Wild Raw Blumea Lacera

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Blumea lacera (Kalhar)

According to Ayurvedic principles, Blumea lacera exhibits the following medicinal attributes:

  • Taste (Rasa): Bitter (Tikta), Astringent (Kashaya)
  • Qualities (Guna): Light (Laghu), Dry (Ruksha), and Sharp (Teekshna)
  • Post-digestive Effect (Vipaka): Pungent (Katu)
  • Potency (Veerya): Hot (Ushna)
  • Action (Karma): Balances aggravated Kapha and Pitta doshas
Blumea lacera
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Morphology:
  • A plant species locally called 'Kalhar' [Blumea lacera (Burm.f.) DC.] identified for plant genetic resources value during exploration and germplasm collection in South Gujarat.
  • Annual herb belonging to the Asteraceae family, characterized by bright yellow flowers, hairy or glandular stems and leaves, and a strong odor.
  • Widely distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia, including India, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region.
Chemical Constituents & Pharmacological Profile:
  • Essential oil from leaves (~0.5%) composed mainly of Cineol (66%), d-Fenchone (10%), Citrol (6%).
  • Contains coniferyl alcohol, acetylenic compounds, thiophene derivatives, campesterol, hentriacontane, lupeol, and lupeol acetate.
  • Bioactive compounds such as α-amyrin, β-sitosterol, acetates, β-caryophyllene, carvotanacetone, chrysanthenone, and 2,6-dimethyl phenol contribute to anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, sedative, and antioxidant properties.
Traditional & Ayurvedic Uses:
  • Eye Health: Leaf juice helps manage conjunctivitis.
  • Wound Healing: Leaf paste applied externally for faster healing.
  • Piles: External – leaf paste; Internal – small tablet of leaf paste mixed with black pepper.
  • Liver & Digestive Health: Decoction of leaves and roots expels intestinal worms and reduces liver enlargement.
  • Oral Health: Root decoction used as a gargle for gingivitis and oral ulcers.
  • Fever & Gynecological Issues: Root decoction helps in fevers, leucorrhea, and chronic cough.
  • Toxicity Management: Fresh root juice administered traditionally in dog bites.
Pharmacological Activities:
  • Antimicrobial & Anti-inflammatory properties suitable for topical formulations.
  • Antioxidant & Hepatoprotective effects supporting liver health and reducing oxidative stress.
  • Potential for drug development due to diverse phytochemicals like α-amyrin, β-sitosterol, and flavonoids.
  • Growing interest in natural remedies, driven by concerns about synthetic drug side effects.
Safety & Side Effects:
  • No reported harmful effects.
  • Safe alongside homeopathic medicines and nutritional supplements; physician consultation advised if combining with multiple products.
  • With allopathic medicines: Take modern medicine first, then herbal preparation after 30 minutes.
  • Adverse Effects: No harmful effects have been reported from the use of Blumea lacera.
  • With Homeopathic Medicine: Safe to use alongside, without any known interactions.
  • With Nutritional Supplements: Generally compatible with supplements like multivitamins and Omega-3 fatty acids. However, consultation is advised if multiple products are taken simultaneously.
  • With Modern (Allopathic) Medicines: Some Ayurvedic herbs may interact with modern drugs. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a physician. If both allopathic and Ayurvedic medicines are prescribed, the allopathic medicine should be taken first, followed by the herbal preparation after a 30-minute interval.
Research & Studies:
  • Anti-diarrheal Activity: Ethanolic extracts of roots reduced diarrheal episodes (P<0.001).
  • Antipyretic Activity: Methanolic leaf extracts lowered yeast-induced fever in albino rats (200–400 mg/kg).
  • System-Specific Actions: External – cleansing, antimicrobial, wound-healing; Circulatory – reduces inflammation; Respiratory – alleviates Kapha disorders; Reproductive – treats Pradara.
  • Anti-diarrheal Activity: Ethanolic extracts of the roots of Blumea erianth DC (EEBE) and Blumea lacera (EEBL) significantly reduced diarrheal episodes (P<0.001), validating its traditional use in gastrointestinal disorders.
  • Antipyretic Activity: Methanolic extracts of Blumea lacera leaves (BLE) were tested on albino rats for fever reduction. Doses of 200–400 mg/kg effectively lowered yeast-induced fever, confirming its fever-reducing potential.
  • System-Specific Actions (Sthanika Karma in Ayurveda):
    • External Applications: Works as a cleansing (Sirovirechaka), anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-helminthic, wound-healing, and styptic agent. Its juice is also beneficial for eye health (Chakshushya).
    • Circulatory System: Helps in reducing inflammation and is indicated for bleeding disorders.
    • Respiratory System: Alleviates Kapha disorders such as cough, asthma, and rhinitis.
    • Reproductive System: Used in treating Pradara (white or red vaginal discharge).