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Anacyclus pyrethrum - Akarkara, Pellitory

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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.[1]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada
Hindi Akarkara
Malayalam
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

.[2]

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}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings, Airlayers.

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[3]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Western Ghats, Malabar Coast.

Photo Gallery

References

External Links