Himsra — Caper Bush

Ayurvedic herb Himsra (Capparis sepiaria) — Caper Bush. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Katu, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read

Capparis sepiaria is a well-known hepatoprotective herb, commonly found in liver-support formulas.

ⓘ Information

Property	Value	Description
Rasa	Tikta, Katu	Tikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Katu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
Guna	Laghu, Ruksha	Laghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
Virya	Ushna	Ushna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
Vipaka	Katu	Katu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
Prabhava	Yakritottejaka, Deepana	Yakritottejaka; Deepana — kindles digestive fire without digesting ama

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Himsra, Kanthari, Vyaghranakha

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Himsra are: moola, patra.

Main Indications

Himsra is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Yakrit Roga, Pliharoga, Gulma, Arsha, Agnimandya.

Dosha Effects

Himsra pacifies Pitta, Kapha.

It may aggravate Vata when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Himsra 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)Kauu, Tikta

Guna (Quality)Laghu, Rūkṣa

Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa

Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu

Karma (Action)V¡tahara, Kaphahara, Dipana, Rucya

Dose1 - 3 g

Therapeutic Uses: V¡tavik¡ra, K¡sa, śv¡sa, Galagaḍta, Gulma, Ar¿a, āmav¡ta,

Important Formulations: Amrt¡di Taila, Kuuikh¡di Vauik¡, Hiṇsr¡dya Ghrta

Botanical Name: Capparis spinosa Linn. (Capparidaceae)

Part Used: Rt

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

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

Part Used	Therapeutic Use	Identifiers	References
bark	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:9770972795006
bark	Arthralgia	MESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82	ISBN:9770972795006
bark	Ascites	MESH:D001201,UMLS:C0003962, ICD-11:ME04	ISBN:9770972795006
bark	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
bark	Gout	MESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25	ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
fruit	Typhoid fever	MESH:D014435,UMLS:C0041466, DOID:13258, ICD-11:1A07	ISBN:9770972795006
leaf	Antinematodal agents	MESH:D000969,UMLS:C0003391, ICD-11:XM16G5	ISBN:9770972795006
leaf	Cough	MESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12	ISBN:9770972795006
leaf	Gonorrhea	MESH:D006069,UMLS:C0018081, DOID:7551, ICD-11:1A7Z	ISBN:9770972795006
leaf	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
root	Abdominal pain	MESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors	MESH:D000806,UMLS:C4541021	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Anti-inflammatory agents	MESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1	ISBN:9770972795006, Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
root	Antirheumatic agents	MESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Arthralgia	MESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Ascites	MESH:D001201,UMLS:C0003962, ICD-11:ME04	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Diuretics	MESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
root	Eczema	MESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
root	Eye diseases	MESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1Z	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Furunculosis	MESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Gout	MESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25	Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
root	Headache	MESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.Z	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Mumps	MESH:D009107,UMLS:C0026780, DOID:10264, ICD-11:1D80	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Myalgia	MESH:D063806,UMLS:C0231528, ICD-11:FB56.2	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Pain	MESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3Z	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Pruritus	MESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90	ISBN:9770972795006
root	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine Part - V
root	Scabies	MESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Stomatitis, aphthous	MESH:D013281,UMLS:C0038363, DOID:9663, ICD-11:DA01.10	ISBN:9770972795006
root	Tooth diseases	MESH:D014076,UMLS:C0040435, DOID:1091, ICD-11:DA07.Z	ISBN:9770972795006
seed	Snake bites	MESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379	ISBN:9770972795006, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
whole plant	Edema	MESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1	Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
wood	Skin ulcer	MESH:D012883,UMLS:C0037299	ISBN:9770972795006
	Anti-infective agents, local	MESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4	ISBN:9770972795006
	Antipyretics	MESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
	Eczema	MESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595	ISBN:9780387706375
	Fever	MESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26	ISBN:9770972795006
	Inflammation	MESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368	ISBN:9770972795006
	General tonic for rejuvenation	MESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III
	Scabies	MESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04	ISBN:9780387706375
	Skin diseases	MESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0Z	ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, Pharmacognosy Of Indigenous Drugs Volume III