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Acalypha, Haritamanjari

Indian Acalypha
Haritamanjari, Akakiya, Kuppi (Ayurveda)
Kuppaimani (Siddha)
Kuppi (Unani)
M. Blanco, Flora de Filipinas. (1875)

Botanical name:
Acalypha Indica, A. ciliata (Lesser variety)

Parts used:
Leaf, root; Whole Plant

Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Pungent, Bitter. Slightly Toxic.

Uses:
1. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough and Wheezing: (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani)
-violent and spasmodic Cough, Asthma
-Bronchitis, especially in children; Pneumonia
-Consumption, Hemoptysis
-for these uses, the juice is given (in low dose)

2. Clears Damp, Moves Qi:
-Promotes digestion and appetite
-Colic, flatulence, diarrhea

3. Clears Wind-Damp, Eases Pain:
-Arthritic diseases
-Headache; also for acute Mania

4. Promotes Stool, Kills Worms: (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani)
-Worms, especially in children
-gentle laxative, especially in children (juice orally or suppository)
-leaf decoction is laxative, root decoction is cathartic

5. Emetic::
-used to promote Vomiting, and clear Phlegm

6. Externally:
-leaves paste is applied to Skin diseases including Scabies, mixed with salt or Turmeric
-juice mixed with oil is applied to Rheumatoid arthritis
-powdered leaves are applied to bed sores
-paste of the leaves is applied to burns
-leaf paste is applied to Toothache, or the decoction is gargled
-decoction is applied to earache
-leaf paste is applied to wounds (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani)
-cataplasm of the fresh leaf is applied to painful bites and stings (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani)
-applied to Syphilitic Ulcers


DOSE:
Small doses are expectorant, larger doses are emetic.
Powder of the whole plant: 3–5 grams (API)
Juice: 5–10mls, diluted (API); half–1 teaspoonful; to promote vomiting in children, dose was given as 1 teaspoonful of the juice.
Infusion of the Root (1 in 10): half–1 fluid ounce
Decoction of the leaf (1 in 20): half–1 fluid ounce
Tincture (1 in 8): half–1 fluid dram
Liquid Extract (1:1): 10–60 drops

COMMENT:
Regarded as a safe, effective emetic in place of Senega or Ipecac

SUBSTITUTE:
Senega can generally replace Acalypha.

Main Combinations:
1. Bronchitis in Children, juice with Honey
2. Worms in children, Acalypha with Garlic
3. Topical for Wounds and Scabies, leaf paste is mixed with Turmeric
4. Juice mixed with Lime is applied to skin diseases

Major Formulas:

Cautions:
1. Fresh herb is toxic and emetic.
2. Causes intestinal irritation
3. The Pollen has been known to cause allergy

Main Preparations used: