A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
Aparajita (Butterfly Pea)
1. Botanical Reference & Nomenclature
Latin Name: Clitoria ternatea Linn.
Family: Fabaceae (Papilionaceae; Aparajitadivarga)
Classical Gana/Varga: Unmentioned in the provided text.
Sanskrit Synonyms: Girikarnika, Gokarnika, Supushpi, Ashvakhura, Shvetapushpi, Dadhipushpika, Shvetanama, Vishnukranta.
Regional Names:
Hindi: Heel Koyala, Aparajita
Marathi: Gokarna, Gokarni
Telugu: Dintena, Nallavusinitige
Tamil: Kakkanam Kakkatan
Malayalam: Aral, Kakkanamakoti
English: Blue Pea
Morphology: A perennial climber. The name "Gokarna" (cow's ear) derives from the shape of its flower. It bears very tender and beautiful purple-blue flowers, though white-flowered and other colored varieties exist. Leaves are ovate with tapering ends. Fruits are flat pods, 5-7 cm long, containing 6-10 seeds.
Habitat: Found all over India.
Part Used: Root, Seed, Leaf.
Purification (Śodhana): Not mentioned in the provided text.
Preservation: Not mentioned in the provided text.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent), Kashaya (Astringent)
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Teekshna (Penetrating)
Vīrya (Potency) Sheeta (Cooling)
Vipāka (Post-digestive) Katu (Pungent)
Prabhava (Special Effect) Tridoshaghna (Balances all three Doshas)
Dosha Karma: Tridoshaghna (pacifies all three Doshas). Its Tikta Rasa and Sheeta Veerya primarily pacify Pitta. Its Katu Rasa and Teekshna Guna help pacify Kapha and Vata.
Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):
Annavaha Srotas (Digestive System): Acts as a Deepana (appetizer) and Pachana (digestive). It is Krimighna (anthelmintic) by eliminating Kapha, which is a breeding ground for parasites.
Udakavaha Srotas (Water Metabolism): The Teekshna Guna of the seed or root powder helps expel excess doshas and waste products in Jalodara (ascites). A Snigdha (unctuous) substance like Mishreya (Fennel) or Shunthi (Ginger) is co-administered to prevent gripping pain.
Pranavaha Srotas (Respiratory System): Root juice administered with milk helps eliminate the stickiness of Kapha, providing relief in Shvasa (asthma) and Kasa (cough).
Rasavaha Srotas (Plasma Channel): It digests Ama (toxins) in the Rasa Dhatu, making it useful in Jvara (fever) and Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis).
Mamsavaha Srotas (Muscle Tissue): Root powder or juice is used in Gandamala (scrofula/cervical lymphadenitis). Its Sheeta Veerya helps alleviate burning sensations.
Artavavaha Srotas (Female Reproductive System): The root of the white-flowered variety (Shvetapushpi), made into a paste with milk, acts as Garbhasthapana (helps in retaining pregnancy).
Svedavaha Srotas (Sweat Channels): Leaf juice with Ardraka Swarasa (ginger juice) controls excessive perspiration by alleviating Pitta.
Vishavaha Srotas (Toxic Conditions): It helps eliminate toxins and waste products (Malas) residing in the tissues (Dhatus) as a result of poisoning.
Primary Actions: Deepana (Appetizer), Pachana (Digestive), Krimighna (Anthelmintic), Jvaraghna (Antipyretic), Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory), Garbhasthapana (Uterine stabilizer), Vishaghna (Antitoxic).
Dosage (Mātrā):
Root Powder: 1 - 3 grams
Roasted Seed Powder: 1 - 3 grams
Anupāna (Vehicle): Warm water, Milk, Honey, Ghee (as contextually recommended).
Important Formulations (Kalpa): Not mentioned in the provided text.
Contraindications (Nivārita): Not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Not mentioned in the provided text.
Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): Not mentioned in the provided text.
Chemical Composition: The seed contains a slightly bitter, smoky-colored, and sour resin.
Research Notes: