Herb × Condition

Brihati for Parasites & Worms

Sanskrit: बृहती | Solanum indicum Linn.

How Brihati helps with Parasites & Worms according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

Overview

Brihati is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for parasites & worms. Brihati (Solanum indicum), known as Badi Kateri in Hindi, is a member of the Laghu Panchamula. It is a prickly undershrub found commonly across India. The plant bears small round berries that turn yellow when ripe. The root, fruit, and whole plant are used medicinally. It is pungent and bitter with strong Kapha-reducing action, making it especially useful in respiratory conditions like cough, asthma, and hiccup. Together with Kantakari, it forms the pair known as 'Brihati-dvaya' or 'Kateri-dvaya'. The text notes its Solanum torvum Swartz as a related species.

How Brihati Helps with Parasites & Worms

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Brihati has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing parasites & worms:

  • Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
  • Post-digestive (Vipaka): Katu (pungent)
  • Taste (Rasa): Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)
  • Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry), Tikshna (sharp)

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Pungent (Katu), Bitter (Tikta)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha), Sharp (Tikshna)
Potency (Virya)
Hot (Ushna)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Solanine, Solasodine. Contains steroidal alkaloids.
Also Known As
English: Indian Nightshade, Poison Berry
Sanskrit: बृहती, वार्ताकी, महती, सिंही, क्षुद्रभण्टाकी
Hindi: बड़ी कटेरी, बड़ी कटैरी, बनभण्टा

What the Classical Texts Say

  • Kasa (cough)
  • Shwasa (asthma/dyspnea)
  • Jwara (fever)
  • Krimi (worms/parasites)
  • Hikka (hiccup)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3

Other Herbs for Parasites & Worms

⟶
Agarwood Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.
⟶
Arani Premna integrifolia Linn.
⟶
Mandar Calotropis gigantea (Linn.) R.Br. ex Ait.
⟶
Camphor Dryobalanops camphora Colebr. (Bhimseni); Cinnamomum camphora Nees & Eberm. (Chini)
⟶
Chavya Piper chaba Hunter; Piper officinarum Cas. D.C.
⟶
Danti Baliospermum montanum Muell.
⟶
Garlic Allium sativum Linn.
⟶
Giloy Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers

See all herbs for parasites & worms on the Parasites & Worms page.

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.