Ipomea mauritiana Jacq.? Family Convolvulaceae
Tuber ( Tuberous root)
Throughout India, in deciduous and evergreen forests and coastal tracts. An extensive perennial climber with tuberous roots, found in Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Assam, Deccan and west coast from Konkan to Kerala, mostly in moist areas, monsoon forests and coastal tracts.
The roots are sweet, sour, acrid, astringent, cooling, emollient, aphrodisiac, galactagogue, rejugenating, diuretic, depurative,stimulatn, appretiser, carminative, stomachic, anthelmintic,espectorant,and tonic.
The drug promotes strenght and complexion, improves voice, promotes breast milk and semen, overcomes vitiated pitta and vata and cures burning sensation. The drug is recommended in all cases of general debility and rheumatism. Its important preparations are drug Vidarayadi ghrtam, Dasmularishtam, Cyavanaprasam etc.
The tuberous root of the vine is of large size with yellowish brown coat. It is brittle, mucilaginous and bitter in taste. It contains a resin, similar to jalap resin, and is considered tonic, alterative, aphrodisiac, demulcent, lactagogue and cholagogue. It is recommended for emaciation in children. It enters into the composition of a compound decoction which is nutritive, diuretic and expectorant, and useful in fevers and bronchitis. Powdered root is given for diseases of the spleen and liver, for menorrhagia, debility and fat accumulation. A decoction is prescribed for consumption. In Malaya, the crushed root is applied to swellings.
The large tuberous root is regarded in local medicine as tonic,alternative, aphrodisiac, demulcent, and lactagogue. The powedered root stock is given with wine for the purpose of increasing secretion of milk.
The leaves enrich the blood (Yunani)
