Sarpaksi — Mongoose Plant

Ayurvedic herb Sarpaksi (Ophiorrhiza mungos) — Mongoose Plant. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta, Kapha.

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

Ophiorrhiza mungos is a traditional antidote for snake venom and is used to treat toxicity.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTiktaTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic
GunaLaghu, RukshaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Ruksha (Dry) — absorbs moisture, drying
ViryaSheetaSheeta (Cold) — cooling, decreases Pitta and inflammation
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaVishaghna, JwaraghnaVishaghna — anti-toxin, antidote; Jwaraghna — antipyretic, reduces fever

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Sarpadani, Gandhanakuli, Nagavalli bheda

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Sarpaksi are: panchanga, moola.

Main Indications

Sarpaksi is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Sarpa-visha, Kita-visha, Jwara, Krimiroga, Kushta.

Dosha Effects

Sarpaksi pacifies Pitta, Kapha.

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

Usage

Sarpaksi 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
barkAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006
leafAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
leafAntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9770972795006
leafAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9789327275590
leafSkin ulcerMESH:D012883,UMLS:C0037299ISBN:9770972795006
leafUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788172361792, ISBN:9789327275590
rootAntiemeticsMESH:D000932,UMLS:C0003297, ICD-11:XM4VY6ISBN:9770972795006
rootAntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9770972795006
rootAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9780387706375
rootBites and stingsMESH:D001733,UMLS:C0005659ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266
rootHypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9770972795006
rootInsect bites and stingsMESH:D007299,UMLS:C0021568, ICD-11:EK50.0ISBN:9770972795006
rootLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006
rootNeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9770972795006
rootRabiesMESH:D011818,UMLS:C0034494, DOID:11260, ICD-11:1C82ISBN:9770972795006
rootGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172361792
rootScorpion stingsMESH:D065008,UMLS:C0238417, ICD-11:NE61ISBN:9770972795006
rootSnake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006
stemAntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9770972795006
whole plantAppetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788172361792
AnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788173717055
Antirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
Appetite stimulantsMESH:D019167,UMLS:C0376447ISBN:9788173717055
Digestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9770972795006
EclampsiaMESH:D004461,UMLS:C0013537, DOID:13593, ICD-11:JA25ISBN:9788173717055
HelminthiasisMESH:D006373,UMLS:C0018889, ICD-11:1F90.ZISBN:9788173717055
Hypnotics and sedativesMESH:D006993,UMLS:C0020592, ICD-11:XM3GR8ISBN:9788173717055
InfectionMESH:D007239,UMLS:C3714514, ICD-11:1H0ZISBN:9788173717055
LaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9788173717055
LeprosyMESH:D007918,UMLS:C0023343, DOID:1024, ICD-11:1B20ISBN:9788173717055
NeoplasmsMESH:D009369,UMLS:C0027651, DOID:162, ICD-11:2E2ZISBN:9788173717055
Anti-poisoningMESH:D011041, ICD-11:NE6ZISBN:9788173717055
RabiesMESH:D011818,UMLS:C0034494, DOID:11260, ICD-11:1C82ISBN:9788173717055
Snake bitesMESH:D012909,UMLS:C0037379ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717055
Stomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9788173717055
UlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9788173717055
Wound healingMESH:D014945,UMLS:C0043240ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788173717055
Wounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9788173717055