Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Atis known as Ativisha in Ayurveda is the dried tuberous root of Aconitum heterophyllum. It is highly valued for its ability to balance Kapha and Pitta doshas through its bitter and pungent taste combined with light dry qualities and hot potency. Therapeutically it acts as a powerful digestive stimulant and absorbent making it the drug of choice for treating diarrhea associated with indigestion known as Amatisara. It effectively digests metabolic toxins called Ama while binding the bowels. Atis is also renowned for treating fevers vomiting worm infestations and cough especially in children. Unlike poisonous aconite species it is non toxic and serves as a key ingredient in vital pediatric formulations like Balachaturbhadra Churna to restore health and digestion,.
Atis, classically known as Ativiṣā in Ayurveda, is a highly valued medicinal herb derived from the plant Aconitum heterophyllum. Unlike its poisonous relative Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox), Atis is non-toxic and is renowned in pediatric and general medicine for its ability to treat indigestion, fever, and diarrhea. It is often referred to as "Indian Atees" and is considered a prime herb for balancing the Kapha and Pitta doshas.
Atis is a perennial herb found in the sub-alpine zones of the Himalayas (2500–4000 m). The medicinal part is its dried, tuberous root, which is ovoid-conical in shape and light ash-grey or white internally. It is distinguished from poisonous aconites by its taste—while bitter, it does not produce a tingling sensation or numbness on the tongue. In Ayurveda, it is revered as a Dīpana-Pācana (digestive stimulant) and Saṅgrāhikā (absorbent/bowel binding agent), making it essential for treating gut-related disorders.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India:
Atis is clinically indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
(General guidance based on Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India):
Ayurvedic Formulary of India – Classical formulations containing Ativisha
https://www.ayush.gov.in/site/ayurveda-formulary
Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Aconitum heterophyllum – Journal of Ethnopharmacology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16716517/
Antidiarrheal activity of Aconitum heterophyllum roots – Indian Journal of Pharmacology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20502545/
Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties of Aconitum heterophyllum – Pharmacognosy Research
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210002/
Standardization and quality evaluation of Aconitum heterophyllum – International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/standardization-of-aconitum-heterophyllum.html
Comparative toxicity studies of Aconitum species – Toxicology Letters
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11223178/
Antimicrobial activity of Aconitum heterophyllum extracts – African Journal of Biotechnology
https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJB
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
It is typically taken as a remedy for specific conditions (like diarrhea or fever) for a limited duration, rather than a daily nutritional supplement.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is generally taken before food to stimulate appetite or as directed for diarrhea management.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes, the powder is often taken with warm water or honey (to mask the bitter taste, especially for children). In specific formulations, it may be used with goat's milk or rice water.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
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Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Atis known as Ativisha in Ayurveda is the dried tuberous root of Aconitum heterophyllum. It is highly valued for its ability to balance Kapha and Pitta doshas through its bitter and pungent taste combined with light dry qualities and hot potency. Therapeutically it acts as a powerful digestive stimulant and absorbent making it the drug of choice for treating diarrhea associated with indigestion known as Amatisara. It effectively digests metabolic toxins called Ama while binding the bowels. Atis is also renowned for treating fevers vomiting worm infestations and cough especially in children. Unlike poisonous aconite species it is non toxic and serves as a key ingredient in vital pediatric formulations like Balachaturbhadra Churna to restore health and digestion,.
Atis, classically known as Ativiṣā in Ayurveda, is a highly valued medicinal herb derived from the plant Aconitum heterophyllum. Unlike its poisonous relative Vatsanabha (Aconitum ferox), Atis is non-toxic and is renowned in pediatric and general medicine for its ability to treat indigestion, fever, and diarrhea. It is often referred to as "Indian Atees" and is considered a prime herb for balancing the Kapha and Pitta doshas.
Atis is a perennial herb found in the sub-alpine zones of the Himalayas (2500–4000 m). The medicinal part is its dried, tuberous root, which is ovoid-conical in shape and light ash-grey or white internally. It is distinguished from poisonous aconites by its taste—while bitter, it does not produce a tingling sensation or numbness on the tongue. In Ayurveda, it is revered as a Dīpana-Pācana (digestive stimulant) and Saṅgrāhikā (absorbent/bowel binding agent), making it essential for treating gut-related disorders.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India:
Atis is clinically indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
(General guidance based on Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India):
Ayurvedic Formulary of India – Classical formulations containing Ativisha
https://www.ayush.gov.in/site/ayurveda-formulary
Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Aconitum heterophyllum – Journal of Ethnopharmacology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16716517/
Antidiarrheal activity of Aconitum heterophyllum roots – Indian Journal of Pharmacology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20502545/
Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties of Aconitum heterophyllum – Pharmacognosy Research
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3210002/
Standardization and quality evaluation of Aconitum heterophyllum – International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
https://www.ijpsonline.com/articles/standardization-of-aconitum-heterophyllum.html
Comparative toxicity studies of Aconitum species – Toxicology Letters
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11223178/
Antimicrobial activity of Aconitum heterophyllum extracts – African Journal of Biotechnology
https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJB
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
It is typically taken as a remedy for specific conditions (like diarrhea or fever) for a limited duration, rather than a daily nutritional supplement.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is generally taken before food to stimulate appetite or as directed for diarrhea management.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes, the powder is often taken with warm water or honey (to mask the bitter taste, especially for children). In specific formulations, it may be used with goat's milk or rice water.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem