Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. (ARTAGALA)

Caraka did not mention artagala in his text.  But, susruta and vagbhata have described it repeatedly.  Dalhana contributed for sufficient controversy regarding its identity.  He mentioned that artagala may be either kakubha (arjuna ?) or kuravaka or nila sahacara.  He further quoted that its fruits have thorns and is ighantuy seen in a place called jalamukta desa.  This plant is actually claimed to be mutrala, caksusya, medohara and kapha-vatahara.  This is found in the varundaigana along with two ighantes of saireyaka.  Therefore, artagala can not be sahacara / saireyaka.  Thakur Balwant Singhji identified it with Acanthus ilicifoliusLinn.  Some reported Xanthium struarium Linn. As the source for artagala but X. strumarium is considered as kaccaka.

Botanical description – An erect undershrub, with terete, glabrous stems; leaves shortly petioled, oblong or elliptic toothed, or pinnatifid spinous; flowers blue, in terminal spikes; bracteoles broadly lanceolate; corolla pubescent within; fruits ellipsoid, compresed, shining capsules; seeds compressed, orbicular.

Chemical constituents –

Leaf –  apigenin-7-O-glucronide, β-sitosterol etc.

Root – acanthicine, trigonelline, stigmasterol etc.

Whole plant – acanthicifoline, lupeol, oleanolic acid, trigonelline etc

Part used –  whole plant, leaves, root.

Uses –

Whole plant – decoction is used in asthma and dyspepsia.

Leaves – when used for fomentation, useful in neuralgia and rheumatism.

Root – useful in cough and asthma since it is an expectorant.  Root is boild with milk and used in leucorrhoea and general debility.