AANACHUVADI ( ആനച്ചുവടി )

ENGLISH NAME :  Elephant’s Foot

BOTANIC NAME : Elephantopus scaber.

FAMILY:   Astraceae.   
     
HABIT: Perennial herb found as under growth in shady areas. 

DESCRIPTION:  
         PLANT      : Erect, subscapose (leaves in rosette at ground level and a single 
         flowering stalk rising from the centre). Stem terete  branched at top.

         LEAF         : Leaves in basal rosette, 7-14 x 2.5-4.5 cm in length, obovate, obtuse, 
         hairy and pubescent. 

         FLOWER   : 8-10mm long purple flowers. Flowering head are seen in clusters, 
         each head comprises about four flowers and usually enclosed by three leaves 
         like heart shaped bracts.


         FRUIT/SEED: Ribbed achenes (dry 1 seeded carpel)

         PROPAGATION   : By seed or root suckers.  

MEDICINAL USES:

Folkloric: 

Plants astringent (Which contrcts the tissues and stops bleeding or secretion),
 cardiac tonic, 
alterative (Used to improve digestive system),
 febrifuge (Reduces fever),
 used in snake bite.
Decotion of the whole plant has been used to treat gonorrhoea and colic pain.
It is emollient, given in dysuria (Painful urination),
 diarrhoea, dysentery and swelling or pains in stomach.
Hot water extract of the root is applied for filariasis.
Roots given to arrest vomiting, powdered with pepper applied in toothache.
Bruised leaves boiled in coconut oil applied to ulcers and eczema.
The whole plant has been reported to be useful in treatment of insomnia (sleeplessness), Diabetes, bronchitis, Viral or bacterial infection, leukemia and to eliminate bladder stones. 

Studies: 

Recent studies shows that Elephantopus scaber possess wound healing, Anti-microbial, Anti-inflamatory, Ant-venom, Anti-diabetic, cytotoxic and Anti-tumer activities.

LOCAL NAMES: 
Anayatiyan (Malayalam), 
Prickly Leaved Elephant’s Foot, Bull's Tongue, Ironweed (English), 
Samdudri, Ban-tambakhu  (Hindi), 
Gojivha (Sanskrit), 
Anashovadi (Tamil),
Enugabira (Telugu), 
Hakkarike (Kannada).