Akkalkara Ayurvedic Medicinal Plant Information English
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| Spanish Pellitory, Pellitory Root |
• Hindi Name: Akarkara, Akorkaro
• Marathi Name: Akkalkara, Akkirakaram
• Sanskrit Name: Aakarakarbha, Akalallaka
• English Name: Spanish Pellitory, Pellitory Root
• Latin Name: Anacyclus Pyrethrum
🌿 Habitat and Distribution:
This plant originally came to India through traders from Arab countries or Morocco. During the rainy season, a similar plant called Gangutra is seen around us — Akkalkara resembles it. It is a small shrub-like herb that is extremely useful and medicinal.
🍃 Leaves:
The leaves of this plant are lance-shaped (spear-like) and simple in form.
🌼 Flowers:
The flowers resemble those of Gangutra. They are round, yellow, and have a small red spot on top. When chewed, they cause a tingling sensation on the tongue, indicating the presence of medicinal properties.
🌱 Root:
The roots are harvested, dried, and used medicinally. They are 3 to 10 cm long, 5 to 20 mm thick, wrinkled on the outer surface, and whitish inside. The flowers and roots are mainly used for Ayurvedic preparations.
💊 Medicinal Uses of Akkalkara:
• All parts of the plant — root, stem, leaves, flowers, and seeds — are used in Ayurvedic medicine.
• Toothache:
If there is tooth pain, chewing the flowers of this plant continuously helps relieve the pain due to its analgesic and germicidal properties. It also purifies the mouth. The plant is used in making herbal tooth powder (dant manjan).
The powdered mix of flowers, leaves, root, stem, and seeds combined with alum and clove is used as a tooth powder, beneficial for dental health.
• Stammering (Speech Disorder):
For those who stammer, or for children who speak with stammering, mix powdered Akkalkara root and flowers with black pepper in equal proportion. Take this powder daily with honey for 3 to 4 weeks — it helps reduce stammering and improves speech.
• Facial Paralysis (Mouth Paralysis):
Mix powdered Akkalkara roots with mustard oil and massage the affected area. It helps in recovery from paralysis. Chewing the roots also provides relief.
• Blood Purification:
Drinking a decoction (herbal extract) made from Akkalkara purifies the blood and improves skin health.
• Sore Throat:
A decoction made from the leaves and flowers can be used for gargling to relieve throat pain and inflammation.
• Male Vitality and Strength:
If there is a lack of semen or weakness in men, mix Akkalkara root powder, Safed Musli, and Ashwagandha in equal quantities. Take one teaspoon of this mixture morning and evening daily. It improves semen quality, increases strength, and enhances stamina.
• Women’s Menstrual Problems:
If a woman suffers from excessive bleeding or pain during menstruation, make a decoction using Akkalkara root and flower powder with Hing (asafoetida). Drinking this helps reduce menstrual pain and irregularity.
• Joint Pain, Sciatica, and Inflammation:
If there is body pain, swelling in muscles, or joint stiffness, applying a paste made from the leaves and flowers of Akkalkara on the affected area reduces inflammation and pain.
• Brain and Memory Booster:
Akkalkara acts as a brain tonic. Mix half a teaspoon of Akkalkara powder and half a teaspoon of Brahmi powder with honey. Take it daily on an empty stomach or before bedtime. It improves intelligence, sharpens memory, and enhances hearing power.
• Culinary Uses:
In Maharashtra, the stems of this plant are used to make pickles, and its leaves are used as a vegetable dish.
• Taste and Effect:
When it touches the tongue, it causes a tingling sensation. The taste is initially pungent and later bitter. It also stimulates saliva secretion.
🌿 Thus, Akkalkara is a highly valuable Ayurvedic herb known for its wide range of medicinal properties and health benefits.
