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Achariya pala |
| Synonyms: Mucuna pnzrita Hook. | |
| Vernacular Name: Sinhala: Achariya pala; Eng. Common cowitch, Cowhage. | |
| Description: A slender climbing annual with hairy branches; leaves trifoliate, leaflets broadily ovate, elliptic or rhomboid ovate, membranous, unequal at base, pubescent above and densely clothed with silvery grey hairs beneath; flowers purple, in axillaly pendulous, 6-30 flowered racemes; fruits turgid pods, longitudinally ribbed, curved, densely clothed with persistent pale brown or grey irritant bristles, seeds black, 4-6 per pod, ovoid. | |
| Propagation: By seeds and vegetative method. | |
| Parts Used: Roots, leaves, seeds, hairs. | |
| Chemical Consistuents: Moisture, protein ether extr fibre and mineral matter, calcium, phosphorus, and iron sulphur and manganese are present. The seeds contain dihydroxyphenylalanine or dopa glutathione, lecithin, galic acid and a glucoside’ are present. They contain also a number of alkaloids including nicoting, prurieninine, pruienidine, and five other base designeated base. | |
| Uses: The roots are bitter, sweet thermogenic emollient, stimulant, purgative, aphrodisiac, diuretic, emmenagogue, anthelmintic, febrifuge, diuretic and tonic. They are useful in vitiated conditions of vata and pitta, constipation, nephroathy, strangury, dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, elephantiasis, dropsy, neuropathy, consumption, ulcers, helminthiasis, fever and delirium. The leaves are aphrodisiac, anthelmintic and tonic, and are useful in ulcers, inflammation, helminthiasis, cephalalgia and general debility. The seeds are astringent, laxative, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, alexipharmic and tonic. They are useful in gonorrhoea, consumption, sterility, vitiated conditions of vata and general debility. The hairs and flowers are vermifuge. | |
