Botanical name : Cuscuta reflexa Roxb (Cassytha filiformis Linn.)
Family : Convolvulaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Akasavalli, Amaravalli, Khavalli, Asparsa
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Tikta, Madhura
Guna : Guru, Picchila
Virya : Seeta
Vipaka: Katu
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Dodder
Hindi : Amarabela
Malayalam : Moodillathali, Akasavalli, Akasagarudakodi
Distribution – Throughout India growing wild in hilly areas
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A slender threadlike parasitic plant growing in shrubs or trees. Plant does not have leaves. Flowes solitary or in clusters of 3-4. Fruits capsules, depressed globose, with 2-4 black seeds. Branches are greenish or yellowish green. When the branched contact with a host tree, they spread rapidly and ultimately kill the plant or that branch.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, vata, intestinal worms, edema, skin diseases, diarrhea, headache, fever malignancy and paralysis. Plant may cause neurogenic illness if taken in excess dose or prolonged period.
Useful part : Shoot.
Photo: Dr. Eby Abraham MD
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