Botanical Name

Parmelia perlata (Huds.) Ach.

Family

Parmeliaceae (Lichen).

Regional Name

English : Stone Flower, Rock Moss, Hindi : Charela, Chharila, Chhadila, Sanskrit : Sitasiva, Silapuspa, Urdu : Chhadila, Punjabi : Ausneh, Chhadila, Bengali : Shailaj, Gujrati : Patthar Phool, Chhadilo, Kannada : Shilapushpa, Kalluhoo, Malayalam : Sheleyam, Kalppuvu, Marathi : Dagad phool, Tamil : Kalpashee, Telugu : Ratipuvvu.

Part Used

Whole Thallus.

Description

Chharilla is a perennial lichen found on rocks or dead wood in temperate Himalayas. It is usually a native of Indian subcontinent and commonly found in Himachal Pradesh and Bengal. Thallus consists of a flattened, foliose structure with a more or less deeply incised upper surface, yellowish-white on top and black on the lower surface, leathery to touch; delicate rhizoids arise from lower surface; odour and taste not distinct; bud-like bodies known as soredia are also present on the upper surface of the thallus.

Phytoconstituents

It contains Lichen acids (Atranorin and Lecanoric acid). It contains carbohydrates and protein of 1-5% are present.

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Tikta, Kasaya, Guna : Laghu, Snigdha, Vipaka : Katu, Virya : Sita, Karma : Hrdya, Pittahara, Rucya, Stambhaka, Kaphapitthara.

Ayurvedic Applications

Kandu, Kustha, Asmari, Daha, Visa, Hrllasa, Trsna, Vrana, Hrdayaroga, Rakta Vikara, Svasa, Jvara, Mutrakrchra, Mutraghata, Sriah Sula.

Medicinal Uses

Chharilla used in seminal weakness and male sexual debility, fungal infections in women, like vaginal candidiasis. It is useful in thirst, ulcer, wounds, sores, boils, burning sensation, fever, inflammations, skin disease, dyspnoea, asthma, amenorrhea, urinary disease and Renal calculi.