Herb's Introduction
Sphaeranthus amaranthoides Burm.f. is a small, versatile, procumbent (prostrate) annual or perennial herb belonging to the family Asteraceae (Compositae). Known commonly in the Siddha system of medicine as Siva karandhai or Sivakaranthai in Tamil, this plant holds significant cultural and therapeutic value, particularly in the traditional medicine systems of the Indian subcontinent. It is often found sprawling across semi-aquatic environments, such as moist lands, marshy areas, and as a common weed in paddy fields. In Siddha, it is revered as a 'Kalpa' drug, signifying its status as a potent rejuvenating (Rasayana) medicine intended to enhance longevity, boost immunity, and prevent the aging and deterioration of the body's vital tissues, including muscles, nerves, bones, and blood cells.
Name in Different Countries
Sphaeranthus amaranthoides is primarily known across South Asia and has several vernacular names reflecting its widespread use and recognition in various regional languages. Category Name(s) Scientific Name Sphaeranthus amaranthoides Burm.f. Family Asteraceae (Compositae) English Name Ceylon Globe Thistle, East Indian Globe Thistle Synonyms Oligolepis amaranthoides (Burm.f.) Wight, Sphaeranthus zeylanicus B.Heyne ex Wall. Tamil Name Siva karandhai (Sivakaranthai), Amutakarantai Other Indian Vernacular Names amutakarantai, cekilacitacceti, cekilacitam, cevayakkarantai, cevayam, ceyavalli, cittakanni, civakamikacceti, civakamikam, civakarantai, civakkarunti, civamakitacceti, civamatikam, civanmutivacikkanni, civappukki, civappukkicceti, civaralanankai, curaikkarantai, curakkarantai, kankalamuli, kankalanmuli, kayvaciyacceti, kayvaciyam, kolumpuccivakarantai, konaicuticceti, konraicuti, kulattatikam, kulatti, kunatti, maiyaltarumakamuli, marukkam, mulaicci, nalnari, narakarantai, narakkaranantai, narukarantai, narunkarantai, pallatarini, parimalamuli, parimalatimuli, parimali, peyotati, peyotaticceti, piracitta, pokkumulaicci, siva karanthai, tevankolacceti, tevankolam, tirunilakantacceti, tirunilakantan, tivanantamanmuli, vattirapancakacceti, vattirapancakam, vencitam, vicuvanatacceti, vicuvanatam, vitaiyurti, vitaiyurticceti, yonippu. Export to Sheets
Terminology
The understanding of Sphaeranthus amaranthoides is rooted in traditional and modern scientific terminology: Kalpa Drug: In the Siddha system, this term refers to potent rejuvenating (Rasayana) medicines. These are believed to purge the body of infective organisms, enhance the immune system, and promote physical strength, vitality, and delayed aging (Kaya Kalpa). Phytoconstituents: Modern studies refer to the plant's active compounds, which include a rich profile of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, and glycosides. These compounds are responsible for its wide range of biological activities. Tridosha Theory: Traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda and Siddha) describes its action as helping to balance the bodily humors, specifically by alleviating Kapha (phlegm) and Vata (wind) disorders.
Availability
Sphaeranthus amaranthoides is primarily native to the Indian Subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia and Australia. Geographical Range: It is native to Southwest India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and tropical regions of Australia. It is also documented as being native to Nepal. Habitat: The plant thrives in the seasonally dry tropical biome, particularly in marshy lands, banks of irrigation channels, and cultivated fields, often found as a weed in rice paddies. Relevance to Nepal: Although primarily associated with South India and Sri Lanka, this species is noted in the flora of Nepal. Ethnomedicinal reports indicate that indigenous communities, such as the Nepali and Lepcha tribes in the Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayan regions (bordering Nepal), utilize the plant as a traditional remedy, including for diabetes.
External Look
The plant's appearance is characteristic of a small, sprawling herb, distinguishable from its close relatives like Sphaeranthus indicus by the structure of its stem and flower-heads. Habit: It is a stout, small, procumbent herb, meaning it grows prostrate along the ground with spreading branches. Stem: The stem is terete (cylindrical or round) with branchlets that are very narrowly winged, or sometimes not winged at all. This narrow winging is a key distinction from other Sphaeranthus species. Leaves: The leaves are alternate, measuring up to 9 cm in length and 1.5 cm in width. They are typically oblong to spathulate (spoon-shaped), ending in an acute (pointed) apex. The leaves are black-dotted and distantly serrate (saw-toothed) along the margins. Flower-heads (Capitula): The distinctive feature is the terminal, clustered flower-heads, which are ovoid (egg-shaped) and subsessile (nearly stalkless). They are enclosed by overlapping (imbricate) bracts that are spinous and protruding. The flowers consist of inner bisexual florets and outer female florets. Fruit: The achenes (small, dry fruits) of the inner floret are glabrous (hairless), while those of the outer floret are villous (hairy).
Healing Properties
Sphaeranthus amaranthoides possesses a powerful spectrum of therapeutic properties, confirmed by both traditional uses and modern pharmacological studies: Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic: It exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, useful in treating conditions linked to swelling and pain. Antioxidant and Antimutagenic: The presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds confers strong antioxidant activity, which helps neutralize free radicals, offering protection against cellular damage and mutation. Hepatoprotective (Liver Protective): It is highly valued for its ability to protect the liver against chemical and drug-induced damage, helping to stabilize hepatic marker enzymes. Antimicrobial and Anti-helminthic: The extracts are effective against various pathogenic bacteria (both Gram-positive and Gram-negative) and are traditionally used to expel intestinal worms. Wound Healing (Vulnerary): It accelerates the wound healing process, showing efficacy even better than some standard control ointments in some studies, attributed to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Gastrointestinal Regulator: It shows significant antidiarrheal and stomachic (digestive tonic) activity. Tonic and Depurative: The flowers, in particular, are considered depurative (blood purifying), cooling, and a general tonic for the body.
Advantages
The advantages of utilizing Sphaeranthus amaranthoides stem from its multi-target action profile: Holistic Action: As a 'Kalpa' drug in Siddha, it is prescribed for systemic rejuvenation, not just symptomatic relief, helping to prevent chronic illnesses and aging. Efficacy in Chronic Skin Conditions: Its robust anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and blood-purifying properties make it exceptionally effective in treating chronic and recurrent skin diseases like eczema and acne. Organ-Specific Protection: It provides confirmed protection for vital organs like the liver (hepatoprotective activity), which is a key requirement in protecting against modern drug toxicities. Natural Anti-Infective: Its strong antibacterial and anti-helminthic activities offer a natural remedy for managing infections and parasitic infestations without the side effects often associated with synthetic drugs. Safety Profile: Acute toxicity studies often indicate that the plant extracts are regarded as safe for consumption within traditional dosage limits.
Uses
Different parts of the Sphaeranthus amaranthoides plant are employed for specific medicinal purposes: Plant Part Primary Use(s) Traditional Ailments Treated Whole Plant/Juice Blood purifier, diuretic, styptic Eczema, blood disorders, skin diseases, Kapha and Vata imbalances, fever, liver and gastric disorders. Leaves (Powder/Paste) Anti-inflammatory, detoxification Chronic skin diseases, jaundice, urethral discharges, wound healing (applied externally as a paste). Flowers Tonic, Cooling, Depurative Blood purification, general weakness, skin diseases. Roots and Seeds Stomachic, Anti-helminthic Stomach worms, abdominal discomfort, general digestive issues, piles. Traditional Formulations Rejuvenation, Enhancing Semen Consistency Used as an ingredient in polyherbal Siddha formulations like Dasamularishta, and for Kaya Kalpa therapy. Export to Sheets
Using way
The traditional preparation and administration methods of Siva karandhai vary depending on the ailment being treated: Internal Use (Decoction/Extracts): The dried whole plant material is often coarsely powdered and prepared as an extract (aqueous or ethanolic in modern studies) or a decoction (boiled in water) for internal consumption. This is the common method for treating internal issues like liver disorders, fever, anti-helminthic action, and antidiarrheal use. Experimental Dosage: While traditional dosages should be verified with a practitioner, experimental studies used ethanolic or aqueous extracts in doses ranging from 200 mg/kg to 500 mg/kg body weight. External Use (Paste/Ointment): For skin diseases, eczema, dermatitis, and wound healing, the fresh leaves are often crushed or ground into a fine paste. This paste is then applied directly to the affected skin area once or twice daily. Modern pharmaceutical preparations include ointments containing 5% methanolic extract of the plant. Siddha Formulations: The plant powder is incorporated into complex polyherbal preparations to treat systemic conditions and is also used in preparations meant for detoxification (e.g., detoxification of Mercury in some ancient texts).
Conclusion
Sphaeranthus amaranthoides (Siva karandhai) stands as a monumental example of a medicinal plant with profound therapeutic efficacy, particularly within the Siddha and traditional medicine systems of India and the surrounding regions. Its role as a 'Kalpa' drug underscores its broad-spectrum healing capabilities, extending from rejuvenation and immunity enhancement to targeted treatment of liver damage and chronic skin ailments. Backed by a rich phytochemical profile of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, its scientifically confirmed activities—including potent wound healing, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects—validate its extensive traditional usage. As an easily available herb found in semi-aquatic habitats across South Asia, Sphaeranthus amaranthoides remains a crucial and sustainable source of natural medicine, offering a holistic approach to health maintenance and disease management.
