Overview
Prishnaparni is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for hair loss. Prishnaparni (Uraria picta), also known as Pithvan, is a member of the Laghu Panchamula (five smaller root drugs of Dashamula). It is an erect herb found in the forests of India. The leaves are spotted/variegated (hence the name Prishna = spotted, Parni = leaved). The root is used medicinally. A second species, Uraria lagopoides DC., is also mentioned as a substitute. The plant is valued for its anti-pyretic and anti-diarrheal properties and is an essential ingredient in Dashamula combinations.
How Prishnaparni Helps with Hair Loss
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Prishnaparni has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing hair loss:
- Potency (Virya): Ushna (hot)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Madhura (sweet)
- Taste (Rasa): Madhura (sweet), Tikta (bitter)
- Qualities (Guna): Laghu (light), Snigdha (unctuous)
Other Herbs for Hair Loss
See all herbs for hair loss on the Hair Loss page.
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
- Jwara (fever)
- Atisara (diarrhea)
- Raktapitta (bleeding disorders)
- Trishna (excessive thirst)
- Daha (burning sensation)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
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
), prishnaparni (Uraria picta Desv), shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd), jivanti (Leptadenia reticulate W.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा)
1:77-85) alongwith hingu- Ferula asafetida (L), arka- Calotropis Gigantea (Linn) roots, dashamula (bilva, syonaka, gambhari, patala, ghanikarnika, salaparni, prishnaparni, brahati, kantakari, gokshura), snuhi, chitraka and punarnava to be taken in equal quantity.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
[45] The following formula used in right dose quickly alleviates the painful vataja dysuria: Oil, fat of pig and bear and ghee cooked with the decoction and paste of- punarnava, eranda, shatavari, pattura, vrishchira, bala, pasanabheda, dashamula (bilva, shonaka, gambhari, patala, ganikarnika, salaparni, prishnaparni, brahati, kantakari and gokshura), kulattha, kola, yava, with five types of salt which is useful in pain associated in vataja type of dysuria.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
) DC prishnaparni- Cyperus, brahati- Solanum indicum Linn, kantakari- Garcinia morella Tribulus terrestris Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
[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)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 25: Wound Management (Dwivraniya Chikitsa / द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
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.