Premna integrifolia (AgniMantha Laghu)

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 ighantuy 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 nighaÄtus, Amara Ko¦a 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 agnimantha dvaya nor tarkaridvaya.  But, he mentioned agnimantha and ganakarika.  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 nŒdey¶ (grown on river-side) which is the synonym of tarkŒri. Like Pakala, Agnimantha is also found to be Sothahara according to Caraka.

Botanical Description–

A large shrub or small tree, large branches spinous usually. Leaves– broadly oblong or ovate, entire or dentate. Flowers– in dense corymbs, greenish white, with unpleasant smell. Fruit– drupe, black coloured, globose. Seeds– oblong.

Found in the forest of South India and West Bengal (Northern Part).

Major Chemical Constituents–

1. integrifolia– -sitosterol, luteolin (leaves); aphelandrine, premnine, ganiarine, ganikarine, caryophellen, premnenol, premnaspirodiene etc.

Part Used– Root bark, leaf

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

Research–

• A compound isolated from root bark was active against gram-positive organisms (Naturwiss, 1964, 51, 484).