Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter (Tikta), Pungent (Katu)
- Quality (Guna)
- Light (Laghu), Sharp (Tikshna)
- Potency (Virya)
- Hot (Ushna)
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent (Katu)
- Also Known As
- English: Velvet Leaf
Sanskrit: पाठा, पृश्निपर्णी, अम्बष्ठा, वरातिक्ता, एकपर्णी
Hindi: पाठा, पाढ़
What is Patha?
When digestion stalls and food seems to sit heavy in the gut, Ayurveda has a bitter answer: Patha. This slender, twining root is one of the classical appetizer herbs (Deepaniya), the group used to rekindle a sluggish digestive fire (Agni).
In English it is called Velvet Leaf, and its botanical name is Cissampelos pareira Linn. Sanskrit texts know it by several names, including Ambashtha, Varatikta and Ekaparni. It is a climbing plant with heart-shaped or kidney-shaped leaves that climbs using leaf tendrils.
The root is the main part used. It tastes bitter and pungent, and you will find it in a long list of classical formulas from the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Sharangadhara Samhita, mostly for digestive complaints, diarrhoea, fevers, piles and urinary problems.
Benefits of Patha
Patha's classical profile explains most of what it does. It is bitter (Tikta) and pungent (Katu) in taste, light (Laghu) and sharp (Tikshna) in quality, heating in potency (Ushna Virya), and pungent after digestion (Katu Vipaka). That combination clears and stimulates rather than nourishes.
Digestion and Appetite
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists Patha as kindling the digestive fire (Deepana) and helping digest food and undigested residue (Pachana). Undigested residue, called Ama, is the sticky byproduct of weak digestion that Ayurveda sees at the root of many complaints.
Ayurvedic practitioners also describe it as a mild stomachic and bitter tonic, used for acid indigestion and, with aromatics like cardamom, for the later stages of bowel complaints.
Diarrhoea and Dysentery
Patha is classed as antidiarrheal (Atisarahara). The Sharangadhara Samhita includes it in confections (avaleha) alongside Bilva, Lajjalu and Mocharasa, a group of herbs traditionally used to settle loose stools.
Piles
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists it as alleviating piles (Arshoghna). The Charaka Samhita uses Patha in several hemorrhoid formulas, including a powder with Trikatu, Hingu and Chitraka for piles with swelling, pain and weak digestion.
If the patient suffers from edema and pain in the peri-anal region, and if there is suppression of the digestive power, then he should be treated with the combination of powder of trikatu, pippalimool, patha, hingu, chitraka...
Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 14 (Arsha Chikitsa)
Fever and Inflammation
Patha is described as antipyretic (Jvaraghna) and as reducing swelling (Shothahara), which is why it is linked to inflammation. The Sharangadhara Samhita also uses it in a decoction with Agnimantha, Shati, dry ginger and Devadaru for diseases of the head.
Urinary Health
It is traditionally used as a diuretic and for urinary and bladder complaints, including chronic cystitis and urethral discharge. It is also described as lithotriptic, meaning it is used to help break down stones. The Charaka Samhita includes it in a decoction for madhumeha, a classical urinary disorder often compared to diabetes.
Skin, Topically
A paste of the leaves and root mixed with a bland oil is applied to sores, sinuses and itchy skin.
How to Use Patha
Patha is used as a root powder, a decoction or an extract. The doses below come from the Bhavaprakash Nighantu; masha and tola are classical units of weight.
| Form | Dose | Best For | When to Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root powder (churna) | 1 to 2 masha (about 1 to 2 g) | Sluggish digestion, diarrhoea, swelling | Not specified in our sources; ask a practitioner |
| Decoction (kashaya) | 1 to 2 tola | Digestive, fever and urinary complaints | Not specified in our sources; ask a practitioner |
| Leaf and root paste with bland oil | Applied topically | Sores, sinuses, itching | As needed |
For bowel complaints, Patha is traditionally taken with aromatics such as cardamom. One classical recipe for colic combines Patha, pepper, asafoetida and ginger, bound with honey into a pill.
In practice Patha usually appears inside multi-herb formulas rather than alone. A qualified practitioner can advise on timing and the right combination for you.
Safety & Side Effects
The classical sources we draw on do not list formal contraindications, drug interactions or overdose signs for Patha. What they do tell us is its nature: hot, sharp and pungent.
Ayurvedic sources describe Patha as calming Vata and Kapha but able to increase Pitta, the dosha of heat. If you tend toward heat, acidity or inflammation of a fiery type, use it only with guidance.
If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a chronic condition, consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or your doctor before use.
Recommended: Start Here
If you want to try Patha, the simplest starting point is the root powder at the classical dose of 1 to 2 g, used for sluggish digestion. Because it is bitter, pungent and heating, it suits a cool, heavy digestion better than a fiery one.
Look for products labelled Patha or Cissampelos pareira, and check the botanical name, since the Sanskrit name Ambashtha is also applied to a different plant.
Find Patha Root Powder on Amazon ↗ Cissampelos Pareira Extract ↗
Patha is heating and can aggravate Pitta, so check with a practitioner first if you run hot, are pregnant or nursing, or take medication.
Patha vs Other Herbs & Supplements
The Bhavaprakash Nighantu describes two kinds of Patha, and the name Ambashtha is shared with another plant. These are the comparisons that matter most when you buy or read about it.
| Comparison | Patha | Alternative | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small Patha vs Large Patha | Small Patha (Laghupatha) is Cissampelos pareira | Large Patha (Rajpatha) is Cyclea peltata or Cyclea burmanni, with round leaves 3 to 5 inches across | Both are described as containing saponins; this page covers the small kind |
| Patha vs Ambashtha (Sahasra Yoga) | Ambashtha is a Sanskrit synonym for Patha | The Sahasra Yoga drug index also uses Ambashtha for Tamarix articulata | Always confirm the botanical name on the label |
Patha for Specific Populations
Pregnancy & Nursing
The classical sources we draw on do not address Patha in pregnancy or while nursing. Given its hot, sharp nature, avoid it unless a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner advises otherwise.
The Sahasra Yoga notes its use in gynecological formulations, but that is a practitioner's tool, not a self-care guide.
Children
Our sources do not specify a dose for children. Consult a qualified practitioner before giving Patha to a child.
Elderly
Our sources give no age-specific guidance. Its digestive and urinary uses may be relevant, but because it is heating, older adults with Pitta-type heat should use it only under guidance.
Athletes
Our sources do not discuss athletic use. Patha is a digestive and clearing herb, not a strength tonic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Patha called in English?
Patha is called Velvet Leaf in English, and its botanical name is Cissampelos pareira. In Hindi it is known as Patha or Padh.
Is Patha heating or cooling?
Patha is heating (Ushna Virya), with a bitter and pungent taste and a light, sharp quality. It calms Vata and Kapha but can increase Pitta.
What is Patha mainly used for?
Classically it kindles digestion and is used for diarrhoea, fevers, piles and urinary complaints. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu counts it among the important appetizer (Deepaniya) herbs.
Can Patha be used on the skin?
Yes. A paste of the leaves and root with a bland oil is traditionally applied to sores, sinuses and itchy skin.
Which classical formulas contain Patha?
Patha appears in the Aragvadhadi and Pippalyadi groups of the Sushruta Samhita, in hemorrhoid formulas of the Charaka Samhita, and in decoctions, confections and medicated ghee of the Sharangadhara Samhita. The Ashtanga Hridaya also lists it among the bitter herbs and leafy vegetables.
How to Use Patha by Condition
Explore how Patha is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
References in Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan
Shaka varga :- (group of leafy vegetables) अथ शाकवगः शाकं पाठाशठ सष ू ासु नष णसतीनजम ् दोष नं लघु ा ह सराज ववा तुकम ् सु नष णो अि नकृ व ृ य तेषु राज वः परम ् यश वकार नः वच भे द तु वा तुकम ् Patha (Cissampelos pareira), shati (Hedychium spicatum), susha, sunishanna, satinaja in general, mitigates all the three doshas, are easily digestible and grahi (absorbent);
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
Tikta Gana – group of bitters :त तः पदोल ाय ती वालकोशीर च दनम ् भू न ब न ब कटुका तगरा गु व सकम ् न तमाला वरजनी मु त मूवाट पकम पाठापामागकां यायोगुडू चध वयासकम ् प चमल ू ं महा या यौ वशाल अ त वषावचा Patoli, Trayanti – Gentiana kurroa, Valaka, Usira – Vetiveria zizanioides, Chandana – Sandalwood, Bhunimba – The creat (whole plant) – Andrographis paniculata, Nimba – Neem – Azadirachta indica, Katuka – Picrorhiza kurroa, Tagara – Indian Valerian (root) – Valeriana wallichi, Aguru, Vatsaka – Hol
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
21-24 योषकटवीवरा श ु वड गा त वषाि थराः ह गुस ौवचलाजाजीयवानीधा य च काः नशी ब ृह यौ हपुषा पाठामूलं च के बुकात ् एषां चूण मधु घ ृतं तैलं च सदशांशकम ् स तु भः षोडशगुणैयु तं पीतं नहि त तत ् अ त थौ या दकान ् सवा ोगान यां च त वधान ् ोगकामलाि व वासकासगल हान ् बु मेधा म ृ तकरं स न या ने च द पनम ् Powder of Vyosha- (Trikatu – pepper, long pepper and ginger), Katvi, Vara (Triphala), Shigru (drum stick), Vidanga (False black pepper – Embelia ribes), Ativisha, Sthira (Desmodium gangeticum), Hingu – (A
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Dvividha Upakramaneeya
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food; Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their; Dvividha Upakramaneeya
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)
If the patient suffers from edema and pain in the peri-anal region, and if there is suppression of the digestive power, then he should be treated with the combination of powder of trikatu [(Sunthi (Zingiber officinale), pippali (Piper longum)and maricha (Piper nigrum)], pippalimool (Piper longum), patha (Cissampelos parrira), hingu (Ferula narthex), chitraka (Plumbago Zylanica), sauvarchala (one kind of salt), pushkarmool(Inula racemosa), jeera (Cuminum cyminum), Pulp af bilva (Aegle marmelos),
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
), shringvera (Zingiber officinale), ajqji (Cuminum Cyminum), karavi (Foeniculum vulgare), dhanyak (Coriandrum sativum), tumburu (Coriandrum sativum), bilva (Aegle marmelos), karkataka and patha (Cissampelos parrira).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Ghee should be cooked with the paste of chavya (Piper retrofractum), trikatu, patha (Cesalpinia pareira), kshara, kustumbaru (dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum)), yavani, pippali moola, vida, saindhava (rock-salt).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Ghee should be cooked with the paste of nagara (Zingiber officinalis), pippali moola, chitraka (Plumbego zeylanicum), gaja pippali, shvadanshtra, pippali (Piper longum), dhanyak (Coriandrum sativum), bilva (Aegle marmelons), patha (Cissampelos Pareira) and yavani (Trechyspermum ammi), juice of changeri (Oxalis corniculata) (four times the quantity of ghee) and curd (four times the quantity of ghee).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 23: Over-nutrition & Under-nutrition Disorders (Santarpaniya Adhyaya / सन्तर्पणीय अध्याय); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
A decoction prepared from Agnimantha (Premna integrifolia), Shati (Hedychium spicatum), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Shunthi (dry ginger — Zingiber officinale), and Devadaru (Cedrus deodara) should be used in all diseases of the head (Shiroroga).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations)
The powders to add are: Rasanjana (extract of Berberis aristata), Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba gum resin), Trikatu — Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Maricha (Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum) — Triphala — Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaka (Terminalia bellirica), Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) — Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Indrayava (Holarrhena antidysenterica seeds), and Tvak (Cinnamomum zeylanicum).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Also: Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica), Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba resin), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) — each one Pala (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Lajjalu (Mimosa pudica), Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Mocharasa (Bombax ceiba resin), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), and Ativisha (Aconitum heterophyllum) — each one Pala (approx.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
The ingredients are: Pippali (Piper longum), Pippali Moola (root of Piper longum), Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Hasti Pippali (Scindapsus officinalis), Shvadamshtra/Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Nagara/Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Dhanya/Dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum), Patha (Cissampelos pareira), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), and Yavanika (Trachyspermum ammi).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 2: Kvathakalpana (Decoction Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations); Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 9: Snehakalpana (Oleaginous Preparations - Ghrita and Taila)
References in Sushruta Samhita
Musta, tejovati, patha, katphala, katuka, vacha, mustard, pippali root, pippali, saindhava salt, agni (chitraka), tuttha (copper sulfate), karanja seeds, salt, and bhadradaru — a decoction made from these should be used for gargling (kavala).
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 24: Chapter 24
Ajagandhaa, ajashringi, gavachi, langalahvaya, putika, chitraka, patha, vidanga, ela, harenuka, the three pungents (trikatu), barley, salts, manashila, kasisa, trivrit, danti, haritala, and surashtri — these are the drugs for purificatory suppositories (shodhana varti).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 36: Bhumipravibhagiya Adhyaya - On Classification of Land for Medicinal Plants
Ajagandhaa, ajashringi, gavachi, langalahvaya, putika, chitraka, patha, vidanga, ela, and harenuka (verse 13);
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter
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
The Pippalyadi Gana consists of: pippali (long pepper), pippali root, chavya, chitraka, shringavera (ginger), maricha (black pepper), hasti-pippali, harenuka, ela (cardamom), ajamoda, indrayava, patha, jiraka (cumin), sarshapa (mustard), mahanimbaphala, hingu (asafoetida), bhargi, madhurasa, ativisha, vacha, and vidanga, plus katurohi (verse 22).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 24: Chapter 24; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 36: Bhumipravibhagiya Adhyaya - On Classification of Land for Medicinal Plants; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
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.