Witnessed by: Unani
Leopard's bane (Doronicum hookeri), of the Asteraceae family. Tufted alpine herb with golden daisy heads and a fleshy knotted rootstock; native range: alpine meadows of the Himalaya from Kashmir to Sikkim. Globally recognized as darunaj-e-aqrabi in Persian, darunaj in Arabic, and scorpion-root doronicum in English. The part used is rhizome (root). Aromatic knotty root, warm and faintly bitter, with a lingering pungency.
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.
LEOPARD'S BANE
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- leopard's bane
- Scientific name
- Doronicum hookeri C.B.Clarke
- Family
- Asteraceae
Form
- Part used
- rhizome (root)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Unani
- bitter · aromatic, pungent
Temperature
- Unani
- hot (2nd degree, dry)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- heart · brain · nerves
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Unani
- muqawwi-e-qalb (cardiac tonic), mufarreh (exhilarant), muqawwi-e-dimagh (brain tonic), muqawwi-e-bah (aphrodisiac), tiryaq (antidote to scorpion venom and cold poisons)
Cautions
- Contraindications
- hot and bilious temperaments; feverish heat
- Toxicity
- large doses over-stimulate; use within tonic dose
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