Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Saponins, Flavonoids
- Also Known As
- English: Carpet Weed
Sanskrit: पर्पटक
Hindi: जलबूटी
What is Carpet Weed (Parpata)?
Walk through open fields in the rainy season and you may step over this one without noticing: a small annual herb, 8 to 10 inches tall, with tiny white flowers. In English it is called Carpet Weed; in Hindi, Jalbuti; and in some regions it is the plant people mean when they say Parpata (Parpataka).
Botanically it is Mollugo stricta Linn. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu, a classical Ayurvedic text on medicinal substances, describes it as one of the plants identified as Parpata.
Its job is cooling. It is used as a cooling agent and to bring down fever in conditions of excess Pitta, the dosha of heat and transformation.
Benefits of Carpet Weed (Parpata)
Fever
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists Carpet Weed as an antipyretic (Jvarghna), a herb that brings down fever. It is used specifically as a febrifuge in Pitta disorders.
Its properties explain why. It is bitter (Tikta), light (Laghu) and has a cold potency (Sheeta Virya), a combination that counters heat.
Cooling Excess Pitta
The same text calls it a Pitta pacifier (Pittashamaka). When heat builds up in the body, a cold, bitter herb like this is the classical answer.
How to Use Carpet Weed (Parpata)
Our sources describe what Carpet Weed does but do not give a dose or preparation form, so the table records purpose only.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole herb, as prepared by a practitioner | As prescribed | Fever in Pitta disorders | As your practitioner advises |
| Whole herb, as prepared by a practitioner | As prescribed | Cooling excess Pitta | As your practitioner advises |
Several different plants are sold as Parpata, so ask for Mollugo stricta by name if this is the one you have been advised to use.
Safety & Side Effects
Our classical sources do not list contraindications or drug interactions for Carpet Weed.
Its properties suggest who should be careful. It has a cold potency (Sheeta Virya) and a pungent post-digestive effect (Katu Vipaka), and it is light and bitter. People who already run cold, or whose complaint is not a heat condition, may find it does not suit them.
A fever can signal a serious illness. See a doctor for any high or lasting fever rather than relying on a herb alone.
Recommended: Start Here
Carpet Weed is a fever and heat remedy, so the right starting point is a conversation with a practitioner who can confirm that your complaint is a Pitta heat pattern and prepare the herb for you.
If you are sourcing it, insist on the botanical name Mollugo stricta, because the name Parpata is shared by several different plants.
Find Parpataka on Amazon ↗ Mollugo Stricta ↗
For any high or persistent fever, see a doctor first.
Carpet Weed (Parpata) vs Other Herbs & Supplements
The comparison that matters for Carpet Weed is with the other plants that share the name Parpata.
| Comparison | Carpet Weed | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet Weed vs Indian Fumitory | Mollugo stricta, identified as Parpata in some regions; cooling and antipyretic in Pitta disorders | Another plant known as Parpata | Different species under one name. Use whichever your practitioner names, and check the botanical name. |
Our sources describe Carpet Weed as one of several regional Parpata plants, so always confirm which one a formula or practitioner means.
Carpet Weed (Parpata) for Specific Populations
Pregnancy & Nursing
Our sources give no guidance. Do not take Carpet Weed without your doctor's approval, and see a doctor promptly for any fever during pregnancy.
Children
No pediatric dosing is recorded. A child with fever needs medical assessment; use herbs only under professional guidance.
Elderly
No specific guidance is recorded. Its cold potency may not suit older adults who feel the cold easily.
Athletes
Our sources describe no athletic use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carpet Weed the same as Parpata?
It is one of the plants identified as Parpata in some regions. Other species share the name, so check for Mollugo stricta.
What does Carpet Weed do in Ayurveda?
It is an antipyretic (Jvarghna) and a Pitta pacifier (Pittashamaka), used as a cooling agent and to reduce fever in Pitta disorders.
What does Carpet Weed look like?
It is an annual herb, 8 to 10 inches tall, with small white flowers, found in fields during the rainy season.
What compounds does it contain?
Our sources list saponins and flavonoids among its chemical constituents.
What is its Hindi name?
Jalbuti.
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.