Gandha Prasarini (Paederia Foetida) - Properties, Benefits & Dosage

Gandha Prasarini Plant

Gandha Prasarini (Paederia foetida) is a climber plant which has ovate to lanceolate leaves. Gandha Prasarini leaves are around 5 cm long and 2.5 cm in width. The leaves are also membranous and have long petioles. Gandha Prasarini flowers are found in scorpiod cymes and are purple or violet in color. Gandha Prasarini roots are cylindrical or sub cylindrical and compressed on both sides, with an outer surface covered in root scars. The fruits are compressed, ellipsoid, red or black in color. It is fibrous, the exterior is brownish and the internal color is light brown, with a bitter taste.

Gandha Prasarini

Gandha Prasarini (Paederia foetida) is an important Ayurvedic medicinal herb. The word meaning of Gandha Prasarini in Sanskrit is – it spreads bad smell! It is a unique feature of this herb. Gandha means, smell and prasarini means spreading.

It contains various chemical constituents like essential oil (methyl mercaptan, Linalool), Iridoid glucosides (Asperuloside, paederoside and scandoside, riterpenoids and saponins Ursolic acid, epifriedelinol, friedelin, sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol), Quinones (Embelin), Alkaloids, fatty acids (capric, lauric, myristic, arachidic and palmitic acids), Valine, Tyrosine, Histidine carotene and Vitamin C.

It has various therapeutic properties like Anti-inflammatory, Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Helminthic and Anti-Hyperglycemic. Because of its different properties it is used in treatment of different ailments like rheumatism, paralysis, abscesses, gout, diarrhea, dysentery, infertility, colic and flatulence.

Its different parts are used in different Ayurvedic Preparations. Its leaves are used against herpes infection, roots are used for relieving pain in the chest or liver, inflammation of spleen and also used as emetic.

Gandha Prasarini Classification

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Gentianales
• Family: Rubiaceae
• Genus: Paederia
• Species: Foetida

Habitat

It is found in the Himalayas from Dehradun eastwards, up to an altitude of 1800 m above sea level. It is also found in Bihar, Orissa, Bengal and Assam.

Gandha Prasarini Names

• Botanical name - Paederia foetida
• Hindi Name – Gandhaprasarani or Pasaran
• English Name - Chinese flower
• Sanskrit Name - Prasarini, Gandhpatra
• Telugu Name – Takkeda, Savirel
• Bengali Name – Gandhabhaduliya, Gandhabhadule, Gandal
• Marathi Name – Hiran- vel, Hiranvel, Haranvel
• Gujrati Name – Gandhana, Prasarini
• Tamil Name – Pinarisangai, Mudiyar, Kundal
• Assamese name – Bhedai lota or Paduri lota
• Kannada Name - Hesarani, Prasarini bail
• Malayalam Name - Tala nili
• Punjabi Name - Prasarini
• Oriya Name - Suprasara

Ayurvedic Properties of Gandha Prasarini

Hindi / Sanskrit		English
Rasa	Tikta	Taste	Bitter
Guna	Guru, Sara	Physical Property	Heavy, Flowing
Virya	Ushna	Potency	Hot
Vipaka	Katu	Taste conversion after digestion	Pungent

Gandha Prasarini Effects On Doshas

It manages Kapha and Vata doshas.

Classical Categorization

Charaka Samhita	Sushrut Samhita	Vagbhata
NIL	NIL	NIL

Ancient Verse About Paederia Foetida

It states that properties and names of Gandha prasarini - Prasarini, Rajbala, Bhadraparani, Pratanini, Saarini, Sarini, Bhadra, Bala and Kattamabhra are the synonyms of Prasarini.

It is bitter in taste and heavy in nature. It is hot in potency. It has aphrodisiac property, provides strength and immunity to body (Balkaark), useful in wound and bone healing (Sandhankark). It is useful to manage vata and kapha doshas in body and their related disorders.

Reference

The Bhavprakash Nighantu with elaborated Hindi commentary by Padmashri prof. K.C. Chunekar, edited by Dr. G.S. Pandey: edition of 1998: verse 234-235, page no-424-425.

Practical Uses & Benefits Of Paederia Foetida

• Anti-inflammatory activity: It has anti-inflammatory property and is useful in the treatment of edema and all other inflammatory conditions.
• Anti-arthritic activity: It is very useful in the treatment of joint problems like arthritis and joint pain, gout etc.
• It is useful to balance the vata and kapha doshas in body and their related disorders.
• It also has aphrodisiac property and improves the semen quality. It has Anthelmintic activity also.
• It helps to relieve from abdominal pain and bloating.
• It acts as immunity enhancer and provides strength to the body against various infections.
• It is also used to stimulate the central nervous system.
• It is also used in the treatment of fever.
• It also has diuretic property.
• Its fruits are used to relieve toothache.
• It has hepato-protective and antispasmodic activity.
• Its oil is very beneficial in various joint disorders.
• Most of the massage oils used for Vata balancing contain this herb as an essential ingredient. On external use, this herb relieves pain, inflammation and stiffness.

Part Used

Root, Leaf

Dosage

• Infusion: 12-24 ml
• Fresh Juice: 10-20 ml
• Decoction: 50-100ml
• Powder: 2-4 g

Ayurvedic Product From Gandha Prasarini (Paederia Foetida)

Orthovita Oil

It supports the healthy joints, muscles and bones. It also provides overall strength to the body.

Method of application

Apply over the affected area gently, once or twice daily or as directed.