Vidhara Herb Medicinal Uses

Vidhara (Argyreia nervosa) is scientifically proven for treating wounds, cuts, Gangrene, internal bleeding due to any reason, chronic ulcer and rheumatism. This plant is also known as Elephant creeper. For the medicinal purpose the leaves, seeds and roots of the plant are used. The roots are aphrodisiac, nervine Tonic, diuretic and rejuvenator and indicated in diseases of the nervous system, sexual disorders, strangury and rheumatism.

To enhance the therapeutic property of Vidhara roots, they are given Bhavana of Satmuli juice (Ashtang Sangraha). For this purpose, the powdered roots are soaked seven times during seven days in the juice of the tubers of Asparagus racemosus (Satamuli). This is dried and ground to make powder. The powder is given in doses of a 4-10 gram with ghee for a month. This powder is alterative and nervine tonic and gives relief in diseases of the nervous system, joint pain and rheumatism. The intake of this powder improve the intellect, gives strength and have anti-aging effect.

The seeds lowers blood pressure and gives relief in spasm. But in excess cause hallucination. The leaves are applied topically on ringworm, eczema, boils, swellings due to rubefacient (dilates capillaries and an increase in blood circulation) property.

General Information

Scientific Classification

The botanical name of Vidhara is Argyreia nervosa. It belongs to plant family Convolvulaceae. Below is given taxonomical classification of the plant.

1. Kingdom: Plantae – Plants
2. Subkingdom: Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
3. Superdivision: Spermatophyta – Seed plants
4. Division: Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
5. Class: Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
6. Subclass: Asteridae
7. Order: Solanales
8. Family: Convolvulaceae – Morning-glory family
9. Genus: Argyreia Lour. – argyreia
10. Species: Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer – elephant creeper

Synonyms:

1. Argyreia speciosa (Burm. f.) Bojer
2. Convolvulus nervosus Burm. f.
3. Convolvulus speciosus L. f.
4. Rivea nervosa (Burm. f.) Hallier f.

Group: Dicot

Part(s) used for medicinal purpose: Leaves, root, seeds

Distribution: Found all over India, ascending to 300 m.

Growth Habit: herb, Climber

Vernacular Names

1. Latin name: Argyreia nervosa, Argyreia speciosa
2. Ayurvedic: Vriddhadaruka, Vriddhadaru, Vriddhadaraka, Bastantri, Sthavira, Sthaviradaru, Atarunadaru, Samudrashosha
3. Unani: Samunder sokh
4. Siddha: Ambgar, Samuddirapacchai
5. Folk: Bidhara
6. Sanskrit: Vridhadaru, Antaha Kotarapushpi, Chagalantri
7. Bengali: Bijataadaka, Bridhadarak
8. English: Elephant Creeper
9. Gujrati: Samudara Sosha, Varadhaaro, Shamadrasosh
10. Hindi: Samandar-kaa-paat, Samundarsosh, Ghaavapattaa, Vidhaaraa
11. Kannada: Samudrapala, Samudraballi
12. Malayalam: Samudra Pacchha, Samudra-Pala, Marikkunn Marututari
13. Marathi: Samudrashok
14. Tamil: Samudrappachai
15. Telugu: Samudrapaala
16. Urdu: Samandarotha

Constituents of Vidhara (Argyreia speciosa)

The seeds contain hallucinogenic ergoline (ergine and isoergine) alkaloids. When taken in excess they can cause hangover, with blurred vision, constipation, inertia, nausea, and vertigo. Leaves contain sitosterol.

Ayurvedic Properties and Action of Vidhara Roots

The roots of the plant are considered tonic and alterative in Ayurveda. They are hot in potency. They are given to treat rheumatic affections and diseases of the nervous system.

1. Rasa (taste on the tongue): Kashaya (Astringent), Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
2. Guna (Pharmacological Action): Laghu (Light), Sara (unsatable)
3. Virya: Ushna (Heating)
4. Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Katu (Pungent)

Karma: Balya, Adhobhagahara, Agnikara, Asthisandhana Kari, Ayurvridhikara, Kantikara, Kanthya, Kaphavatahara, Medhya, Rasayana, Rucya, Svarya, Vrishya, Vishaghna

Therapeutic uses of Roots: shula, shopha, Apasmara, Arsha, Aruci, Amavata, Anaha, Graharbadha, Gulma, Hridruja, Kasa, Krimi, Mutrakrcha, Meha, Pandu, Raktapitta, Udavarta, Udara, Unmada, Vatarakta, Visuci, Vataruja, Vatarsha, Svayathu, Kshaya, Pratitum, shlipada

The Dosage of root powder for medicinal purpose: 3-5 grams.

Medicinal Uses of Vidhara

Vidhara is a medicinal plant with Tonic, rejuvenative, anti-aging, spermatogenic, and aphrodisiac properties. The medicated ghee prepared by boiling roots of Vidhara in Desi Ghee has excellent aphrodisiac properties and improves fertility. The root powder with sour gruel is prescribed for filaria (Shleepad).

The leaves of the plant prevent or relieve inflammation. The application of under surface of leaves helps in quicker healing of boils. The leaves has antibacterial, antifungal properties and applied on daad, fungal infections and wounds.

Cut, Wounds And Swelling:

• Take few leaves ,warm them and tie at affected area with help of cloth.

Gangrene:

• Vidhara is very effective in Gangrene. To treat it wash the Gangrene affected area with juice of vidhara leaves.
• Soak cotton in leaves juice and place on wounds.
• Take warm leaves, cow ghee in small amount and with help of cloth tie at affected area for 10-12 hrs. After that change and again do the same.
• Do it for a few days.

Bed Sore:

• Take leaves, grind to extract juice and apply at affected areas.

Ulcer, colitis, Internal bleeding and bleeding due to any reason:

• Take 2-3 leaves of vidhara. Clean properly and grind to extract juice.
• Mix this in lukewarm cup of water.
• Add misri or sugar candy if not diabetic and drink regularly.

Dog bite

Take 5 gm root powder with old Gur / jaggery twice a day for one week.

Tumor

The upper surface of leaves is warmed, simmered with butter and tied locally on tumor. The tumor (cyst) will burst and healing will start. If leaves are tied from its lower surface than tumor will be suppressed inside the body.