Hemidesmus indicus
(L.) W.T.Aiton
Apocynaceae
Common Name: Indian Sarsaparilla
Forming a dense cover as the stems scramble over the ground
Photograph by: Biswarup Ganguly
General Information
Hemidesmus indicus is a slender, shrubby plant producing creeping or twining shoots from a woody rootstock[
304- Title
- Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kapoor. L. D.
- Publisher
- CRC Press, Florida.
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-8493-2929-9
- Description
- A very detailed book on some of the key Ayurvedic herbs, giving both technical and non-technical information on each plant. The whole is very well referenced.
].
The plant is widely exploited from the wild for its root, which is used medicinally. Plant populations in some areas have dropped dramatically and the plant is now being experimentally cultivated in India[
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
287- Title
- Flora of Pakistan
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.efloras.org
- Publisher
-
- Year
-
- ISBN
-
- Description
- As of 2006, there is not much information on habitats available, but it is being developed and promises to be an excellent resource.
Range
E. Asia - Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka
Habitat
Lowland forest[
334- Title
- Flora of Peninsula Malaysia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.tfbc.frim.gov.my
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- In the process of being assembled (15/07/09), it is currently a series of check sheets giving species name, brief description, habitat and high quality photos of the plants.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Climber |
| Height | 0.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Cultivated, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
A syrup extracted from the root is utilized as a flavouring agent[
]. It is sometimes used as a substitute for true sarsaparilla (Smilax spp.)[
301- Title
- Cornucopia II
- Publication
-
- Author
- Facciola. S.
- Publisher
- Kampong Publications, California.
- Year
- 1998
- ISBN
- 0-9628087-2-5
- Description
- The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].
Medicinal
Mainly the roots, but also the leaves and the latex, are commonly used in Indian herbal medicine[
]. The dried roots serve as a good substitute for the drug sarsaparilla, which is obtained from Smilax species[
304- Title
- Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kapoor. L. D.
- Publisher
- CRC Press, Florida.
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-8493-2929-9
- Description
- A very detailed book on some of the key Ayurvedic herbs, giving both technical and non-technical information on each plant. The whole is very well referenced.
,
].
Analysis has revealed the presence of a range of medically active substances in the root including; an essential oil; coumarin; sterols; fatty acids; saponins; a very slight amount of a glycoside; resins and tannin[
304- Title
- Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kapoor. L. D.
- Publisher
- CRC Press, Florida.
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-8493-2929-9
- Description
- A very detailed book on some of the key Ayurvedic herbs, giving both technical and non-technical information on each plant. The whole is very well referenced.
].
The flavonoids rutin and hyperoside have been reported in the flowers and leaves[
304- Title
- Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kapoor. L. D.
- Publisher
- CRC Press, Florida.
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-8493-2929-9
- Description
- A very detailed book on some of the key Ayurvedic herbs, giving both technical and non-technical information on each plant. The whole is very well referenced.
].
The root is a valuable alterative, blood purifier, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic and tonic[
304- Title
- Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kapoor. L. D.
- Publisher
- CRC Press, Florida.
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-8493-2929-9
- Description
- A very detailed book on some of the key Ayurvedic herbs, giving both technical and non-technical information on each plant. The whole is very well referenced.
]. It is used in the treatment of appetite loss, dyspepsia, fever, skin diseases, syphilis, leucorrhoea, genitourinary diseases and chronic coughs[
304- Title
- Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kapoor. L. D.
- Publisher
- CRC Press, Florida.
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-8493-2929-9
- Description
- A very detailed book on some of the key Ayurvedic herbs, giving both technical and non-technical information on each plant. The whole is very well referenced.
].
A paste of the roots is applied externally to swellings and rheumatic joints[
304- Title
- Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kapoor. L. D.
- Publisher
- CRC Press, Florida.
- Year
- 2001
- ISBN
- 0-8493-2929-9
- Description
- A very detailed book on some of the key Ayurvedic herbs, giving both technical and non-technical information on each plant. The whole is very well referenced.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
