Antimicrobial Plants of Ayurveda

A Microbe is a microscopic living organism. The term is often applied to any organism that causes disease. Examples include bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoan.

Ayurvedic Plants proved as antimicrobial:

1.  Triphala i.e. three fruits viz. Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaka (Terminalia belerica) & Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) is a combination of prime importance in Ayurveda.

90 % ethanolic & aqueous extracts of Triphala were tested on -

i) Staphylococcus aureus,

ii) Klebsiella sp.

iii) Pseudomonas areoginosa &

iv) Escherichia coli in a laboratory.

It was found Triphala posseses significant antimicrobial activity against these bacteria.

(Ref: Ashok Kumar et. al. channapatana Karnataka. Aryavaidyan 2004. MAPA 2006)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Triphala choorna, Triphalavati, Triphaladi kwath, sookshma Triphala. 

2.   Tumeric, Curcuma longa L. The leaf oil showed antibacterial activity against ten pathogenic bacteria and antifungal activity against six phyto pathogenic fungi even in 2 microl/disc concentrations. Salmonella typhi, shigella dysenterica showed highest zone inhibition. All  six fungi were found sensitive to this oil, Macrophomina phaseoling & Botrydiplodia theobromine showed more inhibition

     (Ref: Chowdhry J. U. et. al, Chittagong, Bangladesh, Indian perfumer 2005,  MAPA 2006) 

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Haridra choorna, Haridra khand,Mahasudarshan kwath, Prasadan, Sanhanan, Seera. 

3.  Various extracts of Swertia chirata known as Chirayita or Bhunimba have been studied for antibacterial and antifungal activity. Tests showed inhibitory activity against various gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The study also showed moderate inhibitory action on various test fungi.

 (Ref: Awasthi A.K. et. al. Dehradun, Uttaranchal, Indian journal of Natural products. 2005. MAPA  2005.)

Ayurvedic Medicines:                                    

Bhunumbadi Kwath, Bhunimadi vati 

4. The seed extracts of Fenugreek (Methika) were found more effective against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococus aureus.

(Ref: Amalaraj et. al. Mandsaour- Madhya Pradesh. Indian Journal of Natural products 2005. MAPA 2005)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Methikadi choorna. 

5.  Chemical analysis & antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Eucalyptus cinerea (Myrataceae) has been investigated. The essential oil showed antimicrobial activity of the essential oil against gram-positive, gram negative bacteria and yeast. E.g. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aemginosa and Candida albicans.

 (Ref: Franco J. et al. Curitiba, Brasil, Brazilian Journal of Pharamacognosy 2005. MAPA 2005)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Nilgiri Tail. 

6. The aqueous extract of Peganum harmal seeds (wildrue) exhibited significant antibacterial & antifungal activity against most of the organisms tested.

(Ref: Kumar v. et.at. Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Indian Journal Natural Products 2005 MAPA 2005)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Harmal Kwath 

7.  Hexane and methanolic extracts of root of Clitoria ternatea (Gokarna, Aparajita) showed the highest & significant antibacterial activity against both gram postive and gram negative bacteria.

(Ref: Malabadi R.B.et.al. Dharwad, Karnataka. Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences 2005 & MAPA 2005)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Girikarnika Choorna 

8. New isolated compounds from stem of Cinamomum kotoense showed in vitro anti tubercular activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

 (Ref: Chen F. C. et.al. Taiwan, Republic of china. Journal of Natural products 2005-MAPA 2005)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Twak Choorna, Twak Tail 

9.  Fresh extract of Tephrosia puropurea (Sharapunkha) roots was treated for antibacterial & antifungal activity. This extract showed antibacterial activity.

(Ref: Deshpande S. Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Indian Journal of Natural Products. 2005. MAPA  2005.)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Sharapunkha choorna 

10. Bioassay-guided fractionation of Tribulus terestris (Gokhru) isolated eight steroid saponins.  They showed significant in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity, weakening the virulence of candida albicans and killing fungi through destroying the cell membrane.

(Ref: Zhag J.D. et. al. Shanghai, PR China- Journal of Ethno Pharmacology, 2006. MAPA. 2006)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Gokshuradiguggulu, Gukshurasav, Gokshuradi ghruta 

       11. Four different strains of candida species have been isolated trom HIV positive patients. Ethanolic extract of Punica granatum (DADIMA-pomegranate) showed activity against three Candida species whereas it was ineffective against candida albicans. The methanol, acetone, and propanol extracts were effective against all four species.

(Ref: Nair R. et. al. Sourastra  University, Gujarat. Pharmaceutical Biology 2005. MAPA. 2005)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Dadimavelha, Dadimadichoorna, Dadim Twak kwath, Dadimadi ghruta 

12. The ethanolic extracts of Curcma longa (Turmuric) (Haridra) & Alpina galanga (Rasna) exhibited excellent (100 percent) phytotoxic activity against Lemna minor. These extracts were also found to posses good antifungal activities against Trichophyton longifusus (65 per cent & 60 percent) respectively.

(Ref: Khattak s. al. of University at Peshawar, Pakistan). Fitoterapia 2005-MAPA 2005.)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Haridra choorna, Maharasnadi kwath, 

13. Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonosis in the world. It is a recurring epidemic in tropics, especially among those who work in waterlogged areas. Neem oil is traditionally known for its antibacterial and antidermatophytic activities. This was evaluated as a preventative against leptospiral (Leptospiricidal activity) through skin. Neem oil was found as an effective antibacterial film on skin and prevents the portal entry at bacteria. Oil water solution produced acidic PH (6) and it is leptospiricidal  activity. The acidic effect was found up to a radius of 20 cm & persistent throughout while the person was in water.

(Ref: Kurian p. et. al. Kottayam, Kerala. Aryavaidyan 2004. MAPA. 2005.)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Paribhadra oil, Panchnimba choorna, 

14. Ethanolic extracts of:

1)     Trigonella foenum-graecum (leaves) (Methika-fenugreek)

2)     Curcuma longa (rhisome) (Haridra-Turmuric)

3)     Aloe vera (aerial part) (Kumari),

4)     Alluium sativum (stem)(Rasona-garlic)

5)     Zingiber officinale (rhizome) (Shunthi - ginger)

6)     Centella asiatica (leaves) (Mandukparni-indian pennywort)

These plants were tested for antifungal activity against;

 i) Aspergilus flavus

 ii) A. terreus

 iii) Mucor species,

 All the extracts in different concentrations exhibited good fungicidal activity.

 (Ref: Perumal G. et. al. Thiruchirpalli, Tamilnadu 2004. MAPA. 2005.) 

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Choorna, Kwath, 

15. Petroleum ether (60-80 Celcius) & ethanolic extracts of aerial parts of Bacopamonnieri (Bramhi) were evaluated separately for antihelminthic activity on adult indian earth worms, pheretima posthuma, using albendazol & piperizine citrate as reference standards. The results indicated that the ethanolic extract was more potent than the petroleum ether extract.

 (Ref: Ghosh T. et. al. Kolkota, Indian Journal of Natural products 2005. MAPA. 2005)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Saraswatarishta, Bhramhighrita, Shanti, 

16. Bioactivity at flavanoids Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi) were studied, is useful against pseudomonas, staphylococcus (gram positive), Escherichia coli) (gram negative), bacteria and Candida albicans (fungus)

(Ref. Sari R. et. al. Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India, Flora and Fauna, 2005 MAPA- 2006)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Tulasi choorna, Tulasi kwath 

17. Tinospora Cordifolia (Guduchi-AMRUTA) possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic & immunosuppressive.

Antibacterial properties of leaf of GUDUCHI were studied. The chloroform, benzene and alcohol extracts were prepared and used.

The chloroform & benzene extracts were found to possess significant antibacterial activity as compared with the standard. GUDUCHI leaves extract is useful in Proteus vulgaris, Staphylocosus aureus, Streptococus pyrogens, Bacilus subtilis and Escherochia coli

(Ref: Nagvalli D- et. al. AadiparashaktiCollege at Pharmacongnosy, Melmaruvthar, Indian, Antiseptic, MAPA 2006)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

1) Amrutarishta 2) Amrutadiguggul 3) Balada, 4) Sanhanan, 5) Shanti, 

18. The essential oil extract of Centella asiatica (Mandukparni) exhibited a broad spectrum antibacterial activities against gram positive Bacilus subtilis, Staphylococus aureus and gram negative Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Shigella somnei organisms, This plant grows in south Africa.

 (Ref: oyediti o.A.et. al. Dept. of chemistry, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria & Dept of Botany, University of Fort Hare Alice, South Africa, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2005 - MAPA 2006)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Bramhi Oil, Bramhighrita, Saraswatarishta,

Carissa Carandas L,(Karvanda) (Karamarda) 

19. Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to all leaf extracts. Benzene extract produced profound antibacterial activity.

(Ref: Rajshekharan A. et al, Arulmigu Kalasalingam college of pharmacy, krishnakoli, Tamilnadu, Hamdard Medicus, 2005 - MAPA 2006)

Ayurvedic Medicines:

Karamarda choorna

Medical practitioner may try above plants or preparations for antibiotic / antimicrobial action to start with to give relief to patients and avoid possible resistance to antibiotics by microorganisms.

 A combination with other plants may also be considered.

Examples of administration methods include:

swarasa (Juice), choorna (powder), Guti - Vati (tablets) Asava / Arishta / kwath (decoctions) or Siddha Ghruta / Tail (prepared in ghee or oil as required.)

These natural microbiotics will keep the body more healthy.

Prof. Dr. P. H. Kulkarni

Kothrud Ayurveda Clinic

36, Kothrud, OppMatobaTemple

Pune – 411033 (India)                    

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