Sariva: use, application and effect in Ayurveda

Sariva powder

This medicinal plant is beneficial and also extremely tasty! In Ayurveda, sariva is especially valued for its cooling, blood-cleansing and anti-inflammatory properties. Thanks to its harmonious fragrance and taste, it can provide healing in a particularly pleasant way. Here we show you what the plant does and how you can best benefit from it.

The Sariva Plant

Sariva, also called Sarsaparilla or botanically Hemidesmus indicus, is a creeping plant that is mainly native to India and Sri Lanka. The flowers of the plant are green on the outside and purple on the inside. Due to the coumarin it contains, sarsaparilla has a light vanilla scent! Other ingredients include essential oils, flavonoids, tannic acid, glycosides, sterols and triterpene saponins.

Sometimes the plant is also called anantamool, which means "eternal root". This name derives on the one hand from the large root system of the plant and on the other hand from the fact that it is very resistant even to long-lasting climatic stresses. This strength makes sariva something very special as a medicinal plant.

Sariva: Effect in Ayurveda

The sariva root has been used as a medicinal plant by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Traditionally, it is considered a remedy for arthritis, skin problems and digestive disorders and is valued in Ayurveda above all for its blood-purifying properties. As a rasayana, i.e. a life-prolonging agent, the plant is also said to have a rejuvenating effect.

The beauty of this plant is that it is suitable for all types because it balances the three doshas. It lowers Kapha, Vata and Pitta and thus has a calming effect on body and mind. We will now take a closer look at the individual benefits you can expect from Sariva.

Blood purification

In Ayurveda,contaminated blood is considered the cause of many different ailments. When toxins from the gastrointestinal tract enter the bloodstream, they can be deposited in the joints or under the skin. The unpleasant consequences: Joints begin to become inflamed and painful and the skin becomes diseased and unclean.

However, sariva is considered a particularly effective blood purifier and has positive effects on skin impurities and inflammations. But even other blood-related ailments, such as nosebleeds or menstrual cramps, can be treated well with it.

Cooling for fiery ailments

Sarsaparilla has a cooling effect and is therefore very beneficial especially for the fiery Pitta types. This makes it useful for all "hot" ailments. For example, it can help to reduce fever and relieve burning sensations, such as inflammation. It is also traditionally used to bring relief from arthritis or rheumatic complaints. It is also very beneficial for the throat and voice.

Beautifies the complexion

If you want to breathe new life into your body, you can benefit from the rejuvenating effect of sariva root. It is a tonic for the skin and supports tissue regeneration.

Sariva soothes the stomach in gastritis and can be haemostatic in gastric ulcer.

Skin, hair and nails are strengthened and become healthy and pure. Even itchy, allergic or otherwise irritated skin can be cleansed and strengthened by the plant.

Try it and enjoy a fresh, youthful complexion!

For the female organism

In principle, sarsaparilla is beneficial for both sexes, but the plant has a few extra effects for the female organism. Due to its blood-purifying effect, the root is considered to promote menstruation and purify the breast milk.

The cooling plant can also provide relief from the typical hot flushes during menopause.

Women at different stages of their lives can therefore benefit from the effect of Sariva.

Soothing for the gastrointestinal tract

The stomach also appreciates the cooling effect of the plant. Due to its oily properties and mucilage, the mucous membranes in the entire gastrointestinal tract are cared for. In cases of hyperacidity, sariva therefore has a calming and neutralising effect. In addition, it promotes bowel movements, soothes the stomach in gastritis and can be haemostatic in the case of a stomach ulcer.

What about the side effects?

Both as a food supplement and as a tea, the Indian plant is usually considered safe. Whether women, men, children or elderly people - everyone can take the root and use the good properties for themselves. There are no known side effects. Unfortunately, not much research has been done on taking it during pregnancy, so it is better to avoid it if in doubt. During breastfeeding, however, sarsaparilla is harmless and can even promote milk production!

How to use Sariva

Indian sarsaparilla is particularly popular in summer because of its cooling effect. It refreshes and helps the body to cope with the heat a little better. Only the ground sariva root is used in the application. Here we have a few tips on what can be done with it.

Sariva powder: tasty and versatile

Sarsaparilla is used in Ayurveda as a churna, i.e. in powder form. Those who are already grimacing should not judge too quickly! Because unlike many other churnas, the big plus of sariva powder is that it tastes very delicious thanks to its vanilla note! That is why it goes particularly well with sweet dishes and drinks. How about, for example:

  • Sarsaparilla Churna with milk: A delicious vanilla milk is a particularly pleasant way to end the day, especially in the evening. It reduces pitta and can also be used to moisturise and cool in dry conditions. All you have to do is boil a spoonful of the powder with about 250 ml of milk - done!

The powder can also be added to milky desserts, fruit salads or smoothies. Whatever tastes good is allowed. Feel free to be creative and try out different flavours!

Sariva can have its effect as a tea. © LOUAI - stock.adobe.com

Sariva tea: variations for variety

The medicinal plant can also unfold its effect well as a tea and taste delicious by the way.

To do this, simply simmer 1 tsp of the powder with 1 litre of water over a medium flame for about 6-8 minutes. The tea can be drunk 2x a day at least 30 minutes after a meal. It is best to have the first cup in the morning after breakfast!

But here, of course, you can also vary according to your mood! Here are twomore tips from us:

  • Sariva-Chai: Do you like chai tea? Then simply add a little sariva powder to taste the effect of the medicinal plant at the same time. Just add about 1 tsp of sarsaparilla churna to 1 litre of chai for about 5 minutes and enjoy the mixture.
  • Sariva green tea: Green tea is actually in high season all year round. But it is especially fresh and pleasant on warm days. If you add a little Sariva to your green tea, you get a pleasant refreshment for the summer.

Smoking sarsaparilla: stimulating for body and mind

Due to the sweet-vanilla scent and the essential oils, the plant is of course also excellently suited for incense. Sarsaparilla has a particularly stimulating effect on body and mind. It can be aphrodisiac or simply help the body to become stronger. Traditionally, it is also valued as a spiritual herb in Ayurveda. As an incense, it is therefore often used for meditation and is said to promote dreams.

The cooling Indian Sariva plant purifies your blood and rebalances your doshas. It also helps to calm fiery ailments and makes your skin clean and clear again. Combine pleasure with health with the delicious Sariva Churna and discover the application method that makes you feel best!


Cover photo: © Arundhati - stock.adobe.com

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