Botanical Name : Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn.f.
Family : Verbenaceae
Introduction :
Agnimanta is a very important plant during Vedic period wherein its stem/sticks were used to produce fire. It is a plant considered essential for rituals also.Premna sp. Considered as big variety of ‘munja’, Clerodendrum phlomidis considered as smaller variety.
Names in different Indian languages :
Hindi : Lagu Arni,
Malayalam : Munjna,attu munjna
Sanskrit : Agnimantha (Kerala), tarkari
Tamil : Tazhuthaazhai.
Synonyms :
Agnimantha, Tarkaari, Vikraantaa, Jayanti, Jai, Jayaa, Ganikaarikaa, Vaijayanti, Shriparni, Naadeyi.
Clerodendrum multiflorum(Burm. f.) O. Kuntze.
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
Charaka : Sothahara, sitaprasamana, Anuväsanopaya
Susrutha : Viratarvãdi, Varunadi, Vatasamsamana
Vagbhata : Viratarvãdi, Varunadi,
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants) :
1. Clerodendrum phiomidis – CV
2. Premna sp. – Ad
Morphology :
A large. bushy shrub.
Leaves— ovate-sinuate or serrate, pubescent beneath.
Flowers— in 3-9 flowered axillary cymes, white coloured, fragrant. borne in a terminal, rounded panicle.
Fruit— black, slightly succulent, found in drier parts of Deccan peninsula, Bihar. Punjab and West Bengal.
Distribution & Habitat :
All over India
Chemical constituents :
scutellarein ,pectolinarin, d-mannitol, betasitosterol, glucosides, ceryl alcohol.
Properties :
Rasa Tikta, Katu,Kasaya, Madhura
Guna Rüksa, Laghu
Virya Usna
Vipãka Katu
Karma – Kapha-vata hara, sothahara, Dipana, pachana, kustahara, balya,dyspepsia, stomachache, colic, cholera, dysentery, postnatal fever, Anti inflammatory, expectorant, digestive, carminative, useful in skin diseases, febrifuge, Carminative, galactagogue
Srotogamitva :
Dosha : Kaphakshayakarak, vatakshayakarak.
Dhatu : Rakta. medo (anaemia).
Mala : Digestive system.
Organs : Lung.
Indication :
Pãndu, meha, sitapitta, Udara, Kustha, Sthoulya
Rheumatism, fever, diabetes, colic, anorexia, asthma, neuralgia, haemorrhoids
Part used :
Bark, root, leaves
Dosage :
Leaf juice 10-15 ml
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
Internal uses :
Nervous system : Used in neuralgia , analgesic
Digestive system : Laxative , digestive
Circulatory system : Useful in bleeding disorder, vasodilator , blood purifier
Respiratory system : Alleviates kapha
Urinary system : It has effects on kapha, meda and urinary tract Therefore useful in urinary disorders. The decoction used in pyuria
Skin : Cures skin disorders. Pulp of its root is given orally in the treatment of urticaria. which has potential to check the pathogenesis of urticaria. The juice of leaves in a dose of 15 ml thrice a day is also useful in urticaria.
Satmikaran : Being a bitter tonic, the juice of leaves and decoction of bark are used in post pyrexial debility and is also useful in anaemia to enhance tissue vitality.
Important Yogas or Formations:
Agnimantha kashaya, Dashamoolaristha
Therapeutic Uses :
(1) meha— Agnimantha or simsipa decoction is useful(S.S.Ci. 11).
(2) Sthoulya— Silajatu is to be given with Agnimantha svarasa(C.S.Su. 21).
