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Sariva Kali सारिवा काली
Cryptolepis buchanani
Part used: 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: Cryptolepis buchanani
- Part used: Root
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Root powder 3–6 g per day; decoction 40–80 ml twice daily; often taken with milk.
Sariva Kali in other languages
Introduction
Sariva Kali is the black or dark variety of Sariva, identified here as Cryptolepis buchanani — a woody climber of Indian forest with a milky latex. The white variety, Hemidesmus indicus, has its own page.
Both are cooling blood-purifying drugs and the texts pair them as Sariva-dvaya. The dark variety is the more astringent and is used particularly in bleeding and in bone and joint complaints.
Classification
Family Apocynaceae. Root and stem are officinal. Rasa: Madhura, Tikta, Kashaya. Guna: Guru, Snigdha. Virya: Sheeta. Vipaka: Madhura. Doshaghnata: pacifies Pitta and Vata.
Uses & benefits
Given in Raktapitta and bleeding disorders, in chronic skin disease with burning, and in Vata complaints of the bones and joints. Classical texts also use it in Prameha. In this catalogue it appears in Ashwagandharishta.
Krishna Sariva for bleeding and skin
Cooling and astringent, it is used in Raktapitta and in hot, irritable skin complaints, usually paired with the white variety.
Krishna Sariva for bones and joints
Folk and classical practice both use it in fractures and joint complaints, and it has a long record in bone-setting preparations.
Dosage — how much to take
Root powder 3–6 g per day; decoction 40–80 ml twice daily; often taken with milk.
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 Kali?
The citations held for Sariva Kali in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthana 4 — Raktashodhana); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga — Sariva dvaya).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Sariva Kali?
Sariva grouped with the blood-purifying drugs. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Raktashodhana.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Sariva Kali?
Describes the white and black varieties; madhura-tikta rasa, sheeta virya. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Sariva dvaya.
What is Sariva Kali traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Given in Raktapitta and bleeding disorders, in chronic skin disease with burning, and in Vata complaints of the bones and joints. Classical texts also use it in Prameha. In this catalogue it appears in Ashwagandharishta.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Sariva Kali?
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 Kali classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Sariva Kali carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Sariva Kali is used medicinally?
The part used is Root.
How much Sariva Kali is taken, and how?
Root powder 3–6 g per day; decoction 40–80 ml twice daily; often taken with milk. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Sariva Kali be avoided?
Well tolerated at classical doses. Several plants are traded as Krishna Sariva, including Ichnocarpus frutescens — confirm the botanical if a prescription specifies one. Consult a physician in pregnancy.
Where does Sariva Kali grow?
A woody climber of deciduous forest across India, common in the Western Ghats, central India and the sub-Himalayan tract.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga — Sariva dvaya
Describes the white and black varieties; madhura-tikta rasa, sheeta virya. - Charaka Samhita — Sutrasthana 4 — Raktashodhana
Sariva grouped with the blood-purifying drugs.
Safety & precautions
Well tolerated at classical doses. Several plants are traded as Krishna Sariva, including Ichnocarpus frutescens — confirm the botanical if a prescription specifies one. Consult a physician in pregnancy.
Where it grows
A woody climber of deciduous forest across India, common in the Western Ghats, central India and the sub-Himalayan tract.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between white and black Sariva?
White Sariva is Hemidesmus indicus, sweet and aromatic; black Sariva here is Cryptolepis buchanani, more astringent. Both cool and cleanse the blood and the texts often prescribe them together.
Is substitution a problem?
Yes. Several climbers with milky latex are sold as Krishna Sariva, so the botanical name on the label matters.
