Morphological information

Glabrous or puberlous herb, Leaves opposite ovate or lanceolate acute or cuspiclate, base broad or narrowed, rather thin, nerves 4- 5 pairs, fine; 5- 7.5 an long, 2.5-3.8 an wide; petioles 1.3- 3.8 an long. Stipules ovate-lanceolate, bifid. Panicle 15 cm long, peduncle 7.5 trichotomous often scorpiod cyrnes. Calyx campanulate acutely toothed. Corolla funnel- shaped, usually pubescent, lobes short. Fruit orbicular, wings pale 1.1 cm across.

Flowering                      : September-October

Fruiting                         : December-February

History                         :

Parts                            : Whole plant.

Status                         : Low risk

Phytochemistry

Hentriacontane, hentriacontanol, methyl mercaptan, ceryl alcohol, palmitic acid, sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, ursolic acid and iridoid glycosides  asperuloside, paederoside and scandoside- isolated from leaves and stems.

 

Ayurvedic

The plant is bitter; indigestible, aphrodisiac, tonic; cures "Vata" and "Kapha". Inflammations, piles, fever; good for diseases of the eyes and night blindness, laxative.

 

Traditional

Lepchas and Paharies use the fruit to blacken the teeth; this they say is a specific against toothache. The root is given in vomiting. The decoction of the plant is given in rheumatism and arthritis. (M.E.E.S.H, 1991). The juice of the leaves is considered astringent and given to children when suffering from diarrhoea. (C.S.) The juice of roots used in piles, inflammation of spleen and pain in chest and liver. Poultice of leaves applied to abdomen to relieve flatulence; also used in herpes. The roots are used by the Hindus are as emetic. The decoction prepared of the leaves is considered wholesome and nutritive for the sick. The whole plant is regarded as a specific for rheumatic affections, in which it is administered both internally and externally.

 

 

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