Clerodendrum phlomedis (AgniMantha brihat)

Agnimantha / Arani is a very important plant during Vedic period wherein its stem / sticks were used to produce fire. It is a plant considered essential for rituals also.

Tarkari and Agnimantha are described together by Caraka in one context (C.S.Ci. 27/54). Sushruta enumerated Tarkari and Agnimantha seperately in the Varunadi gana. In Ashtanga Sangraha, Tarkari dvaya is delineated (A.S.Ci. 23). From these references it is clear that Brihat Trayi mentioned two kinds of Agnimantha. Among the nighantus, Amara Kosa considered Agnimantha and Tarkari as different plants. The same is accepted by almost all the nighantus except madanapala nighantu. Sodhala mentioned agnimantha (Tarkari) and Arani as two different varieties. Bhavamishra mentioned only one variety i.e., Agnimantha for which Tarkari is the synonym. In Nighantu Ratnakara, Agnimantha is described as two types viz., laghu (smaller) and brihat (bigger). On review it is noticed that the laghu variety has better sothahara property than the brihat variety. Kaiyadeva earlier quoted that Agnimantha is a better Sothahara as well as vatahara drug. Therefore, Agnimantha and Tarkari may be laghu and brihat varieties respectively.  It is interesting to note that madanapala neither mentionedd agnimantha dvaya nor tarkaridvaya.  But, he mentioned agnimantha and ganakarika seperately.  The former is identified with C. phlomidis while the later is P. integrifolia.

Some of the modern time scholars of dravyaguna consider Tarkari as laghu Agnimantha and this view needs debate. The author is of the openion that Clerodendrum phlomidis and Premna integrifolia are the botanical sources of Agnimantha and Tarkari respectively. This is concluded on the basis of Nadeyi (grown on river-side) which is the synonym of tarkari. Like Palasa, Agnimantha is also found to be Sothahara according to Caraka.

Botanical Description–

A large, bushy shrub, Leaves– ovate-sinuate or serrate, pubescent beneath. Flowers– in 3-9 flowered axillary cymes, white coloured, fragrant, borne in a terminal, rounded ponicle. Fruit– black, slightly succulent, found in drier parts of Deccan peninsula, Bihar, Punjab and West Bengal.

Major Chemical Constituents–

1. phlomidis– Pectolinarigenin, scutellarein, apigenin, hispidulin, clerosterol, clerodin, clerodendrin A, Cerolic acid, Ceryl alcohol, raffinose etc.

Part Used– Root bark, leaf

Dosage– Powder 1-3 g, decoction 50-100 ml, leaf juice 10-20 ml

Research–

(1) The aqueous extract of leaves administed i.m. was found effective in reducing the oedema of formalin-induced arthritis in rats. External application of the alcoholic extract of the leaf also reduced the oedema (Krishamurthy et al., 1972).