gandha prasarini

Gandha Prasarini (Paederia foetida) is a climber plant which has ovate to lanceolate leaves. Gandha Prasarini leaves are around 5 cm long and 2.5 cm in width. The leaves are also membranous and have long petioles. Gandha Prasarini flowers are found in scorpiod cymes and are purple or violet in color.

Gandha Prasarini roots are cylindrical or sub cylindrical and compressed on both sides, with an outer surface covered in root scars.

The fruits are compressed, ellipsoid, red or black in color. It is fibrous, the exterior is brownish and the internal color is light brown, with a bitter taste.

Classification

Habitat

It is found in the Himalayas from Dehradun eastwards, up to an altitude of 1800 m above sea level. It is also found in Bihar, Orissa, Bengal and Assam.

Vernacular Names

• Botanical name – Paederia foetida
• Hindi– Gandhaprasarani or Pasaran
• English– Chinese flower
• Sanskrit– Prasarini, Gandhpatra
• Telugu– Takkeda, Savirel
• Bengali– Gandhabhaduliya, Gandhabhadule, Gandal
• Marathi– Hiran- vel, Hiranvel, Haranvel
• Gujrati– Gandhana, Prasarini
• Tamil– Pinarisangai, Mudiyar, Kundal
• Assamese– Bhedai lota or Paduri lota
• Kannada– Hesarani, Prasarini bail
• Malayalam– Tala nili
• Punjabi– Prasarini
• Oriya– Suprasara

Ayurvedic Properties of Gandha Prasarini

Effects on Doshas

It manages Kapha and Vata doshas.

Practical Uses & Benefits of Paederia Foetida

• Anti-inflammatory activity: It has anti-inflammatory property and is useful in the treatment of edema and all other inflammatory conditions.
• Anti-arthritic activity: It is very useful in the treatment of joint problems like arthritis and joint pain, gout etc.
• It is useful to balance the vata and kapha doshas in body and their related disorders.
• It also has aphrodisiac property and improves the semen quality. It has Anthelmintic activity also.
• It helps to relieve from abdominal pain and bloating.
• It acts as immunity enhancer and provides strength to the body against various infections.
• It is also used to stimulate the central nervous system.
• It is also used in the treatment of fever.
• It also has diuretic property.
• Its fruits are used to relieve toothache.
• It has hepato-protective and antispasmodic activity.
• Its oil is very beneficial in various joint disorders.
• Most of the massage oils used for Vata balancing contain this herb as an essential ingredient. On external use, this herb relieves pain, inflammation and stiffness.

Parts Used

Root, Leaf

Dosage

• Infusion: 12-24 ml
• Fresh Juice: 10-20 ml
• Decoction: 50-100ml

Powder: 2-4 g