Botanical name : Ichnocarpus frutescens (Linn.) R.Br.
Family : Apocynaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Gopavalli, Krishnasariba (var.), Krishna-muuli, Shyamalata, Ulpalasariba, Palindi, Syamala
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Madhura
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha
Virya : Seeta
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Black creeper
Hindi : Kalidudhi, Dudhi
Malayalam : Palvalli, Parvalli, Parvallikizangu.
Distribution: Throughout India, in the plains and lower hills up to 1,200 m
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A perennial woody laticiferous climber, grows over hedges and bushes. Leaves simple, opposite, elliptic-oblong to broadly lanceolate, acute or acuminate, main nerves 5-7pairs. Flowers greenish white, fragrant, numerous in axillary or terminal panicles of cymose clusters. Fruits straight or slightly curved, cylindrical follicles, usually 2, divaricate, seeds black, with white coma.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, burning sensation, excessive perspiration, fever, oligospermia, kidney stone, skin diseases, itching, dyspepsia, vomiting, diabetes, headache and general weakness. The roots of the plant are used as a substitute for Indian sarsaparilla and are often mixed with the roots of Hemidesmus indicus
CHEMICAL CONTENTS
The root gave 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde. Alkaloids and flavonoids were present in the roots but not in the leaves and fruits. Saponins were absent in these parts. The whole plant gave n-butyl sorboside, kaempferol and its glucoside.
Useful part : Root.
Photo : Dr. Eby Abraham MD
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