By Dr Renita D’SouzaCapparis zeylanica is considered as ‘Rasaayana’ herb in Ayurveda system of medicine. Rasaayana plants are best used for the treatment of immune disorders. Research studies have also proved the potent immunostimulant effect of Capparis zeylanica. (Read more). Rasaayana drugs provide significant relief in condition of oxidative stress by imparting superior Rasa and other tissues which help to reduce oxidative stress. A research article has described the antioxidant potential of Rasaayana plants. (A)Read – Rasayanam Medicines Mentioned In Chakradatta
Introduction
Botanical Name – Capparis zeylanicaFamily – CapparaceaeSynonyms – Capparis formosa, Capparis ovalifolia, Capparis rufescens
Vernacular Names
English Name – Indian caper, Ceylon CaperSanskrit Name – VyaaghranakhiHindi Name – Ardand, Jhiris, GovindphalGujarati Name – Kakhbilado, Karrallura, GovindakalPunjabi – Karvila, Garna, KarwilunBengali Name – KalokeraMalayalam Name – Elippayar, Gitoran, KarthottiKannada Name – MullukattariKonkani Name – VaghamtiMarathi Name – Kaduvaghanti, Govindi, Vaghanti, WagTamil Name – Atandy, Ekkathari, Morandan, Suduthorati, Suduthoratti, AdondaiTelugu Name – ArudondaAssamese Name – GobindaphalArabic Name – الكبر الهندي alkibar alhindiuSpanish – Alcaparra indiaJapanese Name – インドケイパー IndokeipāChinese Name – Chui Guo TengFrench Name – câpres indiennesGerman Name – Indische KapriolenBurma – Aindiy caperNepal – Ban keraSinhalese – Indiyānu kaparGreek – ινδικό καπετάνιο indikó kapetánioRead – Kareera – Capparis decidua Uses, Dose, Research, Side Effects
Medicinal Qualities
Taste (Rasa) – Katu (Pungent), Tiktha (Bitter)Virya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)Vipaka (Taste after digestion) – Katu (Pungent)Guna (Quality) – Laghu (light to digest), Ruksha (dry)Action (Karma) –Shothahara – Relieves inflammation(Reference – Dravyaguna Vijnaana By Dr.J.L.N. Sastry)
Indications
Shotha – InflammationAgnimaandya – Low appetiteGranthi – CystHrdroga – Cardiac diseases
Botanical Description
Capparis zeylanica is a climbing shrub. Young parts clothed with rufous tomentum. Leaves are elliptic-oblong, obtuse, acute or retuse, with a long, stout mucro, narrowed at the base, reticulately veined, glabrous and shining above; petioles 6 mm. long, stipules spines hooked. Flowers supra-axillary, solitary or 2-3, one above the other in a vertical line, the upper the longest. Sepals 9 mm. long, densely rufous-pubescent outside, very concave. Petals twice as long as the sepals, densely villous. Gynophore 3.2 cm. long. Ovary ellipsoid, apiculate. Fruit subglobose, 3.2 cm. diam., on a greatly thickened stalk, obtusely 4angled, red-brown. Seeds many.(Reference – Dravyaguna Vijnaana by Dr Gyanendra Pandey)Read – Saireyaka – Barleria prionitis: Uses, Research, Remedies, Side Effects
Distribution
It is found throughout in India.
Remedies
Vataja Shotha – Vyaaghranakhi (Ahimsra) and Raasna is applied externally (V.M).
In dysentery, Vyaagranakhi leaves juice with black pepper powder is consumed.
In cough and cold, Leaves juice is consumed along with cup of fresh gout milk.
In diabetes, ripe fruits are consumed twice for 2 weeks and during ingestion, stem bark extract is administered thrice daily
It is used as appetizer, prepared by dipping the plant paste with pepper, tamarind and garlic.
In colic, paste prepared from stem bark,10 seeds of black pepper and 2 bulbs of garlic is mixed with 500ml water and consumed twice daily for two days.
In convulsive seizures, handful fresh roots of Vyaghranakhi, 50 grams of onions, 50 grams jaggery is ground all together to make a bolus and given twice daily for 3 daysRead – Onion Uses, Remedies, Research, Side Effects
Pharmacological Activities
Capparis zeylanica possess antioxidant, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immunostimulant activity.
Effect on Doshas
Kapha Vaatahara – Vyaghranakhi alances aggravatedkapha and vaata dosha
Part Used
Root, Leaf
Dosage
Kashaaya (Decoction) – 50 – 100 mlRead – Immunity In Ayurveda: Concept, Diet, Herbs, Medicines, Exercise
Sanskrit Verses
Sanskrit Synonyms of Vyaghranakhi
Ahimsra, Alpa Himsra (Ref – Dravyaguna Vijnana’ book by Dr J.L.N. Sastry)Govindi, Granthila, Kantakalata, Karambha, Katukandari, Kinkani, Krishangi, Tapasapriya, Vartala, Vyaghraghanti, Vyagrapada, Vyagranakhi (Ref – Dravyaguna Vijnana by Prof. D. S. Lucas)Read – Jatamansi – Benefits, Usage, Side Effects
Controversy
Capparis horrida is identified as Vyaghranakhi by some others.As per Dalhana,Himsra – Capparis sepiariaAhimsra – Gridhranakhi – Capparis zeylanicaAll these have very similar qualities.
According to ‘Dravyaguna Vijnana’ book by Dr J.L.N. Sastry,Vaghranakhi is termed as Grdranakhi by Sushrutha in Suthrasthana, 38th chapter and Vagbhata in Uttarasthana 35/46. However, the author further writes that,Z.jujuba Lam.var fruitticosa haines may be considered as Grdranakhi.P.V Sharma considered Capparis sepiaria as GrdranakhiBut Capparis sepiaria is considered as Himsra and Capparis zeylanica as VyaghranakhiRead – Himsra – Capparis sepiaria Uses, Side Effect, Research
Chemical Constituents
Capparis zeylanica plant contains fatty acids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, E-octadec-7-en-5-ynoic acid, saponins glycosides, terpenoids, saponin, p-hydroxybenzoic, syringic, vanillic, ferulic and p-coumanic acid.
Research
Antidiarrheal activity – Research study on Antidiarrheal activity of Capparis zeylanica leaf extracts have showed that methanolic extract of Capparis zeylanica leaf significantly reduced diarrhoea in mice with reduction in weight of stools.
Classical Categorization
Shodala Nighantu – Lakshmanaadi vargaSushrutha Samhitha – Sutrasthaana Mishrakaadhyaaya 38/3Read – Snail (Nakha) – Benefits, Qualities, Types, Indications
Formulations
Bala Taila – Best Ayurveda oil for Vata diseasesSarvamayanthaka Ghritam- It is used as part of Panchakarma and also as medicine in various health conditions.
Scientific Classification
Kingdom – PlantaePhylum – TracheophytaClass – MagnoliopsidaOrder – CapparalesFamily – CapparaceaeGenus – CapparisSpecies – Capparis zeylanica L.Click to Consult Dr Renita D’Souza
