Description
HOLOSTEMMA CREEPER (HOLOSTEMMA ADA-KODIEN )
Holostemma ada-kodien is a perennial, laticiferous, twinning, shrub with large flowers and reddish stem. Stem is branches glabrous and shining. The leaf is simple, opposite, large, and deeply cordate at base. Flower is purple in axillary, umbellate cymes. Calyx are deeply five partite, Corolla is Gamopetalous (having the petals united) and deeply five lobed, pinkish outside and purplish inside. Fruits are thick, follicle, cylindrical and bluntly pointed containing numerous flattened cosmose seeds.
The mention of Jivanti is even found in Atharva Veda. Charak and Bhavprakash, describe it as best among leafy vegetables. It is included in Jivaniya Gana, which is the group of herbs used for promoting vitality and life.
Medicinal use
Holostemma ada-kodien, is found in tropical Western Ghats. It is used in as a tonic that maintains youthful vigour. The tuberous roots of the plant are used to treat eye diseases, cough, fever, burning sensation and as a galactagogue.
