Sariva
Hemidesmus indicus
Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus) is classified in Ayurveda as Raktashodhaka (Blood purifier), Jwaraghna (Antipyretic), from the Apocynaceae family. Parts used: root. Traditionally regarded as one of the safest blood purifiers in Ayurveda.
| Botanical name | Hemidesmus indicus |
|---|---|
| Family | Apocynaceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Ayurvedic category | Raktashodhaka (Blood purifier), Jwaraghna (Antipyretic) |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 8125676 · Wikidata Q15356241 · NCBI Taxonomy 63476 |
| Sanskrit | अनन्ता (anantā), सारिवा (sārivā) |
|---|---|
| Hindi | अनंतमूल (anaṃtamūla) |
| Tamil | நன்னாரி |
Sources: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I, SVETA SARIVA (Root) = Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) R. Br., Hindi: 'Anantamul'; also Bengali 'Anantamul, Shvetashariva', Marathi 'Anantamula', Punjabi 'Anantmool'.; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I, SVETA SARIVA (Root) = Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) R. Br., Sanskrit synonyms: 'Ananta, Gopasuta, Sariva'; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Part I, SVETA SARIVA = Hemidesmus indicus, Sanskrit: 'Ananta', with Hindi/Bengali/Marathi/Punjabi all giving anantamul; University of Madras Tamil Lexicon (via agarathi.com), நன்னாரி: 'Indian sarsaparilla, m. cl., Hemidesmus indicus'; Fabricius's Tamil-English Dictionary: 'a small fragrant herb, Indian sarsaparilla, Periploca indica' (an older synonym of H. indicus). Corroborated by API SVETA SARIVA, Tamil: 'Ven Nannar'.. How we source.
The evidence at a glance
12papers on this site for this drug, published 2010 to 2025, 11 with a DOI.
- 1Randomised controlled trials
- 6Other clinical studies and reviews
- 5Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Sariva |
| Common Names | Indian Sarsaparilla, Sariva |
| Hindi | Anantmool |
| Sanskrit | Sariva, Anantamula |
| Latin/Botanical | Hemidesmus indicus |
Parts Used
- Root
Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)
| Property | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | Madhura, Tikta | Primary taste |
| Guna (Quality) | Guru, Snigdha | Physical quality |
| Virya (Potency) | Sheeta | Heating/Cooling effect |
| Vipaka (Post-digestive) | Madhura | Post-digestive effect |
Dosha Effects
| Dosha | Effect |
|---|---|
| Pitta | Decreases |
| Vata | Decreases |
| Kapha | Decreases |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde
- Hemidesmin
- Hemidesminine
- Coumarins
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Blood purifier
- Cooling
- Anti-inflammatory
- Skin healing
- Diuretic
- Antioxidant
How is it used traditionally?
Traditionally regarded as one of the safest blood purifiers in Ayurveda. Used for Kushtha (skin diseases), Raktapitta (bleeding disorders), Jwara (fever), and Daha (burning sensation). Component of famous formulation Sarivadyasava.
Where is it described in the classical texts?
- Charaka Samhita (Jwaraghna group)
- Sushruta Samhita
- Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
Recommended Dosage
Root powder: 3-6g/day; Asava (Sarivadyasava): 12 to 24 ml (Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I, entry 1:37)
Safety, contraindications and cautions
- Few adverse effects known
- Pregnancy (limited data)
What is it made of?
Part(s) Analyzed: Root
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Kwatha (decoction), Churna (powder), Asava (Sarivadyasava), Capsule, Ghana vati, Taila (medicated oil)
Standard Dosage: 3-6 g root powder per day; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 15-30 mL syrup twice daily; 500 mg extract capsule twice daily
Optimal Timing: After meals; can be taken with milk for enhanced Pitta-pacifying action. Suitable for all seasons.
Storage: Syrup: store at 15-25 deg C, refrigerate after opening. Churna and capsules: below 25 deg C, airtight, protect from light and moisture.
Marker Compounds: 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde, Hemidesmine, Hemidesminine, Beta-sitosterol, Lupeol, Coumarins (total)
Synergistic Combinations
- Manjishtha (Raktashodhaka, blood purification synergy)
- Chandana (Pitta-pacifying, urinary tract formulations)
- Ushira (cooling and detoxifying combinations)
- Guduchi (immunomodulatory-detox synergy)
- Neem (skin disorder formulations)
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
- 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 reviews6
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 2013. The bioactive and therapeutic potential of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Indian Sarsaparilla) rootPhytotherapy research : PTR. PMID 22887725 · doi:10.1002/ptr.4788
- 2010. Amelioration of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity by extracts of Hemidesmus indicus and Acorus calamusPharmaceutical biology. PMID 20645815 · doi:10.3109/13880200903116048
Laboratory and animal studies5
- 2025. 'Characterisation and anti-angiogenic evaluation of Verbanone and Quercetin isolated from Hemidesmus indicus'Natural product research. PMID 41217940 · doi:10.1080/14786419.2025.2580435
- 2023. HR-LCMS and evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of Hemidesmus indicus (anantmool): Kinetic study, and molecular modelling approachComputational biology and chemistry. PMID 37263051 · doi:10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2023.107896
- 2019. Hemidesmus indicus induces apoptosis via proteasome inhibition and generation of reactive oxygen speciesScientific reports. PMID 31076590 · doi:10.1038/s41598-019-43609-5
- 2018. Hemidesmus indicus induces immunogenic death in human colorectal cancer cellsOncotarget. PMID 29849952 · doi:10.18632/oncotarget.25325
- 2017. Antiosteoporotic effect of Hemidesmus indicus Linn. on ovariectomised ratsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 28119100 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2017.01.031
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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