Abuta

The Scientific name of Abuta: Cissampelos pareira

Names in different languages:-

English: Velvet-leaf, Abuta

Sanskrit: Ambashtha, Piluphala, Ekashthila, Dipani, Varatiktata, Tiktapushpa, Atisaranashani, Ambashtaki, Pracchina, Shreyasi.

Hindi: Leghu patha, Akanadi, Pada

Malayalam: Malathangi-മലതാങ്ങി, Vattavally-വട്ടവള്ളി

Tamil: Vatta thiruppi-வட்டத்திருப்பி

Plant description

Abuta (Cissampelos pareira), also known as velvetleaf or false pareira brava, is a climbing shrub native to tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. It has a history of traditional use in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems. 

It is an annual climber shrub, tomentose, spreading over trees, fences, etc., commonly found in tropical sub-tropical, forest areas, plane lands, in Western Ghats area, etc., the leaves are dark green, hairy, ovate or heart-shaped, about 4 to 10 cm in diameter. Flowers are small, dioecious, light green in color, found in clusters in the leaf axis. The fruits are berries, many, small, and round, born in clusters, green in color turn to red when ripe. Flowering and fruiting April to October.

Useful plant parts:

Root, leaf, Whole plant

Leaf Arrangement

Shape-heart-shaped	Margin-Entire	Venation-palmate

Medicinal uses: 

It is mainly used in folk medicine to treat rheumatic disorders, coughing, and colds, to increase breast milk, and urinary disorders, to treat cobra bites, anti-malarial. It is an important herb in feminine diseases. It is known as the midwife plant because it is used in women’s ailments such as uterine hemorrhages, miscarriage, urogenital disorders, etc., and also useful in intestinal worms, wounds, ulcers, indigestion,  asthma, arthritis, and muscle cramps. To treat malaria and fever, and also used in the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (VD).

Chemical contents:

Alkaloid (Pelocin), Saponin, flavanol, and sterol

Medicinal Properties:

Astringent, anti-inflammatory, Antinociceptive, and antiarthritic.

Activities

Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antifertility, Anti-inflammatory,  and immunomodulatory activity

Ayurvedic uses of Abuta

1. Anti-inflammatory: Abuta is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for reducing inflammation in various parts of the body.
2. Rheumatic Conditions: It is used traditionally in Ayurveda to manage rheumatic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory joint disorders. It may help reduce pain and inflammation.
3. Digestive Disorders: Abuta is believed to have digestive properties and may be used to alleviate digestive disorders such as indigestion, flatulence, and abdominal pain.
4. Respiratory Conditions: It may be used in traditional remedies for respiratory issues like coughs, colds, and bronchitis.
5. Wound Healing: Abuta is believed to have wound-healing properties. It may be applied topically to promote the healing of cuts and wounds.
6. Urinary Disorders: It is believed to have diuretic properties, which may help increase urine production and promote kidney function.
7. Menstrual Disorders: In certain traditional formulations, Abuta may be used to regulate menstrual cycles and manage menstrual disorders.
8. Anti-malarial Properties: Abuta is believed to have anti-malarial properties and has been used traditionally to address malaria.
9. Fever Management: It may be used to help reduce fever, although its effectiveness for this purpose is not scientifically established.
10. Antioxidant Properties: It is believed to have antioxidant properties, which can help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
11. Anti-diarrheal: Some traditional uses suggest that Abuta may be used to help manage diarrhea.
12. Anti-parasitic Properties: It is believed to have properties that may help in expelling intestinal worms.

Abuta is one of the ingredients in the Ayurveda medicines like:-

• Pushyanuga Choornam 
• Saraswata Ghrita
• Shiva Gutika
• Dusparsakadi Kashayam
• Katakakhadiradi Kashayam
• Mahatiktam Kashayam
• Tiktam Kashayam
• Guggulutiktam Kashayam
• Changeri Ghrita
• Maha Panchagavya Ghrita
• Mahatiktaka Ghrita
• Panchatikta Guggulu Ghrita

Tags:

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