# Agnimantha

> Agnimantha (Premna integrifolia (syn. Clerodendrum phlomidis)) is classified in Ayurveda as Shothaghna (Anti-inflammatory), Deepaniya (Appetizer), from the Lamiaceae family. Parts used: root, bark, leaf. Name means 'fire churner' — stimulates digestive fire.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Premna integrifolia (syn. Clerodendrum phlomidis)
- **Family:** Lamiaceae
- **Ayurvedic category:** Shothaghna (Anti-inflammatory), Deepaniya (Appetizer)

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Agnimantha |
| Common Names | Agnimantha, Fire churner |
| Hindi | Arani, Agnimantha |
| Sanskrit | Agnimantha |
| Latin/Botanical | *Premna integrifolia (syn. Clerodendrum phlomidis)* |

## Parts Used

- Root
- Bark
- Leaf

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosha Effects

| Dosha | Effect |
|-------|--------|
| **Vata** | Decreases |
| **Kapha** | Decreases |
| **Pitta** | May Increase |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- Premnine
- Ganiarine
- Clerodane [diterpenes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#diterpenes)
- [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/)

## Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

- Anti-inflammatory
- Digestive stimulant
- Anti-rheumatic
- [Diuretic](/reference/diuretic/)
- [Analgesic](/reference/analgesic/)

## How is it used traditionally?

Name means 'fire churner' — stimulates digestive fire. One of ten roots in [Dashamoola](/herb/dashamoola/). Used for Shotha (inflammation), Agnimandya (weak digestion), and Amavata (rheumatoid arthritis).

## Where is it described in the classical texts?

- Charaka Samhita (Shothaghna group)
- Sushruta Samhita

## Recommended Dosage

Root powder: 3-6g/day; Decoction: 50-100ml/day

## Safety, contraindications and cautions

- Pitta conditions
- Pregnancy

## What is it made of?

**Part(s) Analyzed:** Root, Bark, Leaf


## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Kwatha tablet, Capsule, Asava-Arishta (fermented preparation), [Guggulu](/formulation/guggulu/) combination

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction twice daily; 500mg-1g extract capsule

**Bioavailability:** Moderate bioavailability. Key bioactives (flavonoids, [lignans](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#lignans), iridoid [glycosides](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#glycosides)) show reasonable oral absorption. Prematurrins and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural are well absorbed. Enhancement via [piperine](/reference/piperine/) co-administration increases bioavailability by 30-40%. Ghee as anupana facilitates lipophilic constituent absorption.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals with warm water for metabolic and digestive indications; with [Dashamoola](/herb/dashamoola/) kwatha for inflammatory conditions

**Standardized Extract:** Standardized to minimum 2.5% total flavonoids (as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural equivalent). Root bark extract with minimum 1% prematurrins.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablets/capsules); 5 years (Asava-Arishta)

**Storage:** Cool, dry place below 25°C, RH < 60%. Protect from light. Asava-Arishta in amber glass bottles at room temperature.

**Marker Compounds:** Premnatriol, Prematurrins A-D, 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, Iridoid glycosides, [Agnuside](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#agnuside), Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol)

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction (1:16, reduced to 1/4)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30 ethanol-water)
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for terpenoid enrichment
- Sequential extraction (hexane → ethyl acetate → methanol → water)

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Bilva](/herb/bilva/) as part of [Dashamoola](/herb/dashamoola/) (ten roots) formulation
- With [Shyonaka](/herb/shyonaka/), [Patala](/herb/patala/), [Gambhari](/herb/gambhari/) for anti-inflammatory action
- With [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) for metabolic syndrome
- With [Guggulu](/formulation/guggulu/) for thyroid support and lipid management

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/agnimantha/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Classical Ayurvedic texts (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Ashtanga Hridaya)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.