APAMA SILIQUOSA

 
APAMA SILIQUOSA
Description:
Botanical name : Apama siliquosa Lamk. (Thottea siliquosa Lamk, Bragantia wallichii R. Br. )
Family : Aristolochiaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Chakrani.

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa    : Madhura, Tikta    
Guna   : Lakhu, Rooksha, Teekshna
Virya   : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English     :   
Hindi        : Chakrani    
Malayalam    : Alpam, Kodassari, Tapasimuringa, Karalvegam.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
The plant is found mostly in hilly part of Western Ghats. An erect perennial shrub grows up to 3 meters in height. Leaves alternate oavte-lanceolate, about 15 cm long. Upper surface rough. Flowers are small whitish, found in axilla of leaf. Fruits are pods, with 3-4 seeds within.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated tridoshas and a good remedy for stomach ache and poison bites.  The unripe fruit when chewed cures acute stomach pain.
Useful part    :    Seeds, leaves

CHEMICAL CONTENTS
Root contains an alkaloid chakranine, which is toxic on IV administration, and non toxic on oral administration. Root again contain B. sitosterole, and a thick brown resinous matter.