Indian stinging nettle

The Scientific name of Indian stinging nettle: Tragia involucrata

Name  of Indian stinging nettle in different languages:

Sanskrit: दुःस्पर्ष Duhsparsha, वृश्चिकाच्छद Vrischikacchad, वृश्चिकापत्री Vrischikapatri, वृश्चिकाली Vrischikali, आगमावर्ता Aagmavarta, कषाग्निः Kashagnih.

Hindi: पीत पर्णी Pit Parni, बढन्त Barhanta.

Malayalam: Kodithoova കൊടുത്തുവ, Vallichoriyanam-ചൊറിയണം 

Plant description 

Indian stinging nettle (Tragia involucrata) is a perennial climbing herb with stinging hairs. Leaves are alternately arranged, oblong or ovate, and toothed margin, sized 6 to 10 cm long and 3 to 5.5 cm wide. Flowers are white, borne in leaf axils. Seeds are contained in a capsule, globose, 0.6 cm long, and tri-lobed. Touching of this plant may cause terrible itching.

Leaf Arrangement

Shape- oblong	Margin-Denticulated	Venation-pinnate

Useful plant parts:

Seed

Chemical content:

Formic acid, histamine, and acetylcholine.

How to prepare medicines:

It is one of the ingredients in Ayurveda medicines like-

• VidaryadiGhritham
• Dusparsakadi Kashayam
• Gandharvahasthadi Kashayam
• Rasnairandadi Kashayam
• Tiktakam Kwatham