Siriyanangai - Kariyat
Posted On Sep 12,2011,By Muthukumar
Siriyanangai ( Kariyat ) is a herbaceous plant in the family Acanthaceae, native to India and Sri Lanka. Botanical  name is Andrographis paniculata.  It  is an erect annual herb extremely bitter in taste in each and every part of the plant body . It grows erect to a height of 30-110 cm in moist shady places with glabrous leaves and white flowers having rose-purple spots on the petals. Flowers are small, solitary in panicles. Fruit is approximately 2 cm long. Seeds are numerous, yellow-brown in colour. The flowers of Siriyanangai looks like a snake cobra. This medicinal plant is used for snake bites in some villages. Medicinal Properties of Siriyanangai Siriyanangai has been found to be an effective anti-biotic, anti-viral, anti-parasitic and immune system stimulant. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties. It has been described as antipyretic and hepatoprotective. Uses of Siriyanangai1. It is used for fever and liver disorders. 2. It has beneficial effect in reducing diarrhea. 3. It is used in treatment of Jaundice. 4. It is used in case of diseases like flu, sinusites, upper respiratory tract infection, cough and bronchitis. 5. Used as one of the best remedies for Malaria. 6. It acts to dispel heat and remove toxins. 7. Kariyat is a blood purifier, so used to cure torbid liver, jaundice, dermatological diseases. 8. It is used in viral hepatitis, children's bowel complaints, gastric acidity, liver congestion, flatulence. 9. Tincture of roots is tonic, stimultant and aperient. 10. Kills intestinal worms and support intestine. 11. Siriyanangai is also used for snake bites in the villages of Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka