Achyranthes Aspera (Nayuruvi): Health Benefits, Properties & Dosage

Nayuruvi is scientifically known as Achyranthes aspera; this is an annual perennial herb with the wood base. The native of this weed is the tropical part of Asia, and it is widely grown in the tropical regions of Asia, Australia, Africa, and America. This plant is widely known for its medicinal properties, and also it is rich in protein, carbohydrates, and other components, such as tannins, flavonoids, and saponins, which helps to maintain overall health.

In India, this nayuruvi is widely used in folk medicine to treat various health problems. The other names of these herbal plants are chaff-flower, prickly chaff flower, crokars staff, crocus stuff, and devil’s horsewhip.

The leaves and roots of this plant treat many health issues. It is a traditional healer, and it is used to treat bleeding, asthma, cough, cold, piles, and other health problems.

In This Article

Medicinal Properties of Nayuruvi

Nutrition Values of Nayuruvi

Health Benefits of Nayuruvi

Side Effects of Nayuruvi

Common Names of Nayuruvi

Botanical Name: Achyranthes aspera

Tamil Name: ஆகாடம் akatam, அபாமார்க்கம் apamarkkam, நாயுருவி nayuruvi

Malayalam Name: കടലാടി katalaati

Telugu Name: ప్రత్యక్పుష్పి pratyak-pushpi, ఉత్తరేణు uttarenu

Hindi Name: अघाड़ा aghara, चिरचिरा chirchira, धानुष्का dhanushka, दुरअभिग्रह durabhigrah, लटजीरा latjira, मधुकर madhukar, मयूर mayur, प्रत्यकपुष्पी pratyakpushpi, तरुण tarun, वशीर vashir

Kannada Name: ಉತ್ತರಾಣೀ uttaraani

Marathi Name: अघाडा aghada, अपामार्ग apamarga, खरमंजरी kharamanjari, किणी kini 

Gujarati Name: આઘારો agharo

Bengali Name: Apang

Punjabi Name: Kutri, Puthakanda

Konkani Name: अघाडो aghado

Manipuri Name: খুজুম্পেৰে khujumpere

Prakrit Name: अग्घाड agghada

Sanskrit Name: अधःघण्टा adhahaghanta, आकृतिःच्छत्रा akrutihchhatra, अक्षर akshara, अपामार्ग apamarga, खरमञ्जरी kharamanjari, मयूर mayur, प्रत्यञ्च्पुष्प pratyanchapushpa, वशीर vashir

Tulu Name: ಉತ್ತರಣೆ uttarane

Urdu Name: اگهاڙا aghara, چرچرا churchura

Medicinal Properties of Nayuruvi

Antiviral Property

The methanol extract of the nayuruvi has sufficient inhibitory effects on the epstein-barr virus, which is the antigen induced by the tumor promoter 12-O’Tetradecanoylphorbol–13-acetate in the cells.

The fraction of the non-polar components is a remarkable reason for the inhibitory activity. Some researches prove that the extract of this plant has the anticarcinogenic property, which helps to cure the two-stage of skin carcinogenesis. The total extract is believed to be the anti-tumors promoters in carcinogenesis.

Anti-inflammatory Property

The alcohol extract of the seeds and leaves of this nayuruvi has anti-inflammatory properties. The 50, 100, 200 mg/kg dosage of the ethanol extract of this plant is effectively used to treat chronic and acute inflammation. 

Anti-arthritic Property

The water-soluble alkaloid achyranthine of this nayuruvi indicates the anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic property that is effectively fighting against the carrageenan induced granuloma pouch, foot odema, adjuvant arthritis, and formalin-induced arthritis.

Spermicidal Property

The ethanol extract of the nayuruvi root has the post-coital antifertility property in the female albino, and it has the spermicidal property that shows the effect on the human sperms.

Some researches show the benzene extract of this plant has the abortifacient property, and also the methanolic extract of the leaves has the spermicidal property.

Anti-fertility Property

A research conducted by Bhattacharya and Prakashi with the mice proves the benzene crude extract of the nayuruvi has the abortifacient property. The alcohol extract of the root bark of the nayuruvi resists the oxytocin response, but it does not resist the acetylcholine and serotonin response in the mice uterus.

Antioxidant Property

The callus and leaves extracted from the nayuruvi have the antimicrobial property. The chloroform and ethanol extract of the nayuruvi seeds has the antibiotic property that is effectively fighting against the E-coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The alcoholic extract also has the triterpenoid saponin with the inhibitory activity to fight against the 15 Staphylococcus aureus based on the dosage. The ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of this plant will resist the 67 staphylococcus bacterial strains and bacillus subtilis.

The seeds are grown in the cattle dung heaps and have the antibacterial property that effectively fights against the bacterial strains of S.typhimurium, B.subtilis, and 68 Pseudomonas cichorii.

A research conducted by Meera in the year 1999 proves the leaves extract fight against the isolated bacterias S.citri and E.coli. The aqueous solution of the whole plant has the antibacterial property that fights against the B. typhosus, Staphylococcus aureus, 70 S.haemolyticus , 71 E.coli and S.aureus.

The comparative study of the herbal agents shows this plant can reduce the counts of microbial colonies in the air. The methanol extract of the leaves has broad-spectrum antibacterial property; it will fight against the Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, S. sanguis, S. salivarius, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and E.coli. The phytochemical analysis shows this plant has biologically active constituents, which helps to the antimicrobial activity. 

Antifungal Property

The essential oil of the nayuruvi has the antifungal property that effectively fights against the different concentrations. The ethanol extract of the nayuruvi leaves has a high quality of antifungal property that fights against the cryptococcus neoformans, candida kefyr, 16 A. flavus, and Aspergillus niger. The ethanol extract resists the growth of 17 A.terreus. 

Larvicidal Property

The ethanol crude extract of the nayuruvi has a high level of larvicidal property on the tick larvae that effectively fight against the 44 Boophilus microplus. The leaf extract has the larvicidal saponins that fight against the Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti.

The ethyl acetate extract of the leaf acts against the aedas subpictus mosquito larvae. It is also used to control mosquito larvae. The essential oil of the stem and leaves of this plant has the larvicidal property that fights against the 46 Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti.

Antipyretic Property

The methanol extract of the nayuruvi leaves has an antipyretic property. Research conducted with the mice proves both seeds and leaves of this plant have the analgesic property, the acetic acid of the extract writing a good response on the hot plant method.

The seeds have the saponin A and Saponin B. The saponin is also defined as D-Glucuronic Acid, and Saponin B is defined as βD-glucopyranosyl ester82. The stem of this plant has the Hexatriacontane, Pentatrianotane, and Tritriacontane 83.

The whole plant has the ecdysterone 85. The seeds have the oleanolic acid 86. The nayuruvi has the chloroform soluble base betaine 70 and water-soluble base achyranthine.

The root of this plant has oleanolic acid, B-sitosterol 16. One study shows the root has the flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, saponins, and terpenoids. The new cyclic acid also insulates the seeds of the nayuruvi, and the Ecdysterone insulates the root of this herb.

Health Benefits of Nayuruvi

Treats Indigestion

Nayuruvi is an excellent appetizer because of its digestive property. Consuming the leaves of the nayuruvi helps to improve the digestive system, and also it helps to reduce the ama from the body.

Boost immunity system

The deficiency of immunity power may cause a lot of health problems. The chaff flower has a lot of antioxidant properties, which helps to improve the immunity power of our body. So, you can easily avoid some fungal infections and other health issues.
Also Read: Best Herbs to Boost Immune System

Treat Diabetes

The nayuruvi has antihyperglycemic properties, which help to reduce the resistance of insulin. This antihyperglycemic property of this herbal plant is effectively fighting against the hyperglycemic formation in the body.

Consuming the extract of this plant helps to control the blood sugar level so that it is recommended to use in type 2 diabetes treatment.
Also Read: Best Herbs for Diabetes

Treat Kidney Stone

Regular consumption of the extract of the nayuruvi leaves effectively helps to treat kidney stones. This herbal plant has a good amount of diuretic that helps to flush out the kidney stones.

Usually, the kidney stone is defined as the mixture of calcium oxalate components, in folk medicine this nayuruvi is used to treat kidney stones.
Also Read: Best Herbs for Kidney

Treat Urticaria

In Ayurveda, the paste of the nayuruvi root is used to treat skin rashes and itching. Applying the root paste on this skin helps to treat skin problems. Moreover, the properties of this plant help to balance the Kapha and Vata in the body.

Also Read: Simple Guidelines For Decreasing Vata

Treat Wounds

The juice of the chaff-flower helps to heal the wounds of ulcers. Due to the Ropan property of this plant, you can also directly apply on the skin to heal the wounds. 

Lower The Cholesterol

The chaff flower has the saponin A and Saponin B, and it is also known as D-glucuronic and βD-galactopyranosyl ester82.

These components help to reduce the LDL and triglycerides in the blood, and also, it helps to maintain a good cholesterol level. Consuming the extract of this herbal plant helps to reduce the risk of heart problems and maintain heart health.
Also Read: Best Herbs for Cholesterol

Treat Uterine Problems

The women who are suffering from the irregular menstrual cycle, the nayuruvi, help to get the regular periods. Moreover, it helps to maintain good uterine health.

The extract of this nayuruvi leaves also helps to reduce the irritation of menstrual disturbance. The experts recommended this herbal plant to the women who have a menses problem.

Treat Constipation

The deficiency of fiber and protein causes constipation; this chaff-flower is rich in protein and fiber that helps to treat the constipation problem.

Consuming the powder of nayuruvi with honey in an empty stomach helps to treat constipation problems. The purgative quality of this herbal plant helps to loosen the stool and also it increases gut movement.
Also Read: Best Herbs for Constipation

Promotes Weight Loss

In Ayurveda, consuming the powder of dried chaff-flower helps to the weight loss. Mix the chaff-flower powder in the glass of water or milk and drink it two times per day that shows benefits on weight loss.

The chaff lower has an ability to reduce the absorption of fat in the body so that it can avoid the excess formation of fat in the body. Moreover, the chemical contained in this herbal plant helps to burn the excess fat; hence you can maintain the proper structure.
Also Read: Best Herbs for Weight Loss

Treat Toxing

The nayuruvi has a powerful diuretic agent that effectively helps to get rid of detox and excess water of the body. 

Treat Asthma

The chaff flower helps to clear the respiratory tract that opens up the lungs and makes it great for asthma and bronchitis.

Consuming the paste of the chaff flower with an equal amount of garlic and black pepper is effective in treating bronchitis and asthma. Consuming 1/2 tsp of paste for 3-4 times per day also shows a good impact on treating cold, cough, and fever.
Also Read: Best Herbs for Asthma

Lower Blood Pressure

The nayuruvi has a good amount of alkaloids, which helps to widen the blood vessels so that the heart can get sufficient blood flow. Due to this, the nayuruvi helps to lower the blood pressure level.
Also Read: Best Herbal Remedies For Blood Pressure

Reduce the risk of cancer

Some studies prove that nayuruvi has antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant property of this herbal plant is effectively fighting against intestinal cancer.

The chemical content of this herb helps to reduce the growth of colorectal cancer. Some researches say the root and leaves of this plant are used to treat colon and breast cancer. Moreover, the saponin is a powerful anticancer agent; this herbal plant has a huge amount of saponins.
Also Read: Best Herbs to Treat Cancer

Relieves Arthritis pain

Anti-inflammatory is one of the well-known properties of this plant. Due to this property, this nayuruvi helps to treat inflammation of arthritis and joint pain.

It is also used to treat the inflammation of internal organs and uterus. This nayuruvi is one of the herbal plants used to inflammation in folk medicines.

Treat anemia

The deficiency of iron in the blood is the main cause of anemia. The nayuruvi has a good quality of iron, which is used to treat anemia in ancient times. Consuming this herbal plant helps to increase the red blood cells, and also it helps to absorb the iron to the blood so that it effectively treats anemia.

Oral Care

The seeds of this nayuruvi is a good mouth cleaner; it can easily clean and whiten your teeth. You can use the powdered seed with the salt for mouth cleaning; it can prevent gum bleeding. The dried stem of this plant is also used as a toothbrush.

Nutrition Values of Nayuruvi

Nutritional Facts of Nayuruvi

The various nutrients contained and the value of 100 gm of Nayuruvi.

Nutrient	Value
Calories	294
Protein	20.54%
Carbohydrate	54.26%
Fat	0.903%
Vitamin B1	0.27 mg
Vitamin B2	0.28 mg
Vitamin B3	0.58 mg
Vitamin B6	0.27 mg
Vitamin B9	39 mcg
Sodium	1119.67 mg
Calcium	5385.23 mg
Magnesium	5446.0 mg
Phosphorus	1447.5 mg
Potassium	1343.6 mg
Chloride	675880.73 mg
Iron	283.05 mg
copper	8.062mg
Zinc	48.37mg
Manganese	16.12 mg
Aluminum	9.853 mg

Safety Concerns of Nayuruvi

• This Achyranthes Aspera is not suitable for pregnant women. The children and lactating mothers can use the herbal plant in a low dosage for a limited period of time.
• The high dosage of the Achyranthes Aspera may cause vomiting.
• This is not suitable for the men undergoing infertility treatment, and it is better to avoid long term usage.

Recommended Dosage Of Nayuruvi

Achyranthes aspera Juice – 5-10ml or the required level recommended by the doctor

Achyranthes aspera Oil – 2-5 or the required level recommended by the doctor

Achyranthes aspera Paste – 2-4gm or the required level recommended by the doctor

Achyranthes aspera Powder – 2-5gm or the required level recommended by the doctor