Ishwari — Indian Birthwort

Ayurvedic herb Ishwari (Aristolochia indica) — Indian Birthwort. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Katu, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Kapha, Vata.

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

Aristolochia indica is a potent anti-venom and anti-inflammatory herb, used for snake bites and fevers.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, KatuTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Katu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
GunaLaghu, TikshnaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Tikshna (Sharp) — penetrating, stimulating
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaVishaghna, JwaraghnaVishaghna — anti-toxin, antidote; Jwaraghna — antipyretic, reduces fever

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Garudi, Nakuli, Gandhanakuli, Sarpakshi

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Ishwari are: moola, patra.

Main Indications

Ishwari is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Visha, Luta Visha, Jwara, Krimi, Vrana.

Dosha Effects

Ishwari pacifies Kapha, Vata.

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

Usage

Ishwari 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)Tikta, Kauu, Kaṣ¡ya
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Rūkṣa
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Kaphav¡ta¿¡maka, śothahara, Rakṣoghna, Grahab¡dhaghna
Dose1-2 g (For external use also)
Therapeutic Uses: Sarpaviṣa, Lūt¡ Viṣa, J¡lagardabha, Vr¿cikaviṣa, Jvara, Krmi, Vraḍa
Important Formulations: Mah¡ Viṣagarbha Taila, Gorocan¡di Guuik¡
Botanical Name: Aristolochia indica Linn (Aristolochiaceae)
Part Used: Rt.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

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

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
barkDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:81-204-0828-4
barkFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:81-204-0828-4
barkInflammatory bowel diseasesMESH:D015212,UMLS:C0021390, DOID:0050589, ICD-11:DD7ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
leafAbortifacient agentsMESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1ISBN:9770972795006
leafAcne vulgarisMESH:D000152,UMLS:C0702166, DOID:6543, ICD-11:ED80.ZISBN:9770972795006
leafAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006
leafAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006
leafCholeraMESH:D002771,UMLS:C0008354, DOID:1498, ICD-11:1A00ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717024
leafCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788172360481
leafDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172363130
leafEmeticsMESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973ISBN:9770972795006
leafFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717024
leafHeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9770972795006
leafInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717024
leafInflammatory bowel diseasesMESH:D015212,UMLS:C0021390, DOID:0050589, ICD-11:DD7ZISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9788172363130
leafMenstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9770972795006
leafParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9770972795006
leafGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006
leafSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
leafUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006
leafWound healingMESH:D014945,UMLS:C0043240Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
leafWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251Contribution To The Medico-Botany Of East Godavari And West Godavari Districts Of Andhra Pradesh
leafAntiperiodicISBN:9770972795006
rhizomeAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
rhizomeDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9770972795006
rhizomeEmeticsMESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973ISBN:9788172363130
rhizomeFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006
rhizomeGastrointestinal diseasesMESH:D005767,UMLS:C0017178, DOID:77, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
rhizomeInflammatory bowel diseasesMESH:D015212,UMLS:C0021390, DOID:0050589, ICD-11:DD7ZISBN:9770972795006
rhizomeMenstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9788172363130
rootAbdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9788173717024
rootAbortifacient agentsMESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006
rootAmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
rootAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
rootAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
rootAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
rootAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
rootAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9788173717024
rootAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717024
rootAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
rootAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717024
rootArthralgiaMESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
rootBites and stingsMESH:D001733,UMLS:C0005659ISBN:9788173717024
rootCardiotonic agentsMESH:D002316,UMLS:C0007209, ICD-11:XM91S1ISBN:9788173717024
rootCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9788173717024
rootColicMESH:D003085,UMLS:C0232488, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
rootCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
rootContraceptive agentsMESH:D003270,UMLS:C0009871ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
rootCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
rootDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788173717024
rootDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006
rootDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
rootDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
rootDystociaMESH:D004420,UMLS:C0013418ISBN:9788173717024
rootEmeticsMESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
rootErysipelasMESH:D004886,UMLS:C0014733, DOID:11330, ICD-11:1B70.0ISBN:9770972795006
rootFertility agents, femaleMESH:D005300,UMLS:C0015897ISBN:9770972795006
rootFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
rootFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
rootGastrointestinal diseasesMESH:D005767,UMLS:C0017178, DOID:77, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
rootHeart diseasesMESH:D006331,UMLS:C0018799, DOID:114, ICD-11:BC4ZISBN:9788173717024
rootHypohidrosisMESH:D007007,UMLS:C0020620, DOID:11155, ICD-11:EE01.ZISBN:9788173717024
rootInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717024
rootInflammatory bowel diseasesMESH:D015212,UMLS:C0021390, DOID:0050589, ICD-11:DD7ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172363130
rootIntestinal diseases, parasiticMESH:D007411,UMLS:C0021832, DOID:100, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9788173717024
rootLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
rootMenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9770972795006
rootMenstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, ISBN:9788173717024
rootPrenatal careMESH:D011295,UMLS:C0033052ISBN:9770972795006
rootPruritusMESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9788172360481
rootGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
rootScorpion stingsMESH:D065008,UMLS:C0238417, ICD-11:NE61ISBN:9770972795006
rootSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
rootSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
rootSpider bitesMESH:D001098,UMLS:C0242188, ICD-11:NE61ISBN:9770972795006
rootUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
rootUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9788173717024
rootVitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788173717024, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
rootAntiperiodicISBN:9788173717024
rootDepurativeISBN:9788173717024
seedAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
seedAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9788172360481
seedAntitubercular agentsMESH:D000995,UMLS:C0003448, ICD-11:XM6DX3ISBN:9788172360481
seedAntitussive agentsMESH:D000996,UMLS:C0003449ISBN:9770972795006
seedArthralgiaMESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82ISBN:9788173717024
seedArthritisMESH:D001168,UMLS:C0003864, DOID:848, ICD-11:FA2ZISBN:9770972795006
seedCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9788173717024
seedDyspneaMESH:D004417,UMLS:C0013404, ICD-11:MD11.5ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788173717024
seedInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9788173717024
seedInsect repellentsMESH:D007302,UMLS:C0021572ISBN:9788172360481
seedVomitingMESH:D014839,UMLS:C0042963, ICD-11:MD90.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717024
whole plantAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantAphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantInflammatory bowel diseasesMESH:D015212,UMLS:C0021390, DOID:0050589, ICD-11:DD7ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantLeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9789327275590
whole plantSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9789327275590
whole plantSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9789327275590
Abortifacient agentsMESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172360481
AnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:81-204-0828-4
Antifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
Anti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
Antirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
AphrodisiacsMESH:D001046,UMLS:C0003567ISBN:81-204-0828-4
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:81-204-0828-4
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
Gastrointestinal diseasesMESH:D005767,UMLS:C0017178, DOID:77, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9788172361266
Hematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
HemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9788172361266
Insect bites and stingsMESH:D007299,UMLS:C0021568, ICD-11:EK50.0ISBN:9770972795006
InsecticidesMESH:D007306,UMLS:C0021576, ICD-11:XM3K66ISBN:9770972795006
MenorrhagiaMESH:D008595,UMLS:C0025323, ICD-11:GA20.50ISBN:9770972795006
Menstruation-inducing agentsMESH:D008600,UMLS:C0025346ISBN:9780387706375
NephritisMESH:D009393,UMLS:C0027697, DOID:10952, ICD-11:GB40ISBN:9788172361266
OxytocicsMESH:D010120,UMLS:C0030094ISBN:9780387706375
PainMESH:D010146,UMLS:C0030193, ICD-11:MG3ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
ParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9770972795006
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:81-204-0828-4
Snake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:81-204-0828-4, ISBN:9770972795006
Wounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:81-204-0828-4