Tape Grass

(Tape Grass)
Sanskrit: शैवार • Botanical: Vallisneria spiralis Linn.

Vallisneria spiralis is a submerged aquatic plant with ribbon-like leaves. Found in freshwater habitats. The female flowers rise to the surface on long spiral stalks. It is used as an astringent in traditional medicine. The plant is dioecious. Verse: 8 (mentioned in the context of aquatic plants).

Ayurvedic Properties

Taste (Rasa)
Astringent (Kashaya)
Quality (Guna)
Light (Laghu)
Potency (Virya)
Cold (Sheeta)
Post-digestive (Vipaka)
Pungent (Katu)
Key Constituents
Flavonoids, Phenolics
Also Known As
English: Tape Grass, Eel Grass
Sanskrit: शैवार, जलशुक्ती
Hindi: सेवार, पाटा

What is Tape Grass (Shaivar / शैवार)?

Vallisneria spiralis is a submerged aquatic plant with ribbon-like leaves. Found in freshwater habitats. The female flowers rise to the surface on long spiral stalks. It is used as an astringent in traditional medicine. The plant is dioecious. Verse: 8 (mentioned in the context of aquatic plants).

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 4

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

  • Grahi (absorbent)

Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 4

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.