Nayuruvi, chirchita in Hindi and apamarga in Sanskrit, is prickly chaff flower, a common weed whose long, slender flower spikes are lined with backward-pointing, spiny bracts that hook onto clothes and animal fur. Its twigs are used as datun, and its ash, apamarga kshara, is an Ayurvedic alkaline preparation. It is used in Hindu rituals such as Rishi Panchami and Ganesh Chaturthi.
- Botanical name
- Achyranthes aspera L.
- Family
- Amaranthaceae
- Tamil
- Nayuruvi
- Hindi
- Chirchita
- Sanskrit
- Apāmārga
- Parts used
- Whole plant, Root, Seeds in lists
- Habit
- Erect weedy amaranth with a spike that hooks onto cloth
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Nayuruvi
It is an erect, branching herb, usually knee- to waist-high, with ridged stems.
The leaves are opposite, oval and softly hairy.
The flower spikes are long and thin, up to thirty centimetres, at the stem tips.
After flowering, the small fruits point downwards, each with stiff, spiny bracts that hook onto passers-by.
Cut stems show swollen nodes.
Traditional use of Nayuruvi
Household
Fresh twigs are chewed as datun to clean the teeth.
Indian village practice
Ayurveda
Apamarga kshara, made from the plant’s ash, is used in Ayurvedic procedures and formulas.
Ayurvedic practice
Ritual
Apamarga twigs are used in baths and offerings on Rishi Panchami and Ganesh Chaturthi.
Hindu ritual practice
Modern notes on Nayuruvi
Its seeds contain saponins.
Animal studies report anti-fertility effects, so it should not be used in pregnancy.
Its hooked fruits are a classic example of animal-borne seed dispersal.
The genus name comes from Greek words meaning chaff flower, after its dry, papery bracts.
Nayuruvi safety
Avoid it in pregnancy and when trying to conceive. Apamarga kshara is caustic and must be used only by a trained practitioner.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows as a weed across the tropics and subtropics.
Its fruits travel on animal fur and clothing.
It thrives on roadsides and waste ground.
Related plants
Also in Amaranthaceae
Questions about Nayuruvi
Why does Nayuruvi stick to clothes?
Its fruits have spiny, hooked bracts.
What is apamarga?
Its Sanskrit name.
Is Nayuruvi used for teeth?
Yes, as a datun twig.
Is Nayuruvi safe in pregnancy?
No.
Is Nayuruvi a weed?
Yes, a common one.
How do I remove the Nayuruvi’s burrs from clothes?
Pick or brush them off; they cling with tiny hooks.
Sources
- Achyranthes aspera L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q3286822 (Achyranthes aspera)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.