Nannari

  • Botanical Name : Hemidesmus indicus
  • English Name : Indian Sarsaparilla
  • Sanskrit Name : Anantamul
  • Malayalam Name : Nannari (നന്നാരി)
  • Part Used : Root, Leaves
About Image

Overview

  • Indigenous people globally used sarsaparilla root for centuries to treat joint issues like arthritis and skin problems such as psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
  • The root was believed to cure Hansen’s disease (leprosy) due to its “blood-purifying” properties.
  • Sarsaparilla was later introduced to European medicine and registered in the United States Pharmacopoeia for syphilis treatment.

Habitat

  • Fast-growing thin perennial vine with prickly stems that cling for support.
  • Oval-shaped and slender leaves with a smooth texture; flowers are small and elongated in light green and purple hues.
  • Hard, linear roots emit a sweet scent reminiscent of vanilla, cinnamon, and almonds.
  • Propagated from stem and rootstock cuttings, with the latter preferred.
  • Harvested roots, when dry and boiled, produce the extract.

Phytochemistry

  • H. indicus roots contain hexatriacontane, lupeol, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, sitosterol. coumarino-lignoid-hemidesminine, hemidesmin, hemidesmin I and II, pentacyclic triterpenes, and more. including two oleanenes, and three ursenes.
  • Stem contains calogenin, acetylcalogenin-3-0-β-D-digitoxopyrannosyl-0-β-D-digitoxopyronsyl-0-β-D-digitoxopyranoside. It also afforded 3-keto-lup-12-en-21 28-olide along with lupanone, lupeol-3-β-acetate, hexadecanoic acid, 4-methoxy-3-methoxybenzalaldehyde and 3-methoxy-4-5methoxybenzalaldehydglycosides-indicine, and hemidine.
  • The leaves contain tannins, flavonoids, hyperoside, rutin and coumarino.
  • Rare leucoderma lignoids, hemidesminine, hemidesmin I and hemidesmin II, are found in leaves.
Nutritional Prowess Image

Nutritional Prowess

  • Sarsaparilla contains plant chemicals believed to have beneficial effects on the body, including saponins for joint pain and skin itching, anti-inflammatory properties for arthritis, and potential anti-cancer properties.
  • Sarsaparilla root, particularly sarsaponin, may improve skin by removing endotoxins responsible for psoriasis lesions.
  • Anti-inflammatory nature makes sarsaparilla effective against rheumatoid arthritis and other causes of joint pain and swelling.
  • Demonstrates activity against harmful bacteria, historically used to treat syphilis and Hansen’s disease (leprosy).
  • Recent studies suggest potential anticancer properties, especially in breast and liver cancer cell lines. More research is needed for cancer prevention and treatment.
  • Shows protective effects on the liver, reversing damage and promoting optimal functioning in rats with liver damage.

Dermatological Perks

  • Blood-purifying properties leave the skin glowing.
  • Removes toxins for clearer skin.
  • Effective against psoriasis, skin rashes, acne, and other skin diseases.
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