Trivrit

Botanical name: Operculina turpethum, B. repens, Convolvulaceae

Other names: Nishoth, Tarbud (H), Shivatai, Kumbham (T), Indian Jalap, Indian Rhubarb, St Thomas Lidpod (E)

Botany: Trivrit is a stout perennial climber that exudes a milky juice when cut, with long fleshy roots, and long twisting pubescent stems that are angled, winged and become very tough and brown when old. The leaves are simple, pubescent on both sides, and variable in shape, cordate or truncate at the base, subacute, 5-10 cm long by 1.3-7 cm wide. The flowers are white, tubular-campanulate, sepals long, borne in cymes of a few flowers, giving way to globose capsules enclosed within overlapping brittle sepals. Trivrit is found throughout India up to 900 meters in elevation, as well as in S.E. Asia, Australia, tropical Africa and is can also be found as an invasive weed in the Americas. The Sanskrit name Trivrit or ‘thricely twisted’ probably refers to the twining habit of this plant (Kirtikar and Basu 1935, 1730; Warrier et al 1995, 172).

Part used: Roots.

Dravyaguna:

• Rasa: tikta, katu, madhura

• Vipaka: katu

• Virya: ushna, ruksha

• Karma: dipanapachana, bhedana, shulaprashamana, virechana, krimiaghna, jvaraghna, chedana, Pittakaphahara (Srikanthamurthy 2001, 258-9; Dash 1991, 38-9; Kirtikar and Basu 1935, 1730; Warrier et al 1995, 172-8).

Constituents: Trivrit is stated to contain a resin comprising upwards of 9-13% of the crude herb, itself comprised of a mixture of the glycosides ? and ?-terpethin and terpethinic acids A-E. Other constituents in the herb include scopoletin and other coumarins, rhamnose, fucose, betulin, lupeol, ?-sitosterol and glucose (Yoganarasimhan 2000, 386; Kapoor 1990, 251).

Medical research:

Antiinflammatory: Kapoor reports a study in which an aqueous extract of the roots demonstrated antiinflammatory activities in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema, cotton pellet granuloma and edema, and formalin-induced arthritis in rats (1990, 251).

Toxicity: No data found.

Indications: Dyspepsia, constipation, flatulent colic, hemorrhoids, jaundice, hepatosplenomegaly, intestinal parasites, intermittent fever, bronchitis, itching skin, leucoderma, edema, ascites, myalgia, arthritis, paralysis, obesity, tumors

Contraindications: Pregnancy, diarrhea, dysentery, active gastrointestinal inflammation; Vatakopa.

Medicinal uses: Trivrit is among the most important purgatives in the Indian materia medica, although there is some debate as to its botanical origin. The Madanapala nighantu for example lists two varieties: Shvetatrivrit (‘white’ Trivrit, O. turpethum) and Krishnatrivrit (‘black’ Trivrit, Ipomoea petaloides-chois), the former being a mild and efficacious purgative, and the latter a violent purgative that irritates the mucosa and is used to restore consciousness and treat states of intoxication (Srikanthamurthy 2001, 259). Generally speaking the term Trivrit refers to Shvetatrivrit, which is a safe and efficacious purgative in Pitta and Kaphaja conditions, as well as in virechana in pancha karma, but is stated in several texts to be contraindicated in Vataja conditions. Texts such as the Chakradatta however state that Trivrit is an important remedy in the treatment of Vataja conditions such as udavartta, or the upward movement of Vata, but is typically combined with botanicals such as Triphala, Pippali, Haritaki, Shunthi, Ajamodika, Tvak, and Hingu, as well anupana including saindhava, sugar and honey. For constipation with dry feces and flatus the Bhavaprakasha recommends Naracha churna, comprised of powdered sugar, Trivrit and Pippali (Srikanthamurthy 2000, 435). Another preparation is Trivrit lehyam, prepared by decocting the roots of Trivrit, and then adding to this powdered sugar, Trivrit churna and Trisugandha churna (‘three aromatics,’ i.e. Ela, Tvak, Tvakpatra) (Nadkarni 1954, 693). In the treatment of grahani, or malabsorption syndromes, the Chakradatta recommends Kalyanaguda, a lehya prepared by decocting 320 g of Trivrit churna with 320 g of sesame oil, 2 kg of jaggery, and 1.92 liters of fresh Amalaki juice, along with 40 grams each of Pippalimula (Piper longum root), Jiraka (Cuminum cyminum), Chavya/Gajapippali (Piper chaba), Trikatu, Hapusha (Juniper communis), Ajamoda, Vidanga, Triphala, Yavani, Patha (Cissampelos pariera), Chitraka, Dhanyaka (Coriandrum sativum), saindhava, This is decocted until it is reduced to a thick jam-like consistency, mixed with 40 grams each Ela, Tvak and Tvakpatra (Trisugandha churna), and is taken in doses of about 10 grams. Chakrapani states that this remedy enhances digestion, promotes proper absorption, relieves cough, dyspnea and edema, and is useful in female infertility (Sharma 2002, 72). In the treatment of intestinal parasites Trivrit is a common and popular remedy, taken with herbs such as Vidanga, Triphala and Danti (Baliospermum montanum). In the treatment of Pittaja pandu, a disease often translated as ‘anemia’ but in this instance refers more to symptoms of jaundice and hepatic dysfunction, the Chakradatta recommends Trivrit churna mixed with double its quantity of jaggery, taken in doses of 20 grams (Sharma 2002, 113). Trivrit is similarly mentioned in the nighantus as well as by more modern commentators as being beneficial in hepatosplenomegaly (udara roga), ascites and cirrhosis (Sharma 2002, 342; Kirtikar and Basu 1935, 1731). Combined with equal parts churna of the dehusked seeds of Vidanga, along with Trikatu, Chitraka, and Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Trivrit is mixed with jaggery and formed into pills and taken with hot water, used in the treatment of colic and flatulence caused by tridosha (Sharma 2002, 270). Mixed with Triphala, Pippali, jaggery and honey Trivrit is recommended in raktapitta, or innate hemorrhage (Sharma 2002, 121). Prepared as a medicated ghee Trivrit is used in the treatment of sciatica (Sharma 2002, 202). Trivrit also finds its way into formulations used to treat psychosis and epilepsy, particularly when Pitta symptoms are manifest. Mixed with botanicals such as Nimba, Haridra and Yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza), Trivrit is stated to be sandhaniya, useful to cleanse wounds and promote healing (Sharma 2002, 395).

Dosage:

• Churna: 3-7 g b.i.d.-t.i.d.
• Kvatha:30-90 mL b.i.d.-t.i.d.