Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Sariva

Hemidesmus indicus

Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus) is classified in Ayurveda as Raktashodhaka (Blood purifier), Jwaraghna (Antipyretic), from the Apocynaceae family. Parts used: root. One of the safest blood purifiers in Ayurveda.

Key facts
Botanical nameHemidesmus indicus
FamilyApocynaceae · other entries in this family
OrderGentianales
Ayurvedic categoryRaktashodhaka (Blood purifier), Jwaraghna (Antipyretic)
Taxon identifiersGBIF 8125676 · Wikidata Q15356241 · NCBI Taxonomy 63476

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishSariva
Common NamesIndian Sarsaparilla, Sariva
HindiAnantmool
SanskritSariva, Anantamula
Latin/BotanicalHemidesmus indicus

Parts Used

  • Root

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)Madhura, TiktaPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)Guru, SnigdhaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)MadhuraPost-digestive effect

Dosha Effects

DoshaEffect
PittaDecreases
VataDecreases
KaphaDecreases

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde
  • Hemidesmin
  • Hemidesminine
  • Coumarins

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

How is it used traditionally?

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

Root powder: 3-6g/day; Decoction: 50-100ml/day; Syrup (Sarivadyasava): 15-30ml

Safety, contraindications and cautions

  • Minimal known — one of the safest herbs
  • Pregnancy (limited data)

What is it made of?

Part(s) Analyzed: Root

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Kwatha (decoction), Churna (powder), Syrup (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

Bioavailability: Phytosterols and coumarins show moderate oral bioavailability (25-40%). Hemidesmine (a coumarin) is lipophilic and benefits from lipid-based formulations. 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde is volatile and rapidly absorbed. Co-administration with milk (traditional Ksheerapaka) enhances fat-soluble constituent absorption.

Optimal Timing: After meals; can be taken with milk for enhanced Pitta-pacifying action. Suitable for all seasons.

Standardized Extract: Aqueous-ethanolic root extract (6:1), standardized to NLT 0.5% 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde by GC-MS; total coumarin content NLT 1.2% by HPLC

Shelf Life: 12-18 months for syrup; 24 months for churna; 36 months for standardized extract capsules

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)

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
  • Milk decoction (Ksheerapaka)
  • Steam distillation for volatile aromatic fraction
  • Cold maceration in water for heat-labile constituents

Synergistic Combinations

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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