Ahiphena — Opium Poppy

Ayurvedic herb Ahiphena (Papaver somniferum) — Opium Poppy. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Katu, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Processed opium used in Ayurveda for severe pain and diarrhea management under supervision.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, KatuTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Katu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
GunaGuru, SnigdhaGuru (Heavy) — increases bulk, grounding; Snigdha (Oily/Unctuous) — moistening, nourishing
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaVedanasthapana, GrahiVedanasthapana — analgesic, pain relief; Grahi — absorbent, improves assimilation, stops diarrhea

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Ahiphena is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Aphena, Nidrakara, Khaskhasa

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Ahiphena are: niryasa, phala.

Main Indications

Ahiphena is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Atisara, Pravahika, Vedana, Anidra.

Dosha Effects

Ahiphena pacifies Vata.

It may aggravate Kapha, Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Ahiphena is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Madhura
Guna (Quality)Guru
Virya (Potency)śita
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Madhura
Karma (Action)V¡tahara, Rucya, Stambhana, Vedan¡sth¡pana, Vrṣya, Balya, Varḍya
Dose5-10 g
Therapeutic Uses: K¡sa, Atis¡ra
Important Formulations: Abhay¡di Guuik¡, Abhrak¡di Vaui, A¿vani Kum¡ra Rasa
Botanical Name: Papaver somniferum Linn. (Papaveraceae)
Part Used: Sd.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
flowerCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788173717055
flowerHypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9788173717055
fruitAlcoholic intoxicationMESH:D000435,UMLS:C0001969, ICD-11:6C40.3ISBN:9788183602525
fruitAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9788173717055
fruitAphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9788173717055
fruitCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788173717055
fruitDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788173717055
fruitEndophthalmitisMESH:D009877,UMLS:C0014236, DOID:4692, ICD-11:9C21ISBN:9788173717055
fruitHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788173717055
fruitHypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9788173717055
fruitHypohidrosisMESH:D007007,UMLS:C0020620, DOID:11155, ICD-11:EE01.ZISBN:9788173717055
fruitNarcoticsMESH:D009294,UMLS:C0027415ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717055
fruitNervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9788173717055
fruitOtitisMESH:D010031,UMLS:C0029877ISBN:9788173717055
fruitPainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788173717055
fruitParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9788173717055
fruitRectal painUMLS:C0034886, ICD-11:MD81.12ISBN:9788173717055
plant exudateAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9788172363130
plant exudateAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788171360536
plant exudateEffects on central nervous systemMESH:D002490,UMLS:C3714787, ICD-11:XA3JU6ISBN:9788172363130
plant exudateConjunctivitisMESH:D003231,UMLS:C0009763, DOID:6195, ICD-11:9A60ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363130
plant exudateCystitisMESH:D003556,UMLS:C0010692, DOID:1679, ICD-11:GC00ISBN:9788171360536
plant exudateDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9788171360536
plant exudateDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363130
plant exudateDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788171360536
plant exudateMalariaMESH:D008288,UMLS:C0024530, DOID:12365, ICD-11:1F4ZISBN:9788171360536
plant exudateMenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9788171360536
plant exudateMigraine disordersMESH:D008881,UMLS:C0149931, DOID:6364, ICD-11:8A80.ZISBN:9788171360536
plant exudatePainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788172363130
plant exudateSleep aids, pharmaceuticalMESH:D000068776,UMLS:C4042825ISBN:9788172363130
plant exudateSleep initiation and maintenance disordersMESH:D007319,UMLS:C0021603ISBN:9788171360536
seedAnesthesiaMESH:D000758,UMLS:C0278134Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
seedAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172362461
seedAphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9788173717055, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
seedAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9788172363130
seedBrain diseasesMESH:D001927,UMLS:C0006111, DOID:936Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
seedCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
seedConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
seedCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
seedDemulcentsMESH:D065106,UMLS:C0302232ISBN:9788172363130
seedDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9788172362461, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717055, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
seedDiet, food, and nutritionMESH:D000066888,UMLS:C4042949ISBN:9788172363130
seedDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717055, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
seedHypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
seedHypoglycemic agentsMESH:D007004,UMLS:C0020616ISBN:9788172362461
seedNarcoticsMESH:D009294,UMLS:C0027415ISBN:9788172363130
AnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9780387706375
AnesthesiaMESH:D000758,UMLS:C0278134ISBN:9788183602525
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9788172363130
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788183602525
DiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788183602525
DysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9780387706375
Hypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9780387706375
NarcoticsMESH:D009294,UMLS:C0027415ISBN:9780387706375
PainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:9788183602525
ParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9780387706375