Asthisamharaka (Cissus quadrangularis)

Introduction

Asthisamharaka (Cissus quadrangularis)The Sanskrit word asthisamharaka literally means

that which saves the bones from theirdestruction. Precisely, it is also named asasthisandhani, which describes its peculiar qualityof healing the bone fractures. Denoting the sameproperty, is has few synonyms, like vafravati,asthisrnkhala, vajrangi, granthimala etc. The planthas been mentioned in all ancient scriptures ofAyurveda. It is used in folklore medicine to healbone fractures, throughout India. The Sanskritnames, mentioned above, also hint at the sameuse by ancient physicians.

Vernacular Names• Botanical Name : Cissus quadrangularis linn• English Name : Edible stemmed vine• Hindi Name : Hadjod, Harjora, Asthisanhari and Woody

Vine • Bengali Name : Harjora• Gujrati Name : Hadasankala• Kannad Name : Mangroli• Malyalam Name : Cannalam Paranta, Piranta• Marathi Name : Hadsandhi, Chaudhari• Punjabi Name : Haddjor• Tamil Name : Perandai, Pirantai• Telugu Name : Nalleru• Common Name : Hadjora

Synonyms

• Astisrankala

• Astisamhari

• vajravalli

Gana & Kula

• Not included in any gana by brahttrayas

• Bhavamisra included it in Guduchyadi varga

• Kaiyadeva included it in Oushadi varga

• Kula- Draksha kula

• Family- Vitaceae

Habitat

• The plant grows throughout India, especially, in dry regions and in Sri Lanka,

Varieties

The author of Nighantu Ratnakara mentions the there are two varieties of this climber, namely, of

• four – sided and

• three – sided stems.

But only one variety of four – sided stem is reported; which at times may be seen shooting out branches having three sides. A two – sided horticultural variety is also grown in gardens.

Morphology• C. quadrangularis is a fleshy cactus like jointed climber

with 4-winged internodes and a tendril at some of the nodes . C. quadrangularis is a moist shrubby climbers reaches a height of 1.5 m.

• Stems sharply 4-angled, jointed at nodes, internodes are 8 to 10 cm long and 1.2 to 1.5 cm wide, tendrils simple long and slender emerging from the opposite side of the node.

• Leaves simple, ovate or reniform, ±5 cm wide, serrate, cordate;

• The flowers are small, greenish white, in short cymes. • Berries globose, ±0.7 cm in diameter, red on ripening,

1- seeded

Images

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

• Calcium Oxalate,

• Carotene and

• Ascorbic Acid

Properties

• Guna- Lagu , ruksha

• Rasa – Madura

• Veerya – Usna

• Vipaka- Madura

Doshakarma

• Pittavardhaka

• Kaphavatashamaka

Therapeutic uses

Uses of Stem:• Stem of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. is very important

part of the plant and accepted as raw drug of knownproperties in both Ayurvedic and Unani system ofmedicine. Among the parts

• stem is used for bone fracture.• It is useful in piles, bone fracture, pain in joints,

swelling and asthma.• Stem juice is used for the treatment of Scurvy,

irregular menstruation, disease ofear and nose-bleeding.

• Stem paste is also useful in bone fracture, swelling,muscular pain, asthma, burns, wounds and bites ofpoisonous insects.

• Uses of Root:

Root powered is used in fractured bone, cuts.

• Uses of Shoots:• Dry shoots powder is used for digestive troubles,

stomachic, scurvy, and asthma.• Fresh shoot paste is used in burns and wound.

Stem and leaf is useful in labour pain at Bihar.• Decoction of shoot along with dry ginger and

black pepper is used in body pain.• Shoot is used for the treatment of piles, worm

infection, stiffness in thigh muscles, chronic ulcer,colic, epilepsy, convulsion, anorexia, skindiseases, dyspsia, indigestion, rejoin brokenbones. It is used as aphrodisiac, carminative,laxative, digestive and decoction is used as bloodpurifier and immunomodulator.

Useful part

• Kanda

Matra

• Swarasa- 10-20ml

Special preparations

• Asthisamharaka juice

• Asthisamharaka powder

• Asthisamharaka decoction of dried stalks

• Lakshadi Guggulu

Quotation