Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Apamarga

Achyranthes aspera L.

Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Amaranthaceae family. Documented in WHO Traditional Medicine resources for South-East Asia region; included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.

Key facts
Botanical nameAchyranthes aspera L.
FamilyAmaranthaceae · other entries in this family
OrderCaryophyllales
Pharmacopoeia statusDocumented in WHO Traditional Medicine resources for South-East Asia region; included in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3085168 · Wikidata Q3286822 · NCBI Taxonomy 240005

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishApamarga
Latin/BotanicalAchyranthes aspera L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Anti-inflammatory: Oleanolic acid and saponins inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) via NF-kB pathway suppression
  • Wound healing: Biochanin A promotes fibroblast migration and collagen synthesis by modulating MMP-9 and TGF-beta signaling
  • Diuretic: Betaine and potassium-rich alkaline compounds enhance renal sodium and water excretion

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Kshara (alkaline preparation) for urinary calculi validated by in vitro lithotriptic activity and renal stone dissolution studies
  • Anti-hemorrhoidal use confirmed by wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects in rectal tissue models
  • Diuretic action (Mutrala) validated through increased urine output and sodium excretion in animal studies

What do recent clinical trials show?

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Generally safe at traditional Ayurvedic doses; acute toxicity studies in animals show LD50 > 2000 mg/kg for aqueous extracts
  • Contraindicated in pregnancy due to reported abortifacient activity in animal studies; patients on anticoagulants should exercise caution

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Betaine
  • Ecdysterone
  • Sitosterol
  • Achyranthine
  • Oleanolic acid
  • Saponin A and B
  • Homovanillic acid
  • Biochanin A
  • Beta-

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kshara (alkali preparation), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Taila (medicated oil), Dhupana (fumigation — dried plant)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 0.5-1g Kshara with buttermilk/water; 50-100ml decoction

Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability. Achyranthes aspera contains saponins (achyranthine), alkaloids, and triterpenoids. Oleanolic acid has moderate bioavailability (~5-7%) improved by micronization or lipid-based formulations. Kshara (alkaline ash preparation) contains water-soluble mineral salts with high bioavailability. Betaine is well absorbed (>90%).

Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water for digestive indications; Kshara with buttermilk after meals for calculi; post-prandial for metabolic conditions

Standardized Extract: Root extract (8:1) standardized to minimum 3% total saponins (as oleanolic acid equivalent). Kshara standardized by pH (9.0-10.0) and calcium/potassium carbonate content. Betaine content minimum 0.5%.

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 5 years (Kshara); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 2 years (Kshara Sutra, properly stored)

Storage: Powder in airtight containers, cool and dry. Kshara in glass containers (alkaline — reacts with metals). Kshara Sutra in airtight tubes at room temperature.

Marker Compounds: Oleanolic acid, Achyranthine, Betaine, Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone), Pentatriacontane, Potassium carbonate (in Kshara)

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (1:8, reduced to 1/4)
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40)
  • Kshara preparation (classical: whole plant incinerated, ash dissolved in water, filtered, evaporated)
  • Ethanol extraction for saponin enrichment

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Varuna for urinary calculi (Kshara-based formulation)
  • With Gokshura and Pashanbheda for kidney stones
  • With Chitrak for digestive stimulation
  • Apamarga Kshara in Kshara Sutra for fistula treatment

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.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses1

  1. de Boer HJ, Cotingting C. 2014. Medicinal plants for women's healthcare in southeast Asia: a meta-analysis of their traditional use, chemical constituents, and pharmacologyJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 24269772 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.030

Randomised controlled trials1

  1. Bansal A, Marwah N, Nigam AG and others. 2015. Effect of Achyranthes aspera, 0.2% Aqueous Chlorhexidine Gluconate and Punica granatum Oral Rinse on the Levels of Salivary Streptococcus mutans in 8 to 12 Years Old ChildrenThe journal of contemporary dental practice. PMID 26718299 · doi:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-1779

Other clinical studies and reviews5

  1. Gasmi A, Noor S, Mujawdiya PK and others. 2025. Herbal Treatments for Obesity: A ReviewCurrent medicinal chemistry. PMID 38509683 · doi:10.2174/0109298673287491240315055726
  2. Mashayekhi-Sardoo H, Rezaee R, Yarmohammadi F and others. 2025. Targeting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress by Natural and Chemical Compounds Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity: A ReviewBiological trace element research. PMID 39212819 · doi:10.1007/s12011-024-04351-w
  3. Bernstein N, Akram M, Yaniv-Bachrach Z and others. 2021. Is it safe to consume traditional medicinal plants during pregnancy?Phytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 33164294 · doi:10.1002/ptr.6935
  4. He X, Wang X, Fang J and others. 2017. The genus Achyranthes: A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activitiesJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 28347832 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.03.035
  5. Kamboj VP, Dhawan BN. 1982. Research on plants for fertility regulation in IndiaJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 6752588 · doi:10.1016/0378-8741(82)90004-6

Laboratory and animal studies1

  1. Garg AK, Chouhan P, Sen B. 2025. High resolution-mass spectrometry (hR-MS) profiling of Apamarga Ksharodaka (herbal alkaline water from Achyranthes aspera Linn.) and computational screening of bioactive phytochemicals for wound healing applicationsNatural product research. PMID 41085550 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2568949

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