Sarpagandha, also known as Rauwolfia serpentina (Rauvolfia serpentina) or

black snakeroot is one of the very important Ayurvedic herbs. It is used

in treating high BP, lack of sleep (insomnia) etc. It is also known as
Choti Chundan or Asrol, chota chand or Indian Snake Wood, Serpentine
wood.
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In Ayurveda, Sarpagandha is also used in combinations, which reported
safer and more effective for the management of high blood pressure.
Mostly used combinations are:
Sarpagandha & Khurasani Ajwain
Rauwolfia Serpentina Root Powder (Sarpagandha Churna) 1 Part
Khurasani Ajwain 1 Part
Jatamansi Root Powder 1 Part
Misri (Sugar) 2 Parts
Dosage: 1 gram Twice Daily
Adjuvants: Cow’s Milk, Rose Distillate (Gulab Arq), or Water
Best Adjuvant: 60 ml Rose Distillate (Gulab Arq)
For Insomnia: It should be taken 2 hours before bedtime.
Note: It is a good combination for hypertensive people also suffering
from insomnia, poor appetite, intestinal gas, bloating, flatulence and
dysmenorrhea (in women).
=================
Sarpagandha, Cardamom & Shilajit
Rauwolfia Serpentina Root Powder (Sarpagandha Churna) 2 Parts
Shilajit 2 Parts
Cardamom (Elaichi) Seed Powder 1 Part
Dosage: 1 gram Twice Daily
Best Adjuvants: Cow’s Milk
Note: This combination is most suitable for hypertensive people also
suffering from diabetes mellitus.
====================
Sarpagandha, Giloy & Amla
Rauwolfia Serpentina Root Powder (Sarpagandha Churna) 1 Part
Giloy Sat 2 Parts
Amla (Indian Gooseberry) Fruit Pulp Powder 4 Parts
Misri (Sugar) 8 Parts
Dosage: 2 to 4 grams Twice Daily
Best Adjuvant: Water
Note: Giloy Sat is best to include in this combination. If original Giloy
Sat is unavailable, then Giloy Stem Powder can be added instead. This
combination is also suitable for people with gastritis. It protects the
digestive system from Sarpagandha side effects on the stomach.
=====================
Sarpagandha, Pushkarmool & Guggul
Rauwolfia Serpentina Root Powder (Sarpagandha Churna) 1 Part
Pushkarmool 1 Part
Shuddha Guggul 2 Part
Dosage: 1 grams Twice Daily
Best Adjuvant: 1 Teaspoon Garlic Juice
Note: This combination is most suitable for people who are also suffering
from dyslipidemia or high cholesterol.
=====================
Sarpagandha, Brahmi, Arjuna, Ashwagandha, Giloy & Jatamansi – Best One
Rauwolfia Serpentina Root Powder (Sarpagandha Churna) 1 Part
Brahmi – Centella Asiatica 1 Part
Arjuna bark – Terminalia Arjuna Powder 1 Part
Guduchi (Giloy) Stem Powder 1 Part
Ashwagandha Root Powder 1 Part
Jatamansi Root Powder 1 Part
Dosage: 1 to 2 grams Twice Daily
Best Adjuvant: Cow’s Milk
Note: This combination also acts as a heart tonic and prevents cardiac
diseases. It is the best combination for the management of heart diseases
and hypertension.
====================
Mental Disorders

Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) has hypnotic, antipsychotic

(neuroleptic), sedative and anti-anxiety actions. Therefore, it helps to
treat several types of mental disorders with aggression, crying, running,
beating and sleeplessness. In such cases, it should be used along with
Jatamansi Root Powder as follows:
Rauwolfia Serpentina Root Powder (Sarpagandha Churna) 1 Part
Jatamansi Root Powder 2 Part
Dosage: 1 gram Twice Daily
Best Adjuvant: Cow’s Milk
=======================
High-Grade Fever

In some cases, high-grade fever (103 F to 106 F) results in

hallucinations, confusion, irritability, and convulsions. In Ayurveda,
Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) is best for reducing fever, preventing
and treating these symptoms. In high-grade fever, Sarpagandha Powder is
used in dosage of 500 mg thrice daily along with Coconut Water (Nariyal
Pani) or Rose Distillate (Gulab Arq). Other medicines for treating the
underlying cause of fever should also be given.
Hangover due to excess alcohol intake

Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) reduces the symptoms of hangover

occurring after heavy drinking. It helps to induce sleep and reduces
other symptoms. In such case, it should be used along with Rose
Distillate (Gulab Arq) in dosage of 1 gram twice daily.
Uterine Pain due to or after miscarriage

Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) is useful in the treatment of uterine

pain occurring due to miscarriage. It contracts the uterus and helps to
eliminate the toxins and residues from the uterine cavity. Then it
relaxes the uterine muscles, bleeding stops and pain reduces. In such
case, Sarpagandha Churna should be used in dosage of 500 mg thrice daily
for 1 to 2 days. Then its dosage should be reduced to 250 mg thrice daily
for another 3 days.
Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods)

Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) reduces pains occurring during the

menstrual periods. It modulates the blood flow during menstruation and
reduces cramps and throbbing pain. In such case, its root powder can be
used in following way.
Rauwolfia Serpentina Root Powder (Sarpagandha Churna) 1 Part
Jatamansi Root Powder 1 Part
Dosage: 1 gram Twice Daily for 2 to 3 days
Best Adjuvant: Water
Dysentery

Along with Kutajarishta, Sarpagandha Powder in dosage of 250 mg thrice

daily is useful for treating dysentery. It reduces frequency of loose
stools, checks bleeding and alleviates pain.
Snake Bite

Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) is a drug of choice in ayurveda for

bite by SAW SCALED VIPER SNAKE (PHURSA SNAKE). Its roots decoction
prepared with following technique is useful for the treatment of snake
poison.
Rauwolfia Serpentina Root Powder (Sarpagandha Churna) 10 grams
Kali Mirch (Black Pepper) 3 grams
Water 1 Liter
Preparation: Mix ingredients and boil the water with Sarpagandha and
Black pepper and reduce it to half (i.e. 500 ml liquid).
Dosage: Patient should sip the decoction on regular interval and finish
it within 24 hours. After finishing this decoction, then patient should
take 500 mg Sarpagandha Powder with honey thrice daily for 5 to 10 days
for complete relief from snake poison.
Note: Local application of paste prepared from radish (Mooli) should also
be applied regularly on internal of 30 minutes until symptoms of snake
poison subside.
Dosage & Administration
The general dosage of Rauwolfia Serpentina Root Powder (Sarpagandha
Churna) is as follows.
Children 100 mg to 300 mg *
Adults 200 mg to 600 mg *
Maximum Possible Dosage 2 grams Per Day (in divided doses) **
* Twice or Thrice day with Cow’s Milk, Rose Distillate (Gulab Arq), or
Water
** The maximum dosage of Rauwolfia Serpentina is a general estimate.
Best Time to Take: After Food
Safety Profile

Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) is well-tolerated in most individuals

in the recommended dosage. It may also have a few side effects in which
it should be stopped or taken along with herbs, which helps to reduce its
side effects.
Side Effects

Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) can cause following side effects.

Stuffy nose or Nasal Congestion (Most Common)

Dryness of the mouth (Most Common)
Loss of Appetite
Diarrhea
Nausea & vomiting
Swelling of lower legs or feet
Rauwolfia Serpentina alkaloid can cause following side effects in
addition to above listed side effects:

Faintness or Drowsiness
Impotence in men
Feeling of weakness or loss of energy
Reduced attention span
Mental depression
Nervousness
Vivid dreams
Early morning sleeplessness
Slow heartbeat
Abdominal Pain
Black or tarry stools
Blood in vomiting
Chest pain
Dizziness
Headache
Shortness of breath
Irregular heartbeat
Slow heartbeat
Difficult or painful urination
Itching
Skin Rash
Stiffness
Trembling
Bruising

If any of these side effects occurs, then you should stop the use of
Rauwolfia Serpentina alkaloid immediately and consult your physician.
Overdose Symptoms

The overdose of Rauwolfia Serpentina can cause following unwanted

effects.

Heating sensation in the body

Slow heart rate
Dizziness
Drowsiness
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Lactation

The alkaloids of Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) may also pass into

the breastmilk. It would be best to avoid all forms of Rauwolfia
Serpentina by lactating mothers.

It can cause following side effects in breastfeeding infant.

Loss of appetite
Breathing troubles
Low body temperature

Contraindications
Rauwolfia Serpentina (Sarpagandha) should not be used in the following
health conditions:

Inflammatory Bowel Disease – ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease

Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
Gastritis (alone should not be used.)
Peptic Ulcers
Depression
Parkinsonism
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