A COMPLETE AYURVEDIC REVIEW ON SUNISHANNAKA [MARSILEA QUADRIFOLIA LINN]

Sunishannaka (Marsilea quadrifolia Linn) is a known pteridophytic herb belonging to the family Marsileaceae. Extensive usage of Sunishannaka as an important green leafy vegetable is understood from Samhithas. It is included under pathya saka varga by Acharya Charaka and Vagbhata.Acharya Susrutha has described the drug as a pathyasaka (wholesome leafy vegetable) in Raktapitta disease. In Charaka Samhitha, Arsa roga chikitsa, a Ghruta preparation named Sunishannakachangeri ghruta is mentionedwherein swarasa of the plantis taken, which is indicated in Raktarsa, Tridoshaja raktasrava, Mutragraha, Mandagni, Aruchi, Gudabhramsa etc. Almost all acharyas have highlighted the tridoshahara property of the drug along with grahi, agnikrit, deepana, vrishya etc properties. The article reviews about the categorization, synonyms, karma, doshaghnata, therapeutic indication, amayika prayoga, formulations of Sunishannaka.