Kalmegha
Botanical Name: Andrographis panicultata
Family: Acanthaceae
Introduction:
In south India Andrographis panicultata using as ‘kirata tikta’ and in North Swertia chirata is using.
Latin name Andrographis = denoting male, andro = male; paniculata = having an inhiorescence the axis of which is divided into branches bearing two or more flowers: panicula= tuft, a loose cluster of flowers
Names in different Indian languages:
English: Creat,green chiretta,kalmegh
Hindi : Kalmegh,kalpaath
Kannada : Nelaberu
Malayalam : Nilavepu,kiriyatta
Sanskrit : Bhunimbah,kiriyatta
Tamil : Nilavempu
Telugu : Nelavemu
Synonyms:
Kaalmegha, Bhuunimba, Bhuuminimbaka, Vishwambharaa, Yavtikta, Kalpanaatha, Kiraata-tikta
Morphology:
It is a small herb about 40 cm. to 60 cm. high. Stem quadrangular lower part is slimy while upper part is hairy.
Leaves – 5 to 7 cm. long.
Flowers – small, white or blue (rare) , look like mosquitoes from distance.
Fruits – bitter.
Seeds- numerous quadrangular.
Whole plant is very much bitter. The plant bears flowers and fruits from autumn to winter.
Properties:
Guna : laghu, ruksha, tikshna;
Rasa : tikta
Vipak : katu;
Veerya: ushna;
Karma : Jwaraghna, vranahara, kushtaghna
Hepatoprotective, cholinergic, antispasmodic, stomachic, anthelmintic, alterative, blood purifier, febrifuge:
Indications:
Sanipatha jwara, kandu, meham, sula, vrana, svasa, kasa, sopham, daham
Fever, jaundice , Liver disorder , flatulence , diarrhea , colic, splenomegaly
Part Used:
Whole plant
Dosage:
Leaf juice 10-15 ml
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
External uses:
Being an appetizer, liver stimulant, laxative and vermifuge, it is used in loss of appetite, liver and spleen enlargement, constipation, jaundice and worms. in fever with rigors, mixture of black pepper and kalamegh is useful. It is also effective in chronic fever and general debility.
Important research work going on:
(1) chronic liver diseases
(2) antipsychotic activity
(3) arthritis
(4)hypoglycaemic effect
(5) blood sugar level
Therapeutic uses:
(1) sotha— Kalka of Kirtatiktã and Sunthi are to be taken with Punarnav decoction (V.M.)
(2) Jvara— Hot infusion of Kiratatikta4sgjen with Dhanyaka leaves (S.B.M.)
(3) Rakta pitta— Kirata tikta is given along with Chandana
(C.S.Ci. 4).
