Overview
Sarpagandha is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for gas and flatulence. Sarpagandha is a strong remedy for reducing blood pressure, sedating the nervous system and inducing sleep. Sarpagandha means ‘smell of the snake’ and it is renowned as an antidote for poisonous snake bites.
How Sarpagandha Helps with Gas and Flatulence
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Sarpagandha has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing gas and flatulence:
- Potency (Virya): Hot
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Pungent
- Taste (Rasa): Bitter
- Qualities (Guna): Dry, light
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter
- Quality (Guna)
- Dry, light
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent
- Dosha Effect
- VPK<
- Key Constituents
- Indole alkaloids Reserpine, rescinnamine, resperpinine, ajmaline (WHO 1999, Williamson 2002)
- Dhatu
- Blood, nerve, reproductive
- Srotas
- Mental, nervous, circulatory, reproductive
Safety & Precautions
Contraindications: Pregnancy, breast-feeding,; asthma, ulcers, kidney pain and; depression. Do not use with alcohol, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), beta-blockers or; MAO inhibitors, levodopa, tricyclic antidepressants or digoxin,; as they may interact with or; potentiate the herb. Sarpagandha; can cause diarrhoea, low libido; and weight gain in larger doses
Safety: Do not use with alcohol, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), beta-blockers or MAO inhibitors, levodopa, tricyclic antidepressants or digoxin, as they may interact with or potentiate the herb. Sarpagandha can cause diarrhoea, low libido and weight gain in larger doses.
Other Herbs for Gas and Flatulence
See all herbs for gas and flatulence on the Gas and Flatulence 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.