Sharpunkha
Sharpunkha is a famous Ayurvedic herb used in liver cirrhosis and splenomegaly. It’s botanical name is Tephrosia purpurea and belongs to Fabaceae family. It is called Purple Tephrosia in English. Sharpunkha also called Wild Indigo, Pleehashatru, Saraponkh. The herb is found in all parts of India.The purple tephrosia plants are found in dry lands and in hilly regions.
Tephrosia purpurea is a small shrub that grows up to 1.5 meters tall. It has bi-pinnate leaves with 7 to 15 leaflets, the terminal leaflet being solitary. The peas like flowers are white to purple and arranged in inflorescences that are up to 25 cm long.
Chemical constituents –
The leaves of sharpunkha are rich with tephrosin, deguelin, isotephrosin, rotenone and osyritin chemical constituents.
Properties –
• Antihelminthic
• Antipyretic
• Hepatoprotective
• Immunomodulator
• Diuretic
• Laxative
• Deobstruent
• Anti-hyperglycemic
Part used –
Root, Kshara (alkali powder preparation) of whole plant is used for medicinal purposes.
Dosage–
• Leaf juice:
The leaf juice is extracted by pounding leaves and then squeezing through clothes. Dosage:14-28 ml.
• Dry powder of the plant:
For making power of the plant, the plant parts are cleaned, cut and dried in the sun. The dried parts are then ground to get the powder. Dosage:3-5 grams.
• Decoction:
For making decoction, five to ten grams of dried powder of whole plant is taken and boiled in one glass of water. It is cooked till volume reduces to one-fourth. It is filtered and taken.
Benefits –
• Liver disorders
One of the biggest health benefits of Sharpunkha is its ability to treat diseases of the liver. It helps in the detoxification of the liver and also helps in the regeneration of new liver cells. It is also great for treating liver cirrhosis.
• Spleen diseases
Sharpunkha is an excellent herb to treat spleen diseases like splenomegaly. It helps in the production of blood cells and helps manage the symptoms like anemia, fatigue, bleeding, and pain associated with splenomegaly.
• Protects kidney
Sharpunkha is loaded with Kidney-protecting properties. It nourishes the kidney cells and helps strengthen the kidney system. It also helps in removing the toxins from the kidney and waste removal.
• Skin problems
Sharpunkha is quite beneficial in the treatment of skin problems. The leaves of this herb contain a chemical compound called rotenoid, which acts as an insecticide. So, it is effective for treating skin eruptions, eczema, scabies, leprosy, etc.
• Diabetes
This herb has anti-diabetic properties that help maintain healthy sugar levels in your body. Consuming this herb regularly also helps manage symptoms of diabetes like increased urination, fatigue, weight loss, excessive thirst, and slow healing of wounds.
• Female reproductive diseases
It is useful in female reproductive system diseases treatment such as uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, PCOS etc.
• Digestive disorders
It is helpful to provide relief in digestive disorders such as indigestion, heartburn, constipation etc.
• Pinworms
The decoction made out of Sarapunkha and papaya seeds is taken early in the morning, regularly for 7-10 days. It helps to cure the complaints of pinworm infestation in young children as well as adults.
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