Achyranthes Aspera, known as Apamarg in Hindi, is an unwanted plant. It is found in empty places around houses, in forests, bushes, and other places. Most people consider it useless due to its unrecognized special identity. But in reality, Achyranthes Aspera is a useful herb.

The plant has immense capacity to treat various diseases due to its medicinal properties. Therefore, it is used in the treatment of diseases such as digestive disorders, dental problems, as well as curing wounds. Achyranthes Aspera is also known by the names Chirachira, Chirachita, Latjiira, and Chichra. 

What is Achyranthes Aspera (Chirchita)?

According to Ayurveda, Achyranthes Aspera is a medicinal herb. It possesses a very slow growth process. The plant sprouts during the rainy season thrive in winter and turn into a full-grown plant in summer. At the end of this season, this plant also turns dry along with fruits. It has rice-like seeds and the flowers have greenish pink buds.

Achyranthes Aspera is also called a kind of infamous plant due to its pointed seeds. These usually stick on clothes and are difficult to remove. These seeds, therefore, act as a shield for the protection of the plant. The herb is used for many ayurvedic medicines. Many other diseases including cough, urinary disease, skin disease are also treated with its use. Achyranthes Aspera is also used to detoxify the body.

There are two types of Achyranthes Aspera. These are-

White Achyranthes Aspera-

It has a green stalk and leaves of brown and white color.

Red or Blood Achyranthes Aspera-

It has a red-

colored stalk and leaves with red spores.

Advantages of Achyranthes Aspera

Achyranthes Aspera has numerous medicinal properties that help in curing all health-related problems. It contains triterpenoid saponin elements in which oleic acid is present as aglycone. Besides, chirchita also contains pentatriacontane, enchantine, betaine, tritriacontane, 6-pentatriacontane, and hexatriacontane. These are beneficial for the body in many ways.

Let us know about these benefits due to the ailment-

Helpful in losing weight-

Drinking Kadha made of chirchita regularly in the morning and evening keeps weight under control. Increased cholesterol in the body causes weight gain. Therefore, Achyranthes Aspera helps in reducing the increased cholesterol. Also, it reduces the fat stored in the body. As a result, the body weight starts decreasing gradually.

Effective in increasing blood of the body-

Achyranthes Aspera helps in increasing the amount of blood in the body. Lack of blood in the body is the cause of many diseases. Therefore, to avoid these diseases, it is essential to include chirchita paste or chirchita in the diet.

Help to cure asthma-

Achyranthes Aspera has healing properties for curing respiratory problems such as asthma. It reduces the difficulty in breathing by opening the airways. Therefore, regular consumption of Kadha made of the herb is beneficial for patients with asthma.

Beneficial in wound healing-

Achyranthes Aspera paste has the power to heal every type of injury and wound. Apart from this, the nutrients present in Chirachita also help in relieving the problem of vomiting and nausea. 

Beneficial in ear pain-

Latjira (Achyranthes Aspera) is used to cure ear infections and pain as well. For this, wash the fresh leaves of the unripe apamarg in clean water, then grind these leaves and extract the juice. Putting a few drops of this juice in the ear cures both ear infections and pain.

Useful for eyes-

Latjira (Achyranthes Aspera) is used to cure eye problems. For this, thoroughly clean the fresh root of Achyranthes Aspera and grind it with rose water and extract the juice. Now use this juice for eye infection. 

Beneficial in piles-

Achyranthes Aspera leaves are used to treat hemorrhoids. For this, first, wash the fresh leaves of the unripe in clean water. Now grind these leaves and prepare the paste. Mixing sesame oil in this paste and applying it to the affected area reduces bleeding and pain during piles.

Beneficial in diarrhea-

Grind a few dry leaves of Achyranthes Aspera and make powder. Taking this powder with sugar candy or honey twice a day provides relief in diarrhea. Apart from this, drinking two to three teaspoons of juice of its leaves after every three hours also helps in the treatment of diarrhea. 

Effective in toothache-

Immersing cotton in the juice of Achyranthes Aspera and applying it to the teeth reduces toothache. Toothache is also cured by brushing with the fresh root of apamarg. Along with this, teeth cleaning, weakness of gums, and smell of the mouth are also removed.

Some other advantages of Achyranthes Aspera-

• Rinse and gargle with a Kadha made from the leaves of Achyranthes Aspera, it cures mouth and throat blisters.
• Taking a decoction of Achyranthes Aspera mixed with water and taking bath can cure itching problems.
• Grind the leaves of Achyranthes Aspera (Latjira) with ground black pepper and garlic and make tablets. Taking these pills ends cold and fever.
• Grind the fresh root of Achyranthes Aspera and mix it in water and drink, it provides relief in stone problems.

Disadvantages of Achyranthes Aspera

• Overdose (overdose) of Achyranthes Aspera may cause nausea and vomiting.
• Pregnant and lactating women should avoid the intake of Achyranthes Aspera. It is not considered safe for them.
• Achyranthes Aspera is hot in potency, so do not apply the paste of its leaves and roots directly on the skin. Apply it to the skin, use cold water or milk.
• Children below the age of 12 years should not intake chirchita. If necessary, then only offer it in small quantities according to the consultation of a doctor.