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Alternanthera, Matsyakshi

Matsyakshi (Ayurveda)
Machechi, Panachooni (Unani)
Ponnangani (Siddha)
Xia Qiao Cai, Man Ti Xian, Lian Zi Cao (TCM)

Picture
Picture
Dictionnaire des sciences naturelles, Plates Botanique,
Turpin, 1816-1830
Flore d’Oware et de Benin en Afrique,
Palisot de Beauvois, 1804-1807

Botanical name:
Alternanthera sessilis
(syn.
A. triandra, A. denticulata, A. repens, A. achyranthoides; Achyranthes sessilis, A. triandra, A. villosa; there are many other synonyms for this plant including Gomphrena polygonoides, Illecebrum indicum, Steiremis sessilifolia, Illecebrum spp., Paronychia spp.)

Parts used:
Whole plant

Temperature & Taste:
Cold, dry. slightly Sweet, bland.

Uses:
1. Nourishes Yin, Strengthens the Brain
(Ayurveda):
-promotes Memory, increases Intelligence
-promotes development of children
-sex and fertility tonic
-Postpartum weakness

2. Clears Heat, Cools the Blood:
-skin diseases; blood toxicity (TCM, Ayurveda)
-Nose-bleeding, spitting Blood, blood in the Stool (TCM)
-acute Sore Throat; Pharyngitis
-Measles, Hemorrhagic Fever
-Icteric Hepatitis; Toxic Hepatitis (Ayurveda)
-Diarrhea, Dysentery (TCM)

3. Clears Heat and Damp, Resolves Swellings (TCM):
-Urethritis (TCM)

4. Promotes Milk

5. Externally:
-improves complexion
-Toothache (topically, TCM)
-draws out pus in toxic Sores, Boils (TCM)
-stops Itching; Dermatitis, Eczema, as a wash
-topically applied to Viper Bite (TCM)


Picture
DOSE:
It is eaten as a potherb in parts of China and elsewhere.
Of the Powder: 2–6 grams; In Decoction: 15–30 grams dry; 30–100 grams fresh.
Topically, is can be applied as a paste or poultice, or a concentrated decoction can be used as a wash.

NOTE:
Ayurvedic uses focus on the herbs tonic capacity, especially to promote intelligence and childhood development. TCM focuses on the herbs heat-clearing capabilities for which it is also used in Ayurveda.

Main Combinations:
1. with Convolvulus Shankhapushpi and Gold Bhasma (ashes) to promote Intellect. (Ayurveda, Sushruta)
2. Jaundice, with Lysimachia Jin Qian Cao
3. Enteritis from Damp, with Plantain seed (Che Qian Zi.)


Cautions:
None noted

Main Preparations used:

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  • Home
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