Songara NISOTH Operculina turpethum & Achyranthes aspera – The Ayurvedic Pure Herb (50 Gm)

NISOTH (Trivrit / Turpeth Root)

Botanical Name: Operculina turpethum (Linn.) Silva Manso
Family: Convolvulaceae

1. Synonyms

Sanskrit: त्रिवृत् (Trivṛt), निष्टोष (Niṣṭhoṣ), श्यामलता (Śyāmalatā), त्रिवल्ली (Trivallī), सुधापुष्पा (Sudhāpuṣpā), तीक्ष्णा (Tīkṣṇā)
English: Turpeth root, Indian Jalap
Synonyms in Classical Texts:

• Ipomoea turpethum R. Br.
• Operculina turpethum (Linn.) Silva Manso

2. Regional Names

3. Botanical Description

Operculina turpethum is a stout perennial twiner with milky juice, found throughout India up to 900 meters altitude.

• Stem: Very long, three-winged or angled, with milky exudate.
• Leaves: Simple, ovate to oblong (5–12.5 cm), cordate base, petiole 1.8–2.5 cm long.
• Flowers: White, funnel-shaped, borne in few-flowered cymes.
• Fruit: Capsule, globose (12–18 mm diameter), enclosed within brittle, enlarged calyx segments.
• Seeds: One per cell, round and black.
• Root: Long (1.5–5 cm thick), fleshy, externally striated, brown or dark grey, resembling a twisted rope.
  It thrives in moist, shady areas, particularly along ditches, and bears abundant white bell-shaped flowers during the rainy season.
• The fresh root exudes a milky latex that quickly hardens into a resinous material.
• Note: Some market samples are adulterated with roots of Marsdenia tenacissima.
• 4. Chemical Constituents
• Active Principle: Glycosidic resin (mainly in the root bark).
• Major Compounds:
• α- and β-Turpetheins
• Turpethinic acids (A–E)
• Scopoletin
• Glucose, Fructose, Rhamnose
• Resin glycosides:
• O-β-D-glucopyranosyl
• O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl
• Dihydroxy fatty acid glycosides
• Other constituents: Hydrolysate of resin, minor alkaloids.
• Pharmacological Activity:
  Alcoholic extracts show antibacterial activity against Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus and Escherichia coli.
• 5. Properties and Therapeutic Uses
• Ayurvedic Properties
• Rasa (Taste): Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent)
• Guna (Quality): Laghu (Light), Tikshna (Sharp)
• Virya (Potency): Ushna (Hot)
• Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Katu (Pungent)
• Doshakarma: Pacifies Kapha and Pitta doshas.
• Classical References
• Charaka Samhita: Mentioned in Bhedaniya Mahakashaya (group of purgatives).
• Sushruta Samhita: Listed in Shyamadi gana and Adhobhagahara gana (downward purgative group).
• Therapeutic Actions
• Rechana (Purgative) – Powerful laxative that cleanses bowels.
• Bhedana (Deobstruent) – Removes blockages from channels.
• Deepana–Pachana – Stimulates digestion and metabolism.
• Medohara – Reduces excess fat.
• Shothahara – Relieves oedema and inflammation.
• Kusthaghna – Useful in skin disorders.
• Krimighna – Kills intestinal worms.
• Medicinal Uses
• Constipation & Abdominal disorders: Promotes bowel evacuation and relieves obstruction.
• Jaundice & Hepatic congestion: Improves liver function.
• Dropsy & Oedema: Removes excess fluid accumulation.
• Gout & Rheumatism: Eliminates vitiated vata and metabolic waste.
• Skin Diseases: Used internally and externally.
• Fever and Bleeding Disorders: Acts as mild purgative and detoxifier.
• Piles: Helps relieve constipation and venous congestion.
• Melancholia & Mental disorders: Clears accumulated toxins.
• Traditionally combined with Triphala, Pippali, Shunthi, and Hyoscyamus niger to enhance efficacy and reduce griping.
• 6. Dose
• Powder (Root)
  2–5 g with warm water or honey
•  Caution: Excessive use may cause griping, nausea, or dehydration. Should be taken with Saindhava lavana (rock salt) or ginger to prevent abdominal discomfort.
  Contraindicated in pregnancy and weak constitution.
• Summary
• Nisoth (Operculina turpethum) is one of Ayurveda’s most powerful natural purgatives — a cleansing herb that clears toxins, stimulates digestion, purifies the blood, and balances Kapha and Pitta doshas. Its potent resinous root has long been revered as a Bhedaniya dravya (purifying herb) and forms a key ingredient in classical formulations for detoxification, liver support, and skin health.