Sanskrit name: Shweta Saireyaka
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/084
Botanical name: Barleria cristata L.
Family name: Acanthaceae
Vernacular names:
Hindi: Vajradanti, December Flower
Marathi: Vajradanti
Tamil: Kudiralvay
English: Philippine Violet, Crested Barleria
Synonyms:
सैरेयकः श्वेतपुष्पः सैरेयः कटसारिका । सहाचरः सहचरः स च भिन्द्यपि कथ्यते ॥५१॥ कुरण्टकोऽत्रपीते स्याद्रक्त कुरबकः स्मृतः ।
सायेरकं हिमं तिक्तं वातपित्तविनाशनम्।
श्वासकासहरं रक्तविकारनुत् कृमिघ्नकम्॥(Bhavaprakasha Nighantu pushpa varga)
Habitat & Distribution:
Commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of India. Often cultivated in gardens and also found wild in forests and open lands. Prefers warm, humid climates.
Morphology:
An erect, branched shrub growing up to 1 meter in height. Leaves are simple, opposite, ovate-lanceolate. Flowers are tubular, bilabiate; usually violet-blue or white in the Shveta Saireyaka variety. The plant blooms in winter (November–January). Fruits are capsules containing four seeds.
Varieties:
Shveta Saireyaka – white-flowered variety
Neela Saireyaka – violet/purple-flowered variety
Substitute/Adulterant:
Other Barleria species such as Barleria prionitis may be used as substitutes.
Phytochemicals:
Iridoid glycosides (barlerin, shanzhiside methyl ester)
Flavonoids, Phenolic acids
Sterols, Saponins
Raspanchaka:
Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
Virya: Shita
Vipaka: Katu
Prabhava: Shwasahara
Dosha Shamakta: Kapha-Pitta Shamak
Karma (Rogaghnata):
Shwasahara, Kasa hara, Raktapittahara, Krimighna, Jwarahara, Vranahara
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses:
External:
Leaf paste used in boils, wounds, and inflammatory swellings
Decoction for mouthwash in gingivitis and mouth ulcers
Internal:
Decoction or juice used in cough, asthma, bleeding disorders, and intestinal worms
Useful in skin diseases and fever
Part used: Leaves, Roots
Dose:
Leaf juice: 10–15 ml
Decoction: 50–100 ml
Yoga/Formulations:
Saireyaka Swarasa
Used in Vajradanti formulations (herbal dentifrices)
Vranahara Lepa combinations
IUCN Status: Not Evaluated (NE)
Research updates:
1. Patel et al. (2022). Anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects of Barleria cristata leaf extract. Journal of Herbal Medicine.
2. Mehra et al. (2021). Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Barleria cristata in skin disorders. Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources.
3. Banerjee et al. (2020). Antiasthmatic potential of Barleria cristata in experimental models. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine.
