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Akarakarabha

Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.

Akarakarabha (Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.) is a plant drug, also called Akallaka, Akarakara and Akalkara, from the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. Not in WHO monographs; listed in multiple traditional pharmacopeias including Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Unani Pharmacopoeia; recognized in European herbal tradition.

Key facts
Botanical nameAnacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.
FamilyAsteraceae (Compositae) · other entries in this family
OrderAsterales
Pharmacopoeia statusNot in WHO monographs; listed in multiple traditional pharmacopeias including Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Unani Pharmacopoeia; recognized in European herbal tradition
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3148578 · Wikidata Q1855185 · NCBI Taxonomy 159698
Names in other languages
SanskritAkallaka
Hindiअकरकरा (akarakarā), Akalkara
EnglishPellitory
TamilAkkaraka, Akkarakaram, அக்கிராகாரம்
MalayalamAkikaruka, Akravu
TeluguAkkalakarra
KannadaAkalakarabha, Akallakara, Akkallaka Hommugulu
MarathiAkkalakada, Akkalakara
BengaliAkarakara
GujaratiAkkalgaro, Akkalkaro
UrduAqaraqarha
PunjabiAkarakara, Akarakarabh
OriyaAkarakara
AssameseKulekhara

Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (column alignment reconstructed); MMPND Anacyclus page: Hindi "Akarkara"; Shri Dharmasthala Ayurveda College Dravyaguna Vigyan monograph 'Akarakarabha' (Anacyclus pyrethrum): Hindi "akarkara".; Shri Dharmasthala Ayurveda College Dravyaguna Vigyan monograph 'Akarakarabha' (Anacyclus pyrethrum): Tamil "Akkiraakaaram"; MMPND Anacyclus page gives Tamil "Akkirakkaram, Akkalkara".. How we source.

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2016 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.

  • 1Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 11Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishPellitory
Latin/BotanicalAnacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Pellitorine (N-isobutylamide)
  • Pyrethrin
  • Anacycline
  • Sesamin
  • Inulin (fructans)
  • Santolina alcohol (40.7% of essential oil)
  • Pyrrolo[3,2-g]isoquinoline alkaloids (12 newly described, 2024)

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages via novel alkaloid compounds
  • Animal studies have reported aphrodisiac and testosterone-enhancing effects, possibly through modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis
  • Analgesic and sialagogue action via N-isobutylamide (pellitorine) stimulation of nerve endings
  • Immunomodulatory activity through modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Vajikarana: traditionally used as an aphrodisiac and for male fertility. Animal studies have reported increased testosterone and improved sperm parameters.
  • Dantavedanashaka: traditionally used for oral health and toothache. Studies have reported analgesic activity of pellitorine on nerve endings.
  • Medhya: traditionally used as a cognitive and nervine tonic. Neuropharmacological studies have reported memory enhancement.
  • Inflammatory and rheumatic conditions: traditionally used for inflammation and rheumatic complaints. In vivo studies have reported anti-inflammatory activity.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • High doses may cause excessive salivation, oral mucosal irritation, and gastrointestinal discomfort due to pellitorine content
  • Not recommended during pregnancy and lactation due to potential uterine stimulant effects; limited toxicological data for long-term use

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Pellitorine
  • Sesamin
  • Inulin
  • Alkaloids
  • Pyrethrin
  • Anacycline
  • Santolina alcohol
  • Pyrrolo

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Tablet, Capsule, Taila (medicated oil, external), Gutika (pills), Manjan (tooth powder)

Standard Dosage: 500mg-2g powder twice daily; 250-500mg extract capsule; external oil as needed for local application

Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm milk or honey for systemic indications; as tooth powder or local application for dental/oral conditions

Storage: Airtight, moisture-proof containers. Store below 25°C. Protect from light. Roots store better whole, powder just before use.

Marker Compounds: Pellitorine, Anacyclin, N-isobutyldienediynamide, Hydrocarolin, Inulin

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Ashwagandha for nervous system toning and Vajikarana (aphrodisiac)
  • Traditionally combined with Jatiphala (nutmeg) for stammering and speech disorders
  • With Lavanga (clove) and Karpura (camphor) for toothache
  • With Pippali for bioenhancement and respiratory conditions

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews1

  1. Elazzouzi H, Fadili K, Cherrat A and others. 2022. Phytochemistry, Biological and Pharmacological Activities of the Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag: A Systematic ReviewPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36235444 · doi:10.3390/plants11192578

Laboratory and animal studies11

  1. Chen H, Aisa HA. 2025. Alkaloids from Anacyclus pyrethrumPhytochemistry. PMID 39216630 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114255
  2. Tuersong T, Wu QF, Chen Y and others. 2025. Integrated network pharmacology, metabolomics, and microbiome studies to reveal the therapeutic effects of Anacyclus pyrethrum in PD-MCI micePhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 40253741 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.156729
  3. Baz AE, Mrabti HN, Ashmawy NS and others. 2024. Phytochemical characterization, antimicrobial properties and in silico modeling perspectives of Anacyclus pyrethrum essential oilHeliyon. PMID 39220961 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35079
  4. Chen H, Aisa HA. 2024. Alkaloid constituents from Anacyclus pyrethrumPhytochemistry. PMID 38692343 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2024.114116
  5. Mahmoud AA, Shaaban MAM, Basal WT. 2024. Anacyclus pyrethrum enhances fertility in cadmium-intoxicated male rats by improving sperm functionsBMC complementary medicine and therapies. PMID 39604977 · doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04711-y
  6. Jawhari FZ, Imtara H, Radouane N and others. 2023. Phytochemical, Morphological and Genetic Characterisation of Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (Ball.) Maire and Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum (L.) LinkMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37513251 · doi:10.3390/molecules28145378
  7. Qureshi MS, Jamil QA, Akhtar N and others. 2022. Formulation and characterization of Anacyclus Pyrethrum Emulgels and its in vitro and in vivo evaluation as cosmeceutical productJournal of cosmetic dermatology. PMID 36136047 · doi:10.1111/jocd.15404
  8. Jawhari FZ, Imtara H, El Moussaoui A and others. 2022. Reproductive Biology of the Two Varieties of Anacyclus pyrethrum L.-Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum (L.) Link and Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (Ball.) Maire-An Endemic Endangered SpeciesPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36079684 · doi:10.3390/plants11172299
  9. Jawhari FZ, Moussaoui AEL, Bourhia M and others. 2021. Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum (L.) and Anacyclus pyrethrum var. depressus (Ball) Maire: Correlation between Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents with Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Chemically Characterized ExtractsPlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 33451098 · doi:10.3390/plants10010149
  10. Jawhari FZ, El Moussaoui A, Bourhia M and others. 2020. Anacyclus pyrethrum (L): Chemical Composition, Analgesic, Anti-Inflammatory, and Wound Healing PropertiesMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 33238392 · doi:10.3390/molecules25225469
  11. Jalayer-Naderi N, Niakan M, Khodadadi E and others. 2016. The antibacterial activity of methanolic Anacyclus pyrethrum and Pistacia lentiscus L. extract on Escherichia coliIranian journal of microbiology. PMID 28491247

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.