A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Latin Name: Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels. (Note: Some sources identify it as Cissampelos pareira L.)
Family: Menispermaceae (Guduchi Kula)
Classical Gana/Varga:
Charaka Samhita: Stanyajanana (galactagogue), Jvarahara (antipyretic), Sandhaniya (wound healing).
Sushruta Samhita: Aragvadhadi, Pippalyadi, Patoladi, Ambashthadi, Mustadi.
Sanskrit Synonyms: Ambashtha, Varatikta, Aviddhakarani, Piluphala, Deepani, Tiktapushpa, Brihattikta, Rasa, Atisaranashini, Malavi.
Regional Names:
Hindi: Padha, Padhi
Bengali: Akanadi
Marathi: Pahadvel
Gujarati: Venivel
Tamil: Appata
Telugu: Pata
Kannada: Padvali
Malayalam: Kattuvalli
Variety: Rajapatha (with bigger leaves) is identified as Cyclea peltata.
Morphology: A spreading creeper. Leaves are alternate, subcordate, 2.5-10 cm by 2.5-3.75 cm, with 5-7 nerves, and softly velvous on both surfaces. Flowers are yellowish-white and unisexual. Fruits are orange or red, pea-like drupes. Flowers during the rainy season.
Habitat: Found in tropical and subtropical regions of India and Sri Lanka.
Part Used: Root
Purification (Śodhana): Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Preservation: Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
3. Pharmacodynamics (Rasa, Guṇa, Vīrya, Vipāka)
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent)
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Teekshna (Penetrating)
Vīrya (Potency) Ushna (Heating)
Vipāka (Post-digestive) Katu (Pungent)
Dosha Karma: Kaphaghna (reduces Kapha) due to all its attributes. Vataghna (reduces Vata) due to its Ushna Virya. It is contraindicated in Raktaja conditions (bleeding disorders) due to its Teekshna Guna.
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
Annavaha & Purishavaha Srotas (Digestive System):
Mechanism: Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Grahi (absorbent), Krimighna (anthelmintic), Amapachana (digests toxins), Shulaghna (analgesic).
Clinical Use: Agnimandya (low digestive fire), Ajeerna (indigestion), Krimi (worms), abdominal pain, Atisara (diarrhea), Pravahika (dysentery), Arsha (hemorrhoids - Vata-Kaphaja type).
Pranavaha Srotas (Respiratory System):
Mechanism: Kaphaghna; causes liquefaction of Kapha and Vatanulomana (normalizes Vata movement) due to Ushna and Teekshna properties.
Clinical Use: Kasa (cough), Shvasa (asthma/dyspnea).
Rasa-Raktavaha Srotas (Plasma & Blood Systems):
Mechanism: Tikta and Katu Rasa pacify fever; digests and pacifies Raktagata Doshas.
Clinical Use: Jvara (fever, including persistent and blood-borne fevers), Hridroga (heart disease) by pacifying Prana and Vyana Vayu.
Stanyavaha Srotas (Lactation Channel):
Mechanism: Overcomes Kaphaja Stanyadushri (vitiated breast milk) and causes liquefaction of breast lumps (Stanagranthi).
Mutravaha Srotas (Urinary System):
Mechanism: Acts as a diuretic by increasing blood flow to the kidneys.
Clinical Use: Vataja Mutrakrichchhra (dysuria), Bastishotha (cystitis).
Shukravaha Srotas (Reproductive System):
Mechanism: Purifies semen (Shukra).
Primary Actions: Jvaraghna (antipyretic), Shulaghna (analgesic), Deepana (appetizer), Pachana (digestive), Krimighna (anthelmintic), Mutrala (diuretic).
Dosage (Mātrā):
Powder: 1 to 3 grams
Decoction: 40 to 80 ml
Anupāna (Vehicle): Honey, Jaggery, Buttermilk, Water (depending on the condition).
Important Formulations (Kalpa): Shatcharanayoga, Gangadhara Churna, Kutajashtaka Kwatha.
Amayika Prayoga (Practical Uses):
Patha Kwatha with Maricha powder in Shitajvara (fever with chills).
Paste of Ativisha and Patha with buttermilk in Atisara.
External application of paste (Lepa) for Vrana (ulcers).
Decoction of Patha and Gokshura in Sheetameha.
Contraindications (Nivārita): Contraindicated in Raktaja Arsha (bleeding hemorrhoids) and other Raktapitta (bleeding) conditions due to its Teekshna (penetrating) quality.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): Not explicitly mentioned in the source text.
7. Modern Scientific Correlates
Chemical Composition: The root contains alkaloids such as Pesoline, Berberine, as well as Saponine, Cyclonoline, and Tetrahydro-isoquinoline.