REVIEW STUDY OF ATIVISHA (ACONITUM HETEROPHYLLUM WALL. EX ROYLE) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ITS THERAPEUTIC IMPORTANCE AND CONSERVATION NEED
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22159/prl.ijayush.v15i05%20(May).2061Abstract
Ativisha (Aconitum Heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle) is an important classical medicinal plant of Ayurveda, mainly used for disorders related to digestion, fever, vomiting, cough, worm infestation, diarrhea, and pediatric conditions. The official part used is the dried tuberous root. According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Ativisha belongs to family Ranunculaceae and is native to the western Himalayas, espec*ially Garhwal, Kumaon, and Kashmir, at an altitude of about 2500 to 4000 m. Its roots are ovoid-conical, light ash-grey to grey-brown externally and starch-white internally, with a bitter taste and no tingling sensation. The drug contains important alkaloids such as atisine, dihydroatisine, hetisine, and heteratisine. In Ayurveda, it is described as Katu-Tikta Rasa, Laghu-Ruksha Guna, Ushna Virya, Katu Vipaka, and acts as Deepana, Pachana, Sangrahika, and Kaphapittahara. Modern studies also support its antidiarrheal, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and digestive therapeutic potential. Due to excessive collection of roots, habitat destruction, slow regeneration, and high market demand, Aconitum Heterophyllum is considered a threatened Himalayan medicinal plant, creating an urgent need for conservation, cultivation, and sustainable harvesting practices.References
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