Mayur Shikha: Uses, Research, Remedies, Side Effects

Mayur Shikha is an Ayurvedic herb used for the treatment of skin diseases, fever, diarrhea, intestinal worms and diabetes. Adiantum caudatum / dichotoma and Actiniopteris radiata are identified as this herb.

Latin name-
Actiniopteris radiata (Sw.) Link
Adiantum dichotoma Bedd
Adiantum caudatum
Family- Polypodiaceae (Hamsapadi kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Mayurashika, Mor panki
English name- Peacock tail, Peacock’s tail
Gujarati name- Mor shikha
Marathi name- Mor shikha
Tamil name- mayil atumshikai
Telugu name- Mayurashika
Bombay name – Kalijhani

Sanskrit Synonyms

Madhucchada, Neelakanta shikha, Sahastrahi

Morphology

Mayurashikha is a type of fern related to Hamsapadi. The plant is found near water sources and rocks crevices all over India in the temperate climate. It is a brownish green colored, weak plant growing to a height of 0.5 to 1 feet with hair like structure in its body. The leaf is oval to semi- circular shape with serrated edges resembling the feathers of peacock. The laminae are 15-45 mm long and fan-shaped with a spread of some 180 degrees, the tip of each segment bearing 2-5 teeth. Small seeds are seen at the edges of the leaf.

Properties, part used, dosage

Mayur Shika medicinal properties:
Rasa (Taste) – Madhura (Sweet), Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (Qualities) –Ruksha (Dry in nature), Laghu (Light)
Vipaka – Katu (Undergoes pungent taste after digestion)
Veerya (Potency) – Sheeta (Cold)
Karma (Actions) – Kapha pitta shamaka (reduces vitiated Kapha and Pitta),

Part used- Whole plant
Dosage-
Fresh juice- 10 to 20 ml
Paste- External application

Chemical composition

Steroids, tri terpenoids and flavonoids are found in the plant. The stems and leaves of the plant contain rutin, styptic active principle.

Uses of Mayurashikha

  • The paste of Mayurashikha is applied over the area affected with scabies and pigmentation of the skin as part of treatment.
  • Decoction of Actinopteris radiata is given in a dose of 50-60 ml to control increased sugar level in diabetes.
  • Cold infusion in a dose of 50 ml or fresh juice in a dose of 10-20 ml of Mayurashikha is given to treat fever and difficulty in micturition.
  • Decoction of this herb is given in a dose of 40-50 ml to treat intestinal worms and diarrhea.
  • To nullify the effect of snake bite poisoning, the herb is mixed with ghee and rice water and given regularly.
  • Traditionally it is indicated in Atisara – diarrhea of Pitta and Kapha origin.
  • Root of Mayurasikha pounded with milk should be taken by women in season for achieving conception.
  • In snake poison- Mayura shikha mixed with ghee taken with juice water, destorus all type of snake poison similarly does kakajangha.
  • Gravels, calculus etc root of Mayura shika is taken with rice, water, keeping on a diet of milk and cereals.
  • The drug Mayurasikha is mainly stambhana, krimigna it is given in diarrhoea, dysentery worms Raktapitta, Prameha skin diseases and fever.
  • Mayurasikha is suggested in medical texts for promoting conception , snake bite and specific diseases the whole plant is administered.
  • Asmari & sarkara root of Mayursikha is taken with rice water, while keeping  the patient on a milk cereal diet.
  • Vandhya- root of Mayurasikha pounded with should be taken by women during Ritukala.

Sanskrit verse

It acts as an astringent in the alimentary system & a hemostatic in the circulatory system. It is therefore useful in diarrhea, dysentery, bleeding, disorders, intestinal worms, skin diseases & as an antipyretic.

Uses:
In Atisara, pravahika, krimiroga, raktapitta, Prameha jwara, carmaroga.
Stambhana, Krimigna, Raktapitta, Pramehagna, Prajasthapana.
ROGA Atisara, Pravahika, Crimiroga, Raktapitta, Prameha, carmaroga, jwara.

Adverse effect

No adverse effect is known after the use of this herb.

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.

Research

Research articles related to Actinopteris radiata:
Anti- bacterial action: The whole plant was extracted successively with certain alcoholic and aqueous solvents (petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, methanol and water) by using soxhlet apparatus. Different concentrations of crude extracts such as 100, 200 and 300 µg/mL were prepared to find antibacterial activity.

Anthelmintic activity: The Ethanol extract was prepared from the whole plant of Actiniopteris radiata Linn. was evaluated for in vitro anthelmintic effect. In the present study, different concentrations of extract 50 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml were investigated for its anthelmintic activity. The result indicates that the 200 mg/ml extract possesses significant anthelmintic activity.

The in vitro anti-diabetic effect of Ethanol extract was prepared from the whole plant of Actiniopteris radiata Linn. was evaluated by using the chromogenic DNSA method. The Minimum inhibitory concentration was taken to assess anti-tubercular activity. The results showed that Chloroform extract has more significant Anti diabetic activity as compared to n-hexane, Ethanolic extracts. Pyrazinamide and Streptomycin are taken as standard drugs.

Bhavaprakasha- Guduchyadi varga
Kaiyyadeva Nighantu- Oushadhi varga
Madanapala Nighantu- Haritakyadi varga

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida/Pteridopsida
(disputed)
Order: Polypodiales
Family: Pteridaceae
Genus: Actiniopteris
Species: A. radiata

Author: Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D
E mail: drprashanthbk@gmail.com
Click to consult Dr Prashanth BK

Systemic action

Digestive System – Styptic and Anti helminthic . Indicated in Diarrhea, Dysentery and in Helminthiasis.
Circulatory System – indicated in bleeding disorders.
Excretory system – Anti diabetic
Skin – Indicated in skin disorders
Tapakrama – Antipyretic.

2 comments on “Mayur Shikha: Uses, Research, Remedies, Side Effects

  • Anojkar

    03/09/2018 - 4:32 pm

    I’m a bams student, the informations given in this blog easyayurveda has helped and also helping me in my studies and other observations. Thank you sir.

    Reply to comment
    • Dr J V Hebbar MD(Ayu)

      03/09/2018 - 6:38 pm

      Welcome! All the best with your studies 🙂

      Reply to comment

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