Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Key Constituents
- Echitamine C22H28O4N2H2O, Echitamidine C20H26O3N2, Ditamine alkaloids
- Also Known As
- English: Devil's Tree, Scholar's Tree, Blackboard Tree
Sanskrit: सप्तपर्ण, शारद, विषमच्छद, सप्तच्छद
Hindi: सप्तपर्णी, छतिवन
What is Saptaparna (Shaitan's Tree / सप्तपर्ण)?
Saptaparna (Devil's Tree) is a large evergreen tree growing up to 40-60 feet tall, found throughout India up to 3000 feet. The bark is the main medicinal part. The bark is extremely bitter and is one of the best febrifuge drugs. It is used in chronic and malarial fevers. The milky latex is used in ulcers and skin diseases. The bark contains alkaloids including Echitamine and Ditamine. It is a component of the famous Ayushmanabhairava Rasa. The bark decoction is used in alternating fevers, skin diseases and worm infestations. The bark also contains a glycoside and is used as a substitute for quinine in malarial fever. Dose: Bark powder 1 to 3 masha; decoction 1-2 tola. Verses: 40.
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 5
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Jvaraghna (antipyretic)
- Krimighna (anthelmintic)
- Kusthaghna (anti-dermatosis)
- Raktashodhaka (blood purifier)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 5
How to Use Saptaparna by Condition
Explore how Saptaparna is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
References in Charaka Samhita
Decoction of triphala, aragvadha, patha, saptaparna, vatsaka, musta, madana, and nimba controls madhumeha and related diseases.
— Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 23: Over-nutrition & Under-nutrition Disorders (Santarpaniya Adhyaya / सन्तर्पणीय अध्याय)
Take two pala (96 gm) each of chandana, padmaka, usheera, patha, murva, kuthannatha (kaivarta musta), shadhgrantha (vacha), sariva, asphota (aspurmallika), saptaparna, aṭarushakana (vasa), patola, udumbara, ashvattha, vata, plaksa, kapeetana (gandha musta), kathuki, musta and nimba and prepare decoction by adding one drona (12.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)
Duralabha, two types of karanja (karanja, lata karanja), saptaparna, vatsaka, sadgrantha (vacha), madanaphala, murva, patha and aragvadha should be mixed with equal quantity of gomutra and boiled and prepared as per kshara kalpana.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा)
Khadira (Acacia catechu), saptaparna (Alstonia scholaris), musta (Cyperus rotundus linn), aragvadha (Cassia fistula Linn), dhava (Anogeissus latifolia, Wall).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)
The decoction of guduchi and bark of saptaparna or decoction of dry ginger (shunthi) or decoction of chiraita (kiratatikta) should be given to the dhatri for purification of milk.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 23: Over-nutrition & Under-nutrition Disorders (Santarpaniya Adhyaya / सन्तर्पणीय अध्याय); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 15: Digestive Disorders Treatment (Grahani Chikitsa / ग्रहणीचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 30: Gynecological Disorders Treatment (Yonivyapat Chikitsa / योनिव्यापत्चिकित्सा)
References in Sushruta Samhita
The Aragvadhadi Gana consists of: aragvadha (purging cassia), madana, gopaghna, ghorataki, kutaja, patha, patala, murva, indrayava, saptaparna, nimba (neem), kurutaka, dasikurutaka, guduchi, chitraka, sharngesthi, karanja (two types), patola, kirata-tikta (chirayita), and sushavi (verse 6).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
anointing and sprinkling Pittaja-Kushtha Clarified butter prepared with decoction and Kalka of Dhava, As'vakarna, Kakubha, Palas'a, Pichu-mardha, Parpataka, Madhuka, Rodhra and Samanga Kaphaja-Kushtha Clarified butter cooked with decoction and Kalka of Piydla, S'dla, Aragvadha, Nimba, Saptaparna, Chitraka, Maricha, Vacha and Kushtha Svitra (Leucoderma/Vitiligo) Nila-Ghrita application externally;
— Sushruta Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 9: Kushtha Chikitsa
The Aragvadhadi Gana consists of: aragvadha (purging cassia), madana, gopaghna, ghorataki, kutaja, patha, patala, murva, indrayava, saptaparna, nimba (neem), kurutaka, dasikurutaka, guduchi, chitraka, sharngesthi, karanja (two types), patola, kirata-tikta (chirayita), and sushavi (verse 6).
— Sushruta Samhita, Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
anointing and sprinkling Pittaja-Kushtha: Clarified butter prepared with decoction and Kalka of Dhava, As'vakarna, Kakubha, Palas'a, Pichu-mardha, Parpataka, Madhuka, Rodhra and Samanga Kaphaja-Kushtha: Clarified butter cooked with decoction and Kalka of Piydla, S'dla, Aragvadha, Nimba, Saptaparna, Chitraka, Maricha, Vacha and Kushtha Svitra (Leucoderma/Vitiligo): Nila-Ghrita application externally;
— Sushruta Samhita, Kushtha Chikitsa
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 9: Kushtha Chikitsa; Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Kushtha Chikitsa
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.