Sariva / Anantmul

The source of classical plant Sariva is open to debate. The names Sariva and Anantmool are generally used as synonyms but a scan of local health tradition data give a different opinion. Currently Hemidesmus indicus is popularly accepted as Sariva while the plant Ichnocarpus frutascens also discussed as a source of Sariva is accepted as Anantmool. Certain scholars are of the opinion that Anantmool (Ichnocarpus frutascens) must be considered as the source of Sariva as Hemidesmus indicus does not truly fit the description in the classical texts. Classical text like Shivdatt Nighantu and Dalhan describes Sariva leaves to be similar to Daadim (Punica granatum) or Jambu (Syziguim cumini) leaves, a feature more prominent with Ichnocarpus frutascens then Hemidesmus indicus.

A scan of Ayurveda literature mention of another variety of Sariva known as Krishna Sariva. Certain Ayurveda scholars co-relate the plant Cryptolepis dubia as Krishna Sariva. Cryptolepis dubia root is dark coloured and aromatic. The leaves too resemble to the Jamun (Syzygium cumini)tree and give milky exudates on hurting. The plant needs further evaluation. It is interesting to note that Vaidya Daji Pade in his work on medicinal plants Vanaoushadi gunadarsh described Shwet and Krishna Sariva to be varieties of same plant.