Bharangi
Bharangi clusters are generally found all over India. It is found especially in the forest areas and hills of the mountainous regions of India, up to a height of 1200-1500 m, in the Himalayas, Nilgiris, Western Ghats etc.
Mainly 4 species of bharangi are found, which are used for medicinal purposes.
1. Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum)
2. Bhandir (Clerodendrum infortunatum)
3. Lanjai (Clerodendrum inerme)
4. Bharangi (Clerodendrum indicum).
The root of Bharangi is especially beneficial in respiratory diseases. Its handle is like a Brahmin’s stick. That is why it is called Brahmanyashtika.
In English it is known as Green witch’s tongue and Serrate glory bower. Botanical Name of Bharangi is Clerodendrum serratum which belongs to Verbenaceae family.
Physical Appearance –
Bharangi is a 0.6-2.4 m high, sparsely branched, sparsely woody, perennial, bushy shrub. Its stalk is quadrangular without edge, the new part is generally hairless and branched when it is one year old, highly or sparsely hairy or hairless. Its leaves are simple, opposite, arranged in a spiral manner on the stalk, sharp, bright green in colour, lanceolate and 12.5-15 cm long and 5-6.3 cm wide. Its flowers are numerous, beautiful, ranging from lavender blue to purple blue and white. Its fruits are 6 mm long, 4-8 mm wide, round, black in color and purple in color when ripe. Its root is glandular. Its flowering and fruit period is from May to October.
Chemical Composition –
Phenolic glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, stigmastero antihistamine elements, glucose and D-mannitol are found in its core.
Saponin and mannitol are found in this plant. Its skin contains oleanolic acid, ceratogenic acid and saponin.
Usable Part –
Its root, root skin(mooltwak), seeds and leaves are used for medicinal purposes.
Dosage –
• Root Powder: 3-6 gm
• Root Decoction: 50-60 ml
• Leaves Powder: 1-3 gm
• Leaves Juice: 10-20 ml
• Leaves Decoction: 50-60ml or as directed by physician
Health Benefits –
• Headache: Make a paste of bharangi root by rubbing it with warm water and apply over forehead. This paste gives relief in headache.
• Allergic Rhinitis: In fever with cold a 10-20 ml decoction of bharangi root powder gives good results.
• Goiter: A paste application made up with bharangi root and rice water reduces growth of goiter.
• Asthma: Make a powder with equal quantity of bharangi root powder and saunth powder. Take it in a dose of 2 gm with warm water. It gives good response in Asthma and bronchitis.
• Hiccups: Bharangi root powder if taken with one tsp of Mishri thrice a day relieves in problemof Hiccup.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Bharangi root decoction in a dose of 10-20 ml a day gives relief in Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Worms: For deworming decoction of 3-5 leaves in 400-500 ml water could be given.
• Boils: Poultice of bharangi leaves could be tied over boils that helps to make them ripe and heal quickly.
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