Bharangi – Clerodendrum serratum Linn.

Historical background of Bharangi

On review of the literature, it is observed that Bharangi is one of the most common herbs in the Ayurvedic formulation (classical) used in the treatment of respiratory disorders. However, the identity of the drug is still controversial. Though Brihattrayi texts and Nighantu writers have described one variety of Bharngi we come across two types in Vaidyaka Shabda Sindhu. They are Sveta Pushpa (white flowered) and Nila Pushpa (blue-flowered). Maybe this description is the source of controversy. The former is C. indicum while the latter variety is C. serratum Linn. respectively. Sometimes C. infortunatum Linn is also used as Bharangi by others.

Thakurji reported that the market samples are not from the above sources but are obtained from the bark of Elaeodendron glaucum Pers & Gardenia turgida Roxb. Even the root of Picrasma quassioides Benn. is also sold as Bharngi. Thakurji believes that the Padma described by Charaka under Purisha Sangrahaniya Mahakshaya is Bharngi (C. S. Su. 4/ 31). Chakrapani commented on the Padma as Brahmanayastka which is the synonym of Bharngi. Charaka mentioned Phanji also in the context of Anna Varga (C. S. Su. 27/ 96). Padma and Phanji are sometimes identified with Premna herbacea Roxb. Dr. Koppula Hemadri a renowned botanist of Andhra Pradesh (retired scientific officer, CCRAS, Vijayawada) informs that Pygmaeopremna herbacea Roxburgh as Bharangi (Gantu Bharangi in Telugu).

External Morphology

Two plants are generally considered to be the source of the drug Bharangi, and are provided here with detailed information-

External morphology of Clerodendrum serratum

• Habit- Bharangi is a shrub that grows up to 7 feet in height.
• Stem- Stems of Bharangi are bluntly quadrangular, young parts glabrous.
• Leaves- Leaves of Bharangi are opposite, big, up to 28 cm long but usually 12- 15 cm in length, 5.5- 6 cm wide, oblong or elliptic, acute, coarsely and sharply serrate, glabrous, petioles are very stout, 6 mm long.
• Inflorescence- The inflorescence of Bharangi is a panicle, 15-20 cm long.
• Flowers- Flowers of Bharangi are numerous, showy have a pair of acute bracts at each branching, pedicels twisted, and flowers are bluish to dark purple.
• Fruit- The fruit of Bharangi is a drupe, 6 mm long, somewhat succulent, broadly obovoid, and normally four-lobed.

Flowering and fruiting time

The flowering and fruiting time of Bharangi is between May and October.

External morphology of Pygmaeopremna herbacea

• Habit: Perennial herb with woody rootstock, often branched and running horizontally with ellipsoid or variously shaped knots of 1-1.5 cm thick.
• Stem: The stem of Bharangi is absent or up to a few centimeters high. 
• Leaves: Leaves of Bharangi are simple, opposite – ternate, generally one set per plant, closely adpressed to the ground, sessile – subsessile, 5- 14 x 4-10 cm, obovate with pubescent nerves, and coarsely create – dentate margins in the upper half. 
• Inflorescence: Inflorescence of Bharangi is terminal corymbose, 5-10 cm long panicle, flowers are very small, white with a tinge of yellow, calyx 0.2 cm long, cup-shaped and obscurely 2 – lipped, the upper 2 – lobed and the lower 3 – lobed, corolla about 0.4 cm long with a short tube, 2 – lipped and 5- lobed, stamens 2+2, ovary with linear style and bifid stigma. 
• Fruit: Fruit of Bharangi is a globose drupe, about 0.6 cm in diameter, seated on the enlarged persistent calyx cup, seeds solitary.
• Flowering & Fruiting – November-February
• Distribution – Pygmaeopremna herbacea is found as undergrowth in the deciduous andmixed types of forests along the Eastern ghat belt and Central India including AndhraPradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. It grows gregariously in forest lands cleared by forest fires etc.