Introduction to Agnimantha
The very important medicinal plant Agnimantha has been mentioned in texts going back to the Vedic era. It is listed as one of Dashamoola’s (ten herbs). In ancient times, wood was rubbed together to create fire using the words Agni, which means fire, and Mantha which means to shake. According to Acharya Charak, this herb is the best for vatahara and shothahara.
Botanical Name & Family of Agnimantha
Bruhat Agnimantha = Premna integrifolia
Verbenaceae
Basonym of Agnimantha
अग्रिमन्यः अग्रिमथ्यतेऽनेन अरणिरूपेण
The twigs of Agnimantha were used to ignite a fire, hence the name Agnimantha.
Premna integrifolia: Premnon-a stump, the low stature of the species, integri=entire or whole, Folia Leaves.
Main Synonyms Of Agnimantha:
अग्रिमन्थोजयः सस्याच्छ्रीपर्णीगणिकारिका ।
जयाजयन्तितर्कारिनादेयीवैजयन्तिका ।। (भा.प्र.)
I. Based on the habitat:
It grows on the banks of rivers: Naadeyi.
नादेयीः नद्यां भवा
II. Based on plant morphology:
1. It is bushy in nature: Ganikarika
गणिकारिकाः गणेसमूहेभवा प्रसरन्ति च।
2. Inflorescence points upwards like a flag: Vaijayanti and Ketu
वैजयन्ति-पताकेन् । केतुः - पताकेन् पुष्पमञ्जरि ।।
III. Local name of the plant: Tarkari
तर्कारि = लौकिकीसंज्ञा ।
IV. Non-medicinal uses:
sticks were used to ignite fire by rubbing together: Agnimathana and Aranika.
अग्रिमथन- अग्निर्मथ्यतेऽनेन् अरणिरूपेण । अरणिक- अरणिरूपेणप्रयुज्यमान।
V. Medicinal uses:
1. Stimulates the digestive fire: Agnimantha
अग्निमन्थ:- अग्रिमथ्यति दीपनत्वात् ।
2. Cures many diseases: Jaya, Jayanti
जया - जयतिरोगान् । जयन्ति - रोगान् जयन्ति । ।
Regional Names of Agnimantha:
- Hindi-Urni
- Bengali-Ganiyari, Arni
- Gujarati-Arni
- Kannada-Taggi
- Malayalam- Munja
- Marathi- Takalimoola
- Tamil-Tazutazhai
- Telugu-Taluki
Laghu/Kshudra agnimantha= Clerodendrum phlomidis
Classification of Dravya (Gana) as in Charaka and Sushruta:
Gana of Agnimantha according to Charaka:
Shothahara, Sheetaprashamana, Anuvasanopaga.
Gana of Agnimantha according to Sushruta:
Bruhatpanchamula, Vatasamshana, Viratarvadi, Varunadi.
Morphology Of Agnimantha
External Morphology:
(i) Premna integrifolia:
A large shrub or small tree, Bark: yellowish, Leaves: broadly elliptic, obtuse. Flowers: small, greenish-yellow, with a disagreeable odor in terminal paniculate corymbose cymes. Fruit: Pear-shaped, four-seeded.
(ii) Clerodendrum phlomidis:
Large bush/small tree. Leaves are ovate or sub-rhomboid. Flowers moderate-sized, fragrant, in axillary cymes. Fruit: Drupe, broadly obovoid.
Useful Parts: Leaves and root bark (Kanda tvak)
Important Chemical Composition:
Premna Integrifolia: contains an alkaloid premnazole.
Clerodendrum Serratum: The roots contain sterols (A.P.I Volume III)
Rasa Panchaka of Agnimantha:
Rasa: Katu, Tikta, Kashaya
Virya: Ushna
Karma: Shothahara
Guna: Laghu, Ruksha
Vipaka: Katu
तर्कारिकदुरुष्णा च तिक्ताऽनिलकफापहा । शोफश्लेष्माग्निमान्द्यार्शो विट् बन्याऽऽ ध्माननाशिनी ।। अग्रिमन्यद्वयं चैव तुल्यंवीर्यरसादिषु । तत्प्रयोगानुसारेणयोजयेत् स्वमनीषया ।। (रा.नि.)
Both varieties of agnimantha (Bruhat and laghu) have similar properties and have to b used accordingly.
Action on Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala:
By Katu, Tikta and Kashaya rasa it is Kaphahara. By ushna virya it is vatahara.
Pharmacological Activities of Agnimantha: Hypoglycaemic and Anthelmintic are significant pharmaco- logical activities. The aqueous extract of leaves of Clerodendrum phlomidis was found to be effective in reducing edema of formalin-induced arthritis in rats. (CCRAS Database Volume II).
Prayogarha vyadhi (Therapeutic Indications): Shotha, Agnimandya, Vatavikara, Pandu, Arshas.
Amayikaprayoga and Matra of Agnimantha (Therapeutic Administration and Dose):
External Uses
(1) Arshas: After abhyanga, avagaha should be done with kwatha of agnimantha, shigru and ashmantaka patra. (Ch.chi 14/45)
(ii) Granthi Visarpa: Lepa is done with ikshu and agnimantha patra (Ch.chi 21/125)
(iii) Urusthambha: Kwatha of agnimantha and Karanja is made, and seka is given over effected part. Also the paste of these drugs is made with gomutra and applied. (Ch.chi. 27/57).
(iv) Vyanga: Aranitvak pounded with ajadugdha is applied. (G.ni 4/10.101)
Internal Uses
(i) Udarashotha: The water boiled and cooled, mixed with arani khsara is adviced for
intake and application for three days.
अरणिक्षारसम्मिनं तोयंक्वथितशीतलम् । त्रिदिनंपानतो अभ्यङ्गाच्छोहन्ति उदरोद्भवम्।। (ग.नि. २/३३-६९)
(ii) Vasameha: Agnimantha kashaya is indicated.
वसामेहिनमग्निमन्यकषायंशिंशिपककषायंवा। (सु.चि. ११/९)
तत्रवसामेहे अग्निमन्थस्य (अ.सं.चि. १४/८)
(iii) Ikshumeha: Agnimantha kashaya is indicated.
इक्षुमेहिनां वैजयन्तिकषायम् (सु.वि. ११/९)
Matra:
- P. integrifolia: Leaf, root bark kashaya 50-100ml
- Agnimantha Churna: 1-3g (CCRAS)
- Clerodendrum phlomidis (root): 12-24g of powder for making kashaya (API-Vol. III)
Vishistayoga (Names of Important Formulations):
Agnimantha Ayurvedic medicines are referenced in various Samhita.
Charaka samhita:
| Vishista yoga | Rogaghnata | References |
| Shonakadi lepa | Urustambha | Cha.Chi.27/57 |
| Baladi lepa | Granthi | Cha.Chi.21/125 |
| Agaruwadi taila | Jwara, sheetajwara | Cha.Chi.3/269 |
| Kansaharitaki leha | Raktapitta, amlapitta, amavata, gulma, swasa | Cha.Chi.12/50 |
| Brhmana rasayana | Rasayana, deergayu, manoabhilasha | Cha.Chi.1.1/43 |
| Chavanprasha leha | Rasayana, kasa, swasa, kshataksheena | Cha.Chi.1/69 |
| Tarkaradi lepa | Urustambha | Cha.Chi.27/52 |
| Dashamooladi ghrita | Kasa, Hikka, Swasa | Cha.Chi.17/140 |
| Dashamoola kwatha | Kasa, Swasa | Cha.Chi.17/105 |
| Dwipanchamooladi ghrita | Kshaya, kasa | Cha.Chi.18/160 |
| Dashamooladi yavagu | Swasa, Hikka | Cha.Chi.19/103 |
| Agastya haritaki | Vishama jwara, kshaya, kasa | Cha.Chi.18/62 |
| Patoladi basti kashaya | Udavartha, vibandha | Cha.Chi.2/13 |
| Agnimanthadi swarasa | Medoroga stoulya | Cha.Chi.21/24 |
Sushruta Samhita:
| Vishista yoga | Rogaghnata | References |
| Aushadheeya ayaskriti | Sthoulya, mutrakrichra, rajayakshma | Su.Chi.10/13 |
| Panchamooladi ghrita | Shiroroga, karnaroga | Su.Chi.26/5 |
| Dashamoola ksheera basti | Shoola, pravahika | Su.Ut. |
| Dwipanchamoola kwatha | Shoola, pavahika | Su.Ut.40/144 |
| Bilwadi sura | Garbani vyapat | Su.Ut |
Astanga Hridaya:
| Vishista yoga | Rogaghnata | References |
| Agnimanthadi lepa | Vatajashopha | A.H.Chi.17 |
| Agnimantha dhumapana | Dushtapeenasa | A.H.Chi.20/16 |
| Dashamooladi avaleha | Svayathu, jwara, gulma, amavata | A.H.Chi.17/16 |
| Kalamushkakadi kshara | Ashmari, gulma, agnimandya, arbuda | A.H.Su.10/12 |
| Agasthya haritaki rasayana | Rasayana, kasa, swasa, kshaya, prameha, | A.S.Chi.5/81 |
| Dashamoola haritaki | Shotha, amavata, gulmaroga, pandu | A.S.Chi.19/29 |
| Gandeerarista | Pandu, granthi, arbuda, | A.S.Chi.18/21 |
Chakradatta chikitsa sangraha:
| Vishista yoga | Rogaghnata | References |
| Guggulu prayoga | Kaphaja vidradhi | 43/11 |
| Punarnavadi pralepa | Kaphavataja shotha, | 44/9 |
| Punarnavadya ghritam | Shotha | 39/31 |
| Punarnavadya avaleha | Shotha | 39/46 |
Classical Reference of Agnimantha:
तर्कारी
तर्कारी कटुका तिक्ता तुवरा मधुराग्निदा।
वीर्योष्ण हरते वातकफश्वयथुपाण्डुताः ॥
Kaiyadeva Nighantu, Osadhi varga, 27
अग्निमन्थ
अग्निमन्थो गुणैस्तद्वद्विशेषाद्वातशोफहा ।
Kaiyadeva Nighantu, Oşadhi varga, 28.
अग्निमन्थः श्वयथुनुद्वीर्योष्णः कफवातनुत् ।
पाण्डुनुत्कटुकस्तिक्तस्तुवरो मधुरोऽग्रिदः ॥
Kaiyadeva Nighantu, Osadhi varga, 24.
अग्निमन्थः श्वयथुनुद्वीर्योष्णः कफवातहत् ।
पाण्डुनुत्कणकटुकपित्तकस्तुवरो मधुरोऽग्निदः ॥
Bhāvaprakāśa Nighantu, Gudūcyādi-varga, 24.
तालीसपत्रम्
तालीसं लघु तीक्ष्णोष्णं श्वासकासकफानिलान् । निहन्त्यारुचिगुल्मनामयग्षाहिमांद्यक्षयामयान् ॥
Bhāvaprakāśa Nighantu, Karpūrādi varga, 115.
तर्कारी कटुरुष्णा च तिक्ताऽनिलकफापहा । शोफ श्रेष्माग्निमांद्यार्शोविड्बन्धाध्माननाशिनी ॥
Rāja Nighanțu, Prabhadrādi varga, 23.
क्षुद्राग्निमन्थ
अग्निमन्थद्वयं चैव तुल्यं वीर्यरसादिषु ।
तन्प्रयोगानुसारेण योजयेत् स्वमनौषधा ।।
Raja Nighantu, Prabhadrādi varga, 25.
तर्कारी कटुका तिक्ता तथोष्णाऽनिलपाण्डुनुत् ।
शोथश्रेष्माग्निमांद्यामविबन्धांश्च विनाशयेत् ॥
Dhanvantari Nighantu
पार्श्वशूलादिषु अग्निमन्थक्षारतैलम्
तथाऽग्निमन्थस्योनाकपलाशतिलनालजैः।
बलाकद्रव्यापामार्गक्षारैः प्रत्येकशः श्रुतैः ।
तैलं पक्त्वा भिषग्दद्यादुदराणां प्रशान्तये ॥
निवर्तते चोदरिणां हृद्ग्रहश्चानिलोद्भवः।
Caraka Samhita, cikitsā. 13-170/171.
अश्मरीजन्यवेदनायां अरणीबीजम्
श्रीकरिणीफलबीजं पिष्टं मथितेन यः पुमानद्यात् ।
शाकमशितमथवाऽस्या हन्याद् रोगाश्मरीपीडाम् ॥
Bhāvaprakāśa Ašmarirogadhikāra, 37-69.
उपदशचिकित्सायां जयादिपत्रक्वाथः
Cakradatta, Upadamša cikitsa, 47-12.
शीतपित्ताद्विकाराणामग्निमन्थ प्रलेपः
अग्निमन्थभवं मूलं पिष्टं पीतञ्च सर्पिषा ।
शीतपित्तोदर्दकोठान् सप्ताहादेव नाशयेत् ॥
Cakradatta, Udardakothasitapitta cikitsä, 50-7.
प्रतिश्याये जयापत्रपुटपाकः
पुटपक्वं जयापत्रं सिन्धुतैलसमन्वितम् ।
प्रतिश्यायेषु सर्वेषु शीलितं परमौषधम् ॥
Cakradatta, Nasāroga cikitsā, 58-18
Research on Agnimantha Plant
Clerodendrum phlomidis:
Anti obesity activity
Lysosomal membrane stabilization and anti-inflammatory activity
Analgesic activity
Premna mucronata
Experimental evaluation of cardio-protective activity