The name Coscinium blumeanum has often been wrongly applied to this species in the past[].

Common Name: False Calumba

General Information

Coscinium fenestratum is a large climbing shrub, growing into the trees in the forest[].
The plant is a popular herbal remedy in India where it is harvested in large quantities from the wild for use as a dye and medicine. It is traded at both national and global level under the name ‘Mirmanjal’ [, ].
The combined effects of unregulated collection of Coscinium fenestratum, and the degradation of its forest habitat over the last 75 years (three generations) has resulted in a population decline of more than 80% in India and Sri Lanka. There is, however, a lack of information on the population size, trend and threats to this species in Cambodia, Viet Nam and west Malaysia. Therefore the plant is currently classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2015)[].

Known Hazards

The plant is used as an ingredient of arrow poisons in Malaya[].

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam.

Habitat

Lowland forest[]. Primary lowland forest; soils include granitic sand and sandstone[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Data Deficient
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

Coscinium fenestratum is a popular herbal treatment that is used in various systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, folk, Tibetan and Sidda[]. It has been known in Europe as 'False Calumba', being used as a substitute for the medicinal herb Calumba (Jateorhiza palmata)[].
The stem is antiinflammatory and antiseptic. It is used to treat lack of taste, bleeding piles, coughs, wounds, ulcers, skin diseases, abdominal disorders, jaundice, liver disorders, intrinsic haemorrhage, diabetes, snake bites, fever and general debility[].

The root is considered to be a bitter tonic and stomachic[]. It is used in the form of a powder and a decoction to treat conditions such as indigestion, flatulence, and diseases of liver, worms and fever[].
It is said that the effects of intoxication can be avoided if the roots are chewed and the juices swallowed before drinking alcohol[].

Both the stem and the roots are used in the treatment of diarrhoea, bacillary dysentery, enteritis, jaundice, pyrexia and dyspepsia[].
The plant has alleged antiseptic properties and is used to dress wounds and ulcers[].

Extracts from Coscinium fenestratum have been shown to possess potent antimicrobial activity[].
The leaves contain picrotoxin-like bitter substances and the alkaloids palmatine, berberine and jatrorrhizine[].
The stems and the roots contain around 1.5 - 3% of the the alkaloid berberine, which has been shown to have antibacterial properties[].

It has been known in Europe as False calumba, being a substitute for Calumba (Jateorhiza palmata)[].

Other Uses

A yellow dye resembling turmeric is obtained from the yellow wood[, ]. It is sometimes used in combination with turmeric (Curcuma longa)[].

The freshly cut stems can be made into a strong rope by twisting them[].

Propagation

Seed -

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