Agnimantha – Premna Integrifolia

Agnimantha or botanically Premna Integrifolia is an important ingredient of Dashmool Plants. Dashmool has two subcategories Brihat Panchamoola and Laghu Panchamoola. Agnimantha is included under Brihat Panchamoola. All these plants have anti-rheumatic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

Agnimantha is used in the treatment of all types of Vata Disorders (diseases related to the nervous and musculoskeletal system), inflammatory disorders, neuralgia, rheumatoid arthritis, anemia, piles, constipation, common cold, and loss of appetite. It is also useful in eruptive fevers, which include infections like scarlet fever (scarlatina), measles, small pox, varioloid eruptions, and erysipelas.

Basic Information

Medicinal Parts

1. Roots
2. Leaves
3. Bark

Generally, Agnimantha roots and root bark is used in the management of Vata Disorders. Its leaves are used in fevers and infections.

Phytochemistry (Chemical Constituents)

The main chemical constituents of Agnimantha plant are as follows:

• LINALOOL
• LINOLEIC ACID
• p-METHOXY CINNAMIC ACID
• APHELANDRINE
• CARYOPHELLEN
• CLERODENDRIN-A
• GANIKARINE
• IRIDOID GLYCOSIDE
• LUTEOLIN
• PENTACYCLIC TERPENEBETULIN
• PREMNASPIRODIENE
• PREMNAZOLE
• PREMNENOL
• PREMNINE, GANIARINE
• β-SITOSTEROL

Pharmacological Actions

All parts of Agnimantha have following pharmacological actions or medicinal properties.

• Digestive
• Stomachic
• Febrifuge
• Anti-constipation
• Uterine Tonic
• Carminative
• Digestive Stimulant
• Stomachic
• Cardiac stimulant

Medicinal Properties of Agnimantha Root & Bark

• Analgesic
• Antinociceptive
• Anti-arthritic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Anti-obesity
• Antihyperlipidemic
• Antioxidant
• Immunomodulatory
• Cardioprotective

Medicinal Properties of Agnimantha Leaves

• Antibacterial
• Anti-cancer & anti-tumor
• Antiulcerogenic – Anti-ulcer
• Gastro-protective
• Antihyperglycemic and anti-diabetic
• Hepatoprotective
• Anti-obesity
• Metabolism enhancer

Ayurvedic Properties of Agnimantha

Therapeutic Indications

Agnimantha is helpful in following health conditions.

• Vata Disorders (diseases related to nervous and musculoskeletal system)
• Inflammatory disorders
• Neuralgia
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Anemia
• Hemorrhoids or piles
• Common cold
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation
• Eruptive fevers – scarlet fever (scarlatina), measles, small pox, varioloid eruptions and erysipelas
• Diabetes (particularly leaves)
• Dyslipidemia (particularly leaves)
• Glycosuria
• Chyluria
• Lymphadenitis
• Couth
• Breathing Difficulties and asthma
• Common cold

Agnimantha Benefits & Medicinal Uses

Agnimantha is useful in neurological diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and diseases related to the lungs, heart, blood, skin and kidneys. It acts as a protective agent for blood vessels, heart, liver, skin, muscles, joints, and other connective tissues.

Loss of Appetite & Malabsorption

Agnimantha roots act as appetizer and digestive. It improves appetite and aids in proper digestion. It is the best natural ayurvedic herb for people feeling the inability to digest foods, heaviness in the abdomen, drowsy, or tiredness after having a meal. It reduces all these symptoms and improves digestion and promotes proper assimilation of the food.

120 grams coarse powder of Agnimantha roots is taken in 480 grams drinkable water and boiled. This water is called Agnimantha Pani or Agnimantha Water. This water should be taken in dosage of 60 to 120 ml 2 to 3 times a day. If you have a poor appetite, then it should be taken before food and if you have the poor digestive capacity, then it should be taken an hour after a meal.

Lymphadenitis

Agnimantha is also very effective for alleviating the pain, inflammation, and swelling of the lymph nodes occurring in lymphadenitis. It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral actions that help to inhibit the growth of microbes, fights against infections, and reduce inflammation. However, if tuberculosis is the underlying cause of lymphadenitis, then Agnimantha may not alone help.

In lymphadenitis, Agnimantha root powder should be taken in dosage of 2 grams twice daily with water. In addition to this, an herbal paste prepared from fresh Agnimantha leaves and bamboo leaves should also be applied on the swelling externally.

Hemorrhoids or Piles

The decoction prepared from Agnimantha is used in sitz bath instead of simple for relieving pain occurring in hemorrhoids.

Neuralgia

However, Dashmool is more beneficial in the management of Neuralgia, but the decoction prepared from Agnimantha roots can also be used for neuralgia treatment. It is effective to reduce stabbing pain. It improves blood supply to the brain and soothes the affected nerves, which aids in the treatment of Neuralgia. The burning pain is commonly occurring in Neuralgia, so 100 ml Agnimantha Kwath should be given along with 125 mg Mukta Pishti and 125 mg Rajat Bhasma (Raupya Bhasma) twice daily for the best results.

Obesity

Agnimantha leaves have anti-obesity effects and metabolism booster property. The juice extracted from the fresh leaves is very helpful for reducing weight and improving metabolism of the fats and prevents fat accumulation. 20 ml Agnimantha leaf juice should be taken twice daily for at least 3 months to get promising results.

Urticaria

Agnimantha roots are especially used for the treatment of urticaria. It has anti-allergic, anti-urticaria and antipruritic action, which help t reduce hives, itching and prickling pain. 2 grams Agnimantha root powder can be used along with 125 mg Yashad Bhasma for good results. The treatment with this remedy should continue for 1 to 2 weeks or until complete relief.

Chyluria (chylous urine)

Agnimantha root decoction is advised to drink for the treatment of Chyluria. Like Agaru leaves, it can also be used in combination of Haritaki decoction.

Agnimantha Dosage

The dosage of different preparations of Agnimantha is as follows:

Agnimantha Root or Bark Powder Dosage

Agnimantha Decoction Dosage

Agnimantha Decoction should be prepared using 25 grams coarse powder of Agnimantha roots or bark in 400 ml water. Boil to reduce it 100 ml Agnimantha liquid/Decoction. The dosage is 50 to 100 ml.

Agnimantha Juice Dosage

Safety Profile

Agnimantha is considerably safe when used in crude and natural form or in form of Agnimantha powder, juice, and decoction.

Agnimantha Side Effects

There are no side effects observed if Agnimantha is used as per Dosha Analysis.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Agnimantha preparations are best to avoid during pregnancy because its safety profile for women is not well established.

Agnimantha is likely safe for lactating mothers. There are no adverse effects reported with the use of Agnimantha formulation in lactating mothers and breastfeeding babies. Dashmularishta containing Agnimantha is commonly used during the postpartum period to prevent postpartum diseases.

Contraindications

There are no absolute Contraindications for Agnimantha.

Toxicity

Not Observed.

Allergic Reactions (Allergy)

Not Known.

Drug Interactions

Not Known.

Agnimantha in Ayurvedic Formulations

1. Dasamoola
2. Agnimanthadi Kashayam
3. Agnimanthmool Kalka
4. Dasamoola Kashayam or Kwath (Dashmool decoction)
5. Dasamulakatutrayadi Kashayam
6. Dashamoola Haritaki
7. Dashmool Churna (Dashmool powder)
8. Dashmool Oil
9. Dashmool Rasayana
10. Dashmularishta (Dasamoolarishtam)
11. Dhanwantharam Kashayam
12. Dashamoola Shatpala Ghrita
13. Maharasnadi Kwath
14. Narayan Oil