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| Latin Names |
English Names |
Sanskrit Name |
Hindi Name |
Argyreia nervosa
(Burm.f.) Bojer. (Convolvulaceae)
/
A. speciosa Sweet.
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Elephant Creeper,
Woolly Morning Glory |
Vriddadaru |
Vidhara |
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| History |
The root of
this large climber is used as a substitute for the drug described
under the name of 'Vriddhadaraka'. In Ayurveda, the root is
regarded as alterative, tonic and useful in rheumatic affections
and diseases of the nervous system.
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| Habitat |
Throughout
India, up to an altitude of 300 meters high.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
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It is a very large woody climber. The stem is stout, white and
tomentose. The leaves are large, ovate-cordate, glabrous above,
persistently white tomentose beneath, base cordate and petiole is
long. The flowers are in sub-capitate cymes. The Calyx, white tomentose
outside. The Corolla is long, tubular - infundibuliform, silky pubescent
outside and glabrous inner. The fruits are globose and apiculate.
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| Principal
Constituents |
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It contains many ergoline alkaloids.
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| Pharmacology |
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'Speman', consisting of several ingredients of plant material including
this species, is reported to exhibit anabolic-cum-androgen-like
activity in mice. It posseses significant spasmolytic and hypotensive
activities. It is a local stimulant and rubifacient1.
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| Clinical
studies |
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A preparation made from this plant along with several other ingredients
is used for curing sexual disorders in males1.
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| Toxicology |
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A few of the ergoline alkaloids reported in this plant are hallucinogenic.
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| Indications |
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The root is bitter, aphrodisiac, diuretic and used in gonorrhoea,
rheumatism and diseases of the nervous system. It is also used as
a tonic.
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| Product
Range |
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Confido (Speman forte), Geriforte (GeriCare / StressCare), Speman
(ProstaCare), Tentex forte (VigorCare for Men), Geriforte Aqua,Geriforte Vet, Speman
forte Vet, Speman Vet, Tentex forte Vet.
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| References |
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- Anonymous, 1998, CD-ROM, CSIR, New Delhi.
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