Aristolochia bracteolata

Botanical name : Aristolochia bracteolata Lam.
Family : Aristolochiaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Keetamari, Dhoomrapatra, Nakuli

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Rooksha, Teekshna
Virya : Ushna
Vipaka : Katu

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Birth wort, Worm killer
Hindi : Kitamari
Malayalam : Atukottappala, Atutinnappala

Distribution – Gujarat, South India, and in semi deciduous forests in Kerala.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A perennial weak stemmed herb grows up to 40-45 cm length. Leaves simple alternate, ovate or reniform, chordate at the base; flowers solitary with large sessile bracts at the base; fruits oblong or ellipsoid capsules. Seeds compressed with cordate base.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, vata, poison, intestinal worms, edema skin disease and indigestion. Plant decoction induces labor pain.
Useful part : Roots, Leaves.