Chinese Fever Vine

Chinese fever vine (Gandhaprasarini in Hindi) is a perennial climber that grows wild in open places, between trees and bushes of wetlands, forests and hills. It is a native of Himalayan regions (up to the height of 1800 meters). The vine can grow up to a length of 10 meters. It bears lance shaped leaves with long petioles. Rooting is seen at nodes. It also bears white or pale yellow flowers with purple centre followed by round and brown fruits containing white dotted black seeds.

Parts used: Leaves, roots, bark and fruit.

Chemical composition: Glycoside iridoid. Oil from the stem contains sulphur compounds and other components such as sitosterol, ursolic acid, stigma sterol, alkaloids, carbohydrate, protein, amino acids and volatile oils.

Medical benefits: Whole plant is anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, febrifuge, natural antioxidant and hepatoprotective. It can be used as a tonic. It is beneficial in asthma and diarrhoea. The leaves and fruits are used as traditional medicine and make for an important component of medicines for diabetes, cough, asthma and arthritis. The leaves and roots stimulate the central nervous system. The leaves can be chewed as well.

• The leaf extract is beneficial for treating diarrhoea.

• Applying boiled and mashed leaves on the abdomen reduces stomach-ache.

• Taking a bath with water containing infusion of leaves reduces pain and inflammation in rheumatism.

• A poultice of leaves can also help reduce flatulence.

• A cloth soaked with decoction of leaves kept on forehead reduces fever. Juice of roots can help reduce piles and liver problems.

Contraindications: It is a safe herb if taken per the dose prescribed be medical professional.

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