Witnessed by: Ayurveda · Unani
Salep orchid (Dactylorhiza hatagirea), of the Orchidaceae family. Terrestrial alpine orchid with a palmately lobed tuber; native range: Alpine meadows of the Himalaya, 2500–5000 m, from Kashmir to Bhutan. Globally recognized as munjataka in Sanskrit, salam panja / hatajari in Hindi, salab (سالب) in Arabic, and salep, salam panja, marsh orchid, hand-of-salep in English. The part used is tuber (dried root). Pale hand-shaped tubers, hard when dry; the powder swells to a bland, sweetish, starchy mucilage with a faint earthy smell.
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.
SALEP ORCHID
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Salep orchid
- Scientific name
- Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D.Don) Soó
- Family
- Orchidaceae
Form
- Part used
- tuber (dried root)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Ayurveda
- sweet (madhura)
- Unani
- sweet (mucilaginous, demulcent)
Temperature
- Ayurveda
- cooling (sheeta)
- Unani
- hot (and moist, first degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- kidneys · brain · nerves
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Ayurveda
- vrishya (aphrodisiac), balya (strengthening), brimhana (nourishing), rasayana, vata-pitta-shamaka
- Unani
- muqawwi-e-bah (aphrodisiac), muqawwi-e-badan (general tonic), murabbi (nutritive demulcent)
Cautions
- Contraindications
- high kapha and ama, obesity, and sluggish digestion — it is heavy and building
- Toxicity
- essentially non-toxic; over-use cloys and congests
- Sourcing status
- cites-ii
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