Common Name: Salaparni

General Information

Pseudarthria viscida is an ascending, much branched perennial plant with stems that become more or less woody and persist; it can grow from 60 - 120cm tall often clothed with hooked hairs[, ].
The plant is very commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, being harvested from the wild and traded. It has potential for use as a green manure.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern India, Sri Lanka

Habitat

Growing in dry regions in grassy fields, roadsides and thickets; at elevations up to 1,200 metres[]. Moist low country in Sri Lanka, where it is a common weed[464[.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species has not yet been evaluated for the IUCN Red List, but its excessive collection from the wild has resulted in a gradual disappearance of the plant from its natural habitat, and at present its number is highly reduced in the wild[].
The flat viscid seedpods attach themselves to clothing or animals, and are thus transferred to other places[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Pseudarthria viscida is widely used and valued in Ayurvedic medicine, where its roots are considered to be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments[, ]. It is one among the 'Dasamoola' (10 roots) of Ayurveda, mentioned in most of the ancient scriptures, and is a major component in many Ayurvedic preparations[].
The root is considered to be anthelmintic, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, aphrodisiac, astringent, bitter, cardiotonic, digestive, diuretic, emollient , febrifuge, hypotensive, rejuvenating and tonic[, ]. It is used in the treatment of a wide range of conditions such as bronchial asthma, cough, bronchitis, and tuberculosis; biliousness, dyspepsis, vomitting, food poisoning and diarrhoea; nervous dysfunction, heart conditions, diabetes mellitus, general debility, fevers, worms, haemorrhoids and rheumatism[, , , ]. It is also used in the treatment of insect bites and is used against inflammations[].
Since it effectively arrests bleeding and alleviates oedema, it is considered a valuable panacea for heart diseases and blood disorders[].
The root juice is given as a nasal drop in case of headache and hemicranias[].

The herb is seldom used externally[].

The root of the plant has been reported to contain leucopelargonidin, flavonoids and proteins[]

Agroforestry Uses:

A potential green manure[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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