Rasa (Taste)
Kashaya, Amla
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Parnabeeja (Air plant, cathedral bells.)
Parnabeej is a perennial, fleshy, herbaceous plant with upright stems.
Medicinal Plant
Parnabeeja (Air plant, cathedral bells.)
Bryophyllum pinnatum · Crassulaceae
Parnabeej is a perennial, fleshy, herbaceous plant with upright stems.
Scientific Name
Bryophyllum pinnatum
Family
Crassulaceae
Hindi Name
Airavati, Pathacharuti
Used Part
Patra (Leaves)
Botanical Description
About the Parnabeeja Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Parnabeej is a perennial, fleshy, herbaceous plant with upright stems. It usually grows 30-120 cm tall up to 2 m in height. A fleshy upright plant usually growing 60-120 cm tall. Its relatively broad leaves have scalloped margins and are oppositely arranged. These leaves may be simple or compound, with three or five leaflets. Its drooping bell-shaped flowers are greenish-yellow to pinkish-red in colour (up to 7 cm long). These flowers are borne in branched clusters at the top of its stems.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Madhura
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Vatakaphahara
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Sheeta
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Ashmarighna, Vranaropaka, Mootrala, Shonita sthapana, Rakta stambaka, Grahi, Rogaghnata.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Anti inflammatory, Analgesics, Antipyretic, Antimicrobial
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Alkaloids, Saponnins, Flavonoids and Tannins
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Parnabeeja
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
The decoction of the leaves of the plant along with Bilwa is given to treat dysentery in a dosage of 30-40 ml in divided dose.
02
The fresh juice of the leaves of Parnabeeja is given in a dose of 8-10 ml to control bleeding piles, fresh wounds and dysmenorrhoea.
03
Juice of the leaf is given in a dose of 10-15 ml to control bleeding in cases of piles and blood mixed diarrhoea. The paste of the leaves of the plant is applied to reduce localized swelling.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Parnabeeja is a key ingredient.
- Parnabeeja Swarasa, Parnabeeja Kalka, Parnabeeja Kwatha.
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
पर्णबीजं कषायाम्लं मधुरं शीतमेव च । वातपित्तहरं रक्तस्तम्भनं व्रणरोपणम् ।। (स्व.)