Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya), Sweet (Madhura)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Cold (Sheeta)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Also Known As
- English: Beauty Berry, Priyangu
Sanskrit: प्रियंगु, फलिनी, कान्ता, महिलाह्वा, गौरी, लता, शुभा, कारम्भा
Hindi: प्रियंगु
What is Priyangu (Beauty Berry / प्रियंगु)?
Priyangu is the fruit and flowers of Callicarpa macrophylla, a shrub found throughout the sub-Himalayan region and peninsular India. The text notes that there is debate about the identity of Priyangu -- some consider it Callicarpa macrophylla (Beauty Berry) while others have identified it with different plants. The text describes the drug as bitter, astringent, and sweet with cooling potency. The fruits are small, round, clustered, and violet-purple when ripe. The drug is one of the important Raktapitta (bleeding disorder) remedies. It is used for burning sensation, thirst, fever, and as an absorbent in diarrhea. The flowers are fragrant and used in perfumery. It is considered Tridoshahara but primarily pacifies Pitta and Kapha. The commentary discusses various controversies about the true botanical identity of Priyangu. Dose: 3-6 grams.
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 2
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Raktapittahara (controls bleeding disorders)
- Dahaprashamana (relieves burning sensation)
- Vishaghna (antitoxic)
- Trishnanigrahana (quenches thirst)
- Jvarahara (antipyretic)
- Varnya (improves complexion)
- Grahi (absorbent/anti-diarrheal)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 2
How to Use Priyangu by Condition
Explore how Priyangu is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
References in Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan
– 11 भ नस धानकृ त कोरद ूषः परं ाह य गब गु ः १२ ु हणी ृ पश शीतो वषापहः Of them, Priyangu helps in fracture healing, nutritive, nourishing and is hard to digest.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
References in Charaka Samhita
Take kuṣṭha, aguru, devadāru, kaunti, cinnamon, padmaka, cardamom, sugandhabālā, palāśa, mustaka, priyangu, thauneyaka, nāgakeśara, jatāmāmsi, tālisapatra, plava, tejapatra, coriander, sriveshtaka, dhyāmaka, piper longum, sprikkā and nakha.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा)
The inside wall of the jar should be smeared with the paste containing pippali (Piper longum), chavya (Piper retrofractum), priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), honey and ghee.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
This should be strained through a cloth, and to this, the paste of the resin from shalmali (Mocharas), majishtha, chandana, utpala, seeds of kutaja, priyangu and padmakarira should be added.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
In this decoction jivanti, kutaki, pippali, pippalimoola, nagara, devadaru, indrajava, Flower of shalmali, shatavari, rakta chandana, utpala, katphala, chitraka, musta, priyangu, ativisha, sarivan, pollens of padma, utpala, majitha bhatakataiya, bilva, mocharasa and patha.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
When it comes to room temperature add two hundred pala (9600 gm) of jaggery and one kudava (192 gm) of honey as well as powder of priyangu, pippali and vidanga each in one kudava (192 gm) and keep in jar pasted with ghee on the inner wall for period of fifteen days.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 12: Edema Treatment (Shvayathu Chikitsa / श्वयथुचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
Priyangu, Madhuka, Musta, and Rasanjana, with sugar — this Shamana (pacifying) Basti is praised.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 6: Niruha Basti Vidhi (Decoction Enema Therapy)
A paste of Rakta Chandana (red sandalwood, Pterocarpus santalinus), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Vata Ankura (banyan sprouts, Ficus benghalensis), and Masura (red lentils, Lens culinaris) destroys Vyanga (hyperpigmentation/melasma) and bestows facial radiance (Mukha Kanti).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 6: Niruha Basti Vidhi (Decoction Enema Therapy); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
References in Sushruta Samhita
With musta, haridra (turmeric), madhuka (licorice), priyangu, white mustard, lodhra, utpala (blue lotus), and sariva — ashchyotana (eye drops) should be prepared, and the anjana should be clay-based.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis)
With flowers of kubjaka (rose), ashoka, shala (sal tree), amra (mango), priyangu, nalina (lotus), and utpala (blue lotus), combined with haritaki, krisna (black pepper), pathya (haritaki), and amalaka (gooseberry).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)
The child should be anointed with Rodhra, Priyangu (callicarpa), Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia), and Gairika (red ochre).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha
Oil should be cooked with Priyangu (callicarpa), Sarala (pine), Ananta, Shatapushpa (dill), and Kutannata, along with cow's urine, curds, buttermilk, and sour gruel.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 36: Naigameshapratishedha
Also priyangu, madhuka, ambashtha, dhataki, shilaparni, manjishtha, lodhra, and lac with kapittha juice.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 21: Chapter 21
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 12: Raktabhishyanda Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Blood-type Conjunctivitis); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga); Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 36: Naigameshapratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 21: Chapter 21
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.