Morphological information

A climbing under shrub. Roots light brown, 1.3 cm diameter, bearing transverse constrictions and longitudinal furrows; core bitter, yellowish  brown. Leaves peltate, elliptic or triangular, sometimes cordate or spherical, softly pubescent on both surfaces; veins 7- 11; petiole 10.2 cm long. Flowers small unisexual greenish, crowded in the axils of the leafy bracts. Fruits drupaceous, ovoid, endocarp reniform, compressed, sides hollowed tubercled on the back. Seeds curved.

Flowering                     : June-September

Fruiting                        : September-October

History                        :

Parts                          : Leaves bark and root

Status                        : Low risk.

Phytochemistry          : Cycleanine, (-) bebeerune, hayatidin, hayatin and (+) quercitol from leaves.

Agrocultivation          : It can be propagated from root cuttings, planted at the beginning of monsoon.

 

Medicinal  

In Ayurveda "Pathadi Churna" and other associated digestive problems and "Pathadi Taila" is used as a nasal drop in cold and stuff nose.

 

Traditional

The extracts of whole plant are given in diarrhoea, dysentery, indigestion and urinary disorders. The root is used as antidote and leaves are applied on wounds and also in stomach pain.

Others

The roots possess astringent, mild tonic, diuretic, stomachic, antilithic, analgesic, anti- pyretic and emmenagogue properties. They are frequently prescribed for treating cough, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, dysentery, piles, dropsy, uro- genital troubles such as prolapsus uteri, cystitis, hemorrhage and mennorrhagia and circular nephritis. The root paste is applied to scabies and eruptions on the body of babies. The roots and leaves extract are used during the stomach trouble or ache.

Note: The villagers use whole stem as a local rope.

 

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