Common Name:

General Information

Rivea hypocrateriformis is an evergreen, climbing plant with twining stems that become woody with age. The plant can scramble over the ground or climb into the surrounding vegetation.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine - it is sold for both purposes in local markets. It is sometimes cultivated for its edible seeds according to one report[], but this seems unlikely - if it is cultivated it is more likely to be for its edible leaves[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Pakistan, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka

Habitat

Dry, subtropical and tropical forests[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows in the wild in moist, gravelly-loamy soils.

Edible Uses

Leaves and young shoots - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[, ]. The leaves are also boiled together with condiments and prepared into dishes such as bhaji[]. They can be boiled in water, then added to bajri (millet) or jowari flour which is then made into bread[]. The plant has high vitamin A content (nearly 2.34 retinal equivalents), retaining 75 - 98% of this even when cooked[, ].
The leaves are a good functional food. They contain a range of active compounds and possess mild antioxidant potential. The plant is good source of energy and micronutrients and can be used as nutritious leafy vegetable in daily life and specifically in conditions such as when suffering from conditions such as cough, skin disease, and asthma[]

The seeds are edible according to one report[], though I have some doubts about this and have been unable to find any corroborating material[].

Medicinal

One of the main uses of this plant in Ayurvedic medicine is as a contraceptive. When taken in the very early stages, it can prevent implantation of the foetus and is known to completely interrupt early pregnancy and influence the estrous cycle[]. The plant is also reported for its ethnomedicinal uses in treating cough, headache, skin disease, malaria etc, as well as treating exteranal conditions such as burns, piles and to relieve pain[, ]

The roots are given to a woman after parturition[].

An ethanolic extract of the leaf juice is used to treat rheumatic pain and hair scalp skin diseases[].
A methanol extraction of the root has shown good antimicrobial activity[]
.

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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