Herb × Condition

Hapusha for Arthritis

Sanskrit: हपुषा | Juniperus communis Linn.

How Hapusha helps with Arthritis according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

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Overview

Hapusha is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for arthritis. Two types — Hapusha and Matsyandika. Both aromatic. Used in digestive and urinary disorders.

How Hapusha Helps with Arthritis

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Hapusha has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing arthritis:

  • Potency (Virya): Ushna
  • Taste (Rasa): Katu, Tikta, Madhura
  • Qualities (Guna): Laghu, Tikshna

Other Herbs for Arthritis

See all herbs for arthritis on the Arthritis page.

Classical Text References (2 sources)

Take one part each of yavani (Trachyspermum ammi), hapusha (Juniperus communis), dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum), haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz), vibhitaki (Terminalia belerica), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), upakunchika (Nigella sativa), kaavi (Apium leptophyllum), root of pippali (Piper longum), ajagandha (Withania somnifera), shati (Hedychium spicatum), vacha (Acorus calamus), shatahva (Anethum sowa), jiraka (Cuminum cyminum), pippali (Piper longum), shunthi (Zingiber officinale), maricha

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)

Prepare fine powder from hapusha (Juniperus communis), svarnakshiri (Argemone mexicana), haritaki (Terminalia chebula), vibhitaki (Terminalia belerica), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), katurohini (Picrorhiza kurroa), nilini (Indigofera tinctoria), trayamana (Gentiana kurrhoa), satala (Euphorbia Tirucalli), trivrita (Operculina turpethum), vacha (Acorus calamus), rock salt, kala lavana (black salt) and pippali (Piper longum).

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)

The powder of hapusha, kunchika, dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum), jeera (Cuminum Cyminum), karavi (Foeniculum Vulgare), kachur, pippali (Piper longum), pippali mula ( root of Piper longum), chitraka (Plumbagoylanica) gajapippali (Scindapsus officinalis Schoott.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

Vata dominant madatyaya is treated with administration of old salty liquor made up of flours, with added sours like beejapura, vrikshamla, kola, dadima and powders of yavani, hapusha, ajaji, shringabera preceded by intake of food with parched gram flour mixed with unctuous substances.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)

Chatu-Prasritiki Basti I: Half aksha (6g) rock salt, one prasrita each of honey, sesame oil, milk, and ghee, with one karsha (12g) Hapusha (Juniperus communis).

— Charaka Samhita, Siddhi Sthana — Therapeutic Procedures, Chapter 8: Standardized Enema Formulations in Prasrita Units (Prasrita Yogiyam Siddhi / प्रासृतयोगीयसिद्धि)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा); Siddhi Sthana — Therapeutic Procedures, Chapter 8: Standardized Enema Formulations in Prasrita Units (Prasrita Yogiyam Siddhi / प्रासृतयोगीयसिद्धि)

Ajaji (Cuminum cyminum, cumin), Hapusha (Juniperus communis, juniper berry), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Gomeda (hessonite/cow's urine stone), with Badara (Ziziphus jujuba, jujube) — ground with kanji (fermented rice water), this paste is the supreme destroyer of Bradhna.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 27: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga)

Ajaji (Cuminum cyminum, cumin), Hapusha (Juniperus communis, juniper berry), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Gomeda (hessonite/cow's urine stone), with Badara (Ziziphus jujuba, jujube) — ground with kanji (fermented rice water), this paste is the supreme destroyer of Bradhna.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 32: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga)

Also: Chavika (Piper retrofractum), Hapusha (Juniperus communis — juniper), Dhanya (Coriandrum sativum), Kramuka (Areca catechu — betel nut), Katuki/Katurohhini (Picrorhiza kurroa), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Triphala — Haritaki, Bibhitaka, Amalaki — Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), Devadaru (Cedrus deodara), and the two Nishas — Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Daruharidra (Berberis aristata).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations)

Trivrit, Hapusha (Juniperus communis), Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Saptala (Acacia concinna), Katurohi (Picrorhiza kurroa), and Svarnachiri — grind all and soak in cow's urine for three days.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 4: Virechana Vidhi (Purgation Therapy)

Eranda seeds, Madhuka, Pippali, Saindhava, Vacha, and Hapusha fruit paste — this is the Utkleshana Basti.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 6: Niruha Basti Vidhi (Decoction Enema Therapy)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 27: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga); Parishishtam, Chapter 32: Various Diseases (Vividha Roga); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 10: Asavarishta-Sandhanakalpana (Fermented Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 4: Virechana Vidhi (Purgation Therapy); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 6: Niruha Basti Vidhi (Decoction Enema Therapy)

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.