Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour.

Botanical name : Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour.
Family : Cucurbitaceae

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Kakanasa, Dhavamkshanasa

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

PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English :
Hindi : Indrayan, Mahakal
Malayalam : Kakkatondi

Distribution – Throughout India up to an altitude of 2500 meters

PLANT DESCRIPTION
A large climber with grayish green stem. Leaves palmately lobed dark green, with numerous glands beneath; flowers unisexual, male in axillary recemes, females in solitary recemes. Fruits globose, red when ripe with 10 orange streaks; seeds numerous and smooth.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, constipation, migraine, carbuncle, otitis, rhinitis, inflammations, asthma, epilepsy and skin diseases.
Useful part : Roots, Fruits