What is Teramnus?
Some Ayurvedic herbs are famous on their own. Teramnus (Mashaparni) is famous for the company it keeps. It shows up again and again in the classical rebuilding formulas, usually right beside its partner Mudgaparni, in recipes meant to restore strength after depletion.
Its botanical name is Teramnus labialis Spreng. It is a twining herb of fields, open grasslands and open areas across India, and its Sanskrit name means "black gram leaf," because its leaves resemble those of black gram (Masha). The Sahasra Yoga gives Mahasaha as a synonym.
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu counts it, with Mudgaparni, as an important vitalizing herb (Jeevaniya), a class of herbs used to nourish and build strength. It is sweet, heavy and cooling, and it is used in fever and as a general tonic.
Benefits of Teramnus
Strength and Recovery
Teramnus is classed as strength-promoting (Balya), and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists weakness (Daurbalya) among its uses. Its sweet, heavy and cooling nature is what makes it nourishing, which is why it belongs to the vitalizing (Jeevaniya) group. See our page on weakness and debility.
The Charaka Samhita chapter on chest injury and emaciation (Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 11) includes Teramnus in a large medicated ghee cooked with amla juice, vidari, sugarcane juice, milk and many other rebuilding herbs.
Fever and Burning Sensation
Teramnus is listed as fever-reducing (Jwaraghna) and cooling (Sheetala). The Bhavaprakash Nighantu names fever (Jwara) and burning sensation (Daha) among its classical uses, which fits a herb with cooling potency.
Reproductive Health
It is also classed as an aphrodisiac (Vrishya), and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists seminal disorders (Shukra Dosha) among its uses. The Charaka Samhita chapter on gynecological disorders (Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 30) includes it in a classical preparation too.
Hair
The Charaka Samhita (Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 26) uses Teramnus in a milk-based paste for tawny hair, alongside licorice, the two Medas, the two Kakolis, Mudgaparni, sesame and long pepper. The same chapter recommends the vitalizing group of herbs for baldness and greying. Read more on our hair loss page.
Gout and Joint Inflammation
Teramnus appears twice in the Charaka Samhita chapter on gout (Vatarakta) (Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 29): once in a large decoction with the ten roots (Dashamula), punarnava, shatavari and bala, and once in a medicated oil and ghee cooked with milk.
Digestion
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu calls Teramnus absorbent (Grahi), meaning it helps bind and firm the stool.
How to Use Teramnus
Teramnus is almost always used as part of a group. The classical texts place it in the sweet group (Madhura Gana) of the Ashtanga Hridaya, the Kakolyadi group of the Sushruta Samhita, and the Vidarigandhadi group as one of its four leaf herbs.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medicated ghee (Ghrita) | Set by a practitioner | Emaciation and chest injury (Charaka Samhita, Ch. 11) | As directed |
| Decoction (Kashaya) with other herbs | Set by a practitioner | Gout (Charaka Samhita, Ch. 29) | As directed |
| Topical paste (Lepa) in milk | Applied to the scalp | Tawny hair (Charaka Samhita, Ch. 26) | As directed |
| Confection (Avaleha) | As directed on the product | Classical tonic preparations (Sharangadhara Samhita) | As directed |
Milk is a recurring vehicle (Anupana), meaning what a remedy is taken or prepared with, in these formulas: the hair paste is made with milk, and the gout oil is cooked with four times its volume of milk.
Our sources give no standalone dose of Teramnus and no seasonal guidance. Follow a classical product label or a practitioner.
Safety & Side Effects
Our sources record no specific contraindications or drug interactions for Teramnus. That is a gap in the data, not proof of safety.
- Heavy quality. Teramnus is heavy and absorbent. Heavy, nourishing herbs are generally a poor fit when digestion is already sluggish, so ask a practitioner if that describes you.
- Fever needs assessment. Its classical use in fever is not a reason to skip medical care for a high or persistent fever.
- Use classical products. Because it is mostly used in multi-herb formulas, the other ingredients matter as much as Teramnus itself. Buy from a reputable Ayurvedic pharmacy.
Our sources contain no data on overdose.
Recommended: Start Here
If you want to start with Teramnus, the honest path is a classical formula rather than the single herb. The texts almost never use it alone; it works inside groups of rebuilding herbs, usually beside its partner Mudgaparni.
Look for a classical tonic preparation, such as a ghee or confection, from an Ayurvedic pharmacy that lists Mashaparni among its ingredients. If you do find the single powder, ask a practitioner how to combine it, since our sources give no standalone dose.
Find Mashaparni on Amazon ↗ Mudgaparni Powder ↗
Safety note: Teramnus is heavy, so go slowly if your digestion is sluggish, and check with a practitioner if you are pregnant, nursing or on medication.
Teramnus vs Other Herbs & Supplements
These comparisons use herbs that appear alongside Teramnus in the classical formulas.
| Comparison | Teramnus | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teramnus vs Mudgaparni | Leaves resemble black gram (Masha) | Its constant partner, named after green gram (Mudga) | The Bhavaprakash Nighantu names both as important vitalizing herbs, and the classical formulas usually use them together rather than choosing one. |
| Teramnus vs Shalaparni and Prishnaparni | One of the four leaf herbs (Parni) | The other two of the four | The Ashtanga Hridaya lists all four together in its sweet group. They are used as a set in rebuilding formulas. |
| Teramnus vs Licorice | Vitalizing herb in the Kakolyadi group | Licorice (Madhuka), also in the Kakolyadi group | Both appear in the Charaka Samhita paste for tawny hair. Licorice is far easier to find as a single herb. |
Teramnus for Specific Populations
Pregnancy & Nursing
Our sources contain no specific safety data on Teramnus in pregnancy or nursing. The Charaka Samhita includes it in a preparation in the gynecological chapter, but that is a practitioner's formula. Do not use it during pregnancy or nursing without qualified guidance.
Children
There is no child-specific dosing in our sources. Avoid giving it to children without professional advice.
Elderly
As a strength-promoting herb used for weakness, Teramnus fits the classical idea of rebuilding a depleted body. Our sources give no age-specific dose, so an older adult should use it through a practitioner, especially if digestion is weak or other medicines are involved.
Athletes
Our sources do not discuss Teramnus for athletes. Its strength-promoting classification is the closest link, but there is no specific protocol for training or recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called Mashaparni?
The name means "black gram leaf." The Bhavaprakash Nighantu notes that its leaves resemble those of black gram (Masha).
What does Jeevaniya mean?
Jeevaniya means vitalizing. It is a classical class of herbs used to nourish and restore strength, and the Bhavaprakash Nighantu counts Teramnus and Mudgaparni as important members.
Is Teramnus used on its own?
Rarely, in our sources. It appears inside group formulas in the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Sharangadhara Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya, usually beside Mudgaparni.
Does Teramnus help with skin or liver problems?
Our knowledge graph links it to skin disorders and liver disorders, but our sources hold no classical passage describing how it is used for either. Treat those uses as unestablished and ask a practitioner.
Is Teramnus warming or cooling?
Cooling. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes it as sweet, heavy and cooling, and lists burning sensation (Daha) and fever among its uses.
How to Use Teramnus by Condition
Explore how Teramnus is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (7 sources)
Classical Therapeutic Uses
- Jwara (fever)
- Daurbalya (weakness)
- Shukra Dosha (seminal disorders)
- Daha (burning sensation)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
References in Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan
Madhura Gana – group of sweet substances: घ ृत हे म गुडा ोडमोचचोचप षकम ् अभी वीरा पनस राजादनबला यम ् मेदे चत ः प ण योजीव ती जीवक ऋषभौ मधूकं मधुकं ब बी वदार ीर शु ला त ग ु ा ीर ीरे ुगो ुर ौ ावणीयुगम ् ी र यौ का मर सहे ा ा दमधुरो गणः Ghrita (ghee, butter fat), Hema (gold), Guda (molasses), Akshoda, Mocha, Chocha, Parushaka, Abhiru, Vira, Panasa, Rajadana, the three Bala (Bala, Atibala and Nagabala), The two Medas – Meda and Mahameda, The four Parni – Shalaparni, Prishnaparni, Mudgaparni, Ma
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
References in Charaka Samhita
Two prasthas of ghee should be cooked with the juice dhatri (two prasthas), juice of vidari (two prasthas), sugarcane juice (two prasthas), soup of the meat of goat (two prasthas), milk (two prasthas), and the paste (one karsha each) of jivaka, rsabhaka, vira, jivanti, nagara, shati, shalaparni, prushniparni, mashaparni, mudgaparni,meda, mahameda, kakoli, kshirakakoli, kantakari, bruhati, shveta punarnava, rakta punarnava,madhuka, atmagupta, shatavari, riddhi,parushaka, bharangi, mridvika, briha
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा)
[276 ½- 278½] Ointment for tawny hair: Application of the paste prepared of milk, priyala (Buchanania lanzan), yastimadhu – Glycrrchiza glabra, jeevaka – Malaxis acuminata, rishabhaka – Manilkara hexandra, meda – Polygonatum cirrhifolium, maha-meda – Polygonatum cirrhifolium, kakoli – Fritillaria roylei, kshira-kakoli, mudgaparni – Phaseolus trilobus, mashaparni – Teramnus labialis, jeevanti –Leptadenia reticulata, madhuka, honey, tila – Sesame Sesamum indicum) and pippali – Piper longum cures t
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Both laghu and brihad panchamula (dashmula), varshabhu (Trianthema portulacastrum), eranda, punarnava, mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), mahameda, mashaparni (Teramnus labialis), shatavari, shankhapushpi, avakpushpi, rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), bala, atibala, are to be taken 80 gm each and crushed then boiled in one drone water (approximately 10.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)
tat vātaśonitam | Jeevaka, rishabhaka, meda, rishyaprokta, shatavari, madhuka, madhuparni, kakoli, kshirakakoli mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), mashaparni (Teramnus labialis), dashamula, punarnava, bala, amrita, vidari, aswagandha and pasanabheda (Saxifraga lingulata), decoction of all these substances is made and again paste of these substances is added to decoction, then oil and ghee cooked along with four times milk, vasā (fat) and majja (marrow) of pecking and gallinaceous birds living in d
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)
) of bala, At the time of preparation, the decoction of paste of sariwana, payasya, jivanti, veera, rishbhaka, jivaka, shravani, pippali, mudaga parni, pilu, mashaparni, sharkara, ksheerakakoli and kakanasa should be mixed.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)
References in Charaka Samhita
[262 1/2- 263½] The following drugs and oils should be used to alleviate baldness and greying of hair: Drugs of vidarigandhadi group (vidarigandha—Pueraria tuberosa, shalaparni, prishnaparni, brihati – Solanum indicum, kantakari – Garcinia Morella and gokshura – Tribulus terrestris) or jeevaneeya group (vitalizer drugs) (jeevaka – Malaxiz acuminata, rishabhaka – Manilkara hexandra, meda – Polygonatum cirrhifolium, maha-meda – Polygonatum verticillatum, kakoli – Fritillaria roylei, mudga – Green
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
[276 ½- 278½] Ointment for tawny hair: Application of the paste prepared of milk, priyala (Buchanania lanzan), yastimadhu – Glycrrchiza glabra, jeevaka – Malaxis acuminata, rishabhaka – Manilkara hexandra, meda – Polygonatum cirrhifolium, maha-meda – Polygonatum cirrhifolium, kakoli – Fritillaria roylei, kshira-kakoli, mudgaparni – Phaseolus trilobus, mashaparni – Teramnus labialis, jeevanti –Leptadenia reticulata, madhuka, honey, tila – Sesame Sesamum indicum) and pippali – Piper longum cures t
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Both laghu and brihad panchamula (dashmula), varshabhu (Trianthema portulacastrum), eranda, punarnava, mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), mahameda, mashaparni (Teramnus labialis), shatavari, shankhapushpi, avakpushpi, rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), bala, atibala, are to be taken 80 gm each and crushed then boiled in one drone water (approximately 10.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)
tat vātaśonitam | Jeevaka, rishabhaka, meda, rishyaprokta, shatavari, madhuka, madhuparni, kakoli, kshirakakoli mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), mashaparni (Teramnus labialis), dashamula, punarnava, bala, amrita, vidari, aswagandha and pasanabheda (Saxifraga lingulata), decoction of all these substances is made and again paste of these substances is added to decoction, then oil and ghee cooked along with four times milk, vasā (fat) and majja (marrow) of pecking and gallinaceous birds living in d
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 29: Gout Treatment (Vatarakta Chikitsa / वातरक्तचिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
Also: Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), Mashaparni (Teramnus labialis), Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), the two Kakolis — Kakoli and Kshira-Kakoli, Kamala (Nelumbo nucifera), the two Medas — Meda and Mahameda, Sukshmaila (Elettaria cardamomum), Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha), and Chandana (Santalum album).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
Also: Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), Mashaparni (Teramnus labialis), Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa), Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa), the two Kakolis — Kakoli and Kshira-Kakoli, Kamala (Nelumbo nucifera), the two Medas — Meda and Mahameda, Sukshmaila (Elettaria cardamomum), Agaru (Aquilaria agallocha), and Chandana (Santalum album).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
References in Sushruta Samhita
The Kakolyadi Gana consists of: kakoli, chira-kakoli, jivaka, rishabhaka, mudraparni, mashaparni, meda, mahameda, chhinnaruha, kantashringi, tuga, chiri, payaskra, praundarika, vriddhi, mridvika, jivanti, and madhuka (licorice) (verse 35).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
The Kakolyadi Gana consists of: kakoli, chira-kakoli, jivaka, rishabhaka, mudraparni, mashaparni, meda, mahameda, chhinnaruha, kantashringi, tuga, chiri, payaskra, praundarika, vriddhi, mridvika, jivanti, and madhuka (licorice) (verse 35).
— Sushruta Samhita, Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
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.