Cyclea peltata

Botanical name : Cyclea peltata (Lam.)Hook.f.&Thoms.
Family : Menispermaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Padha, Ambashtaki, Varatikta, Padhika

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta
Guna : Lakhu, Snigda
Virya : Ushna

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Pata root
Hindi : Path, Pathi
Malayalam : Padakkizangu, Patavally

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A slender twinning shrub with slender stems and branches. Leaves are simple alternate, petioles are long lamina peltate glabrous above and pale below. Flowers are small, greenish in axillary panicles. Fruits are ovoid drupes, endocarp horse shoe shaped and seeds are curved. Tuberous roots are cylindrical, irregularly curved, with grayish brown surfaces and white starchy cortex.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, cough, bronchitis, dyspepsia, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, painful swelling, skin diseases, fever, hemorrhoids, and cardiac disease. Leaves are cooling and ophthalmic and are used in dandruff, burning sensation of the eye and in fever. It is used to apply on head instead of shampoo.
Useful part : Leaves, Root