Kshavaka — Sneezewort

Ayurvedic herb Kshavaka (Centipeda minima) — Sneezewort. Pharmacological properties: Rasa 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.

Centipeda minima is a pungent herb used to induce sneezing and clear the nasal passages.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKatuKatu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
GunaTikshna, LaghuTikshna (Sharp) — penetrating, stimulating; Laghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaKasahara, ShoolaghnaKasahara — relieves cough; Shoolaghna — analgesic, relieves pain

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Chhikkani, Ghranaduhkha, Tikhshnakshava

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Kshavaka are: panchanga, bija.

Main Indications

Kshavaka is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Pratishyaya, Shiroroga, Kasa, Shwasa, Krimiroga.

Dosha Effects

Kshavaka pacifies Kapha, Vata.

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

Usage

Kshavaka 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).

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

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

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
leafArthralgiaMESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82ISBN:9770972795006
leafCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
leafEmeticsMESH:D004639,UMLS:C0013973ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
leafExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
leafFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
leafHeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9770972795006
leafLow back painMESH:D017116,UMLS:C0024031, ICD-11:ME84.2ISBN:9770972795006
leafNasal diseaseMESH:D009668,UMLS:C0028432, DOID:2825, ICD-11:CA0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
leafParalysisMESH:D010243,UMLS:C0522224ISBN:9770972795006
leafScabiesMESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04ISBN:9770972795006
leafToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9770972795006
leafVitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0ISBN:9770972795006
seedAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792
seedCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9788172361266
seedNasal diseaseMESH:D009668,UMLS:C0028432, DOID:2825, ICD-11:CA0ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
stemCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006
stemToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAnti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantAntitussive agentsMESH:D000996,UMLS:C0003449ISBN:9788172362089
whole plantAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788172362089
whole plantNasopharyngeal neoplasmsMESH:D009303,UMLS:C0027439ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantRhinitisMESH:D012220,UMLS:C0035455, DOID:4483, ICD-11:CA09.0ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantSinusitisMESH:D012852,UMLS:C0037199, DOID:0050127, ICD-11:CA0A.ZISBN:9770972795006
whole plantToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
AnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9770972795006
Antiprotozoal agentsMESH:D000981,UMLS:C0003416, ICD-11:XM4393ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
AntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9770972795006
ArthralgiaMESH:D018771,UMLS:C0003862, ICD-11:ME82ISBN:9788172361792
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361792
Central nervous system depressantsMESH:D002492,UMLS:C0007681, ICD-11:XM6QP4ISBN:9788172360481
Common coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
EndophthalmitisMESH:D009877,UMLS:C0014236, DOID:4692, ICD-11:9C21ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792
EpididymitisMESH:D004823,UMLS:C0014534, DOID:9402, ICD-11:GB02.YISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
EpilepsyMESH:D004827,UMLS:C0014544, DOID:1826, ICD-11:8A6ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172361792
HeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZISBN:9788172361792
HypersensitivityMESH:D006967,UMLS:C0020517, ICD-11:4B07ISBN:9788172362089
HypothermiaMESH:D007035,UMLS:C0020672, ICD-11:NF02ISBN:9770972795006
Low back painMESH:D017116,UMLS:C0024031, ICD-11:ME84.2ISBN:9788172361792
Migraine disordersMESH:D008881,UMLS:C0149931, DOID:6364, ICD-11:8A80.ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361792
ParalysisMESH:D010243,UMLS:C0522224ISBN:9788172361792
ParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9788172360481
RhinitisMESH:D012220,UMLS:C0035455, DOID:4483, ICD-11:CA09.0ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361792
ScabiesMESH:D012532,UMLS:C0036262, DOID:8295, ICD-11:1G04ISBN:9788172361792
SinusitisMESH:D012852,UMLS:C0037199, DOID:0050127, ICD-11:CA0A.ZISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361792
HydroceleMESH:D006848,UMLS:C1720771, DOID:9912, ICD-11:GB00.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172361792
ToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
VitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0ISBN:9788172361792