Varshabhu — Desert Horse Purslane

Ayurvedic herb Varshabhu (Trianthema portulacastrum) — Desert Horse Purslane. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Tikta, Kashaya, Virya Sheeta, Vipaka Katu. Balances Pitta, Kapha.

This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Trianthema portulacastrum, a variety of Punarnava, is a potent diuretic and anti-inflammatory.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaTikta, KashayaTikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Kashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing
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
PrabhavaMutrala, ShothaharaMutrala — diuretic, increases urine flow; Shothahara — anti-inflammatory, reduces swelling

Sanskrit Synonyms

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

Shveta Punarnava, Dirghapatra, Shalatini, Punarnava bheda

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Varshabhu are: panchanga, moola.

Main Indications

Varshabhu is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Shotha, Udararoga, Kamala, Pliharoga, Mutrakrichha.

Dosha Effects

Varshabhu pacifies Pitta, Kapha.

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

Usage

Varshabhu 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
leafDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
leafEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9788172361266
leafKidney diseasesMESH:D007674,UMLS:C0022658, DOID:557, ICD-11:GC2ZISBN:9788172361266
leafLiver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:9788172361266
rootAbortifacient agentsMESH:D000019,UMLS:C0000782, ICD-11:JA00.1ISBN:9788172361266, ISBN:9788172363130
rootAmenorrheaMESH:D000568,UMLS:C0002453, DOID:13938, ICD-11:GA20.0ISBN:9788172361266
rootAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9780387706375
rootAnemiaMESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9ZISBN:9780387706375
rootAnti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9780387706375
rootCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9780387706375, ISBN:9788172361266
rootConstipationMESH:D003248,UMLS:C0009806, DOID:2089, ICD-11:ME05.0ISBN:9788172363130
rootEczemaMESH:D004485,UMLS:C0013595ISBN:9788172363093
rootEdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1ISBN:9788172363130
rootJaundiceMESH:D007565,UMLS:C0022346, ICD-11:ME10.1ISBN:9788172363130
rootLiver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:9780387706375
rootParasympatholyticsMESH:D010276,UMLS:C0030511, ICD-11:XM3A77ISBN:9780387706375
rootSplenic diseasesMESH:D013158,UMLS:C0037997, DOID:2529, ICD-11:3B8ZISBN:9780387706375
rootUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9788172363130
rootWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9788172363093
rootDeobstruentISBN:9780387706375
whole plantAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9788172363130
whole plantAntidotesMESH:D000931,UMLS:C0003295, ICD-11:XM1S43ISBN:9788172363130
whole plantAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9788172363130
Anti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9788172363093
AntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9788172363093
AscitesMESH:D001201,UMLS:C0003962, ICD-11:ME04ISBN:9788172363130
Central nervous system depressantsMESH:D002492,UMLS:C0007681, ICD-11:XM6QP4ISBN:9788172363093
EdemaMESH:D004487,UMLS:C0013604, ICD-11:MG29.1A Report On Medicinal Plants Of Kachchh (Gujarat), ISBN:9788172363130