A Comprehensive Review on Therapeutic Potentials of Patha (Cissampelos pareira Linn.) from Classical Texts of Ayurveda

Abstract

Patha is one of the widely used medicinal plants since Vedic period. In classical texts, the plant is also cited as an edible leafy vegetable apart from its medicinal properties. Patha is indicated in the treatment of various disease conditions as a single drug and as an ingredient of many compound formulations. In the present review, comprehensive review of Ayurvedic classical plant Patha has been carried out from 25 Nighantus (lexicons) and 8 Chikitsagranthas (Compendia). It is observed that, about 60 synonyms were coined in classical texts of Ayurveda, for describing the morphological characters and pharmacological properties of Patha. The drug has been placed under 25 different Varga (groups of plants) like, Guduchyadi varga (6) Pippalyadi varga (4), etc. Patha has been attributed with Katu-tikta rasa, Ushna virya, Laghu-tikshna guna and Kaphapittahara properties according to majority of classical texts. In referred 8 compendia, about 434 compound formulations of Patha were observed. Maximum number of formulations are found in Vangasena Samhita (149) followed by Bhaisjyaratnavali (148), Vrindamadhava (119), Gadanigraha (79). 409 formulations were indicated internally and 23 were used for external application in number of conditions like Atisara, Grahani, Arsha, Jwara, Kushtha, etc. All these formulations were used in 17 different dosage forms. Kwatha (145) is the frequently used dosage form followed by Choorna (107) and Ghrita (48).

Keywords: Ayurveda, Cissampelos pareira Linn, Kwatha, Menispermaceae, Patha

Cite this Article

Suman Singh, K. Nishteswar, B.R. Patel. A Comprehensive Review on Therapeutic Potentials of Patha (Cissampelos pareira Linn.) from Classical Texts of Ayurveda. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmacognosy. 2017; 4(1): 17–35p