Nakchikni
BOTANICAL NAME :CENTIPEDA MINIMA
- Botanical Classification
- Family
- Synonyms(other names)
- Ayurvedic Properties
- Habitat
- Morphology
- Chemical Constituents
- Pharmacology
- Contraindications
- Toxicology
- Parts Of The Plant Used
- Therapeutic Uses
- Formulations
- Dose
- Anti Dote
Nakchikni,Centipida Minima
Botanical Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Centipeda Lour. – centipeda P |
| Species | Centipeda minima (L.) A. Braun & Asch. – spreading sneezeweed P |
Family
| Botanical | Asteraceae |
| Ayurvedic | Bhringraj kul |
Synonyms(Other Names)
| SANSKRIT | Kshavak, Chikkni |
| HINDI | Nakchikkni |
| BENGALI
|
Mecheta |
| ENGLISH
|
Sneeze-wort |
| MARATHI
|
Becheta |
| GUJARATI | Nakshinkni |
Ayurvedic Properties
| GUNA (Properties) | Tikshan |
| RASA (Taste)
|
Katu |
| VIPAK (Metabolism)
|
Katu |
| VIRYA (Potency)
|
Ushan |
| PRABHAV (Impact)
|
Nasya |
Habitat
It is natively found in India and Srilanka.
Morphology
Aromatic, usually prostrate, annual, bright green, spreading herb up to 250 mm diam and 200 mm high. Branches numerous, spreading, frequently rooting from lower leaf nodes, glabrescent or finely covered in cottony, wispy hairs. Leaves spathulate, rhomboidal 3-27 mm x 1.5-11 mm, light green to dark green, never glaucescent, usually glabrescent sometimes cottony hairy, lamina margin serrated with 1-4 pairs of teeth, these usually confined to the upper third of lamina. Inflorescence a solitary, sessile to subsessile, axillary , leaf opposed capitulum. Capitula hemispherical to subglobular, 1.5-5 mm diam., greenish-yellow; involucral bracts obovate, 1-1.6 mm, receptacle convex; corolla of female flowers 0.1-0.25 mm, bisexual florets 0.3-0.4 mm. Fruiting heads disarticulating at maturity. Cypselas narrowly obcuneate, 0.6-1.5 mm, truncate or obtuse, with 4-8 ribs bearing short antrorse bristles, uniting as a pale, pithy apical cap in distal quarter.
Chemical Constituents
- Volatile oil
- Colourless crystals
Pharmacology
- It suppresses vata and kapha
- Used externally for skin disorders and acts as analgesic.
- Given as nasya for shiroverachan
- Makes nervous system healthy
- Improves digestive system
- Acts as antihelmintic
- Acts as aphrodisiac
Contraindications
- No contraindications noted ever
Toxicology
No toxic effects noted.
Parts Of The Plant Used
- Seeds
Therapeutic Uses
- Nasya is given in headache and rhinitis
- Applied externally in the form of paste in skin disorders
- Paralysis
- Weakness of nervous system
- Anorexia
- Indigestion
- Worm infestation
- Sexual disorders
- Skin disorders
Formulations
Not available
Dose
- Seeds 1 to 3 grams
Anti Dote
Not available
