English Name: Prickly chaff flower
Hindi Name: Chirchita, Latjira
Sanskrit Name: Apamarg, Mayura, Pratyakpuspa
Latin Name: Achyranthes aspera Pennell
Erect or ascending herbs or shrubs; leaves opposite, the blades entire many-flowered; becoming elongate, with only a few flowers open at the same time; flowers hermaphrodite, solitary in axils of acute, membranous, persistent bracts. The petals are white to pale lavender, the filaments while to rich pink, and the fruit orange to reddish purple or brown.
Application
Apamarga has been extensively used in Ayurveda as an anti-inflammatory agent besides being useful in Hemorrhoids, indigestion, cough, asthma, and anemia, jaundice and snake bite. Apamarg oil is used locally in earache. The root powder is sprinkled over the lesion in skin diseases.
Chemical composition
Plant yields achyranthine. Seeds are rich in, saponine proteins and potash salts.
Effect on dosha
Pacifies Vata and Kapha.
