Anacyclus pyrethrum - Akarkara, Pellitory

Akarkara, Anacyclus pyrethrum

Anacyclus pyrethrum is a perennial herb much like chamomile in habitat and appearance. It is in a different family (Asteraceae) from the plants known as pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria officinalis) and spreading pellitory.The ancient Indian medicine system and Siddha have uses for this plant root and it has been used for centuries as a medicine.An oil is prepared by a method known as pit extraction.

Uses

Tentex forte, Muscle & Joint Rub, Impotency & Erectile dysfunction, Diarrhoea, Pharyngitis & Sore Throat, Toothache, Pyorrhea, Common Cold, Childhood apraxia of speech, Delayed Speech Development.

Parts Used

Dried Roots, Leaves, Flower.

Chemical Composition

Analysis has shown a brown, resinous, acrid substance, insoluble in potassium hydroxide and probably containing pelletonin, two oils soluble in potassium hydroxide - one dark brown and acrid, the other yellow - tannin, gum, potassium sulphate and carbonate, potassium chloride, calcium phosphate and carbonate, silica, alumina, lignin, etc. An alkaloid, Pyrethrine, yielding pyrethric acid, is stated to be the active principle.

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada
Hindi	Akarkara
Malayalam	Akkarakaaram
Tamil
Telugu
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	Akarkarabh
English	Pellitory

Habit

Procumbent herb

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
Simple	lanceolate	alternate, spiral, clustered at twigs end, tawny hirsute, caducous, leaving annular scar

.

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Unisexual	14cm long	Pendulous, Ovoid		male flowers in axillary spikes, pendulous; female flowers in axillary spikes, ovoid

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
		Syncarp (sorosis), subglobose or ellipsoid with long echinate processes, orange when ripe	seeds many, ovoid.		{{{6}}}

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

• Vishatinduka Taila as root juice extract

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

Pyrethrum var depressus (sometimes considered a separate species, Anacyclus depressus), called mat daisy or Mount Atlas daisy, is grown as a spring-blooming, low-water ornamental. It produces mats of grey-green, ferny foliage and single daisy-like white flowers. It is suitable for growing in an alpine or rock garden. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit

Commonly seen growing in areas

Mediterranian, Himalayas, Arabian countries.

Photo Gallery

• 

  Var. depressus

• 

  same plant, flower detail

• 

  Var. depressus, flowers closed

External Links

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