By Dr Renita D'Souza
Capparis zeylanica is considered as 'Rasayanaherbs in the Ayurveda system of medicine. Rasaayana herbs are best used to treat immune disorders. Research studies have also proven the powerful immunostimulating effect of Capparis zeylanica. (Read more).
Rasaayana medicines provide significant relief in the condition of oxidative stress by providing superior Rasa and other tissues that help in reducing oxidative stress. A research article has described the antioxidant potential of Rasaayana herbs. (or)
read – Rasayanam medicines mentioned in Chakradatta
presentation
Botanical name – Zeylan caper
Family – Capparaceae
synonymously – Capparis formosa, Capparis ovalifolia, Capparis rufescens
Vernacular names
English name – Indian caper, Ceylon caper
Sanskrit name – Vyaaghranakhi
Hindi Name – Ardand, Jhiris, Govindphal
Gujarati Name – Kakhbilado, Karrallura, Govindakal
Punjabi – Karvila, Garna, Karwilun
Bengali name – Kalokera
Malayalam name – Elippayar, Gitoran, Karthotti
Kannada name – Mullukattari
Konkani name – Vaghamti
Marathi name – Kaduvaghanti, Govindi, Vaghanti, Wag
Tamil Name – Atandy, Ekkathari, Morandan, Suduthorati, Suduthoratti, Adondai
Telugu name – Arudonda
Assamese name – Gobindaphal
Arabic name – Indian caper alkibar alhindiu
Spanish – Alcaparra india
Japanese name – Indokeipā
Chinese name – Chui Guo Teng
French name – Indian caper
German name – Indian caper
Burma – caper Aindiy
Nepal – Ban the monkey
Sinhalese – Indian
Greco-Indian captain indikó kapetánio
read – Career – Capparis decidua Uses, Dosage, Research, Side Effects
Medicinal qualities
Keys (race) – Katu (Pungent), Tiktha (Bitter)
Virya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
Vipaka (Aftertaste) – Katu (Pungent)
Guna (Quality) – Laghu (easy to digest), Ruksha (dry)
Action (Karma) –
Shothahara – Relieves inflammation
(Reference – Dravyaguna Vijnaana By Dr.JLN Sastry)
Indications
Shota – Inflammation
Agnimaandya – Low appetite
Granthi – Cyst
Hrdroga – Heart diseases
Botanical description
Capparis zeylanica is a climbing shrub. Young parts clothed with tomentum villous. The leaves are elliptic-oblong, obtuse, acute or recurved, with a long, strong mucro, narrowed at the base, reticulately veined, glabrous and shiny above; petioles 6 mm. long, stipules entire spines. Flowers supra-axillary, solitary or 2-3, one above the other in a vertical line, the upper one longer. Sepals 9 mm. long, densely pubescent outside, very concave. Petals twice as long as sepals, densely villous. Genitalia 3.2 cm. tall. Ovary ellipsoid, apiculate. Fruit subglobose, 3.2 cm. diam., on a very thick stem, obtusely 4-angled, red-brown. Many seeds. (Reference – Dravyaguna Vijnaana by Dr Gyanendra Pandey)
read – Saireyaka – Barleria prionitis: Uses, Research, Remedies, Side Effects
distributed
It is found all over India.
Legal remedies
- Vataja Shotha – Vyaaghranakhi (Ahimsra) and Raasna externally applied (VM).
- In dysentery, juice of Vyaagranakhi leaves with black pepper powder is consumed.
- In cough and cold, the juice of the leaves is consumed along with a cup of fresh gout milk.
- In diabetes, the ripe fruits are consumed twice for 2 weeks and during ingestion, the stem bark extract is administered three times a day.
- It is used as an appetizer, prepared by dipping the paste of the plant with pepper, tamarind and garlic.
- In colic, the paste prepared from the stem bark, 10 black pepper seeds and 2 garlic bulbs is mixed with 500 ml of water and consumed twice a day for two days.
- In convulsive convulsions, a handful of fresh roots of Vyaghranakhi, 50 grams of onions, 50 grams of mushrooms are all ground together to make a bolus and given twice a day for 3 days.
read – Onion uses, medicines, research, side effects
Pharmacological activities
Capparis zeylanica has antioxidant, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immunostimulating activity.
Effect on Doshas
Kapha Vaatahara – Vyaghranakhi balances aggravated kapha and vaata dosha
Used part
Root, leaf
Dosage
Kashaaya (decoction) – 50 – 100 ml
read – Immunity in Ayurveda: Concept, Diet, Herbs, Medications, Exercises
Sanskrit verses
Sanskrit Synonyms of Vyaghranakhi
Ahimsra, Alpa Himsra (Ref – Book Dravyaguna Vijnana by Dr JLN Sastry)
Govindi, Granthila, Kantakalata, Karambha, Katukandari, Kinkani, Krishangi, Tapasapriya, Vartala, Vyaghraghanti, Vyagrapada, Vyagranakhi (Ref – Dravyaguna Vijnana by Prof. DS Lucas)
read – Jatamansi – Benefits, Uses, Side Effects
polemic
Capparis horrida has been identified as Vyaghranakhi by several others.
According to Dalhana,
Himsra – Sepia Caper
Ahimsra – Gridhranakhi – Zeylan caper
All of these have very similar qualities.
According to the book “Dravyaguna Vijnana” by Dr JLN Sastry,
Vaghranakhi is referred to as Gdranakhi by Sushrutha in Suthrasthana, 38th chapter and Vagbhata in Uttarasthana 35/46. However, the author further writes that,
Z.jujuba Lam.var fruitticosa haines can be considered as Gdranakhi.
PV Sharma considered Capparis sepiaria as Gdranakhi
But Capparis sepiaria is considered as Himsra and Capparis zeylanica as Vyaghranakhi
read – Himsra – Capparis sepiaria Uses, Side Effect, Research
Chemical components
The plant Capparis zeylanica contains fatty acids, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, E-octadec-7-en-5-ynoic acid, saponin glycosides, terpenoids, saponin, p-hydroxybenzoic, syringic, vanillic, ferulic and p-cumanic acid.
research
Antidiarrheal activity – The research study on the antidiarrheal activity of Capparis zeylanica leaf extracts has shown that the methanolic extract of Capparis zeylanica leaf significantly reduces diarrhea in rats by reducing stool weight.
Classical categorization
Shodala Nighantu – Lakshmanaadi verse
Sushrutha Samhitha – Sutrasthaana Mishrakaadhyaaya 38/3
read – Snail (Nakha) – Benefits, Qualities, Types, Indications
Formulations
Bala Taila – Best Ayurveda Oil for Vata Diseases
Sarvamayanthaka Ghritam- It is used as part of Panchakarma and also as a medicine in various health conditions.
Scientific classification
Kingdom – Plants
Phylum – Tracheophyta
Class – Magnoliopsida
Order – Capparales
Family – Capparaceae
Genus – Caper
Type – Capparis zeylanica L.
