Photo: Debjit Mukherjee / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Parhal पाटला
Stereospermum suaveolens
Also known as: Parhal (Patala), Patala
Part used: Stem, Seed, Root, Seed*
| 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: Stereospermum suaveolens
- Part used: Stem, Seed, Root, Seed*
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Root bark powder 3–6 g per day; as decoction (kwath) 50–100 ml twice daily.
Parhal in other languages
Introduction
Parhal, classically Patala (Stereospermum suaveolens), is a tall tree of the Bignoniaceae whose fragrant trumpet flowers open at dusk. Its root bark is one of the ten roots of Dashamula, the most-used compound base in Ayurveda.
On its own it is a bitter, cooling drug used where Vata and Pitta are disturbed together — in fevers with burning, in thirst and in the restlessness that follows a long illness.
Classification
Family Bignoniaceae. Root and root bark are officinal; the flower is used in some preparations. Rasa: Tikta and Kashaya. Guna: Laghu, Ruksha. Virya: Sheeta. Vipaka: Katu. Doshaghnata: pacifies Vata and Pitta; one of the Brihat Panchamula.
Uses & benefits
Chiefly encountered as a Dashamula constituent, where it contributes the cooling, Pitta-settling half of that formula. Used alone for Jwara with burning and thirst, for Daha (burning sensation), and in Shotha where inflammation is hot rather than cold. Also described as Chardighna, checking nausea.
Patala in Dashamula
As one of the greater five roots, Patala balances the warming roots of the group. Dashamula is the base for Amritarishta, Dashamularishta and many Vata formulations, and Patala is why those preparations do not simply overheat.
Patala for burning fevers
Its bitter-astringent, cooling profile suits fevers with thirst, burning and restlessness — the classical Pittaja Jwara — where a purely warming antipyretic would be wrong.
Dosage — how much to take
Root bark powder 3–6 g per day; as decoction (kwath) 50–100 ml twice daily. Most often taken as part of Dashamula rather than singly.
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 Parhal?
The citations held for Parhal in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana 4 — Brihat Panchamula); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga — Patala).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Parhal?
One of the five greater roots forming half of Dashamula. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Brihat Panchamula.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Parhal?
Tikta-kashaya rasa, sheeta virya; indicated in jwara and daha. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Patala.
What is Parhal traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Chiefly encountered as a Dashamula constituent, where it contributes the cooling, Pitta-settling half of that formula. Used alone for Jwara with burning and thirst, for Daha (burning sensation), and in Shotha where inflammation is hot rather than cold. Also described as Chardighna, checking nausea.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Parhal?
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 Parhal classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Parhal carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Parhal is used medicinally?
The part used is Stem, Seed, Root, Seed*.
How much Parhal is taken, and how?
Root bark powder 3–6 g per day; as decoction (kwath) 50–100 ml twice daily. Most often taken as part of Dashamula rather than singly. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Parhal be avoided?
Well tolerated in classical doses. Being cooling and drying it may aggravate Vata if used alone and in excess over long periods. Consult a physician in pregnancy. Genuine Patala is often substituted in trade — confirm the botanical source.
Where does Parhal grow?
A deciduous tree of moist mixed forest across India, common in the sub-Himalayan tract, Bengal, Odisha and the Western Ghats, ascending to about 1,000 m.
Which classical formulations include Parhal?
Dashamula.
Classical references
- Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Brihat Panchamula
One of the five greater roots forming half of Dashamula. - Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Patala
Tikta-kashaya rasa, sheeta virya; indicated in jwara and daha.
Safety & precautions
Well tolerated in classical doses. Being cooling and drying it may aggravate Vata if used alone and in excess over long periods. Consult a physician in pregnancy. Genuine Patala is often substituted in trade — confirm the botanical source.
Where it grows
A deciduous tree of moist mixed forest across India, common in the sub-Himalayan tract, Bengal, Odisha and the Western Ghats, ascending to about 1,000 m.
Frequently asked questions
Is Patala used on its own?
Rarely. It is almost always met as one of the ten roots of Dashamula, which is the base of a great many classical decoctions, arishtas and oils.
Which part of the plant is used?
The root and root bark. In the Dashamula preparations of this catalogue the stem or seed is sometimes specified instead, following the particular text being followed.
Part of: Dashamula
