Aristolochiaceae

 

Aristolochiaceae: The small plant with white flowers and heart-shaped leaves grows along with the ground. It bears fruits with seeds inside. Its stems are slightly rough, and during the flowering season, it branches without breaking. However, it only grows its leaves and avoids branching out. Some mistake the medicinal herb for Aristolochia with Aristolochia indica. There are some distinctions between the two. Its leaves are mixed with the scent of camphor and are smooth with a shiny surface. Some have a greenish-black hue. It has a pungent and bitter taste, indicating its toxic nature. Its flowers also share the same color. It grows in marshy lands across all districts in Tamil Nadu. It is utilized for treating various illnesses, including digestive disorders, menstrual cramps, and increasing appetite. Other Names: Goat's Twist Vine, Kadhiruyam, Puzhukkoli, Pangam, Pangam Palai, Vatthupa. English Name: Aristolochia bracteata, Retz, Aristolochiaceae. Medicinal Properties: The leaves of the Goat's Twist Vine are dried in the shade, ground into powder, and mixed with two measures of water. It's beneficial for snake venom, scorpion venom, skin diseases, ringworm, elephantiasis, and other similar conditions. Boiling the Goat's Twist Vine leaves twice in 5 grams of water and drinking it for three days can cure all types of snake bites (Do not sleep at all after drinking the potion without adding salt in a new vessel, for a day). Consuming the boiled Goat's Twist Vine leaves with 5 grams of water twice a day for three days can relieve joint pain, jaundice, and intestinal worms. Mixing the Goat's Twist Vine leaves with 5 grams of sesame oil and applying it externally can alleviate abdominal pain, diarrhea, and intestinal worms. Chewing the Goat's Twist Vine leaves and identifying the type of snake that bit by observing the taste in the mouth can be helpful. Sweet taste - Good snake, Bitter taste - Common Cobra, Head numbness - Russell's Viper, Unconsciousness - King Cobra, Numbness in the mouth - Saw-scaled Viper, Eye irritation - Common Krait, Ear ringing - Banded Krait, Paralysis - Green Pit Viper, Yellow color after bites - Either the Russell's Viper or the King Cobra, Cool taste - Bamboo Pit Viper. Making a paste of the Goat's Twist Vine leaves and applying it to the snakebite area can relieve respiratory problems. Taking 100 grams of Goat's Twist Vine leaves, 10 grams of pepper, grinding them into a powder, and boiling the mixture in a liter of water can provide relief from asthma within a month. Boiling 200 milliliters of Goat's Twist Vine juice with 400 milliliters of sesame oil and applying it on the head twice a week for two weeks can alleviate headaches. Mixing the Goat's Twist Vine stem, vasambu stem, white turmeric, and marukkarai stem in equal quantities, tying them around the neck like a necklace, and wearing them continuously for three days can cure throat infections.