Health Benefits

Facts and benefits of Pellitory

Anacyclus  pyrethrum,  Indian  trade  name  Akarkara  is  a  small  perennial plant belonging  to  Asteraceae  family.  The plant is native to Arabia,  mainly  distributed  in  North  Africa, Mediterranean  region,  Himalayas, Spain  and  in  India it  is  found  along the Himalaya, Jammu and Kashmir,  Bengal and  in  Northern  parts.  Akarkara is described an aphrodisiac drug and has multiple uses in Ayurveda and Unani medicine. Kenya is the leading producer of pyrethrum extract along with Rwanda, Tanzania and Australia. It is a perennial herb much like chamomile in habitat and appearance. It is in a different family (Asteraceae) from the plants known as pellitory-of-the-wall (Parietaria officinalis) and spreading pellitory (Parietaria judaica). Algerian pellitory, Akarkara plant (India), Longwort, Mayweed, Mount Atlas daisy, Pellitory, Pellitory of Spain, Pyrethrum root, Roman pellitory, Roman pyrethrum, Spanish camomile, Spanish pellitory, Roman Pellitory and Spanish chamomile are some of the well-known common names of the plant.  Medicinally, pellitory root has a pungent efficacy in relieving toothache and promoting a free flow of saliva and making it popular as a food spice. It induces heat, tingling and redness when applied to the skin.

Plant Description

Pellitory is a small, hairy, stem less, herbaceous perennial plant that normally grows about 3-4 feet tall. The plant is found growing in alpine or rock garden. Root is almost cylindrical, brown in color, 7-15 cm in length, very slightly twisted, tapering and often crowned with a tuft of grey hairs, having aromatic odor and pungent taste. Externally it is brown and wrinkled, with bright black spots. The plant has numerous stems with downy branches. It is a prostrate herb that looks like Chamomile to a greater extent. The stems lie on the ground and rise erect towards the ends. Each of the stem bears one large flowers at branch-ends, with yellow colored disk, white colored rays and tinged with purple beneath. Leaves are alternate, smooth and pinnate. They are pale green in color with deeply cut segments. They have large white flowers with yellow centers. Fertile flowers are followed by obovate achene.

Pellitory Facts

Pellitory Quick Facts
Name: Pellitory
Scientific Name: Anacyclus pyrethrum
Origin North Africa, elsewhere in the Mediterranean region, in the Himalayas, in North India
Shapes Obovate achene
Taste Persistent pungent, bitter taste
Health benefits Loss of Libido, Pharyngitis & Sore Throat, Toothache, Epilepsy & Seizures, Pyorrhea, Impotency & Erectile dysfunction, Common Cold, Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) & Delayed Speech Development
Name Pellitory
Scientific Name Anacyclus pyrethrum
Native North Africa, elsewhere in the Mediterranean region, in the Himalayas, in North India, the Levant and in certain regions in the Arabian peninsula
Common Names Algerian pellitory, Akarkara plant (India), Longwort, Mayweed, Mount Atlas daisy, Pellitory, Pellitory of Spain, Pyrethrum root, Roman pellitory, Roman pyrethrum, Spanish camomile, Spanish pellitory, Roman pellitory, Spanish chamomile
Name in Other Languages Afrikaans: Pellitory
Albanian: Pellitory
Amharic: Ye’ākali bik’ati inik’isik’asē (የአካል ብቃት እንቅስቃሴ)
Arabic :  Aud el‘attas (اود يل اتتاس), Akar karha (اكار كارها),  اغارغارها  Agargarha, eaqir qarhanaan  (عاقر قرحا), erq alqarh  (عرق القرح)
Armenian: Henaket (հենակետ)
Azerbaijani: Kəllə
Bengali :  Akarkara, pellitory-ˈpeliˌtôrē, Bertram
Bulgarian: Pellitory-ˈpeliˌtôrē
Burmese: Kyawwattantarr (ကျောက်တံတား), kwk k rar (ကွက္ကရာ)
Catalan :  Pelitre, Piretre africà
Chinese: Fǎ lǐxué (法理学)
Croatian: Pellitory
Czech: Bertrám římský, peletární
Danish :  Bertramsrod, pellitory
Dutch:  Arikaanse pyrethrum, Atlasmadeliefje, Marokkaanse kamille, korrelig,  Roomse bertram, Roze kamille, Speekselkruid, Vuurkruid
English: Algerian pellitory, Akarkara plant (India), Longwort, Mayweed, Mount Atlas daisy, Pellitory, Pellitory of Spain, Pyrethrum root, Roman pellitory, Roman pyrethrum, Spanish camomile, Spanish pellitory, Roman pellitory, Spanish chamomile, Bertram
Esperanto: Pellitory
Estonian: Pellitory
Filipino: Pellitory
Finnish:  Raimikki, Pellitory, Marokonraimikki
French: Pyrèthre, Pyrèthre d’Afrique, Pyrèthre salivaire, Œil de bouc, Pariétaire d’Espagne, Camomille marocaine, Pellitory, Oeil de bouc
Georgian: Narcheni (ნარჩენი)
German:  Franzosenwursel, Marokkokamille, Römische Bertramswurzel, Römischer Bertram, Speichelwurz , Zahnwurzel, Morokko-Bertram, Pellitory, Mehrjähriger Bertram
Greek:  Anakiklos o pyrethros (Ανάκυκλος ο πύρεθρος), Pyrethron (Πύρεθρον), eídos tsiknídas (είδος τσικνίδας)
Gujarati:  Akorkaro, Pēlīṭōrī (પેલીટોરી)
Hausa: Pellitory
Hebrew: אגן
Hindi: Akarkara (अकरकरा), Akkal Kara, pellitory-ˈpeliˌtôrē
Hungarian:  Fogfájógyökér, Piretrum, Római Bertram, Pellitory
Icelandic: Grindarhol
Indonesian: Pellitory
Irish: Pellitory
Italian: Piretro romano, parietaria
Japanese:   Anakikurusu (ア ナキクルス),  Anakikurusu piresurumu (ア ナキクルス・ピレスルム),  Piretoriumu (ピレトリウム), Peritorī (ペリトリー)
Javanese: Pelet
Kannada: Akkalakara, Aakala kaare, Pelliṭari (ಪೆಲ್ಲಿಟರಿ)
Kazakh: Tüyirşik (түйіршік)
Korean:  pelliteulon (펠리트론), pelli toil (펠리 토리)
Kurdish: Pellitory
Lao: Hophak (ຫໍພັກ)
Latin: Herbae muralis
Latvian: Pellitory
Lithuanian: Pinigai
Macedonian: Peletorija (пелеторија)
Malagasy: Pellitory
Malayalam: Akkikkaruka Akkravu, Pellēṟṟaṟi (പെല്ലേറ്ററി)
Marathi:  Akkalkara, Akkal Kadha
Maltese: Pellitory
Marathi: Pēlīṭarī (पेलीटरी)
Mongolian: Urel (үрэл)
Nepali: Akarakala (Akarkala), Akarkara (अकलकरा), pallitaree (पल्लिटरी)
Norwegian: Pellitory
Oriya: ପେଲିଟୋରୀ |
Pashto: ناڅاپي
Persian:  عاقرقرحا   , بابونه زرد 
Polish: Bertram lekarski, Pellitory
Portuguese: Pellitory    
Punjabi:  Akarkara, Pailiṭarī (ਪੈਲਿਟਰੀ), Akarakarā (ਅਕਰਕਰਾ)
Romanian: Pellitory
Russian:  Anatsiklus piretrinovyj (Анациклус пиретриновый),  Anatsiklus piretruma (Анациклус пиретрума) , Bertram (Бертрам), Nemetskaia romaška piretrinovaia (Немецкая ромашка пиретриновая), Romaška sljunogonnaia (Ромашка слюногонная), slyunogon lekarstvennyy (слюногон лекарственный), postennica (постенница)
Sanskrit: Agragrahi, Akarakarabhah, , Akarkara (अकरकरा), Bhringraj kul
Serbian: Pellitori (пеллитори)
Sindhi: ڇڪتاڻ
Sinhala: Peliṭari (පෙලිටරි)
Slovenian: Pellitory
Spanish: Pelitre romano, Raíz de pelitre romano, pelitre, parietaria
Sundanese: Peletakan
Swedish:  Bertram, Romersk Bertram, Pellitory
Tajik: Palang (паланг)
Tamil : Akkirakkaram (அக்கரகாரம்), Akkalkara, Pelliṭṭari (பெல்லிட்டரி),  pellitory-ˈpeləˌtôrē
Telugu: Akarakaramu, Akkalakarra (అక్కలకర్ర)
Thai:  Kot kak kra (โกฐ กักกรา), pellitory-ˈpeləˌtôrē
Turkish:  Pire out, Pellitory
Ukranian: Pellitorna (пелліторна)
Urdu: Aaqarqarha, ﺋﺎﻗﺮﻗﺮﺣﺎ, پیلیٹری
Uzbek: Qafas
Vietnamese: Viên
Welsh: Pellitory
Zulu: Ipellitory
Plant Growth Habit Small, hairy, stem less, herbaceous  perennial plant
Growing Climates Alpine or rock garden
Plant Size 3-4 feet
Root Almost cylindrical, brown  in  color,  7-15  cm  in  length, very slightly twisted and tapering and often crowned with a tuft of grey hairs, having aromatic  odor  and  pungent taste. Externally it is brown and wrinkled, with bright black spots
Leaf Leaves  are  smooth,  pinnate  and  alternate,  with  cutted  segment
Flower Large white flowers with yellow centers
Fruit Shape & Size Obovate achene
Propagation By seed, by division of roots and by cuttings
Plant Parts Used Dried root, flower, leaves, essential oil
Flavor/Aroma Slight aromatic smell
Taste Persistent pungent, bitter taste
Available Forms Capsules, powder
Health Benefits
  • Loss of Libido
  • Pharyngitis & Sore Throat
  • Toothache
  • Epilepsy & Seizures
  • Pyorrhea
  • Impotency & Erectile dysfunction
  • Common Cold
  • Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) & Delayed Speech Development
Other Facts
  • The root is sometimes used as an insecticide.
  • It contains alkaloids with strong insecticidal properties.

Health benefits and Medicinal Uses of Pellitory

Anacyclus Pyrethrum is mainly advantageous for men’s problems. It helps treating many hazardous diseases. Here are some main medicinal uses and health benefits of Pellitory given underneath

1. Loss of Libido

Pellitory has aphrodisiac, libido stimulant, and spermatogenic actions. It inspirations the secretion of androgens and increases their production. Alkyl-amide, the main alkaloid in Pellitory root increases the production of testosterone. It may likely to work on hypothalamus stimulation due to Alkyl-amide. Overall, Pellitory boosts fertility, increase spermatozoa count, and improves libido in male. (1)

As per Ayurvedic theories, Anacyclus Pyrethrum roots acts as libido stimulant for men because of its action on brain and nerves. It encourages desire and increases blood supply to genitals.

2. Pharyngitis & Sore Throat

Gargle with Pellitory water is also helpful. For this, boil 10 grams Pellitory root in 250 ml water. Gargle with this water to get relief from pharyngitis. It is also beneficial for toothache and gum diseases.

3. Toothache

Gentle massage of Pellitory root powder with Camphor helps in toothache. It is also used with black pepper, henbane and Vaividang for reducing toothache.

4. Pyorrhea

Pellitory root powder is mixed with mustard oil and used in the treatment of pyorrhea.

5. Common Cold

Anacyclus Pyrethrum root powder with black pepper and long pepper helps in common cold. Pellitory has antiviral properties, so it decreases all symptoms of flu and alleviates nasal congestion.

6. Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) & Delayed Speech Development

Gentle massage of tongue with 125 mg of Pellitory root powder mixed with honey helps improving speech in children. Its effects potentiate when 125 mg Sweet flag is also added in this mixture.

7. Epilepsy & Seizures

In Ayurveda, Anacyclus Pyrethrum is used as adjuvant in management of epilepsy and seizures. Research has shown that its root extract has protective action, so it may help preventing seizures.

8. Impotency & Erectile dysfunction

Anacyclus Pyrethrum or Akarkara is good remedy for treating Impotence & Erectile dysfunction. It has same function as SILDENAFIL has, but it does not increase blood pressure. It also has lesser side effects as compared to SILDENAFIL.

Akarkara efficacy reduces after a few weeks if it is used alone. Thus, it should be used along with Ashwagandha and Velvet bean powder for maximum benefits.

Traditional uses and benefits of Pellitory

Home remedies using Pellitory

Root powder for toothache: Pinch of root powder is taken and kept in the base /gum of the affected teeth/tooth ache. This gives relief within 5-10 minutes. This will reduce the swelling and pain also.

Flower head powder/paste for erectile dysfunction: Flower head paste or powder (500 mg) is cooked with milk and given once or twice a day. This acts as a sexual stimulant, delays the ejaculation and promotes sexual power/desire.

Root powder immersed in oil as sexual stimulant: 5 gram of root powder is kept on immersion with 60 ml of coconut oil in sunshine for 6-8 days. Then it is filtered and stored. This traditional oil is applied over the genitalia in cases of loss of erectile ability. 15-20 days medication is claimed to be of good effect in this respect.

Hot infusion for sore throat: Pinch of Pellitory flower head or root powder is added to a cup of water and kept for a while. This is used to gargle in cases of tonsillitis and sore throat.

Root powder with ghee for urinary retention: Pinch of root powder is rubbed with 1 spoon of ghee and licked twice with an interval of 30 minutes. This flushes out the urine within one hour.

Ayurvedic Health benefits of Pellitory

Precautions

References:

https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Anacyclus+pyrethrum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anacyclus_pyrethrum

https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?103836

https://enacademic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/454400

http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/gcc-78683

https://www.flowersofindia.net/catalog/slides/Spanish%20Chamomile.html

https://www.planetayurveda.com/library/akarkara-anacyclus-pyrethrum/

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/ANYPY

https://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/pellit19.html

https://www.japsonline.com/admin/php/uploads/1818_pdf.pdf

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