Division
|
Angiosperms |
Class
|
Dicotledons |
Subclass |
Polypetalae |
Series |
Thalamiflorae |
Order |
Ranales |
Family
|
Menispermaceae |
Genus
|
Tinospora |
Species
|
cordifolia |
Etymology:
|
Greek word Tino, to avenge and spora, seed. |
Botanical name:
|
Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hk.f. & Th. (T.glabra (Burm.f) Merr.) |
Local/Trade Names: |
Giloh |
Conservation status: |
Commonly planted. |
Digonestic features: |
Stem shining lenticillate. |
Description: |
A large climber. Stem shining lenticillate. Bark light-coloured, peppery. Leaves 10-20 cm long, broadly ovate or orbicular, deeply cordate, pubescent. Flowers greenish – yellow, usually from the old wood. Fruit a drupe, 1-3, ovoid, crimson, endocarp tubercled. |
Phenology: |
Fls.: May-June. Frts.: July-Aug. |
Distribution: |
Foot hills of Himalaya. |
Where to see it: |
Nursery. |
Uses: |
Stem is a constituent of several Ayurvedic preparations used in general debility, dyspepsia, fevers, and urinary diseases; dry twigs with bark intact, constitute the drug. Bitter principles present in the drug show antispasmodic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The drug possess one-fifth of the analgesic effect of sodium salicylate. A kind of starch called Giloe-ka-sat, prepared from aqueous extract of dry stems, is used as a tonic. Experiments conducted on rabbits indicate that aqueous and alcoholic extracts caused reduction in fasting blood sugar, and glucose tolerance was increased, but a deterioration in tolerance occurred after a month’s treatment. It has been suggested that the action of the drug is due to its effect on the endogenous insulin secretion, glucose uptake, and inhibition of peripheral glucose release. Leaves are rich in protein, calcium and phosphorus, and may be used for visceral obstruction; its watery extract is used in leprosy. Pulverized fruit is uded as tonic and also for jaundice and rheumatism. |
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