Aristolochia indica - Indian birthwort, Duck flower

Aristolochia indica flower

Arsitolochia indica - flower

Aristolochia indica is a climber (creeper) commonly found in Southern India and Sri Lanka.

Uses

Low appetite, Menstrual disorders, Drops, Leukoderma, Tonsillitis, Chronic dyspepsia, Indigestion, fever, Chronic rheumatism

Parts Used

Rizhomes, roots, Leaves, Seeds

Chemical Composition

Roots have a crystalline substance, a glucoside, isoaristolochic acid, carbonyl compounds, allantoin. Aristolochic acids, aristolactams, Alkaloids

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	Eeshwari balli
Hindi	Isharmul, Isarmul, Hooka bel
Malayalam	Garudakkodi
Tamil	Thazhaisurulikodi, Urikkalchedi, Kozhikkundu's, Perumarunthukodi
Telugu	Ishweraveru
Marathi	Sapasan
Gujarathi	Sapasan
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	NA
English	Indian birthwort, Duck flower

Properties

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

Rasa

Kashaya (Astringent), Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)

Veerya

Shita (Cooling), Ushna (Heating)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapa, Pitta

Habit

Climber, Creeper

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
Oblong	Alternate distichous	Leaves 3-nerved from base and Differ from all other species by its oblong leaves

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Unisexual	2-4cm long	Greenish-purple	5	Flowering from December-February

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
oblong capsule	seed dispersal is by gravity	Fruiting throughout the year	With hooked hairs	6 seeds oblong	{{{6}}}

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

• Vishatinduka Taila as root juice extract

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

Prefers a well-drained, humus-rich, loamy soil and a position in full sun or partial shade. The flowers of many species in this genus form an intricate trap for pollinating insects. The insects are tempted to an area of the flower where they are unable to grip and they slide down into the utricle - downward pointing hairs prevent them climbing out. The trap helps to ensure the fertilization of the flowers and the insects are eventually released

Commonly seen growing in areas

temperate, northern Africa, western Asia.

Photo Gallery

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External Links

• Anti-inflammatory, Antipruritic and Mast Cell Stabilizing Activity of Aristolochia Indica.
• Aristolochia indica on US National Plant Germplasm System
• Aristolochia indica on Easy Ayurveda
• Aristolochia indica on Planet Ayurveda
• Aristolochia indica on India Biodiversity Portal