Botanical Name: Ipomoea paniculata R. Br. Burm.

Family: Convolvulaceae

 

 Introduction:

Latin name : Pueraria = after Mr. M.M.N. Puerari - scientist; tuberosa = tuberous rooted or lpomoia digitata, I. paniculata.

   

 

Names in different Indian languages

 

English

Giant potato

Hindi

bhilayakhand

Kannada

nadakumbala

Malayalam

Palmutuku, anchila tali

Sanskrit

Kshira-vidaari

Tamil

Paalmudukkan kizhangu

Telugu

Nelagummundu

Unani

 

Folk

Bilaaikanda. Bhuin Kakhaaru

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Kshira-vidaari, Kshirvalli, Payasvini, Swaadukandaa, Ikshukandaa, Gajavaajipriyaa, Kandapalaasha, Bhuumikuushmaanda

Ipomoea digitata Linn

Ipomoea  paniculata R. Br. Burm.

Ipomoea  mauritiana Jacq.

Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq.

 

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata

 

Charaka

 

Susrutha

 

Vagbhata

 

 

          
        

  

 

Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants) 

 

 Pueraria tuberosa DC  - CV

 

 


Morphology

A wide spreading creeper, Its stalk has pores.

Leaves - trifoliate, simple, alternate

Flower - pink

Fruits - 5 to 7 cms. long. Capsule

Tubers circular with a diameter of 30 to 40 cms.

 There is another variety called ksheervidari the tuber of which oozes out a thick latex on cutting it

 


Distribution & Habitat

Himalayas, Nepal, Bengal, Assam; Punjab and Konkan region. 

Chemical constituents:

 Resin, sugar and starch (in large quantity)

 

Properties:

Guna : guru, snigdha;

Rasa: Madhura;

Virya : sheeta;

Vipaka- madhur

 

Karma –balyam, vriksyam

Cholagogue, galactagogue, alterative, demulcent, purgative

 

Srotogamitva:

 Dosha : pitta vatha hara

 Dhatu :rasa

 Mala :purisha

Organ : spleen, liver

 

 

 Indication:

enlargement of liver and spleen,  menorrhagia, syphilis , vomiting ,splenomegaly , hepatomegaly

 

Part used:

  Rhizome

Dosage: 

5-8 g


Important Yogas  or  Formations:

          Vidyaradi ghrita and lehya    

              

 

Therapeutic Uses:

  1. Powder in milk useful to increase breast milk

 

 

Descriptions on  Ayurveda books / Nighandu:

  

1.

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

 

 

Medicinal plants of India ; Ayurveda

Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal Plants/Herbs mainly using in Ayurveda with good quality pictures and information like therapeutic usage of Medicinal Plants, cultivation, morphology, habitat, flower characters, Chemical content, parts used, research works etc.

medicinal plants