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Sariva सारिवा
Hemidesmus indicus · Apocynaceae
Also known as: Anantmool, Anantmul, Indian Sarsaparilla, Sarva, Sariva Saphed
Part used: Root
Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus) is Indian sarsaparilla, a climbing plant whose fragrant root is one of Ayurveda's principal cooling blood-purifiers. It is used in chronic skin disease, burning, bleeding disorders and urinary complaints, and its vanilla-like scent makes it distinctive among the bitter drugs.
| 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: Hemidesmus indicus
- Part used: Root
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Root powder 3–6 g or decoction; central to skin and blood formulas (Sarivadyasava).
Sariva in other languages
Introduction
Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), or Anantmool, is a foremost blood-purifier — a sweet, cooling root that clears the skin, calms Pitta and detoxifies gently. Fragrant and soothing, it is central to skin and Rakta formulas.
Classification
Of the Apocynaceae family, Sariva is grouped among the Raktashodhaka (blood-purifying) and cooling Pitta-pacifying dravyas. Its sweet-bitter taste and cooling potency cleanse the blood and soothe the tissues.
Uses & benefits
Sariva is a cooling blood purifier, used in chronic skin disease, urticaria and burning, and in thirst and fever. Gentler than Manjistha and sweeter than Neem, it suits Pitta-dominant skin complaints and is a component of Sarivadi Vati for the ears and blood.
Sariva for skin disease
A principal Raktashodhaka drug used in chronic Kushta, taken internally over long courses.
Sariva for burning sensation
Cooling and sweet, used in Daha wherever heat and burning dominate.
Sariva for bleeding disorders
Used in Raktapitta, settling blood as well as cooling it.
Sariva for burning urination
A Mutrala drug used in cystitis, often with Chandana and Ushira.
Sariva for excessive thirst
Named among the Trishnanigrahana drugs, particularly in fever.
Sariva as a Rasayana
Classified among the rejuvenative drugs, and unusually pleasant to take.
Sariva for lactation
A Stanyashodhana drug used to improve the quality of breast milk.
Sariva for rheumatism
Used in Vatarakta where joint pain comes with heat and inflammation.
Sariva as a flavouring
Its vanilla-like aroma is used in traditional Indian sherbets — nannari sherbet in the south is made from this root.
Sariva in classical formulations
Present in Sarivadi Vati, Manjishthadi Kwath and most of the classical blood-purifying compounds.
Dosage — how much to take
Root powder 3–6 g or decoction; central to skin and blood formulas (Sarivadyasava). Follow your Vaidya's advice.
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 Sariva?
The citations held for Sariva in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Raktaprasadana context); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Sariva?
Cited among blood-purifying herbs. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Raktaprasadana context.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Sariva?
Described as Raktashodhaka and cooling. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga.
What is Sariva traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Sariva is a cooling blood purifier, used in chronic skin disease, urticaria and burning, and in thirst and fever. Gentler than Manjistha and sweeter than Neem, it suits Pitta-dominant skin complaints and is a component of Sarivadi Vati for the ears and blood.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Sariva?
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 Sariva classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Sariva carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Sariva is used medicinally?
The part used is Root.
How much Sariva is taken, and how?
Root powder 3–6 g or decoction; central to skin and blood formulas (Sarivadyasava). Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Sariva be avoided?
Very safe; a gentle, widely-used cooling herb.
Where does Sariva grow?
Sariva is a slender twining plant of scrub and forest across India, its fragrant root used medicinally.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga
Described as Raktashodhaka and cooling. - Charaka Samhita — Raktaprasadana context
Cited among blood-purifying herbs.
Modern research
-
Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): Recent progress in research on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology
(see source). Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2020)
A review of Hemidesmus indicus (Sariva) documenting its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, blood-purifying and antimicrobial pharmacology.
View study
Safety & precautions
Very safe; a gentle, widely-used cooling herb.
Where it grows
Sariva is a slender twining plant of scrub and forest across India, its fragrant root used medicinally.
Frequently asked questions
What is Sariva used for?
Chronic skin disease, burning sensations, bleeding disorders, burning urination and excessive thirst. It is one of Ayurveda's principal cooling blood-purifying drugs, and is classified as a Rasayana.
What is the dose of Sariva?
Root powder 3–6 g per day, or decoction 40–80 ml twice daily. It is pleasant-tasting compared with most blood-purifiers, which makes long courses easier.
What is the difference between white and black Sariva?
White Sariva is Hemidesmus indicus — sweet, aromatic and this page. Black Sariva is generally Cryptolepis buchanani, more astringent, with its own page. Both cool and cleanse the blood, and the texts often prescribe them together as Sariva-dvaya.
Is Sariva the same as sarsaparilla?
It is called Indian sarsaparilla, but true sarsaparilla is Smilax, a different genus from the Americas. They are used similarly as blood purifiers and both flavour traditional drinks, but they are unrelated plants.
What is nannari sherbet?
A traditional south Indian cooling drink made from Sariva root syrup, drunk in summer. Its vanilla-like aroma comes from the same root used medicinally, and the cooling effect is the same property in domestic form.
Are there side effects of Sariva?
Very well tolerated — one of the gentler drugs in the materia medica. It is cooling, so it is less suited to cold Kapha conditions. Consult a physician in pregnancy.
How long does Sariva take to work on skin?
Chronic skin conditions are worked over three months in classical practice. Expect eight to twelve weeks of consistent use, taken alongside dietary change rather than instead of it.
