Photo: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Mashparni माषपर्णी
Teramnus labialis
Part used: Whole Plant
| 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: Teramnus labialis
- Part used: Whole Plant
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Whole plant powder 3–6 g per day; decoction 50–100 ml twice daily.
Mashparni in other languages
Introduction
Mashparni (Teramnus labialis) is the wild urad, a slender twining legume whose leaf resembles that of the black gram — the source of its name.
It belongs to the Jivaniya group and is the classical partner of Mudgaparni, the two being prescribed together as a sweet, cooling, sustaining pair in fevers and convalescence.
Classification
Family Fabaceae. The whole plant is officinal. Rasa: Madhura, Tikta. Guna: Guru, Snigdha. Virya: Sheeta. Vipaka: Madhura. Doshaghnata: pacifies Vata and Pitta.
Uses & benefits
Given in fever with burning and debility, in Raktapitta, and in Vata disorders with weakness. It is part of the Vidarigandhadi and Jivaniya groups and appears in Mahamash Tel in this catalogue, where the Jivaniya drugs supply the nourishing element.
Mashaparni as a Jivaniya drug
One of Charaka's life-sustaining drugs, used in the recovery period where the patient is depleted and dry.
Mashaparni in Vata disorders
Sweet and unctuous, it is used in nerve and joint complaints with weakness, and appears in the great Vata oils.
Dosage — how much to take
Whole plant powder 3–6 g per day; decoction 50–100 ml twice daily. Usually within a compound.
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 Mashparni?
The citations held for Mashparni in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana 4 — Jivaniya group); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga — Mashaparni).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Mashparni?
Among the life-sustaining drugs, paired with Mudgaparni. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Jivaniya group.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Mashparni?
Madhura rasa, sheeta virya; balya and jivaniya. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Mashaparni.
What is Mashparni traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Given in fever with burning and debility, in Raktapitta, and in Vata disorders with weakness. It is part of the Vidarigandhadi and Jivaniya groups and appears in Mahamash Tel in this catalogue, where the Jivaniya drugs supply the nourishing element.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Mashparni?
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 Mashparni classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Mashparni carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Mashparni is used medicinally?
The part used is Whole Plant.
How much Mashparni is taken, and how?
Whole plant powder 3–6 g per day; decoction 50–100 ml twice daily. Usually within a compound. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Mashparni be avoided?
Gentle and well tolerated. Being sweet and heavy it suits dry, depleted states better than heavy Kapha ones. Substitution with other legumes is common; confirm the botanical source.
Where does Mashparni grow?
A twining herb of grassland, hedges and forest margins across India, appearing with the monsoon.
Classical references
- Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Jivaniya group
Among the life-sustaining drugs, paired with Mudgaparni. - Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Mashaparni
Madhura rasa, sheeta virya; balya and jivaniya.
Safety & precautions
Gentle and well tolerated. Being sweet and heavy it suits dry, depleted states better than heavy Kapha ones. Substitution with other legumes is common; confirm the botanical source.
Where it grows
A twining herb of grassland, hedges and forest margins across India, appearing with the monsoon.
Frequently asked questions
Is Mashaparni the same as urad dal?
No. It is a wild relative whose leaf resembles the black gram. The pulse is Masha; this is Mashaparni, a different plant.
Why is it paired with Mudgaparni?
The two are treated as a couple in the classical groups and formulae almost always call for both together.
