Diplocyclos palmatus

Botanical name : Diplocyclos palmatus (Linn.) Jeffrey
Family : Cucurbitaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Lingini, Lingaphala, Sivapriya

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

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English :
Hindi : Sivalingi, Isvarlingi
Malayalam : Neyyunni, Sivalingakkaya, Neyyuruni, Iviralikova, Sivavalli

Distribution – Throughout India growing wild, as a spreading plant.

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A weak stemmed, branched tendril climber. Leaves simple, alternate, 5 lobed, hairy above, pale and smooth beneath; flowers yellow, small, unisexual, male in small fascicles and females solitary. Fruits globose, smooth berry, become bright red when ripe, contain 1-2 small seeds. Looking like sivalinga.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, pitta, inflammation, cough, flatulence, skin diseases and general debility.
Useful part : Whole plant.