Sahachara — Porcupine Flower

Ayurvedic herb Sahachara (Barleria prionitis) — Porcupine Flower. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Madhura, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
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Sahachara (Barleria prionitis) is a critical classical botanical targeting severe neurological and joint conditions, acting as the foundation for medicated oils treating lower limb weakness.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, MadhuraTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Madhura (Sweet) — nourishing, grounding, promotes tissue growth
GunaLaghu, SnigdhaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Snigdha (Oily/Unctuous) — moistening, nourishing
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaVedanasthapana, VataharaVedanasthapana — analgesic, pain relief; Vatahara

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Kurantaka, Jhinti, Saireyaka bheda

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Sahachara are: panchanga, moola.

Main Indications

Sahachara is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Vatavyadhi, Sandhishoola, Kustha, Khalitya.

Dosha Effects

Sahachara pacifies Vata, Kapha.

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

Usage

Sahachara 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, Tikta, Amla
Guna (Quality)Snigdha
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa 243
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Kaphahara, Ke¿ya, K¡sa, Raṃjana, Viṣahara
Dose50-100 g of the drug for decoction.
Therapeutic Uses: Kuṣuha, Kaḍtū, V¡tarakta, Palita
Important Formulations: Sahacar¡di Taila, Nilik¡dya Taila, Aṣuavarga Kv¡tha C
Botanical Name: Barleria prionitis Linn. (Acanthaceae)
Part Used: W.P.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

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

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
aerial partDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
aerial partLacerationsMESH:D022125,UMLS:C0043246ISBN:9788172360481
aerial partParalysisMESH:D010243,UMLS:C0522224ISBN:9788172360481
aerial partStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9788172360481
aerial partUrinary tract infectionsMESH:D014552,UMLS:C0042029, DOID:0080784, ICD-11:GC08ISBN:9788172360481
barkCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
barkEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
barkExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
barkLymphadenitisMESH:D008199,UMLS:C0024205, DOID:1602, ICD-11:BD90ISBN:9770972795006
barkAnti-poisoningMESH:D011041, ICD-11:NE6ZISBN:9770972795006
barkWhooping coughMESH:D014917,UMLS:C0043167, ICD-11:XE6LTISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
barkDiaphoreticUMLS:C1707737ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
flowerDysmenorrheaMESH:D004412,UMLS:C0013390, ICD-11:GA34.3ISBN:9770972795006
flowerInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9770972795006
leafAbdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9770972795006
leafAcne vulgarisMESH:D000152,UMLS:C0702166, DOID:6543, ICD-11:ED80.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
leafAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9770972795006
leafAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
leafChest painMESH:D002637,UMLS:C0008031, ICD-11:MD30.ZISBN:9770972795006
leafCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
leafContusionsMESH:D003288,UMLS:C0009938, ICD-11:ND56.0ISBN:9770972795006
leafCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
leafDiabetes mellitusMESH:D003920,UMLS:C0011849, DOID:9351, ICD-11:5A14ISBN:9770972795006
leafDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006
leafFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
leafFurunculosisMESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0ISBN:9770972795006
leafHeadacheMESH:D006261,UMLS:C0018681, ICD-11:8A81.ZGlimpses Of Medico-Botany Of Bastar District (M.P.)
leafHematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZISBN:9770972795006
leafHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9770972795006
leafInflammationMESH:D007249,UMLS:C0021368ISBN:9770972795006
leafLacerationsMESH:D022125,UMLS:C0043246ISBN:9770972795006
leafLymphadenitisMESH:D008199,UMLS:C0024205, DOID:1602, ICD-11:BD90ISBN:9770972795006
leafParalysisMESH:D010243,UMLS:C0522224ISBN:9770972795006
leafPruritusMESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9770972795006
leafStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9788171360536
leafTooth diseasesMESH:D014076,UMLS:C0040435, DOID:1091, ICD-11:DA07.ZISBN:9770972795006
leafToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
leafTuberculosisMESH:D014376,UMLS:C0041296, DOID:399, ICD-11:1B1ZISBN:9770972795006
leafUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006
leafUrinary tract infectionsMESH:D014552,UMLS:C0042029, DOID:0080784, ICD-11:GC08ISBN:9770972795006
leafWound healingMESH:D014945,UMLS:C0043240ISBN:9770972795006
leafWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9788172360481
rootAbscessMESH:D000038,UMLS:C0000833, SYMP:0000672, ICD-11:1B75.3ISBN:9770972795006
rootAnti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9770972795006
rootAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9770972795006
rootAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9788172361792
rootAntispermatogenic agentsMESH:D000988,UMLS:C0003433ISBN:9770972795006
rootCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006
rootEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
rootFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006
rootFurunculosisMESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0ISBN:9770972795006, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
rootJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9780387706375
rootLymphadenitisMESH:D008199,UMLS:C0024205, DOID:1602, ICD-11:BD90ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
rootSkin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006
rootToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
stemCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006
stemTooth diseasesMESH:D014076,UMLS:C0040435, DOID:1091, ICD-11:DA07.ZISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAnti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9788172361792
whole plantAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172362089
whole plantEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006
Anti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
Anti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9770972795006
AntipruriticsMESH:D000982,UMLS:C0003417, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9770972795006
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006
AsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006
BronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9770972795006
Common coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
CoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
DiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788172361792
EdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792, Medicinal Plants Of Nagpur And Wardha Forest Divisions (Maharashtra)
Disorder of ejaculationUMLS:C0235969ISBN:9788172361792
ExpectorantsMESH:D005100,UMLS:C0015314ISBN:9788172361792
FeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat)
FurunculosisMESH:D005667,UMLS:C0016867, ICD-11:1B75.0ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
GoutMESH:D006073,UMLS:C0018099, DOID:13189, ICD-11:FA25ISBN:9770972795006
Hair diseasesMESH:D006201,UMLS:C0018500, DOID:421, ICD-11:ED7YISBN:9770972795006
Hematologic diseasesMESH:D006402,UMLS:C0018939, DOID:74, ICD-11:3C0ZISBN:9770972795006
InfectionMESH:D007239,UMLS:C3714514, ICD-11:1H0ZISBN:9770972795006
LymphadenitisMESH:D008199,UMLS:C0024205, DOID:1602, ICD-11:BD90A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
Nervous system diseasesMESH:D009422,UMLS:C0027765, DOID:863, ICD-11:8E7ZISBN:9770972795006
OtitisMESH:D010031,UMLS:C0029877ISBN:9788172361792
ParalysisMESH:D010243,UMLS:C0522224ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361792
Periodontal diseasesMESH:D010510,UMLS:C0031090, DOID:3388, ICD-11:DA0CISBN:9788172361792
Anti-poisoningMESH:D011041, ICD-11:NE6ZISBN:9770972795006
PruritusMESH:D011537,UMLS:C0033774, ICD-11:EC90ISBN:9770972795006
General tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006
Skin diseasesMESH:D012871,UMLS:C0037274, DOID:37, ICD-11:EM0ZISBN:9770972795006
Skin diseases, infectiousMESH:D012874,UMLS:C0037278A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat)
ToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YA Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481, ISBN:9788172361792
TuberculosisMESH:D014376,UMLS:C0041296, DOID:399, ICD-11:1B1ZISBN:9770972795006
Urination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9788172361792
Uterine diseasesMESH:D014591,UMLS:C0042131, DOID:345, ICD-11:GA1YISBN:9770972795006
VitiligoMESH:D014820,UMLS:C0042900, DOID:12306, ICD-11:ED63.0ISBN:9770972795006
Whooping coughMESH:D014917,UMLS:C0043167, ICD-11:XE6LTISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172360481
DiaphoreticUMLS:C1707737ISBN:9788172361792