Brihati (Solanumindicum) is a spiny and highly branched shrub, usually dispersing or diffused, growing up to 1-5 meters in height. Its younger branches are thickly covered with minute star - shaped hair. The spines are shining yellow, about 1-5 cm long.
The leaves are large, simple and oval shaped with a length of about 10 cm and these are prickled in the middle vein. Their flowers are purple colored about 2 cm long. The fruits are round reddish or dark yellow colored when ripe, about 1.5 - 2 cm. The seeds are smooth, minutely pitted. Roots are long pale yellowish-brown in color. Brihati is woody, cylindrical, ribbed and well developed about 2.5 cm in diameter. It has numeral secondary roots having branches and its surface is rough due to presence of longitudinal striations and root scars, fracture, short and splintery and no distinct odor and taste.
According to Ayurvedic concept Brihati is one of the finest herbal remedy for certain conditions like cold, cough, sore throat and asthma. It is good herbal appetizer, digestive, diuretic and is beneficial to the heart.
Its fruit and root consists of wax, fatty acids and alkaloids solanine. It is also found that its fruits have Phosphorous in very rich quantity than the amount of calcium in it. Other chemical compounds found in this plant is Carotene, Carpesterol, Solanocarpone, Diosogenin, B- Sitosterol, Lanosterol, Solasonine, Solamargine, Solasodine, vitamin C etcsolanidine.
Brihati grows in tropical and sub- tropical areas of India and Nepal up to an elevation of 1500m. This herb occurs throughout India, usually in waste places, on roadsides and in open scrublands.
Hindi / Sanskrit |
English |
||
Rasa |
Katu, Tikta |
Taste |
Pungent, Bitter |
Guna |
Laghu, Rooksha |
Physical Property |
Light, Dry |
Virya |
Ushna |
Potency |
Hot |
Vipaka |
Katu |
Metabolic Property (After Digestion) |
Pungent |
It balances Kapha and Vatadoshas.
CharakSamhita |
SushrutaSamhita |
VagbhataSamhita |
· Kanthya - Group of herbs used in throat disorders · Hikkanigrahana - Group of herbs used in treating hiccups · Shothahara - Anti-inflammatory group of herbs. · AngamardaPrashamana - Pain relieving group of herbs |
· Bruhatyadi, · LaghuPancamula |
· Bruhatyadi |
The Bhavprakashnighantu edition of 1998: verse - 36-37, page no. 288-289.
The name and properties of BadiKateri are Vartaki, Shudrabhantaki, Mahati, Brihati, Kuli, Hinguli, Rashritika, Sinhi, Mahoshati and Duspradharshini are all its Sanskrit name. It helps to bind stools. Good for heart, digestion. It manages cough and Vata disease. The herb is bitter and pungent in taste. It corrects tastelessness of mouth, anorexia, skin disease, fever, asthma, cough and body aches. Due to its hot potency, it promotes digestive fire, and manages fever, asthma and pain.
REFERENCES:-
The Bhavprakashnighantu with elaborated commentary by Padmashri prof. K.C. Chunekar, edited by Dr. G.S. Pandey: edition of 1998; verse - 36-37, page no. 288 - 289.