A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Ativisha.
Latin Name: Aconitum heterophyllum Wall.
Family: Ranunculaceae
Classical Gana/Varga:
Charaka: Arshoghna, Lekhaneeya
Sushruta: Pippalyādi, Vachādi, Mustādi
Sanskrit Synonyms:
Shuklakanda:
Bhangura:
Kashmira:
Shishubhaishajya:
Visha:
Amrita:
Balarogavinashini
Regional Names:
Hindi: Atis
Marathi, Gujarati: Ativish
Bengali: Ataich
Punjabi: Aatis
Tamil: Atibidyam
Telugu: Atibasa
Persian: Bajjturkti
Morphology: A perennial herb, 1-1.5 meters tall, with a hairy, branched upper part. Leaves are ovate, cordate, 5-10 cm long. Flowers are bluish or greenish-blue. Root (tuber) is biennial and paired; the daughter tuber is cylindrical (2.5 cm long, 0.5-1.2 cm thick), with a thin, whitish-grey bark. The mother tuber is wrinkled and grey externally, white internally with 4-5 characteristic black spots indicating genuineness.
Habitat: North and West Himalayas (e.g., Kumaun hills) at altitudes of 2,000-6,000 meters.
Part Used: Root (Tuber)
Purification (Śodhana): To mitigate potential side effects (dryness of throat, tremors), the raw root is purified by boiling in cow's urine (Gomutra) for 3 hours.
Preservation: The purified, dried root is stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to protect it from moisture and pests.
| Attribute (Guṇa) | Property |
| : | :-- |
| Rasa (Taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent) |
| Guṇa (Quality) | Laghu (Light), Rooksha (Dry) |
| Vīrya (Potency) | Ushna (Heating) |
| Vipāka (Post-digestive) | Katu (Pungent) |
Dosha Karma: Primarily Kaphahara (reduces Kapha) and Pittahara (reduces Pitta due to its bitter taste). It is also Vatahara (reduces Vata) due to its hot potency.
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
Annavaha & Purishavaha Srotas (Digestive System): Due to its Tikta, Katu, and Ushna properties, it is a Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Grahi (absorbent, anti-diarrheal), and Krimighna (anthelmintic). It is an excellent Amapachana (digests toxins). Clinical Correlation: Diarrhoea (Atisara), piles (Arsha), worms, loss of appetite.
Pranavaha & Rasavaha Srotas (Respiratory & Circulatory Systems): As a potent Kaphanashaka (destroys Kapha) and Stanyashodhana (purifies breast milk), it treats conditions arising from Amapakvashaya Dushti (vitiation of stomach and intestines). Clinical Correlation: Cough (Kasa), asthma (Shvasa), fever (Jvara) in children, vitiated breast milk.
Medovaha Srotas (Adipose Tissue): It absorbs vitiated fat (Dushta Meda), indicating use in managing adiposity.
Primary Actions: Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Grahi (absorbent), Chhardighna (antiemetic), Arshoghna (anti-hemorrhoidal), Krimighna (anthelmintic), Jvaraghna (antipyretic), Shothahara (anti-inflammatory).
Dosage (Mātrā): Purified Powder - 1 to 3 grams per day, in divided doses.
Anupāna (Vehicle): Honey, warm water, or rice water (Manda), depending on the condition.
Important Formulations (Kalpa):
Ativishadi Churna
Balachaturbhadra Churna
Shrimpyadi Churna
Contraindications (Nivārita): Use with caution in conditions of extreme dryness (Rookshata), dehydration, or high Pitta conditions. Not recommended during pregnancy without expert supervision.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Arises from impure herb or overdose (>5-6 gm/day). Symptoms include dryness of the throat and tremors.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): The primary preventive measure is proper purification (Śodhana). If side effects occur, administration should be stopped immediately. Demulcent substances like milk or ghee can be used to counteract dryness.
Chemical Composition: The rhizome contains alkaloids such as Atisine, Hetisine, Heteratisine, and Isoatisine, along with B-sitosterol, B-carotene, and starch.