Hastikarna/Leea macrophylla - Health benefits, application, chemical constituents, side effects and many more

By Kbjawadwar January 08, 2022

Hastikarna/Leea macrophylla

Hastikarna/Leea contains approximately 36 species and is placed in its monogeneric family Leeaceae. Out of the 36 species, India has 11 species distributed in different states, as mentioned in the database of the Botanical Survey of India. Various studies of different species of this genus recorded varied pharmacological actions like antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, anticancer and nephroprotective effects. Root and leaf of Leea macrophylla contain vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid along with vitamin B12.

Garuda purana (1500 BC– 300 BC), in a separate chapter, has described the rasayana properties of Hastikarnapalasha. This shows the importance of the drug at that point of time. In Samhita period (2000 B.C.-1300A.D.), Sushruta samhita (1000 B.C- 2th A.D) has quoted Hastikarna in Sanshodhanashamaneeya adhyaya (Su. S. Sutra 39/9) under Kaphasanshaman dravya10; in Dravadravyavidhiradhyaya (Su. S. Sutra 45/115),; In Shwayathu chikitsadhyaya (A. Hr. 17/27) of Ashtanga Hridaya (7th century A.D.), Vagbhata has advised Sukhoshna kalka lepa (Local application of tolerable hot paste) prepared from leaves of Hastikarna and other drugs in Ekanga shotha.

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It has different names in different languages such as English Name(Leea), Marathi Name(Dinda, Gajakarni), Hindi Name(Hastikarna, Hastikarn Palaash, Samudraka), Bengali Name(Dholasamudra)

Part Used

Roots, Tubers, leaves, Seeds

Phytochemical constituents

• The leaves contain an abundance of of phenolic constituents such as flavonoids, leucoanthocyanidins, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid and gallic acid.

• It is one of the most important species of genus Leea in India, and different parts are reported to show the presence of known chemical compounds, including 11 hydrocarbons, phthalic acid, palmitic acid, 1-eicosanol, solanesol, farnesol, three phthalic acid esters, gallic acid, quercetin, lupeol, β-sitosterol and ursolic acid.

• The leaf is documented to contain abundant phenolic constituents such as flavonoids, leucoantho-cyanidins, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acidand gallic acid.

Oleanolic acid, oleanolic acid derivative 7α, 28-olean diol and stigmasterol have been isolated by chromatograpy from the ethanolic extract of the root. Root and leaf are reported to contain appreciable amounts of vitamin B1 (thiamine), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin B12. Chlorogenic acid, a phenolic acid, is noted to be present in root.

Properties and Benefits

Taste – bitter
Potency (virya) – hot
Taste conversion after digestion (vipaka) – sweet
Shitajwara – fever with cold and chills
Effect on Tridoshas : Balances vata and kapha dosha
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Gajakarna Tubers

Vikashi – produces looseness of joints
Taste conversion after digestion (vipaka) – sweet
Sangrahi – Absorbent, can be used in diarrhea
Effect on Tridoshas – balances vata and pitta dosha
Pandu – anemia
Shotha – swelling and inflammation
Krimi – intestinal worm infestation
Pliha – spleenomegaly
Gulma – abdominal tumor
Aanaha – fullness of abdomen or abdominal distention
Udara – ascites
Grahani – Sprue-syndrome
Arshas – piles

Gajakarna Roots

Effect on Tridoshas – Balances pitta and kapha dosha
Indications
Meha – diabetes
Trishna – excess thirst
Aruchi – anorexia
Krimi – intestinal worm infestation
Visha – poisoning, toxic condition
Murcha – fainting
Mada – intoxication
The root of the drug is said to possess Vermicidal, Antiviral and Anticancer activity. It`s use has been also quoted as Anodyne and AstringenThe root of the drug is said to possess Vermicidal, Antiviral and Anticancer activity.. It`s use has been also quoted as Anodyne and Astringent.

Uses, Remedies, Benefits and Application

1) Leea macrophylla can be used in Food. Leaves are cooked as vegetable and mature fruits are eaten raw.

2) For birth control – Hastikarn root paste is consumed with a glass of milk every month as a single dose.

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3) Male sexual debility – the powdered tuber is used. Root powder is taken once a day for 7 days.

4) Wounds, Sores, Guinea worm, Ringworm – the roots are made paste and applied externally as a poultice.

5) Inflammation – Leaf juice is used externally in boils, arthritis, gout and rheumatism. It is considered as a good local anti inflammatory agent.

6) Anti aging – Dried root powder is mixed with clarified butter and consumed in the morning.

7) Pain, Paralysis – Crushed leaves and roots are mixed with oil and applied externally to relieve body pain and paralysis.

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8) (Traditional) Typhoid – Stems and roots of this plant are made into a paste with leaves of Kalanchoe pinnata. It is taken in the dose of ¼ teaspoonful with 1 teaspoon honey thrice daily for 7 days. If it is not cured than it is taken for another 7 days.

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9) To expel intestinal worm – root infusion is consumed.

10) Skin diseases – root paste is applied externally.

11) To increase the sperm count – Small cut pieces of roots are soaked in water for 4–5 hours and its mucilaginous extract is consumed.

12) Jaundice – Root paste or powder is used to treat jaundice.

13) Rheumatic pain – crushed roots are applied to the effected areas.

14) Kidney problems – root paste is consumed with milk.

15) The leaves have been usedin goitre, gastric tumor, lipoma, and tetanus. Some other tribes use the leaf as vegetables. Crude leaves and powder are traditionally used in cancer, urolithiasis, wounds, sores, goitre, gastric tumor, tetanus, and urinary disturbances.

16) Bone Fracture – root paste mixing with goat milk is applied as E bandage.

17) Chest pain – root paste is applied externally.

18) A leaf is extensively used by the Ayurvedic physicians in the preparation of seasonal tonic modaka. Also, the dried root powder mixed with clarified butter is prescribed in the morning as age sustainer. An ethnobotanical survey of this plant shows some important therapeutic uses in dysentery, body ache, and sexual disability.

19) Its leaves are eaten as vegetables, and the roots of the plant are cooked as vegetables. The fruits are consumed orally in the form of juice and considered very nutritive.

20) Lower back pain – fresh root paste prepared with water is applied externally on waist.

21) Bleeding – leaf paste applied externally to stop bleeding.

22) Boils – leaf paste is applied externally to burst the boil.

23) A leaf is roasted and applied to the head in vertigo. The juice of young leaves is useful as a digestive. Inflorescence extract is used to cure chest pain in children.

24) Tetanus – leaf paste is applied to the whole body.

25) Tonsillitis – leaf extract is mixed with warm water and used for gargling and drinking.

26) Snake byte – Seeds crushed in water is given orally until it causes vomiting.

27) The root is said to yield a dye. L. macrophylla contains vitamin C that maintains collagen protein necessary for the formation of connective tissue in the skin, ligaments, and bones. It protects thiamine and riboflavin from oxidation. Thus it plays a vital role in nutrition point of view .L. aequeta finds its use in itching and dyspraxia. Its leaves and twigs have been used as antiseptic to treat wound.

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Refrence :

Sarvada D.D. and Acharya R.N. 2019 Greentree Group Publishers © IJAPCInt J Ayu Pharm Chem 2019 Vol. 11 Issue 1 [e ISSN 2350-0204]
Kaiyadeva Nighantu
Bhavaprakasha nighantu
Sushruta samhita
European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences, 3(3), 58-61, 2021
Ashtanga Hriday
IJPSR (2021), Volume 12, Issue 5
Raja nighantu
Dravyaguna vigyana
International Journal of Green Pharmacy • Jan-Mar 2019 • 13 (1) | 13
NCBI & PUBMED

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