Apamarga (prickly chaff flower)

Achyranthes aspera

Ayurveda

Photo credit: Jeevan Jose, Kerala, India

Safety information

Toxicity: Caution — antifertility/abortifacient activity documented in animals; the kshara (ash) is caustic.

Contraindications: Pregnancy — avoid (abortifacient/anti-implantation); internal kshara use only under qualified supervision.

Interactions: Diuretics (additive); theoretical additive with antifertility/hormone agents.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid in pregnancy — abortifacient/anti-implantation.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

Preparations

powder · whole plant

Part used: whole plant

Evidence:Preclinical

plant-ash alkali (kshara) · ash

Part used: ash

Traditional use: alkaline-cautery

Dosage note (descriptive only): internal kshara use only under qualified supervision

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

decoction · whole plant

Part used: whole plant

Traditional use: piles, edema, cough, skin, cleansing/emetic

Proposed mechanism: saponins, ecdysteroid-type compounds, betaine/alkaloids — anti-inflammatory, diuretic, antifertility (anti-implantation/abortifacient), immunomodulatory

Evidence:Preclinical

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

Skin conditions (general)piles Diuretic / fluid retention Cough

Nutritional notes

Not a food source.

Healing traditions

Ayurveda

Sources (2)

Vetrichelvan 2013, Indian J Pharm Sci (PMID 23661870)
He 2017, J Ethnopharmacol (PMID 28347832)

All sources →