Anacyclus Pyrethrum

Anacyclus pyrethrum uses in natural skin care products.

Anacyclus pyrethrum (Linn) De Candolle, commonly referred to as ‘Akarkara’ is widely recognized in ayurvedic system of Indian medicine as tonic, rejuvenator and when applied to the skin, it acts as a rubefacient.

A rubefacient is a substance for topical application that produces redness of the skin e.g. by causing dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation. It is a hard, compact, fusiform root, about the size of the little finger, with sometimes leaf remnants at the top, and beset with few or no hair-like rootlets; externally brownish, deeply fissured longitudinally.

Various phytochemical and biological evaluations have been reported in the literature for the importance of Anacyclus pyrethrum. So, it may have been used in ethno medicine to exploit its medicinal properties including antimicrobial effect, local anesthetic effect, insecticidal effect and also showing anti-inflammatory activity.

Anacyclus pyrethrum roots which are commonly known as pellitory root is one such herb which has been widely acclaimed in ayurvedic system of medicine for its rejuvenative properties. It is generally designated as an herb to help improve sexual function especially in males. The powder of this herb when consumed, has been known to arouse sexual desire & improve performance time.

Pellitory or Spanish chamomile (Anacyclus pyrethrum), is a widely distributed plant known in different countries under different used by the magians under the name parthenium against intermittent fevers, pyrethrum-root has temperate and somewhat dry warmth, and because of this good temperament, it is pure and has a good powerful action.

However, this medical herb is used, dry or cooked with the food, when a person uses pyrethrum-root regularly it banishes sickness and prevents him from becoming sick. It produces saliva in the mouth as a result it extracts the bad fluids and gives you your health back. Different workers have reported a number of chemical constituents. The roots were considered as aphrodisiac and sexual stimulant.

Extensive investigations have been carried out at different parts of Anacyclus pyrethrum and its consequences, crystalline constituents of the roots contain a mixture of isobutyl amides of unsaturated acids with decadiene as the principal constituents. Apart from being used as an aphrodisiac Anacyclus.Pyrethrum, is widely used in folk remedies for stimulating salivary glands, curing chronic mucus of the head or nostrils. As a masticatory, it has been found useful in toothache, apnea, paralysis of the tongue & muscles of the throat & neuralgic affections of the teeth. Pellitory root has been frequently analyzed and its activity proved to residue in an acrid matter, known as pyrethrin.

However, this so-called pyrethrin, is in reality, a mixed substance; consisting of a brown acrid resin. The root also contains a little Volatile oil, gum & traces of tannic acid. Phyto constituents mainly reported from the plant are N-isobutyldienediynamide & hot water soluble polysaccharides. The roots also contain anacyclin traditionally it is regarded as a tonic to the nervous system.

The root of Anacyclus pyrethrum also has antibacterial & anti-inflammatory activities.

The root is a pungent acrid herb that stimulates the salivary glands and irritates the
tissues, thereby increasing blood flow to the area A gargle is used to soothe sore throats.

The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for stored for later use. In ayurvedic medicine, the root is considered as tonic and is used in the treatment of paralysis and epilepsy.

Anacyclus pyrethrum contains a number of Phyto constituents, which reveals its uses for various therapeutic purposes. The roots can be used for the treatment of various disorders in human being such as immunostimulating effect, inhibitory effects, antidepressant activity, anticonvulsant activity, myrorelaxation activity, memory-enhancing activity, aphrodisiacs, antimicrobial activity, and local anaesthetic effect, insecticidal and molluscicidal effect. Still more work is required with the Anacyclus pyrethrum to investigate the mechanism of actions with other therapeutic activity.