Patalgaruni, Broom Creeper, Jal jamani are few common names of medicinal herb Cocculus hirsutus. This medicinal plant is used from time immemorial for treatment of various diseases across India, Africa and China. In various parts of India, tribal and rural population still use this herb for treatment of gynaecological problems, weakness and bleeding disorders. In Rajasthan cooked leaves are eaten to treat night blindness. For spermatogenesis, the leaves are soaked in water to prepare jelly which is eaten. In Kenya, the infusion of leaves is given to treat stomach ache. In Tanzania, the leaves decoction is indicated in female infertility.
Cocculus hirsutus is perennial, twinning shrub that belongs to family Menispermaceae, the plant family to which some very important medicinal plant such as Kakamari/ Kakkaikkollividai, Giloy/Guduchi, Pitasara/ Manjalkodi etc. belong. In India, this plant is found throughout tropical and sub-tropical parts. For medicinal purpose whole plant is used. The plant root causes sweat, loosen stools and increase bowel movements and restores normal health. The leaves juice is given to treat leucorrhoea, gonorrhoea, tiredness, fever and diseases that are caused due to excess heat inside body.
Taxonomic Classification
KINGDOM:Plantae
SUBKINGDOM:Tracheobionata
DIVISION:Magnoliophyta
SUBDIVISION:Spermatophyta
CLASS:Magnoliopsida
SUBCLASS:Magnolidae
ORDER:Ranunculales
FAMILY:Menispermaceae
GENUS:Cocculus
SPECIES:Cocculus hirsutus
Vernacular names
SANSKRIT:Patalgarudi, Dirghakanda, Dirghavalli, Dridhakanda, Garudi, Mahamula, Sauparni, Somavalli, Tiktanga, Vasandi, Vatsadani ENGLISH:Broom-Creeper, Ink-Berry, Monkey rope BENGALI:Huyer GUJARATI:Vevati HINDI:Jal-jamani, Jamti ki bel KANNADA:Soggadivalli, Dusari balli MARATHI:Vasan Vel ANDHRA Pradesh/Telugu:Dusara teega TAMIL:Kattukkodi GARHWAL:Pahari SIDDHA:Kattu kodi MARATHI:Parvel, Tana, Vasanvel Sind:Kursan, Zamir Urdu:Farid buti
Plant description
Perennial climber, reaches 2 to 3 m above ground;leaves 3 to 5 veined from the base, variable in shape;older leaves often distinctly 3 to 5 lobed, younger leaves oblong ovate;leaves have yellowish velvety hairs;Flowers unisexual in axillary clusters, sepals densely hairy;fruit ellipsoid, fleshy and purple blue on ripening.
Part used:Root, stem and leaf juice
Distribution:Throughout India in dry areas;also found in other countries of Indian subcontinent, Thailand, Myanmar, Southern China, Sudan, Ethiopia, Swaziland
Plant type:Climbing shrub
Medicinal uses
For medicinal purpose mainly the aqueous extract of leaves is used. The leaves contain high amount of mucilage consisting of polysaccharides and a gelatinous type of material which is not absorbed in the gastro intestinal tract and passes through the system undigested. When the leaves are soaked in water in fresh or dry form, they coagulates water to form jelly which has cooling effect on body. Due to this property, aqueous extract of leaves is indicated in treatment of diseases which are caused to excess body heat such as bleeding from nose, bleeding from uterus, leucorrhoea etc.
In Ayurveda, the plant is considered Tridoshashamak. The oral intake of plant kindles digestive fire, improves digestion and evacuation of bowels.
The plant roots have bitter and acrid taste. These have laxative, thermo genic, digestive, carminative (prevent and expel gas), aphrodisiac, expectorant tonic and fever reducing properties. The roots are indicated in deranged vata and kapha/mucous, skin diseases, indigestion, gas, colic, gout, spermatorrhoea, high blood pressure, weakness etc. The leaves are mucilaginous due to which water is required for their juice extraction. They have cooling effect on body and are useful in female disorders, general weakness, skin diseases etc.
Below is given few medicinal uses of medicinal plant Jal jamni/ Patalgarudi/Broom Creeper.
Tiredness, weakness
Eating raw fresh leaves gives relief in tiredness.
Leucorrhoea (Shwet Pradar), Menorrhagia and Metrorrhagia (Known as Rakta Pradara in Ayurveda), Urinary infections due to excess body heat
Leucorrhoea is gynaecological condition characterised by whitish or yellowish discharge of mucus from the vagina. Menorrhagia (meno:of menstruation + -rrhagia:excessive flow) is the term used for abnormally long and heavy flow of blood in monthly periods and Metrorrhagia (metro:womb + -rrhagia:excessive flow) is uterine bleeding at irregular intervals.
For treatment of these diseases take clean fresh leaves (5-10 gram) and ground them adding some water to extract juice. In this juice add Misri/sugar candy and black pepper powder. Add water to make it one cup and take two times a day. Take regularly for few days.
Treating Weakness, Using as a tonic
Take leaves (5-10 gram) and ground them to extract juice. Add some water and drink regularly for two weeks.
Increasing body weight gain, Improving body strength
Drinking leaves juice with water encourages weight gain and strength.
Burning urination, Shorter duration of menstruation, Irregularity of periods
Drinking juice of leaves is helpful in curing these diseases.
Spermatorrhoea
Prepare powder of dried leaves and branches. Take this powder in dose of 3 grams with misri.
Epistaxis or bleeding from nose (Nakseer)
Prepare powder of leaves and take in dose of 1-2 grams two times a day.
Eczema, Skin itching
The leaf juice is applied externally on affected body part.
Chronic wound, all types of wounds and boils
Apply fresh aqueous extract of leaves for quick healing.