Sunishannaka (Shitivara, Shitivaraha, Swastika)

About

Sunishannaka, also known as Marsilea quadrifolia, is an aquatic fern traditionally used in Ayurveda for its balancing and therapeutic properties. It is valued for its potential to alleviate cough, act as a digestive stimulant and aphrodisiac, and address various ailments.

Properties

Grahi (absorbent), Agnikrit (improves digestion), Deepana (appetizer), Vrishya (aphrodisiac), Astringent, coolant, digestive, diuretic, hypnotic, and expectorant properties, Tridoshahara

Dosage

Juice: 10 to 20ml

Classical attributes

• Rasa: Astringent
• Virya: ["Ushna (heating)"]
• Vipaka: ["Katu (pungent)"]

Benefits

• Deepana (appetizer)
• Vrishya (aphrodisiac)
• Kasa hara (relieves cough)
• Balancing

Traditional uses

• Kasa (cough)
• Arsha (piles)
• Vataroga (diseases due to vitiated Vata)
• Mental disorders
• Insomnia

Dosha effects

• vata: balancing
• kapha: balancing
• pitta: balancing

Preparation methods

• Fresh Juice: The fresh juice of the plant is used for cough and lung-related diseases. It also acts as a diuretic and febrifuge.
• Decoction: A decoction of the leaves can be consumed for respiratory problems.
• Vegetable (Saka): It is used extensively as a green leafy vegetable. It is considered a wholesome diet.
• Ghruta Preparation: Sunishannakachangeri ghruta is a ghee-based preparation using the plant's juice, indicated in Raktarsa (bleeding piles), Tridoshaja raktasrava (bleeding disorders), Mutragraha (urinary retention), Mandagni (low digestive fire), Aruchi (anorexia), and Gudabhramsa (rectal prolapse).
• External Application: A paste of the root is applied externally to treat atopic dermatitis.
• Other Uses: Young fronds are used for insomnia and mental disorders. Regular consumption is beneficial in hypertension, headache, and sleeping disorders. The plant is cooked in water and oil (without salt) as a diet for Urustambha (thigh stiffness). When cooked with ghee and meat juice (mamsarasa), it is used in Vatarakta (gout). Leaf paste (patra kalka) can be applied to wounds (vrana). Seed powder (beeja choorna) can be taken with buttermilk (takra) for urinary retention (mutrakrichra). For Asthisrava, it can be taken with milk or with Mukkudi and Musta. Intake with sugar for 4 days is believed to cure all types of srava (secretions/discharges). A kashaya (decoction) prepared with Sunishannaka, venupatra, sunti, musta, and guduchi is used to cure Sannipatha jwara (complex fever) within 3 days.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Best to avoid, although not specifically contraindicated.
• Bleeding disorders: Possibly contraindicated.
• Before and after surgery: Possibly contraindicated.
• Drug interactions: Best to take allopathic medicine first, wait 30 minutes, then take Ayurvedic medicine. Always consult your doctor.
• Constipating effect: Suniṣaṇṇaka vegetables are constipating.
• It may be best to avoid in excess if one has a strong Pitta constitution.

Side effects

• No specific side effects were found in the provided documents.

Interactions

• With Western Medicines: It is advised to seek a doctor's advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic/modern) medicines. If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take the Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes, and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Clinical evidence

There are limited modern clinical trials specifically focused on *Marsilea quadrifolia*. Traditional uses suggest potential therapeutic benefits, but further research is needed to validate these claims.

Ayurvedic karmas

• Deepana (appetizer)
• Vrishya (aphrodisiac)
• Kasa hara (relieves cough)
• Balancing

Classical clinical indications

• Kasa (cough)
• Arsha (piles)
• Vataroga (diseases due to vitiated Vata)
• Mental disorders
• Insomnia

Frequently asked questions