Swarnakshiri
Swarnakshiri is an American herb, but it grows everywhere in India . By breaking any part of it, milk of yellow color, like gold, comes out from it, hence it is also called Swarnakshiri .It’s botanical name is Argemone mexicana which belongs to Papaveraceae family. The fruit of Satyanashi is square, prickly, cup-like, in which small black seeds like mustard seeds are filled, which, when poured on the burning coals, speak in turmoil. Its seeds are poisonous.
Some more common names of this plant are Satyanashi, Bhadbhad. In English it is called as Mexicon poppy.
It is a source for bio diesel, is used in Ayurveda to treat non healing wounds, constipation, Malaria, chronic fever etc. It is also used in Virechana(purgation) Panchakarma treatment.
Chemical Constituents –
The following substances are among the products isolated from the drug: α & β allocryptopines, codeine, paveramine, narcotine, papaverine etc. Important bitter principles derived are papaverosin, chelidoxanthin, glaucopicrin etc.
Flowers- Contain isorhamnetion etc.
Seed- contain essential oil which is known as agremone oil
Properties –
• Purgative
• Analgesic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antibacterial
• Antifungal
• Antihelminthic
Parts used –
Root, seed, latex and seed oil are the main parts of this plant which are used for medicinal purposes.
Dosage –
• Root powder 1 -3 g
• Latex 5—10 drops
• Fresh juice extract 5-10 ml
• Seed oil 10 – 30 drops
Benefits –
• Fresh obtained latex of Swarnakshiri is applied over fresh wounds for healing and subsiding of localised swelling.
• The paste of the leaf and stem of Argemone mexicana is applied over the skin affected with ring worm and eczema.
• The powder of the root is given in a dose of 3-4 g with hot water to cause mild purgation and to treat constipation and intestinal worm.
• Sesame oil processed with seed of Swarnakshiri is given in a dose of 3-4 ml to treat constipation, flatulence and colic abdomen.
• Sesame oil processed with seed of Swarnakshiri is applied externally over the joints effected with pain and swelling.
• Fresh juice of Argemone mexicana is given in a dose of 3-5 ml as blood purifier and to treat fever.
• In case of scorpion bite, the area affected is applied with paste of the root of the Swarnakshiri plant.
• It gives good results in kidney stones and dysuria problems.
Side Effects –
• The seeds are found some times adulterants with black mustard. Argemone oil in edible mustard oil is reported frequently responsible for out breaks and epidemic dropsy.
• Not suitable during pregnancy, lactation and in children.
• It can cause over-purgation and dehydration if used in excess quantities.
• It is not suitable for people with colitis, diarrhoea, dysentery and IBS with loose motion.
• Increased dose of latex of Swarnakshiri can cause increased intestinal movement resulting in diarrhoea and pain in abdomen
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