Common Name: Memory Improver

General Information

Memory improver is a scandent shrub or climbing plant producing stems up to 20 metres long[]. These stems can scramble over the ground, or climb into the surrounding vegetation.
The plant is much used in Ayurvedic medicine and is also harvested by local people for its range of edible uses[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Malaysia, Indo-China and Indonesia.

Habitat

Forest or at forest borders at elevations from sea level to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Edible Uses

Young leaves and shoots - raw[]. Often used as a side-dish with rice, when the leaves are usually mixed with other greens[]. An acid flavour, the leaves can be used as a substitute for tamarind in soups and vegetable dishes[].

Fruit - raw[]. A sour-sweet flavour, they are eaten as a delicacy, mostly by children[, ].

The dried fruit is used as an adulterant of black pepper[, ].

A sweet, refreshing drink can be prepared from the leaves and the fruits[].

The young stems are chewed as a delicacy[].

Medicinal

The dried berries (seeds) are alterative, anthelmintic, carminative and stimulant[]. An aqueous extract of the berries has shown antifertility activity[]. The powdered berries are widely used to kill tapeworms - castor oil is taken later in order to expel the dead worm[, ]. A paste of the berries is used to treat skin problems such as ringworm[]. The paste, mixed with oil, has been used as a poultice to treat headaches[].

The pulp is purgative[].

The fresh juice is cooling, diuretic and laxative[].

The leaves, combined with ginger, have been used as a mouth wash to treat ulcers and sore throats[].

A paste of the bark is applied to the chest to treat lung diseases such as pneumonia[].

An infusion of the roots is given to treat coughs and diarrhoea[].

A major component of the ayurvedic medicine Amrit kalash[].

Other Uses

The crushed fresh bark is used to repel leeches[].

Propagation

Seed -

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