify Vata and Rakta related problems. In worm infestation, indigestion and skin diseases it has established its use.
Read related: Chikkika Centipeda minima: Benefits, Remedies, Research, Side Effects

Ayurvedic uses of Chikkika:
Ruchikrut – improves taste, relieves anorexia
Agnikrut – Improves digestion strength
Pittakrut – Increases Pitta Dosha
Indicated in
Eye disorders
Kapha and Vata Disorders
Kushta – skin diseases
Krimi – worm infestation
Vatarakta – Gout

Uses

Uses of Chikkika – Centipeda minima: 

• Nasya (Installation of nasal drops) from the leaves of the plant is done to relieve the condition of sinusitis and headache.
• The paste prepared from the seeds of the plant Centida minima is applied externally to treat skin diseases like ringworm, scabies etc.
• The powder of the seed is given in a dose of 2-3 g with milk to improve the strength of the nerves and treat general debility.
• The decoction of the plant is given in a dose of 30-40 ml to expel the phlegm and control cough.
• The powder of the seeds of Centida minima is given in a dose of 2-4 g to treat erectile dysfunction.
• The cold infusion prepared from the seeds of Chikkika is given in a dose of 20-30 ml to treat indigestion and lack of appetite.
• The decoction of the seed is given in a dose of 25-30 ml to treat intestinal worms.
• In cases of hardness of the liver and spleen, the decoction of the plant is given regularly.
• The paste prepared from the leaves of the plant is applied over the area affected with pain.

Home remedies

Following are some of its simple and effective remedies written by Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD.

Headache, cold

Fresh juice of the leaf in partial headache and in severe cold :
Freshly collected leaves are made into fine paste and juice is extracted. 1-2 drop of this leaf juice is used as nose drops, on empty stomachs. This is effective in headache and severe cold.

Throat pain, mumps

Fine paste with black pepper – application in throat pain and mumps:
Centipeda minima and black pepper are taken in equal amounts and fine powder/paste is made. This is applied to the throat /neck from outside; to the cheeks in mumps. 3-5 days medication gives significant benefits.

Worm infestation

Seed powder for worm infestation:
Fine powder of the seeds or hot infusion is used in the treatment of intestinal worms.

Toothache

Fine powder or paste of the flower or leaf for toothache:
In case of toothache and dental caries, fine powder or leaves / flower paste is applied along with a piece of salt.

Sneezing, nasal congestion

Root or seed powder for sneezing and nasal congestion:
Fine powder of roots or seeds is used to snuff or to take 2-3 puffs by adding/dusting over the fire. This helps to relieve nasal congestion and rhinitis and sneezing.

Today we find a lot of inhalers, broncho-dilators, and snuffs for the treatment of respiratory disorders. But such an idea was used with Chikkani seeds, hundreds of years back.

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.

Side effects, Research

Adverse effect of Chikkia- Excessive use of Chikkika can cause inflammation of the nasal mucosa and pain in the nose.

Research articles about Centipeda minima:
Anti- microbial action: The present study is designed for phytochemical analysis of Centida minima and extraction of bioactive compound by HPLC, further antimicrobial activity of the bio active compounds has been investigated by crude and the column extract and anti- proliferative activity on prostate epithelial cancer cell (PC3). Our study revealed the presence of the bio active component plenolin of this plant has good antimicrobial activity and also exhibiting anti- cancer properties.

Anti- protozoal action: In vitro activity against Giardia intestinalis was used for bioassay-guided fractionation of crude extracts from C. minima. The sesquiterpene lactone, brevilin A was isolated and found to have antigiardial activity (IC₅₀ = 16.1 μM) and was similarly active in vitro against Entamoeba histolytica (IC₅₀ between 4.5 and 9 μM) and against Plasmodium falciparum (IC₅₀ = 9.42 μM).

Anti- bacterial thymol: Two new monoterpenoids, 8,10-dihydroxy-9(2)-methylbutyryloxythymol (1) and 10-hydroxy-8,9-dioxyisopropylidene-thymol (2), together with five known thymol derivatives: 8,9,10-trihydroxythymol (3), thymol-β-glucopyranoside (4), 9-hydroxythymol (5), 8,10-dihydroxy-9-isobutyryloxythymol (6), and 8-hydroxy-9,10-diisobutyryloxythymol (7), were isolated from Centipeda minima. The antibacterial activities of compounds 1-7 were evaluated against eight microbial strains by the agar dilution method.

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Nakachikani
English name- Sneeze wort, Spreading Sneezeweed
Bengali name- Mechetha
Gujarathi name- Nakacheenkani
Marathi name- Nakashinkani

Sanskrit synonyms

Synonyms-
Kshavaka, Chikkani, Udvegana – It induces sneezing
Kshudhabhijanana, Kshut Vibodhaka – induces hunger
Granadukhada- Cause pain in the nose after sneezing
Chidmapatra, Nasa Sandanaka,

The plant has an alternate Latin name as Centipeda orbicularis Lour.
Chikkika is a small plant growing all over India in the damp areas. The plant is a native of Australia and Newzeland.

Classical categorization

Bhavaprakasha- Guduchyadi varga
Kaiyyadeva Nighantu- Oushadhi varga

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Tribe: Astereae
Genus: Centipeda

Author: Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D
Click to consult Dr BK Prashanth

Utpathi sthana

All over India and in Sri Lanka, especially in wet soil.

Sthanika Karma (Systemic Action)

External – External application of its paste is indicated in skin disorders like dadru. It can be used for nasal instillation in running nose, and headache. For toothache it is used for local application.
Nervous System –Strengthen nerve tissues. Indicated in weakness of nerves, vata rakta(rheumatic joint disorders), hemiplegia etc.
Digestive System – Being spicy and hot, it promotes taste, carminative, digestive, anti helminthic. Indicated in anorexia, loss of appetite, etc.
Circulatory System – it act as a blood purifier, indicated in blood disorders
Reproductive system – Aphrodisiac, indicated in impotency
Skin – Indicated skin diseases
Pliha (Spleen) – Indicated in Pleehavridha (Enlargement of spleen)