Anantmool (Hemidesmus indicus Linn.)

1. Synonyms (पर्यायवाची नाम)

• Sanskrit: Anantmool, Sariva, Upalsari, Sugandhi-moola, Shveta Sariva, Gandhapatra
• English: Indian Sarsaparilla
• Latin: Hemidesmus indicus (Linn.) R. Br.
• Unani: Ushba Maghribi
• Common Trade Name: Anantmool, Nannari

2. Regional Names (क्षेत्रीय नाम)

• Hindi: Anantmool, Sariva
• Gujarati: Uparasar, Sugandhi-mul
• Marathi: Upalsari
• Tamil: Nannari
• Telugu: Sugandhipala, Sogade Beru
• Kannada: Namadaballi, Sugandhi Soppu
• Malayalam: Naruneendi
• Bengali: Anantamul, Sariva

3. Botanical Description (वानस्पतिक विवेचन)

• Family: Asclepiadaceae (Apocynaceae in modern classification)
• Type: Slender, twining or prostrate perennial herb
• Leaves: Variable, oblong-elliptic to linear-lanceolate, obtuse
• Flowers: Small, greenish-purple, in cymes
• Follicles (fruits): Glabrous, slender, often purplish, divericate
• Seeds: Obovate-oblong, flattened, black
• Roots: Long (~12 inches), 3–6 mm thick, dark brown externally, fibrous in middle, with a sweet, agreeable, fragrant odour (fresh roots are best as odour decreases with age)

4. Chemical Constituents (रासायनिक घटक)

Anantmool contains a wide variety of phytoconstituents:

• Flowers: Hyperoside, Isoquercetin, Rutin
• Leaves: Hyperoside, Rutin, Tannins
• Twigs: Drevogenin-B-3-O-β-D-oleandropyranosyl pregnane derivative                      
• Roots:
• Volatile essential oil (sweet fragrant principle)
• Triterpenes: β-amyrin, β-amyrin acetate, Lupeol, Lupeol acetate, Lupeol octacosanoate
• Sterols: β-sitosterol
• Coumarinolignoids: Hemidesminine, Hemidesmin-1, Hemidesmin-2
• Aromatic aldehydes: 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde
• Other: Hexatriacontane, desinine (glycoside)

5. Properties & Therapeutic Uses (गुण एवं औषधीय उपयोग)

Ayurvedic Properties:

• Rasa (Taste): Madhura (sweet), Tikta (bitter)
• Guna (Qualities): Laghu (light), Snigdha (unctuous)
• Veerya (Potency): Shita (cooling)
• Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Madhura (sweet)
• Karma (Actions):
• Raktashodhak (blood purifier)
• Pitta-shamak (pacifies pitta)
• Rasayana (rejuvenative)
• Mutrala (diuretic)
• Dipana-Pachana (digestive stimulant)
• Tvachya (improves complexion and skin health)

Therapeutic Uses:

• Urinary Disorders: Diuretic, useful in nephritis, dysuria, and abnormal urine color
• Skin Diseases: Eczema, psoriasis, pruritus, syphilis-related skin lesions, leprosy
• Blood Purification: Improves complexion, relieves burning sensations, detoxifies blood
• Metabolic & Digestive Disorders: Anorexia, dyspepsia, diarrhea, diabetes, debility
• Respiratory Disorders: Cough, asthma
• Gynecological Benefits:
• Useful in leucorrhoea
• Traditional Uses: Applied externally for wounds; latex is used in conjunctivitis
• Other: Mild antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory

6. Dose (मात्रा)

• Root Infusion: 50–100 ml, once or twice daily
• Root Paste (Lepa): 3–6 g, applied externally on wounds or skin conditions
• Powder (Churna): 2–4 g with milk or honey (as per traditional use)

✅ Summary:
Anantmool (Hemidesmus indicus), also called Indian Sarsaparilla, is a sweet-scented root known as a cooling blood purifier, rejuvenative, and skin tonic. It is especially beneficial in urinary and skin disorders, metabolic imbalances, gynecological health, and respiratory issues. Its refreshing infusion not only promotes detoxification but also enhances complexion, strength, and vitality.

Ref: Bhavaprakash Nighantu