Family Name: Amarantaceae
Botanical Name(s): Achyranthes aspera
Popular Name(s): Rough Chaff Tree, Prickly Chaff Flower,
Apamarga, Adharajhada, Aghada, Aghata, Antisha, Chirchira
Parts Used: Leaves, seeds and root
Habitat: Aghada is found in tropical Asia, Africa, Australia and
America.
Description: Aghada is a perennial herb with a woody base and it
grows to a height of .5 - 2 meter. Its leaves are petiolate, opposite
and occur in various sizes. Flowers are more than 50 cm in length and
are greenish white in colour. The plant possesses ovoid fruits.
Uses: Aghada has diuretic, expectorant and purgative properties.
The juice of its leaves is used in fever, cough, diarrhoea, dysentery,
dropsy and other diseases. Decoction prepared using the herb is used in
stomach ache and bowel complaints, piles, boils, skin eruptions etc.