Anantamul: Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Hemidesmus indicus

Anantmul is commonly found in the Himalayan areas and the land which is nearer to sea. In Ayurveda or Sanskrit, Anantamul is known as ‘Eternal (endless) Root’. Anantmul has high demand as it is used in medicinal and cosmetic formulation preparation. Anantmul has several stems & branches close to the surface ground, and they are used in gardening. Anantmul is a lean, lactiferous plant, and it has thick nodes on the stem.

The leaves of Anantmul trees are very smooth, glossy, thin, and positioned opposite the stem. The leaves of Anantmul are elliptical. Anantmul tree has a flowering stage which usually comes from October to January. Anantmul flowers have five petals, and they are greenish from the outside but orange/purple inside.

Anantmul tree gives purple-colored fruits, which are 5 to 10 cm long. There are two different varieties of Anantmul, i) Shweta (the roots of this variety are white) and ii) Krishna (the roots of this variety are black). As per Ayurveda, Anantamul is known to possess healing and blood purifying properties, and this makes it a more suitable ingredient in the preparation of various Ayurvedic skin medicines.

Some studies already reported the benefits of Anantmul, and it can also be used as a powerful natural medicine for deactivating bacteria and microbes. Anantmul is majorly used for treating external and internal skin problems.

Sources of Anantamul

Anantamul is found in several parts of India, especially in Assam and in different parts of the south, west, and central region.

Chemical constituents of Anantamul

Different parts	Bioactive components
Roots	Hexatriacontane, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, lupeol, octacosanoate, sitosterol, coumarino-lignoid-hemidesminine, hemidesmin I and hemidesmin II50.
Stem	Calogenin, acetylcalogenin-3-0-β-D-digitoxopyrannosyl-0-β-D-digitoxopyronsyl-0-β-D-digitoxopyranoside, hexadecanoic acid.
Leaves	Tannins, flavonoids, hyperoside, rutin and coumarino. Leucoderma lignoids such as hemidesminine, hemidesmin I and hemidesmin II.

Other Names for Anantamul

In Hindi, it is known as Kalisar, Dughdhalata, Kaali Anantamul.
In Marathi, it is known a Krishnasarwa, Kantebhouri.
In English, it is known as Shrubby Ichnocarpus, a Black creeper.
In Kannada, it is known as Gorwiballi, Karihambu.
In Tamil, it is known as Udargodi, Paravalli, Illukatte.
In Nepali, it is known as Nellateaga, Dudhe lehra.

Benefits and uses of Anantamul

Anantamul is very useful in managing blood sugar levels.
Anantamul helps in preventing liver damage by protecting the insulin-producing cells.
The human body produces free radical cells in stress conditions, and Anantamul has excellent antioxidant potential, which can help quench these free radicals.
The daily intake of Anantamul supplements helps improve the body’s metabolism, which will further help in digestion and, thereby, weight management.
Anantamul is a vital ayurvedic drug for the treatment of menorrhagia, diarrhea, and gastritis.
A few research reports showed that Anantamul could help in the detoxification of the body due to its higher number of antioxidants.
Taking of Anantamul supplements can also help in the absorption of water and electrolytes, leading to lowering the pressure on the intestine.
Anantamul extracts have lots of antimicrobial agents, which help reduce the bacterial load of the stomach, which is responsible for causing dysentery and diarrhea.
Anantamul has Shodan (purification) property, and this is useful for treating kidney-related problems by removing harmful toxins from the body and providing the cooling effect.
Anantamul is useful in wound healing, and this is used for making external application creams.
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds of Anantamul help eliminate the free radicals of the body and thereby lower the inflammation rate during injury.
Anantamul is used for making topical formulations for its easy use in treating skin-related problems.
Anantamul topical formulations are used for treating oral thrush (yeast infections in the mouth), ringworm, bacterial infections of the skin.
During Piles, Anantamul root can be beneficial due to its anti-inflammatory and strong wound healing properties.
For males, Anantamul is a boon as it Improves semen quality to further help with fertility.
Anantamul decoction helps relieve the burning sensation, inhibiting the infection and effective cleaning of wounds.
It was observed when an Anantamul supplement is taken that improves hair growth, and it is useful in treating eye infections.
Anantamul leaves are said to be used in treating gum diseases and tooth problems.
The administration of Anantamul root to the newborn’s mother showed an improvement in breast milk production, and it also helps in purifying the breast milk.
Anantamul supplements intake improves the digestive system, and it is useful in managing ulcerative colitis and gastritis.
Anantamul decoction is beneficial in treating asthma, respiratory conditions, cough, and cold.
In treating nasal bleeding, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, and dysmenorrhea, the Anantamul supplements are very beneficial.
Anantamul root is crushed and applied externally for treating scorpion, snake, and poisonous insect bites.
In the case of gout and osteoarthritis treatment, Anantamul root is beneficial for its external applications.
Anantamul juice is used in treating leukoderma, jaundice and improving the overall immunity of the body.

Recommended Dosage of Anantamul

Anantamul products are available in juice, kwath, powders, and paste, available in medical stores and online pharmacies.

Products	Preparation	Dosage/ Day
Kwath (decoction) from leaves	Take the fresh leaves of Anantamul and boil it in one glass of water for 5-8 mins on low flame. Filter it and sip it after cooling to room temperature. The decoction is taken before meals.	Two times
Sharbat/Juice/Nannari	Take three teaspoons of Anantamul syrup and add it to one glass of cold water. Add lemon drops and ice cubes to it before taking. Drink it before meals.	One time.
Powder	Take ½ teaspoon of powder and mix it with honey. The dilute it with enough water. Take it before meals.	Two times
Root paste	Take ½ teaspoon of powder and mix it with sesame oil and prepare the thick paste. Apply it to the required area.	–

Side effects and Precautions of Anantamul

There are some side effects related to Anantamul, such as the excess amount of its intake, runny nose, stomach upset, and some asthma symptoms.
Anantamul acts as a diuretic, but when this herb is taken with lithium medicines, it might increase lithium concentration in the body. During this time, it is essential to consult the medical practitioner.
It is advised to take Ananatmul and non-prescription and prescription medicines with administration gaps of 1-2 hours.
If you are on antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications and still are taking Anantamul supplements, it is essential to monitor your blood sugar level and blood pressure regularly.
For patients suffering from kidney-related problems, Anantamul supplement administration is avoided as it can further worsen the situation.
Anantamul supplements should be avoided when there are pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Taking Anantamul supplements along with digoxin can further increase the heartbeat, and therefore it is advised to avoid taking them together.

FAQs

Can I take Anantamul for weight loss?

Yes, Anantamul is taken for significant weight loss, and many peoples are already taking it in their daily diet. But it is not very much clear the mechanism involved in controlling the body weight.

Is Anantamul suitable for kidney problems?

Yes, Anantmul is useful for treating kidney-related problems. Anantmul extract has a renoprotective effect which helps in the protection of the kidneys. Also, Anantmul roots are rich in a mixture of antioxidants, which helps remove toxic compounds present in the liver. Anantmul also helps lower the creatinine levels in the blood, which is the primary parameter that indicates how healthy the kidneys are. Higher levels of creatine in the liver are a direct indication of the bad health of the kidney.

Is Anantmul suitable for eye care?

Yes, Anantmul is good for eye health. But there is not enough scientific literature is available supporting this. But one reason behind this could be the anti-inflammatory property of Anantmul, which might help taking care of the inflammation in the eye.

Summary

Anantmul is known as ‘The Eternal Root”, this name is given because of its long roots, which spread far below the ground. In Ayurveda, Anantmool is known for balancing all three doshas. Anantmul has the perfect detoxifying property that helps in cleansing the body inside out.

Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a health care professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.