Hemidesmus, Sariva

Indian Sarsaparilla
Sariva, Anantamula (Ayurveda)
Sugandhi (Hindi)
Ushba (Unani)
Nannari (Siddha)

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Hemidesmus indicus
Witsen, N., Jager, H. de, Plantae Javanicae pictae, ex Java transmissae’ (1700)

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Hemidesmus indicus
Burman, J., Thesaurus Zeylanicus, (1737)

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Hemidesmus indicus
(Photo by Rison Thumboor) (Wikimedia)

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Members CLICK HERE for the PRO VERSION

Botanical name:

Hemidesmus indicus (syn. Periploca indicus)
Traditional Ayurvedic texts described 2 varieties of Sariva:

1. Black Variety: Cryptolepis buchananii
2. White Variety: Hemidesmus indicus

They are similar in effect, and were often used together. Today, Hemidesmus is most used.

Parts used:

Root

Temperature & Taste:

Neutral, Sweet

Classification:

B. Clear Heat
3K. EXPECTORANT

Uses:

1. Clears Heat and Poison:

-Skin diseases, Eczema, Erysipelas, Leukoderma, Acne Rosacea
-Scrofula, Lymphatic Swellings and Nodes, Elephantiasis
-Syphilis, Gonorrhea
-Chronic Fever, Burning Sensations

2. Clears Phlegm-Heat, Stops Cough: 

-Cough, Bronchitis, Wheezing, Asthma
-Loss of Voice, Hoarseness

3. Benefits Qi and Yin:

-weakness, pale complexion
-Consumption, Wasting diseases, Loss of weight
-Sperm-promoting; used for Impotence and male Infertility

4. Clears Heat and Damp:

-Diarrhea, Dysentery
-Urinary Tract Infections; Dysuria; cloudy, painful urine; Prostatitis
-abdominal swelling
-Leukorrhea
-aching limbs, Rheumatism, Arthritis with red and swollen joints
-Venereal Diseases from Damp-Heat, Heat-Toxin

5. Externally:

-applied as a paste over inflammations
-as a paste or ointment for any of the above-mentioned skin diseases

Dose:

Powder: 3–5 grams

Substitutes:

… available in PRO version

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Main Combinations:

1. Fever, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
2. Burning Sensation anywhere on the body, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
3. Skin diseases:
i. Acne, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
ii. Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
4. Diarrhea, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
5. Urinary Tract Infections, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
6. Syphilis, Elephantiasis, Chronic Skin diseases, Hemiplegia, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
7. Arthralgia and Skin disorders, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
8. Arthritis with Heat, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
9. Calm the mind and settle the emotions, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
10. Bleeding, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version
11. Male infertility, Hemidesmus with … available in PRO version

Cautions:

None noted

Main Preparations used:


GENERAL / REVIEW
–Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): Recent progress in research on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology.

DISCLAIMER

This Website is intended for the study of Traditional Medicine. Some of the information is Intended for Historical reference only and may be illegal or dangerous if used by unskilled hands. MedicineTraditions cannot be held responsible for the use or misuse of the information contained herein, nor can it be held responsible for injury, sickness or death due to use or misuse of the information contained herein.

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