Achyranthes aspera, Kadaladi, Vankadaladi, Irumuli, Prickly chaff flower, കടലാടി, വന്‍കടലാടി, ഇരുമൂലി

Family: Amaranthaceae
Vernacular names: Kadaladi, Vankadaladi, Irumuli, കടലാടി, വന്‍കടലാടി, ഇരുമൂലി (Malayalam), Prickly chaff flower (English), Apamarga (Sanskrit), Apang (Hindi), Nayurivi, Naagarkaai (Tamil)
Distribution: Pantropical
Description: Sub-erect herbs. Leaves broadly elliptic to obovate, apex abruptly acuminate, tomentose, Spike to 20 cm long. Flowers deflexed, greenish white. Achenes 3 mm long, ovoid, brown.
Habit: Herb
Habitat: Deciduous forests and plantations, also in the plains
Flowering & Fruiting: October-March

Parts used: Whole plant
Properties & Uses: Diuretic and laxative. The dried plant is used as a laxative and is also used for treating gonorrhea and colic. The juice of the plant is used to treat ophthalmia and dysentery. The leaves are made into a paste with water and applied to relieve bite of poisons insects, bees and wasps. The decoction of the powdered leaves with honey is used in the early stages of diarrhea and dysentery.
Systems of Medicines: Ayurveda, Folk, Unani, Homeo,
Download QR Codes: PNG | SVG | EPS