Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Sweet (Madhura), Bitter (Tikta)
- Quality (Guna)
- Heavy (Guru), Unctuous (Snigdha)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Sweet (Madhura)
- Also Known As
- English: Sal Leaved Desmodium
Sanskrit: शालपर्णी, सोमयज्ञा, विदारिगन्धा, अंशुमती, दीर्घपत्रा
Hindi: शालपर्णी, सालपर्णी, सालवन
What is Shalaparni (शालपर्णी)?
Shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum) is a member of the Laghu Panchamula (five smaller root drugs of Dashamula). It is a perennial herb or undershrub found in grasslands and forests across India. The root is the main medicinal part. It is sweet and bitter in taste with warming potency. The plant is particularly useful in fevers, respiratory disorders, and diarrhea. It is a key ingredient in Dashamula formulations and Dashamularishta.
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Vatahara (alleviates Vata)
- Sangrahi (absorbent)
- Jwaraghna (antipyretic)
- Shothaghna (anti-inflammatory)
- Balya (strength-promoting)
- Brihani (nourishing)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
How to Use Shalaparni by Condition
Explore how Shalaparni is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
Classical Therapeutic Uses
- Jwara (fever)
- Atisara (diarrhea)
- Shotha (swelling)
- Shwasa (asthma)
- Kasa (cough)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
References in Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan
Madhura Gana – group of sweet substances: घ ृत हे म गुडा ोडमोचचोचप षकम ् अभी वीरा पनस राजादनबला यम ् मेदे चत ः प ण योजीव ती जीवक ऋषभौ मधूकं मधुकं ब बी वदार ीर शु ला त ग ु ा ीर ीरे ुगो ुर ौ ावणीयुगम ् ी र यौ का मर सहे ा ा दमधुरो गणः Ghrita (ghee, butter fat), Hema (gold), Guda (molasses), Akshoda, Mocha, Chocha, Parushaka, Abhiru, Vira, Panasa, Rajadana, the three Bala (Bala, Atibala and Nagabala), The two Medas – Meda and Mahameda, The four Parni – Shalaparni, Prishnaparni, Mudgaparni, Ma
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
References in Charaka Samhita
19), Shalaparni for pitta-kapha diarrhea (v.
— Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 2: Dehusked Seeds of Apamarga & Panchakarma (Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya / अपामार्गतण्डुलीय अध्याय)
Two prasthas of ghee should be cooked with the juice dhatri (two prasthas), juice of vidari (two prasthas), sugarcane juice (two prasthas), soup of the meat of goat (two prasthas), milk (two prasthas), and the paste (one karsha each) of jivaka, rsabhaka, vira, jivanti, nagara, shati, shalaparni, prushniparni, mashaparni, mudgaparni,meda, mahameda, kakoli, kshirakakoli, kantakari, bruhati, shveta punarnava, rakta punarnava,madhuka, atmagupta, shatavari, riddhi,parushaka, bharangi, mridvika, briha
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा)
Bala, vidari, hrasva panchamula (shalaparni, prsniparni, brihati, kantakari and gokshura), punarnava, and the sungas (terminal buds) of five kshirivrikshas (nyagrodha, udumbara, asvattha, madhuka and plaksha)- one pala of each of these drugs should be made to a decoction.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा)
f), shyonaka (Oroxylum indicum Vent), kashmari (Gmelina arborea), patala (Stereospermum suaveolens), shalaparni (Desmodium gangeticum DC), prishniparni (Uraria picta Desv), brihati (Solanum indicum Linn), kantakari (Solanum surattense Burm.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)
Decoction should be prepared out of bilva, shyonaka, gambhari, patala, ganikarika, shalaparni, prashanaparni, brihati, kantakari, gokshuara, haritaki, bibhitaka, amalaki, chavika, bharangi, chitraka, kulattha, pippali moola, patha, kola and yava.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 18: Cough Treatment (Kasa Chikitsa / कासचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 2: Dehusked Seeds of Apamarga & Panchakarma (Apamarga Tanduliya Adhyaya / अपामार्गतण्डुलीय अध्याय); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 11: Chest Injury and Emaciation Treatment (Kshatakshina Chikitsa / क्षतक्षीणचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 18: Cough Treatment (Kasa Chikitsa / कासचिकित्सा)
References in Sushruta Samhita
Shalaparni and both Brihatis (Solanum indicum and S.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 33: Andhaputanapratishedha
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 33: Andhaputanapratishedha
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.