Photo: J.M.Garg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Bharangi भारंगी
Clerodendrum serratum
Part used: Leaf, Root
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Clerodendrum serratum
- Part used: Leaf, Root
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Root powder 1–3 g per day; decoction 40–60 ml twice daily.
Bharangi in other languages
Introduction
Bharangi (Clerodendrum serratum) is a shrub of Indian scrub forest whose bitter root is one of Ayurveda's principal respiratory drugs. Charaka lists it among the Shwasahara — the drugs that relieve breathlessness.
It is used where the chest is congested with thick Kapha and breathing is laboured, and it is a standard component of the classical asthma and cough formulations.
Classification
Family Lamiaceae. Root and root bark are officinal; the leaf is used in some preparations. Rasa: Tikta, Katu. Guna: Laghu, Ruksha. Virya: Ushna. Vipaka: Katu. Doshaghnata: pacifies Kapha and Vata.
Uses & benefits
Given in asthma, cough and bronchitis where the sputum is thick and difficult to raise, and in fever with respiratory involvement. It is also described as Shothahara and used for swelling, and appears in Mahayograj Guggulu and the respiratory formulations of this catalogue.
Bharangi for asthma and cough
The classical Shwasahara indication. Bitter and warming, it thins and loosens Kapha in the chest so it can be expelled, and is usually given with honey.
Bharangi for fever with congestion
Used where fever comes with a heavy, congested chest, combining its Kapha-clearing action with a bitter antipyretic effect.
Dosage — how much to take
Root powder 1–3 g per day; decoction 40–60 ml twice daily. Honey is the usual vehicle in respiratory use.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Bharangi?
The citations held for Bharangi in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana 4 — Shwasahara group); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga — Bharangi).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Bharangi?
Among the drugs relieving breathlessness. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Shwasahara group.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Bharangi?
Tikta-katu rasa, ushna virya; kasa and shwasa. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Bharangi.
What is Bharangi traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Given in asthma, cough and bronchitis where the sputum is thick and difficult to raise, and in fever with respiratory involvement. It is also described as Shothahara and used for swelling, and appears in Mahayograj Guggulu and the respiratory formulations of this catalogue.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Bharangi?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Bharangi classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Bharangi carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Bharangi is used medicinally?
The part used is Leaf, Root.
How much Bharangi is taken, and how?
Root powder 1–3 g per day; decoction 40–60 ml twice daily. Honey is the usual vehicle in respiratory use. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Bharangi be avoided?
Well tolerated at classical doses. Heating and drying, so may aggravate Pitta and is less suited to a dry, irritable cough. Consult a physician in pregnancy.
Where does Bharangi grow?
A shrub of dry deciduous forest and scrub throughout India, ascending to about 1,500 m in the hills.
Classical references
- Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Shwasahara group
Among the drugs relieving breathlessness. - Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Bharangi
Tikta-katu rasa, ushna virya; kasa and shwasa.
Safety & precautions
Well tolerated at classical doses. Heating and drying, so may aggravate Pitta and is less suited to a dry, irritable cough. Consult a physician in pregnancy.
Where it grows
A shrub of dry deciduous forest and scrub throughout India, ascending to about 1,500 m in the hills.
Frequently asked questions
When is Bharangi preferred over other cough herbs?
Where the cough is productive and the sputum thick. For a dry, irritable cough the cooling drugs such as Yashtimadhu or Vamshalochana are usually chosen instead.
Which part is used?
Mainly the root and root bark. Some formulations in this catalogue specify the leaf, following the particular classical text.
