Witnessed by: Ayurveda · Western · Unani
Pellitory (Anacyclus pyrethrum), of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. Prostrate daisy-like perennial with pinnate leaves and a stout pungent taproot; native range: the Mediterranean and the Atlas mountains of North Africa. Globally recognized as akarakarabha in Sanskrit, akarkara in Hindi, aqarqarha (عاقرقرحا) in Arabic, and pellitory of Spain · Spanish chamomile · Mount Atlas daisy in English. The part used is root. The root is faintly aromatic, then intensely acrid and tingling, numbing the tongue and drawing a copious flow of saliva.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
PELLITORY
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Pellitory
- Scientific name
- Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) Lag.
- Family
- Asteraceae (Compositae)
Form
- Part used
- root
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Ayurveda
- pungent (katu)
- Western
- pungent · acrid
- Unani
- pungent · acrid
Temperature
- Ayurveda
- heating (ushna, intensely)
- Western
- hot
- Unani
- hot & dry (3rd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- nerves · mucous membranes · circulation
- Unani
- brain · nerves · stomach
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Ayurveda
- vata-kaphahara, medhya (nervine), vrishya (aphrodisiac), vak-shuddhikara (clears the speech)
- Western
- sialagogue, rubefacient, local irritant, nervine stimulant, for toothache and paralysis of the tongue
- Unani
- munabbih (nervine stimulant), muharrik-e-bah (aphrodisiac), for laqwa (facial palsy) and falij (paralysis), sialagogue and errhine
Cautions
- Contraindications
- high pitta, fever and inflammation; pregnancy and bleeding disorders
- Toxicity
- a strong acrid irritant — burns and inflames mucosa in excess; internal use in minute dose only
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.