Description: Twiners with woody rootstock; stem brownish. Leaves very variable, opposite or in whorls, often variegated, elliptic-oblong to linear-lanceolate. Flowers yellow to brownish, in short, axillary cymes. Follicles cylindric; coma white.
Habit: Climbers/Lianas
Habitat: Deciduous forests and plantations, also in the plains
Flowering & Fruiting: August-December
Parts used: Root, leaves and stem
Properties & Uses: Roots are bitter, sweet astringent, aromatic, refringent, depurative, carminative, anthelmintic, demulcent and febrifuge. Roots are used to treat burning sensation, leucoderma, leprosy, skin diseases, pruritus, asthma, bronchitis, hemicrania, epileptic fits, diarrhoea, dysentery, syphilis, fever and general debility. Leaves are used to treat vomiting, wounds and leucoderma. Stem is bitter, diaphoretic and used in inflammations.
Systems of Medicines:
Ayurveda, Folk, Unani,
Traditional Uses:The fresh root crushed in to paste and applied on forehead to reduce fever. Root paste applied externally to cure itches and skin diseases.