Wild Kulthi or Bankulthia is known by many names. Some of the common folk names are Banurkali, Thitkalai, Bana Kultha, Banherwa, Jangli Tur, Buru Kolthi and Van kultha. It is a slender climber plant, found throughout India up to an altitude of 1800 meters. The plant is also found in Bangladesh, Malaysia, China, Mauritius and Madagascar. The flowering and fruiting of the plant occurs in July to January. It belongs to family Fabaceae.
Overview
For the medicinal purpose various parts of the plant such as leaves, roots, and fruits are used. Kulthi plant has the ability to cure diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, and fever.
Scientific name: Atylosia scarabaeoides (L.)Benth.;Synonym: Cajanus scarabaeoides;Dolichos scarabaeoides;
Family: Papilionaceae;Fabaceae
Plant constituents
hentriacontane, ?-sitosteryl glucoside, D-(+)-pinitol, vitexin and atyloside
Traditional uses of Wild Kulthi
Bankulthia is a medicinal plant. In traditional medicine many parts of the plant are used for the treatment of diseases. It is a tested folk medicine for time immemorial. In Orissa and Chota Nagpur, the plant decoction is given after delivery for many days. This works as tonic and detoxifies the body.
In the case of swelling in legs, leaves paste is applied topically. The Kulthi Dal is also eaten for reducing pain.The paste of roots or whole plant mixed with coconut oil, is applied on scalp to cure hair fall.