Herb × Condition

Sariva for Epilepsy

Sanskrit: Sa-riva, Ananta-mu- la | Hemidismus indica

How Sariva helps with Epilepsy according to Ayurveda. Classical references, dosage, preparation methods, and what modern research says.

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Overview

Sariva is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for epilepsy. Sariva or Anantamul (Hemidesmus indicus) is one of the most important blood-purifying herbs in Ayurveda. The root is the main medicinal part, having a characteristic pleasant aroma (resembling camphor or sandalwood). It is described as sweet, bitter, heavy, unctuous, and cold in potency. It is extensively used for blood purification, skin diseases, burning sensations, excessive thirst, urinary disorders, and as a cooling agent. The root when cut releases a fragrant smell. The plant is a slender, twining vine. It is considered superior to the Western Sarsaparilla. It is also aphrodisiac and complexion-enhancing. Used in various formulations including Sarivadyasava. The key chemical is 2-Hydroxy-4-Methoxy benzaldehyde which gives it the distinctive fragrance. Dose: root powder 3-6 grams; decoction 50-100 ml. Verse refs: pages 426-427.

How Sariva Helps with Epilepsy

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Sariva has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing epilepsy:

  • Potency (Virya): Cooling
  • Post-digestive (Vipaka): Sweet
  • Taste (Rasa): Sweet, bitter, astringent
  • Qualities (Guna): Light, unctuous

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Sweet, bitter, astringent
Quality (Guna)
Light, unctuous
Potency (Virya)
Cooling
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Sweet
Dosha Effect
Dos.aHIIHFW93.ï
Key Constituents
Coumarins Essential oil Saponin (Paranjpe 2001)
Also Known As
English: Indian Sarsaparilla
Sanskrit: शारिवा, अनन्तमूल, गोपवल्ली, गोपकन्या, उत्पलसारिवा
Hindi: अनन्तमूल, सालसा
Dhatu
Plasma, blood, muscle, reproductive
Srotas
Digestive, circulatory, nerve, female reproductive
Classical Text References (4 sources)

Shuka Dhanya Varga – Group of corns with spikes – अथ शूकधा य वगः र तो महान ् सकलम तूणकः शकुना तः सारामख ु ो द घशक ु ो रो शूकः सग ु ि धकः १ पु ः पा डुः पु डर कः मोदो गौरसा रवौ का चनो म हषः शूको द ूषकः कुसुमा डकः २ ला गला लोहवाला याः कदमाः शीतभी काः पत गा तपनीया च ये चा ये शालयः शुभाः ३ Types of rice – Rakta (red), mahan (big sized rice), kalama, turnaka, shakunahruta, saaramukha, deerghashuka (having long sharp spike at the ends), sugandhika (having good smell), rodhrashuka, pundra, pandu,

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food

Similar is the case of Anuvasana – fat enema and Matra basti – fat enema with very little oil 34-36 Anu taila जीव तीजलदे वदा जलद व से यगोपी हमं दाव व मधुक लवागु वर पु ा व ब वो पलम ् धाव यौ सरु भं ि थरे कृ महरं प ं ु ट रे णक ु ां कि ज कं कमला वलां शतगुणे द ये अ भ स वाथयेत ् ३७ तैला सं दशगण ु ं प रशो य तेन तैलं पचेत ् स ललेन दशैव वारान ् पाके पे चदशमे सममाजद ु धं न यं महागुणमुश यणुतैलमेतत ् ३८ Jivanti, Jala, Devadaru, Jalada, Twak, Sevya, Gopi (sariva), Hima, Darvi twak, Madhuka, Plava, A

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Nasya Vidhi Nasal

Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food; Nasya Vidhi Nasal

Freshly collected amalaki (one tula) should be coarsely pounded added pippali (Piper longum), vidanga (Embelia ribes) and maricha (Piper nigrum) (4 pala each), one pala of each patha(Cissampelos Pareira ), pippalimoola, kramuka chavya (Piper retrofractum), chitraka (Plumbego zylanicum), manjishta (Rubia cordifolia), elvaluka and half pala of each of kushta (Sassurea lappa), daruharidra (Berberis aristata), suraha, sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), indrahva (Holarrhina antidysenterica) and bhadramusta

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)

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)

candanotpalayorapi| ca vA saha| ca| The skillful physician should administer the decoctions of tested efficacy for the cure of visarpa made up of musta (Cyperus rotundus linn), nimba (Azadirachta indica) and patola (Trichosanthes dioica Roxb) or chandana (Santalum album linn) and utpal (Nymphaea nouchali) or sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), amalaki (Emblica officinalis), ushira (Vetiveria zizanioidis Linn) and musta (Cyperus rotundus linn).

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), padmakinjalka (Prunas cerasoides), ushira (Vetiveria zizanioidis), nila utpala (Nymphaea caerulea), manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), chandana (Santalum album Linn), lodhra (symplocos racemosa) and abhaya (Terminalia chebula) should be applied externally as pralepa.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)

Kshara derived by decanting the ashes of a tender tree, of palasha (Butea monosperma) should be added with equal quantities of lohitamrita (Gairika – red ocre), haridra (Curcuma longa), daruharidra (Berberis aristata), manjari (inflorescence) of the white variety of surasa (Ocimum sanctum), madhuka (Glycerrhiza glabra), laksha), saindhava (rock salt), jatamamsi (Nordostachys jatamansi), harenu (Vitex negundo), hingu (Ferula foetida), sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), kushta (Saussurea lappa), shunti

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा); 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 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)

Also: Nilotpala (Nymphaea stellata — blue lotus), the two Sarivas — Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus) and Krishna Sariva (Cryptolepis buchanani), and the Jivaniya Gana (life-sustaining group of drugs).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila)

A paste of Mrinala (lotus stalk, Nelumbo nucifera), Chandana (sandalwood, Santalum album), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Ushira (vetiver, Vetiveria zizanioides), Kamala (lotus), Utpala (water lily), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), and Pathya (Haritaki, Terminalia chebula) -- this paste removes Pitta-type Visarpa.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Nearly every ingredient is Sheeta Virya (cooling potency) -- lotus, sandalwood, vetiver, and Sariva are premier Pitta-pacifiers.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

A paste of Triphala, Padmaka (Prunus cerasoides, wild Himalayan cherry), Ushira (vetiver), Samanga (Manjishtha, Rubia cordifolia), Karavira (Nerium oleander), Nala Mula (root of Arundo donax/giant reed), and Ananta (Sariva/Hemidesmus indicus) -- this paste destroys Kapha-type Visarpa.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Compound decoction with blood-purifying (sariva, ananta), hepatoprotective (kutki), and diuretic (gokshura) herbs.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 16: Secondary Urinary Disorders (Aupasargika Meha)

Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application); Parishishtam, Chapter 16: Secondary Urinary Disorders (Aupasargika Meha)

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)

Kalanusariva (dark Sariva), black pepper, nagara (ginger), madhuka (licorice), talisha leaf, jnanade (?), and gangeyam (saffron-like substance) — in liver juice.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)

Manashila (realgar), abhaya (haritaki), vyosha (trikatu), bala (Sida), and kalanusariva (dark Sariva).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)

In case of pain or redness post-surgery, learn from me further formulations: gairika (red ochre), sariva, durva grass, barley paste, ghee, and milk.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)

also with payasya, sariva, leaves, manjishtha, and madhuka (licorice).

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)

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)

Safety & Precautions

Contraindications: * Neem, manjishtha, guduchi,; gotu kola, sandalwood, licorice; for skin inflammation; * Coriander, gokshura, sandalwood for urinary infections; * Coriander, fennel, cumin for; pitta digestion; * Haritaki, bilva, kutaja in diarrhoea; * Guduchi, daruharidra, turmeric; for inflammatory arthritis. None known

Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known.

Other Herbs for Epilepsy

See all herbs for epilepsy on the Epilepsy page.

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.