| Latin Names |
English Names |
Sanskrit Names |
Hindi Names |
Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Bojer. (Convolvulaceae)
/
A. speciosa Sweet.
|
Elephant Creeper,
Woolly Morning Glory |
Vriddadaru |
Vidhara |
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 History
The root of this large climber is used as a
substitute for the drug described under the name of 'Vriddhadaraka'.
In Ayurveda, the root is regarded as alterative, tonic and
useful in rheumatic affections and diseases of the nervous
system.
Habitat
Throughout India, up to an
altitude of 300 meters high. |
Morphology Description (Habit)
It is a very large woody climber. The stem is stout, white
and tomentose. The leaves are large, ovate-cordate, glabrous
above, persistently white tomentose beneath, base cordate
and petiole is long. The flowers are in sub-capitate cymes.
The Calyx, white tomentose outside. The Corolla is long,
tubular - infundibuliform, silky pubescent outside and
glabrous inner. The fruits are globose and apiculate.
Principal Constituents
It contains many ergoline alkaloids.
Pharmacology
'Speman', consisting of several ingredients of plant
material including this species, is reported to exhibit
anabolic-cum-androgen-like activity in mice. It posseses
significant spasmolytic and hypotensive activities. It is a
local stimulant and rubifacient1.
Clinical studies
A preparation made from this plant along with several other
ingredients is used for curing sexual disorders in males1.
Toxicology
A few of the ergoline alkaloids reported in this plant are
hallucinogenic.
Indications
The root is bitter, aphrodisiac, diuretic and used in
gonorrhoea, rheumatism and diseases of the nervous system.
It is also used as a tonic.
References
Anonymous, 1998, CD-ROM, CSIR, New Delhi.
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