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Smilax zeylanica - Ushaba

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Smilax zeylanica

Smilax zeylanica is a plant species in the genus Smilax. Its leaves and roots are used for medicinal purposes. The plant is widespread in India, and native in other parts of the Indian Subcontinent as well as in Myanmar, Malaysia, Java and Solomon Islands.

Uses

Venereal diseases, Skin problems, Sores, Dysentery, Ulcer, Gonorrhea, Toothache, Pyorrhea, Sore throats

Food

Smilax zeylanica can be used in Food. Tender leaves and tender fruits are cooked as vegetable.[1]

Parts Used

Leaves.

Chemical Composition

Glucopyranoside, engeletin, isoengeletin, kaempferol, dihydrokaempferol, dihydrokaempferol glucopyranoside, rutin, kaempferol, glucopyranoside, trihydroxystibene, vanillic acid, dimethoxy, glu-copyranosylcinnamic acid, beta-sitosterol, and beta-daucosterol[2]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada Kaadu hambu, Kaadu hambu thaavare
Hindi Kumarika, Jangli Aushbah
Malayalam Kaltamara, Karivilanti
Tamil Ayadi, Malaittamarai
Telugu Kondadantena
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Vanamadhusnahi
English Kumarika


Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Madhura (Sweet)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Prabhava

Nutritional components

Smilax zeylanica Contains the Following nutritional components like - Vitamin- A, B and C; Glycosides, Diosgenin, Saponins, B-sitosterol, Sarsapogenin/ Smilagenin, Flavanoids, Alkaloids; Tannins; Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc[1]

Habit

Shrub

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple ovate-lanceolate Leaves 6-12 x 3-6.5 cm, ovate-oblong, base rounded Leaves

[3]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual 5-6 mm long greenish 6-8 Flowering is January-Apri

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
General 7–10 mm clearly grooved lengthwise, Lowest hooked hairs aligned towards crown With hooked hairs 1-3 {{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds.

How to plant/cultivate

Easily grown in most soils, preferring a calcareous soil. Thrives in a dry lightly shaded position, though it prefers full sun. Smilax zeylanica is available through June to January[1].

Commonly seen growing in areas

Tropical areas, Eastern Himalayas, Borders of forests.

Photo Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Forest food for Northern region of Western Ghats" by Dr. Mandar N. Datar and Dr. Anuradha S. Upadhye, Page No.137, Published by Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science (MACS) Agharkar Research Institute, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Road, Pune
  2. "chemical constituents"
  3. "Plant Diagnostic"

External Links