Herb × Condition

Sarpagandha for Ulcers

Sanskrit: Sarpagandha | Rauwolfia serpentina

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

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Overview

Sarpagandha is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for ulcers. 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 Ulcers

According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Sarpagandha has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing ulcers:

  • 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 Ulcers

⟶
Acacia Acacia concinna DC.
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Alfalfa
⟶
Aloe Vera Aloe barbadensis Mill. (Syn. A. vera Tourn. ex Linn.)
⟶
Amla Emblica officinalis
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Arjuna Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) W. & A.
⟶
Ashoka Saraca indica
⟶
Bael Aegle marmelos
⟶
Bakuchi Psoralea corylifolia

See all herbs for ulcers on the Ulcers 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.