PASHANBHED (Bergenia ligulata)

Pashanbhed (Bergenia ligulata) is a widely recognized healing herb in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems. The name "Pashanbhed" literally translates to "stone-breaker," reflecting its traditional use in the treatment of urinary stones and kidney disorders. It is a perennial herb that grows in the Himalayan region and is valued for its diuretic, antiurolithiatic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Pashanbhed Scientific Names

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Saxifragales
Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Bergenia
Species: Bergenia ligulata

Bergenia ligulata Common Names

English: Rockfoil, Stone-breaker
Sanskrit: Pashanbheda, Ashmabhid
Hindi: Pashanbhed
Marathi: Pashanbhed
Tamil: Sirupulai
Kannada: Ashmabhedi
Bengali: Patharkuchi

PASHANBHED Uses

Urinary Disorders - Acts as a diuretic, increasing urine output and flushing out toxins and stones.

Anti-inflammatory & Antioxidant - Demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory properties, useful in conditions like arthritis and joint pain, Contains antioxidants that help in reducing oxidative stress.

Hepatoprotective - Protects the liver from damage and enhances its function, often used as an adjuvant in jaundice treatment.

Wound Healing - Used traditionally in poultices and herbal pastes for promoting wound healing and reducing swelling.

Phytochemical Constituents

The key bioactive compounds found in Bergenia ligulata include:

Bergenin – Major compound responsible for antiurolithiatic activity.
Catechin – Potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Gallic Acid – Exhibits antimicrobial and hepatoprotective effects.
Tannic Acid – Astringent and antimicrobial action.
Arbutin – Known for antimicrobial and diuretic activity.
Stigmasterol – Anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effect.

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. III, Govt. of India, Ministry of AYUSH.

Indian Medicinal Plants – A Compendium of 500 Species by P.K. Warrier, V.P.K. Nambiar, C. Ramankutty, Orient Longman.

Chopra, R.N., Nayar, S.L., & Chopra, I.C. (1956). Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. CSIR, New Delhi.

Sharma, P.C., Yelne, M.B., & Dennis, T.J. (2005). Database on Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda, Vol. 6, CCRAS, New Delhi.

Singh, R., Jain, V., & Gupta, V. (2010). "Bergenia ligulata: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology." Pharmacognosy Reviews, 4(7), 55–61.

European Medicines Agency (EMA). Herbal monograph on Bergenia ligulata rhizome. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC).

Dash, B., & Kashyap, L. (1980). Materia Medica of Ayurveda. B. Jain Publishers.