Ativisa (Aconitum beterophyllum)
Ativisa is mentioned in ancient scriptures of Ayurveda and has been used since centuries. Aconite is one of the oldest known drugs identified by Susruta. Poisonous aconite is called as Vatsa nabha – Aconitum ferox, which is one of the thirteen poisonous bulbs. In Ayurvedic pharmacy, aconite is used after mitigation by boiling the roots in cow’s urine. It is believed that by this process not only detoxification is achieved, but the visa (poison) present in the roots changes to nectar Ativisa has numerous synonyms delineating its peculiarities viz. Mahausadhi – a divine drug, sisu bhaisjya – medicament for paediatric diseases, bhangura – fragile , kasmira – gruws in Kashmir etc. Maharsi Caraka has categorized the plant as lekhaniya – a reducing herb and arsoghna – anti – haemorrhoidal.. Susruta has cited it as stanya sodhana – lactodepurant. The other few properties like atisaraghna – antidiarrhoeal, amapacaka – digests ama or toxins and visaghna – anti – toxin, of ativisa have been mentioned in various tests of Ayurveda.
Ativisa is a native of the Western Himalayas, and is found in Gurhwal, Kumaon and Kashmir, in the temperate zone of about 2500-3900 metres. It is a handsome plant, erect, sometimes branched and grows in moist places near the borders of forests. The stem erect, smooth and somewhat angled below, cylindrical and pubescent above. The leaves numerous, variable , the lower ones on long petioles, reniform and the upper ones very shortly stalked, amplexicaul, all quite glabrous, thick, bright green , paler beneath. The flowers are blue or violet coloured, in slender raceme. The fruit of 5 follicles, pericarp papery, slightly veined, minutely downy. The seeds are large, irregularly angled, bright brown, smooth or somewhat wrinkled. The roots are tuberous, biennial, paired and are very friable (hence called, bhangura) and taste very bitter. The roots vary in colour white, yellow, red and black out of which, the white variant is the best.
The botanical name of ativisa is Aconitum heterophyllum and it belongs to family Ranunculaceae. The roots contain nontoxic amorphous alkaloids and are one of the best bitter tonics for children. From the root, the alkaloid atisine which is non – toxic, aconitic acid, tannic acid, pectous substance, abdundant starch, fat, a mixture of palmitic, stearic glycerides, vegetable mucilage, cane – sugar and ash 2% is obtained. A new alkaloid, atesinol is ilolated from the roots also hetisine, heteratisine, heterphyllin, heterophyllisine, hetidine – a new atidine and hetisinone are isolated from the roots.
Properties
Ativisa is bitter and pungent in taste, pungent in the post digestive effect and has hot potency . It alleviates all the three dosas, especially kapha dosa the most . It possesses light and dry attributes. It is an appetizer, digestant and astringent in properties and is used in diseases like diarrhea, vomiting, worm infestations, cough and diseases due to ama. (Bhavaprakasa Nighantu)
Uses
The roots of ativisa have great medicinal value and are used for medicinal purpose. The root is exhibited as white, yellow, red or black varieties (Madana Vinoda) and except yellow, the rest three varieties are mentioned in Raja Nighantu. In day to day practice, only the white variety is available and is said to be the best, which is Aconitum heterophyllum. The plant is seldom used externally.
Internally, ativisa is highly recommended for dieases in children. It is a keen stimulant to digestive system as an appetizer, digestant, astringent and digests the ama also. It works well in digestive disorders like anorexia, dyspepsia, piles, diarrhea, worms, vomiting and diarrhea associated with fever. Diarrhoea is well controlled with the mixture of ativisa, kutaja (Holorrhena antidysenterica) – bark skin and its seeds (indrayava), given with honey. The combination of ativisa, sunthi (Zingiber officinale) and guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is the best panacea for colitis. In worm infestation, the powders of ativisa and vidanga (Embelia ribes) , is an effective remedy . Ativisa powder with honey, alleviates the cough and asthma. The fever is ameliorated when ativisa is given along with kasisa bhashma (Green vitriol). In children, ativisa by itself or in combination with pippali (Piper longum ) and karkatasrngi (Rhus succedanea) is a valuable medicament for cough, vomiting, fever due to kapha and ama.
Ativisa helps to revitalize the sexual desire. It awards the best results, to reduce the excessive accumulations of fats in obesity, due to its lekhana property. It renders lactodepurant activity and purifies the breast milk, in lactating mothers, especially in kapha – pitta vitiation. It mitigates (sodhana) the breast milk and eases the problem. Ativisa is also beneficial in rat poisoning and dracunculiasis. Though ativisa is not poisonous in higher doses (more than 5-6 gms) it produces symptoms like dryness of throat and tremors.
Classical Ayurvedic Preparations
Ativisadi curna
Balasanjivani curna
Balacaturbhadra
Srngyadi curna etc.
Morphology
Roots biennial, paired, tuberous; whitish or grey. Stem erect, simple or branched, from 15-20 cm high. glabrous below, finely crispo-pubescent in the upper part.
Leaves heteromorphous, glabrous: lowest on long petioles (13cm); blade orbicular- cordate or ovate-cordate in outline with a usually narrow sinus (1-1.5 cm deep); usually 5- lobed to the middle, amplexicaul.
Inflorescence slender raceme or a lax, leafy panicle, crispo-pubescent; Sepals bluish or violet (rarely whitish); navicular obliquely erect, shortly or obscurely beaked, 18-20 mm high, 8-9 mm wide. Carpels 5, elliptic-oblong. Follicles contagious, linear-oblong, straight, 16-18 mm long.
Seeds pyramidal, 3-4 mm long, blackish brown.
Distribution— commonly found in sub-alpine and alpine zones Himalayas from Indus to Kumaon at 2000-5000 m (6000-16000 ft.).
(ii) A. palmatum
Roots, biennial, paired, tuberous; conical or cylindrical 4-10 cm long, 0.75-3 cm thick.Stem erect. Leaves scattered, upto 10, the lowest usually withered at the time of flowering, glabrous, or the upper most finely pubescent on the nerves below; petiole slender 4-10 cm long; blade orbicular-cordate to reniform , 3-lobed. Inflorescence a very loose, leafy panicle or raceme, 10-20 cm long. Sepals bluish or variegated white and blue, uppermost helmet-shaped. Carpels 5, sub contagious in the flower. Follicles sub contagious or some what diverging in the upper part, oblong, obliquely truncate, 2.5-3 cm long and 5-6 mm broad. Seeds blackish, ovoid, about 3 mm long, round in Cross section.
Chemical Constituents
(i) A. heterophyllum
Atidine , hetisine, heteratisine ,Diterpene alkaloids , heterophylline, heterophylline ,heterophyllidine heterophyllisine, hetidine, atidine & ,Atisenol, a new entatisene diterpenoid lactone from roots. F-dishydrçatisine, hetidine, hetisinone, heteratisine, hetisine, benzylleteratisine, beta —sitosterol, carotene and 3— isoatisine from rhizomes
(ii) A. palmatum
non-toxic alkaloid has been isolated from A. palmatum
Distribution & Habitat
Maharashtra & Himalayas
Properties
Rasa - Katu, Tikta
Guna -Laghu, Ruksha
Virya -Ushna
Vipaka -Katu
Karma - Dipana, Päcana, Grãhi, Tridosahara, otha hara, Viaghna, Krmihara, Aroghna, Jvara hara, Kasa hara
Prabhãva- Visa hara
External uses
The crushed eaves, mixed with saindhav are applied focally. The seeds crushed in honey are applied locally on throat, in tonsillitis. Nasal insufflations of roots is beneficial in headache (especially migraine).
Internal uses
Respiratory system : The juice of roots along with milk is an expectorant Root powder is given orally in cervical lymphadenitis.
Digestive system : Seed and root are used in ascites. Seeds are laxative.
Urinary system : The seeds are diuretic, the root decoction reduces burning of urinary tract. It increases volume of urine,
Reproductive system : Root is used in sperrnatorrhoea. The decoction of roots is also used in burning of vagina.
Circulatory system : The juice of leaves along with juice of zingier reduce perspiration.
Toxic effects—
Over dosage (More than 5-6g) produces symptoms like dryness of mouth, tremors etc.
Pretreatment of A. palmatum root in cow’s milk and urine reduced the cardio-toxicity (Singh L.B. et al., 1985).
Srotogamitva:
Dosha : Tridoshaghna.
Dhatu : Majja (brain tonic), rakta. shukra. meda:
Mala : Mutra (diuretic). purisha (laxative). sweda.
Part Used—
The tuberous root is medicinally used both alone and in combination. Yogaratnakara mentioned that Haritaki may be used as the substitute for Ativisã.
Dosage—
Root powder l-3g per day (divided doses)
Indications—
Atisãra, Jwara, Kãsa, Bãla röga. Visa röga, Ama dosa, Chardi, Krimi roga, Agnimãndya, Rakta pitta, Yakrd roga, Trsnã, Pinasa, Ara, Pittodara etc.
Important research work going on
1. contractions of frog rectus abdominis induced by acetylcholine.
Clinical Studies
2. diarrhoeal disorders
3. hypolipidemic effect
Therapcutic Uses—
(1) Bala röga— Ativisã alone or along with Karkaangi
and Pippali in case of cough and fever (A.H.Ut.2/57 & V.M.66/10)’.
(2) Atisära— Ativisã + Bhanga + Vacã as powder
(3) Jvaratisara— sunthi, Kutaja, Mustã, guduçi & Ativisã are
given orally in the form of decoction .
(4) Grahani— The decoction made of Ativiã, sunthi & Mustã is administered orally to destroy the Ama (C.S.Ci.15/98)3.
(5) Mutra krçchra— Ativisã, Amla dravyas, Sunthi, Goksura, Kantakari are made as Peyã (gruel) and given along with Phãnita (jaggery syrup)- (C.S.Su. 2/22).
(6) Visa roga— A ghee prepared with Ativisã and cow’s milk is used orally or as nasal drops in case of acute poisoning. The ghee may also be processed with Sveta and Madayantikã (S.S.Ka.1/64)
(7) Musika Visa— Ativisã root is made into paste by grinding with honey and administered orally (S.S.Ka. 7/39)’.
(8) Vrana— syonãka , Prativisã, Kantakãri müla are made into paste and applied over the wounds (A.H. Ut. 35/47)2.
(9) Kuksi roga /Udara rogas- 1 part Ativisa + 3 parts Añkola, administered orally with rice water (Tandulodaka)
Ativisa is mentioned in ancient scriptures of Ayurveda and has been used since centuries. Aconite is one of the oldest known drugs identified by Susruta. Poisonous aconite is called as Vatsa nabha – Aconitum ferox, which is one of the thirteen poisonous bulbs. In Ayurvedic pharmacy, aconite is used after mitigation by boiling the roots in cow’s urine. It is believed that by this process not only detoxification is achieved, but the visa (poison) present in the roots changes to nectar Ativisa has numerous synonyms delineating its peculiarities viz. Mahausadhi – a divine drug, sisu bhaisjya – medicament for paediatric diseases, bhangura – fragile , kasmira – gruws in Kashmir etc. Maharsi Caraka has categorized the plant as lekhaniya – a reducing herb and arsoghna – anti – haemorrhoidal.. Susruta has cited it as stanya sodhana – lactodepurant. The other few properties like atisaraghna – antidiarrhoeal, amapacaka – digests ama or toxins and visaghna – anti – toxin, of ativisa have been mentioned in various tests of Ayurveda.
Ativisa is a native of the Western Himalayas, and is found in Gurhwal, Kumaon and Kashmir, in the temperate zone of about 2500-3900 metres. It is a handsome plant, erect, sometimes branched and grows in moist places near the borders of forests. The stem erect, smooth and somewhat angled below, cylindrical and pubescent above. The leaves numerous, variable , the lower ones on long petioles, reniform and the upper ones very shortly stalked, amplexicaul, all quite glabrous, thick, bright green , paler beneath. The flowers are blue or violet coloured, in slender raceme. The fruit of 5 follicles, pericarp papery, slightly veined, minutely downy. The seeds are large, irregularly angled, bright brown, smooth or somewhat wrinkled. The roots are tuberous, biennial, paired and are very friable (hence called, bhangura) and taste very bitter. The roots vary in colour white, yellow, red and black out of which, the white variant is the best.
The botanical name of ativisa is Aconitum heterophyllum and it belongs to family Ranunculaceae. The roots contain nontoxic amorphous alkaloids and are one of the best bitter tonics for children. From the root, the alkaloid atisine which is non – toxic, aconitic acid, tannic acid, pectous substance, abdundant starch, fat, a mixture of palmitic, stearic glycerides, vegetable mucilage, cane – sugar and ash 2% is obtained. A new alkaloid, atesinol is ilolated from the roots also hetisine, heteratisine, heterphyllin, heterophyllisine, hetidine – a new atidine and hetisinone are isolated from the roots.
Properties
Ativisa is bitter and pungent in taste, pungent in the post digestive effect and has hot potency . It alleviates all the three dosas, especially kapha dosa the most . It possesses light and dry attributes. It is an appetizer, digestant and astringent in properties and is used in diseases like diarrhea, vomiting, worm infestations, cough and diseases due to ama. (Bhavaprakasa Nighantu)
Uses
The roots of ativisa have great medicinal value and are used for medicinal purpose. The root is exhibited as white, yellow, red or black varieties (Madana Vinoda) and except yellow, the rest three varieties are mentioned in Raja Nighantu. In day to day practice, only the white variety is available and is said to be the best, which is Aconitum heterophyllum. The plant is seldom used externally.
Internally, ativisa is highly recommended for dieases in children. It is a keen stimulant to digestive system as an appetizer, digestant, astringent and digests the ama also. It works well in digestive disorders like anorexia, dyspepsia, piles, diarrhea, worms, vomiting and diarrhea associated with fever. Diarrhoea is well controlled with the mixture of ativisa, kutaja (Holorrhena antidysenterica) – bark skin and its seeds (indrayava), given with honey. The combination of ativisa, sunthi (Zingiber officinale) and guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is the best panacea for colitis. In worm infestation, the powders of ativisa and vidanga (Embelia ribes) , is an effective remedy . Ativisa powder with honey, alleviates the cough and asthma. The fever is ameliorated when ativisa is given along with kasisa bhashma (Green vitriol). In children, ativisa by itself or in combination with pippali (Piper longum ) and karkatasrngi (Rhus succedanea) is a valuable medicament for cough, vomiting, fever due to kapha and ama.
Ativisa helps to revitalize the sexual desire. It awards the best results, to reduce the excessive accumulations of fats in obesity, due to its lekhana property. It renders lactodepurant activity and purifies the breast milk, in lactating mothers, especially in kapha – pitta vitiation. It mitigates (sodhana) the breast milk and eases the problem. Ativisa is also beneficial in rat poisoning and dracunculiasis. Though ativisa is not poisonous in higher doses (more than 5-6 gms) it produces symptoms like dryness of throat and tremors.
Classical Ayurvedic Preparations
Ativisadi curna
Balasanjivani curna
Balacaturbhadra
Srngyadi curna etc.
Morphology
(i) A. heterophyllum
Roots biennial, paired, tuberous; whitish or grey. Stem erect, simple or branched, from 15-20 cm high. glabrous below, finely crispo-pubescent in the upper part.
Leaves heteromorphous, glabrous: lowest on long petioles (13cm); blade orbicular- cordate or ovate-cordate in outline with a usually narrow sinus (1-1.5 cm deep); usually 5- lobed to the middle, amplexicaul.
Inflorescence slender raceme or a lax, leafy panicle, crispo-pubescent; Sepals bluish or violet (rarely whitish); navicular obliquely erect, shortly or obscurely beaked, 18-20 mm high, 8-9 mm wide. Carpels 5, elliptic-oblong. Follicles contagious, linear-oblong, straight, 16-18 mm long.
Seeds pyramidal, 3-4 mm long, blackish brown.
Distribution— commonly found in sub-alpine and alpine zones Himalayas from Indus to Kumaon at 2000-5000 m (6000-16000 ft.).
(ii) A. palmatum
Roots, biennial, paired, tuberous; conical or cylindrical 4-10 cm long, 0.75-3 cm thick.Stem erect. Leaves scattered, upto 10, the lowest usually withered at the time of flowering, glabrous, or the upper most finely pubescent on the nerves below; petiole slender 4-10 cm long; blade orbicular-cordate to reniform , 3-lobed. Inflorescence a very loose, leafy panicle or raceme, 10-20 cm long. Sepals bluish or variegated white and blue, uppermost helmet-shaped. Carpels 5, sub contagious in the flower. Follicles sub contagious or some what diverging in the upper part, oblong, obliquely truncate, 2.5-3 cm long and 5-6 mm broad. Seeds blackish, ovoid, about 3 mm long, round in Cross section.
Chemical Constituents
(i) A. heterophyllum
Atidine , hetisine, heteratisine ,Diterpene alkaloids , heterophylline, heterophylline ,heterophyllidine heterophyllisine, hetidine, atidine & ,Atisenol, a new entatisene diterpenoid lactone from roots. F-dishydrçatisine, hetidine, hetisinone, heteratisine, hetisine, benzylleteratisine, beta —sitosterol, carotene and 3— isoatisine from rhizomes
(ii) A. palmatum
non-toxic alkaloid has been isolated from A. palmatum
Distribution & Habitat
Maharashtra & Himalayas
Properties
Rasa - Katu, Tikta
Guna -Laghu, Ruksha
Virya -Ushna
Vipaka -Katu
Karma - Dipana, Päcana, Grãhi, Tridosahara, otha hara, Viaghna, Krmihara, Aroghna, Jvara hara, Kasa hara
Prabhãva- Visa hara
External uses
The crushed eaves, mixed with saindhav are applied focally. The seeds crushed in honey are applied locally on throat, in tonsillitis. Nasal insufflations of roots is beneficial in headache (especially migraine).
Internal uses
Respiratory system : The juice of roots along with milk is an expectorant Root powder is given orally in cervical lymphadenitis.
Digestive system : Seed and root are used in ascites. Seeds are laxative.
Urinary system : The seeds are diuretic, the root decoction reduces burning of urinary tract. It increases volume of urine,
Reproductive system : Root is used in sperrnatorrhoea. The decoction of roots is also used in burning of vagina.
Circulatory system : The juice of leaves along with juice of zingier reduce perspiration.
Toxic effects—
Over dosage (More than 5-6g) produces symptoms like dryness of mouth, tremors etc.
Pretreatment of A. palmatum root in cow’s milk and urine reduced the cardio-toxicity (Singh L.B. et al., 1985).
Srotogamitva:
Dosha : Tridoshaghna.
Dhatu : Majja (brain tonic), rakta. shukra. meda:
Mala : Mutra (diuretic). purisha (laxative). sweda.
Part Used—
The tuberous root is medicinally used both alone and in combination. Yogaratnakara mentioned that Haritaki may be used as the substitute for Ativisã.
Dosage—
Root powder l-3g per day (divided doses)
Indications—
Atisãra, Jwara, Kãsa, Bãla röga. Visa röga, Ama dosa, Chardi, Krimi roga, Agnimãndya, Rakta pitta, Yakrd roga, Trsnã, Pinasa, Ara, Pittodara etc.
Important research work going on
1. contractions of frog rectus abdominis induced by acetylcholine.
Clinical Studies
2. diarrhoeal disorders
3. hypolipidemic effect
Therapcutic Uses—
(1) Bala röga— Ativisã alone or along with Karkaangi
and Pippali in case of cough and fever (A.H.Ut.2/57 & V.M.66/10)’.
(2) Atisära— Ativisã + Bhanga + Vacã as powder
(3) Jvaratisara— sunthi, Kutaja, Mustã, guduçi & Ativisã are
given orally in the form of decoction .
(4) Grahani— The decoction made of Ativiã, sunthi & Mustã is administered orally to destroy the Ama (C.S.Ci.15/98)3.
(5) Mutra krçchra— Ativisã, Amla dravyas, Sunthi, Goksura, Kantakari are made as Peyã (gruel) and given along with Phãnita (jaggery syrup)- (C.S.Su. 2/22).
(6) Visa roga— A ghee prepared with Ativisã and cow’s milk is used orally or as nasal drops in case of acute poisoning. The ghee may also be processed with Sveta and Madayantikã (S.S.Ka.1/64)
(7) Musika Visa— Ativisã root is made into paste by grinding with honey and administered orally (S.S.Ka. 7/39)’.
(8) Vrana— syonãka , Prativisã, Kantakãri müla are made into paste and applied over the wounds (A.H. Ut. 35/47)2.
(9) Kuksi roga /Udara rogas- 1 part Ativisa + 3 parts Añkola, administered orally with rice water (Tandulodaka)
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