Common Name:

General Information

Decalepis hamiltonii is a deciduous, climbing shrub with long, aromatic, deeply-penetrating tuberous roots. The woody stems can be up to 5cm in diameter[].
An important plant in the Ayurvedic system of medicine in India, where it is harvested from the wild in large quantities both for local use and for trade. The tuberous roots are traded in both local and national markets, being used to make pickles, health-promoting drinks and for use in a range of herbal formulations[, ].
Decalepis hamiltonii is harvested in large quantities from the wild for medicinal use and for food. This has put tremendous pressure on the species and its wild population is inferred to have declined by more than 50% in last three generations (66 years). Land degradation and land conversion for settlement are also major threats to this species. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2015)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern India

Habitat

Dry and moist, deciduous forests, often growing on rocky habitats, sometimes in the crevices of big stones; at elevations from 300 - 1,200 metres[[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Endangered
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a loamy soil, free of rocky material, for best root production[].
The aromatic roots have a strong vanillin like odour[].
People are collecting Decalepis hamiltonii as a substitute of Hemidesmus indicus which is advantageous in the sense that the roots are comparatively stouter, thicker and yields sometimes even 40-45 kg per plant[].

Edible Uses

The underground parts of the plant are used in pickle making[]. The rhizome is largely used for pickling along with curd or lime juice and it tastes like a ginger pickle[]. The roots are characterized by sarsaparilla like taste accomplished by a tingling sensation on the tongue. They are also used as flavoring agents and used as a substrate for vanillin obtained from an orchid (Vanilla planifolia) and used in preparation of ice-creams, chucklers and in other foods and soft drinks[].

The tuberous roots are used as a cooling agent and blood purifier, and hence used to prepare refreshing drinks[]. The dried roots are used in preparing a popular cool drink, locally known as nannari, which has a cooling effect in the summer without any toxic side effects[].
The fresh roots are first washed under running tap water and dried under open sunlight. Then these roots are cut into small pieces and further dried in sunlight for about 3 days and then powdered and stored. During the preparation, the required quantity of powder (100 g/L) is added to water and allowed to stand for about 12 hours and then boiled for 2 - 3 hours until the water turns a wine red colour. Then the liquid is filtered and to the filtrate sugar and water are added and again boiled to obtain a highly viscous concentrate. This liquid concentrate is then cooled to room temperature and again filtered and stored in bottles. It can be stored without spoil for about 5 months and is used to prepare health drinks[].

Medicinal

The roots of this plant have a long history of medicinal use both in Ayurveda and in folk medicine. They can be used both on their own or in a range of different formulations. Their use is said to stimulate the appetite, relieve flatulence, to act as a general tonic and revitaliser, and to purify the blood[, ]. The roots are also valued for their demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic and tonic properties. They are useful in the treatment of a range of conditions including loss of appetite, fever, bronchial asthma, chronic rheumatism, diarrhoea and in nutrition disorders. They are also used in the treatment of epilepsy and central nervous system disorders[, ]. The roots are also used for treating intrinsic haemorrhage, kushtha, erysipelas, poisoning, paediatric rejuvenative/rasayana and during pregnancy[].
The roots are sometimes used as a substitute for the roots of Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus) in Ayurvedic preparations because of their similar aromatic properties[].
People procure and habitually carry the roots with them and chew them whenever they have problems with their digestion[].
Applied externally, the roots are used in the form of a powder or an infusion to treat skin diseases, wounds etc[].

The root extract has been shown to contain significant antioxidant, antidiabatic, antiatheroscrerotic and hepatoprotective properties[].
Recently it has been reported that the roots possess diuretic properties[]
Anticonvulsant activity has been reported in this species[]

The roots of these taxa are considered as Sariva Bheda in Ayurvada and are used in the preparation of
several herbal drugs like Amrutamataka Taila, Drakshadi Churna, Shatavari Rasayana and Yeshtimadhu Taila

Other Uses

The dried, powdered roots have insecticidal properties[].
The rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae) is a pest of stored grain, attacking the seeds of several crops, including wheat, rice, and maize. In a trial, wheat grain was mixed with 5% and 10% air-dried root powder and infested with rice weevil. The treatments achieved 96% and 100% mortality respectively, and no progeny emerged from either treatment[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe. Presoaking the seeds for 24 hours in warm water improved germination levels. Germination rates are often low, but the seed germinates much better on moist filter paper than it does on moist sand. Germination starts within 2 weeks and continues for another week.[].
Stem cuttings[]

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