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Hemavati

Botanical Name: Paris polyphylla

Family:

Melanthiaceae

Identification No: SDACH/HG/200

Introduction: Paris polyphylla is a high-altitude herb traditionally used in Himalayan and northeastern folk medicine. Known as the “Herbal King” in some regions of China, it has significant importance in traditional medicine for treating inflammation, pain, wounds, snakebites, and tumors. It is an endangered plant due to overexploitation.

Scientific Classification:

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Order: Liliales
  • Family: Melanthiaceae
  • Genus: Paris
  • Species: P. polyphylla

Names in Different Indian Languages:

  • English: Love Apple, Chinese Paris
  • Hindi (Folk): Satuwa
  • Nepali: Satuwa
  • Sanskrit: Not classically recorded; often equated to local names in ethnomedicine

Varieties & Adulterants:

  • CV: Paris quadrifolia (European)

Morphology:

  • Type: Erect, rhizomatous herb
  • Height: 30–100 cm
  • Leaves: Whorled at top of stem, 4–8 in number, elliptic-lanceolate
  • Flowers: Solitary, greenish to dark purple
  • Fruits: Berry-like, turns reddish-black when ripe
  • Rootstock: Thick, jointed, yellowish rhizomes

Habitat & Distribution:

Found in Eastern Himalayas, Northeast India (Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh), Bhutan, Nepal, and China. Grows in moist forest floors and shady high-altitude slopes (1800–3300 m).

Chemical Composition:

  • Steroidal saponins (polyphyllins A–F)
  • Diosgenin
  • Flavonoids
  • Alkaloids
  • Tannins
  • Sterols

Properties:

  • Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
  • Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
  • Virya: Ushna
  • Vipaka: Katu
  • Karma: Vedanasthapana, Jantughna, Vrana-hara, Shothahara, Rakta-stambhaka

Indications:

  • Pain and inflammation
  • Wound healing
  • Snakebite, scorpion sting
  • Bleeding disorders
  • Fever
  • Abscess
  • Tumors (used in traditional systems, subject to ongoing research)

External Uses:

  • Paste of rhizome applied to wounds, abscesses, insect bites
  • Powder used as styptic on bleeding injuries
  • Rhizome decoction used as wash in skin infections

Internal Uses:

  • Decoction or powder for internal bleeding, fever, and respiratory infections
  • Traditional use in cancer and liver disorders (under research validation)
  • Used in small doses due to potent steroidal content

Srotogamitwa:

  • Dosha: Kapha-Vatahara
  • Dhatu: Rasa, Rakta
  • Mala: Controls excess bleeding and pus

Parts Used:

Rhizome

Dosage:

  • Powder: 250–500 mg (strictly under supervision)
  • Decoction: 20–30 ml (diluted and cautiously used)

Important Yogas or Formulations:

  • Not part of classical Ayurvedic formulations, but included in local tribal and Tibetan medical recipes for fever, bleeding, and poison bites.

Therapeutic Uses:

  1. Snakebite & Scorpion sting: Rhizome paste used topically or mixed with warm water
  2. Bleeding disorders: Powder used to arrest bleeding
  3. Fever: Decoction used traditionally as febrifuge
  4. Tumor & Ulcer: Folk medicine uses paste internally and externally

IUCN Status: Vulnerable

Research Updates :

  1. Antitumor Activity (2021): Polyphyllin D induces apoptosis in cancer cells via mitochondrial pathways.
  2. Wound Healing (2020): Rhizome extract accelerates wound contraction and granulation in animal models.
  3. Anti-inflammatory Effects (2022): Steroidal saponins suppress inflammatory markers in experimental rats.
  4. Antibacterial Properties (2023): Methanolic rhizome extract effective against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli.
  5. Hepatoprotective Potential (2024): Study showed protection against CCl₄-induced liver injury in mice.
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