Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Ananta Mool

Hemidesmus indicus

Ananta Mool (Hemidesmus indicus) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Hemidesmus indicus (Indian Sarsaparilla) root contains 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde as the primary aromatic compound with good GI absorption. Hemidesminine and other steroidal saponins show moderate bioavailability.

Key facts
Botanical nameHemidesmus indicus
FamilyApocynaceae · other entries in this family
OrderGentianales
Also known asAnanta Mool, AnantaMool
Taxon identifiersGBIF 8125676 · Wikidata Q15356241 · NCBI Taxonomy 63476

This entry and sariva describe the same drug, Hemidesmus indicus, under different names. Both pages are kept because both names are in use; the other is treated as the primary record for citation.

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishAnanta Mool

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Tikta, MadhuraPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)LaghuPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)MadhuraPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (root powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Syrup, Sherbet (traditional cooling drink), Arishta (fermented preparation)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g root powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 500mg-1g extract capsule; 15-30ml syrup

Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability. Hemidesmus indicus (Indian Sarsaparilla) root contains 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde as the primary aromatic compound with good GI absorption. Hemidesminine and other steroidal saponins show moderate bioavailability. The pleasant aroma indicates volatile compound availability. Coumarins are well absorbed. Milk or water as anupana recommended.

Optimal Timing: Between meals with cool water or milk for Pitta conditions; before meals with warm water for digestive and blood purification

Standardized Extract: Root extract (10:1) standardized to minimum 0.5% 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde. Total saponin content minimum 3%. Hemidesmine content minimum 0.2%.

Shelf Life: 2 years (root powder); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 2 years (syrup with preservative); 5 years (Arishta)

Storage: Cool, dry place below 25°C. Root retains aroma better when stored whole — powder closer to use. Airtight containers essential to prevent volatile loss.

Marker Compounds: 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde, Hemidesminine, Hemidesmin-1, Hemidesmin-2, Coumarins, Lupeol, Alpha-amyrin, Hexadecanoic acid

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (1:8, reduced to 1/4)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for saponin and coumarin enrichment
  • Steam distillation for aromatic fraction (2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde)
  • Cold maceration in water for sherbet preparation
  • Fermentation for Arishta

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Sariva (often considered synonymous in some texts) for blood purification
  • With Manjistha for skin disorders and blood purification
  • With Chandana (sandalwood) for urinary tract cooling
  • With Ushira (vetiver) for cooling and Pitta pacification
  • With Guduchi for immune modulation and fever

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.

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Anuruddhika Subhashinie Senadheera SP, Ekanayake S. 2013. Green leafy porridges: how good are they in controlling glycaemic response?International journal of food sciences and nutrition. PMID 22849311 · doi:10.3109/09637486.2012.710895

Other clinical studies and reviews8

  1. Wazib S, Ambardar Y, Quasimi H and others. 2025. Potential therapeutic use of Indian medicinal plants for preeclampsia managementJournal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine. PMID 41202345 · doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2025.101218
  2. Nalam SM, Chintamaneni PK, Saxena Pal R and others. 2024. From nature's bounty to drug discovery: Leveraging phytochemicals and molecular approaches to combat multi-drug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosisThe Indian journal of tuberculosis. PMID 39067943 · doi:10.1016/j.ijtb.2023.08.007
  3. Rodrigues V, Kumar A, Gokul S and others. 2021. Decalepis salicifolia (Bedd. ex Hook. f.) Venter: A steno-endemic and critically endangered medicinal and aromatic plant from Western Ghats, IndiaJournal of biosciences. PMID 34047287
  4. Umaya SR, Vijayalakshmi YC, Sejian V. 2021. Exploration of plant products and phytochemicals against aflatoxin toxicity in broiler chicken production: Present statusToxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology. PMID 34228958 · doi:10.1016/j.toxicon.2021.06.017
  5. Nandy S, Mukherjee A, Pandey DK and others. 2020. Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): Recent progress in research on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacologyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 32007632 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.112609
  6. Nandy S, Singh J, Pandey DK and others. 2020. Hemidesmus indicus L. Br.: critical assessment of in vitro biotechnological advancements and perspectivesApplied microbiology and biotechnology. PMID 32910270 · doi:10.1007/s00253-020-10851-1
  7. Kher MM, Shekhawat MS, Nataraj M and others. 2020. Indian sarsaparilla, Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult: tissue culture studiesApplied microbiology and biotechnology. PMID 32535696 · doi:10.1007/s00253-020-10714-9
  8. Das S, Bisht SS. 2013. The bioactive and therapeutic potential of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Indian Sarsaparilla) rootPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 22887725 · doi:10.1002/ptr.4788

Laboratory and animal studies3

  1. Turrini E, Catanzaro E, Ferruzzi L and others. 2019. Hemidesmus indicus induces apoptosis via proteasome inhibition and generation of reactive oxygen speciesScientific reports. PMID 31076590 · doi:10.1038/s41598-019-43609-5
  2. Turrini E, Catanzaro E, Muraro MG and others. 2018. Hemidesmus indicus induces immunogenic death in human colorectal cancer cellsOncotarget. PMID 29849952 · doi:10.18632/oncotarget.25325
  3. Desai S, Babaria P, Nakarani M and others. 2017. Antiosteoporotic effect of Hemidesmus indicus Linn. on ovariectomised ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 28119100 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.01.031

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