Botanical Name : Barleria prionitis Linn.
Family : Acanthaceae
Introduction :
Latin name: 1) Whitish yellow – Barleria = named after Rev. J. Barreliet of Paris; prionitis = sawlike. 2) Whitish red – Barleria cristita (= crested.) 3) Blue – Barlena strigosa (= bristled).
Sahachara is considered as Strobilanthes ciliates, another plant B. cristata also considered as sahachara.
Names in different Indian languages :
English : Common Yellow Nail Dye Plant
Malayalam : Vennkurijiveru
Sanskrit : Saireyaka
Tamil : Chemmulli, katu Kanakambaram
Unani : Piyaabaansaa
Synonyms :
Sahachara, Baana, Kurantaka, Kuranta, Koranda, Korandaka, Shairiya, Pita-saireyaka
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants) :
B. cristata
Justica betonica Linn.
Ecbolium linneanun
Morphology :
This shrub grows 05 to 2 mtrs. high and bears multiple thorny branches.
Leaves – resemble the leaves of Adhatoda vasica measuirng 12 cm x 2 cm.
Flowers – yellowish, brown and blue Each ovary contains 2 flat oval seeds.
Distribution & Habitat :
Tropical hilly area. Maharashtra, Tamilnadu. Assam. Punjab. Sri lanka. The yellow variety is seen everywhere
Chemical constituents :
Iridoid glucosides, barlerin, acetylbarlerin, flavonoid glycoside, scutellarein-7-neohesperidoside, beta-sitosterol
Properties :
Guna: laghu, tikta.
Rasa: madhur. slightly amla;
Vipaka: katu.
Virya: ushna
Dosha: kaphavatashamak.
Karma :
astingent,bitter, aphrodisiac, decreses lipid cholestrol level, blood purifier, antipyretic, ,antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antifertility, hypoglycaemic
Indication :
Ulcers, wounds, fever, skin disease, cough, piles, leucorrhoea, mouth ulcers, Eczema
Part used :
Whole plant
Dosage :
Leaf juice 10-15 ml
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
External uses :
Reduces inflammation. Leaves are applied for healing of ulcers. urticaria. boils and lymphadenitis. A preparation of oil made from this plant is used in greying of hair and ulcers. Juice of leaves is applied for toothache.
Internal uses :
It increases vascular tone and is therefore useful in blood disorders, gout, syphilis, anasarca, rhinorrhoea and bronchitis with expectoration especially in children. Juice of the leaves of white sahachar mixed with Viola odorata is useful in spermatorrhoea. Root powder is used for brushing the teeth in tooth ache. Decoction of the leaves is used as antipyretic.
