JYOTISHMATI: AN ARTAVAPRAVARTAKA

Jyotishmati (celastrus paniculatus) has been used in the Indian system of medicine since long time. In Vedic kala and Upnishad jyotishmati is mentioned as a medhya. Acharya Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhatta mentioned as a sirovirechana. In Bhava prakasha the properties of Jyotishmati plant explained as a kaphahara, tikshana and vamaka1. Adarsh nighantu classified the jyotishmati plant under taila varga, ashta varga and arka varga. In Ayurveda classics Jyotishmati plant explained as an artavapravartaka. In Bhaisajya Ratnavali acharya has mentioned that jyotishmati patra rosted with ghrita and ground with durva swarasa act as an artava pravartaka2. Jyotishmati pushpa, sajji kshara, vacha and asana kashtha churna with sheetal jala is artava pravartaka. Jyotishmati moola is one of the ingredients of shishukalpadruma ghrita which is used for anartava, kashtartava, yoni roga and vandhya.