Medicinal plants of Kerala

Abuta-Cissampelos pareira

Malayalam: Malathangi-മലതാങ്ങി, Vattavally-വട്ടവള്ളി

English: Velvet-leaf, Abuta

Sanskrit: Ambasthaki, Ekashthila, Tiktapushpa, Atisaranashani, Ambashtaki, Shreyasi.

Hindi: Leghu patha

Plant description

It is an annual climber vine, spreading over trees, fences, etc., commonly found in tropical forest areas, plane lands, Western Ghats area, etc., the leaves are dark green, hairy, ovate or heart-shaped, about 4 to 10 cm in diameter. Flowers are small, dioecious (both female and male in a plant), light green in color, found in clusters in the leaf axis. The fruits are berries, many, small and round, born in clusters, green in color turns to red when ripe.

Medicinal uses:

To treat rheumatic disorders, coughing and cold, to increase breast milk, urinary disorders, to treat cobra bite, anti-malarial. It is an important herb in feminine diseases like uterine hemorrhages, miscarriage, urogenital disorders etc.
Learn more:
http://www.medicinalplantsindia.com/abuta.html

Adamant creeperAdamant creeper- ചങ്ങലംപരണ്ട

The scientific name: Cissus Quadrangualaris Linn. / Vitis quadrangularis

English: Bonesetter, Devil's Backbone, Veldt Grape.
Hindi: Hadjod, Hadjor, Asthisrumgala
Malayalam: Changalamparanda
Sanskrit: Vajravalli, Asthisrinkhala, Kulisa, Asthisamharaka.

Plant description:

It is an edible, stemmed plant, similar to cactus type herb grows up to 2 m in length with the help of tendrils, and square shaped branches with interns nodes, up to 10 cm long. Leaves are arranged alternately, heart-shaped, reniform, margin entire, and sometimes toothed, three-lobed and 5 cm. long, which appear at the nodes. Flowers are small and white or yellowish or greenish yellow, fruits or berries are globular and turn red when ripe.