Description: Twining perennial herbs; branchlets slender. Leaves ovate-lanceolate or ovate-oblong, base truncate, apex acute to acuminate. Flowers greyish-green, few-flowered, axillary racemes. Capsule globose-pyriform, dehiscing from the base, after dehiscence parachute-like; seeds broadly deltoid, flat, winged.
Habit: Climbers/Lianas
Habitat: Deciduous forests, also in the plains
Flowering & Fruiting: July-March
Parts used: Root and leaves
Properties & Uses: Anti-venomous and anti-pyretic. The plant is believed to have the power to destroy the toxic effects of all poisons, especially snake poison. The roots are used in the treatment of dyspepsia, bowel troubles in children and intermittent fever. The decoction of the root is used for the treatment of fever. The seeds are useful for treating inflammations and dry cough.
Systems of Medicines:
Ayurveda, Folk, Unani,
Traditional Uses:The fresh root crushed with turmeric is used in scorpion bite, insect bite, centipede bite, swellings, inflammation, allergy, etc. The leaf juice and paste is applied over the wounds and swellings.