We neglect the resources of our own area and rely on others. As a result we are already forgetting about the invaluable resources of our area. And the next generation will know nothing. Because if we don't tell them how will they know?
Taking several leaves of the 'Dai Aanti' vine, didi put them in a bowl of water for a while. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
For example, I myself did not know about this 'Dai Aanti' plant until a few months ago. During a rock-climbing course earlier this year, our beloved Sujata Didi told about this plant and made green curd. Let me tell you about green curd in a little detail - taking several leaves of the 'Dai Aanti' vine, didi put them in a bowl of water for a while. After ten minutes didi brought the pot and showed it to us and we were surprised. I saw that the mixture of leaves and water had congealed and looked like green curd or jelly. Sujatadi's village house is in Balihati village very close to Medinipur city. Didi said that in her childhood there was a tradition of making this curd in her village. Everyone used to eat this mixture (sugar was given) to cool the stomach. Also, the net that is tied around the cow's mouth was made from this vine earlier.
The mixture of leaves and water had congealed and looked like green curd or jelly. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
After searching in Medinipur, I found that this tree is still in abundance in different parts of the district. So far everything was fine, but when I got to the details about the plant, my head started spinning. I could not even imagine the value of this tree. Especially when I saw the seedlings of this neglected vine from our district being sold on amazon for 1399 rupees (892 rupees after discount). 11 This vine is used in many types of treatment for our body. Many products are available online that are made from this vine. This vine can be eaten as a vegetable. All these plants were once used by our ancestors to stay healthy. And now we get sick less often and take medicine frequently, the side effects of which lead to various diseases in the future.
The mixture of leaves and water had congealed and looked like green curd or jelly. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
Please plant and use this vine in your home garden or terrace (tub).
Now let me tell you about the vine.
It is called by different names in different states of India -
• Bengali (Medinipur): দই আঁতি Doi Anti, দই পাতা Doi Pata
Garudi, Somavalli, Vikranta, Mechaka, Tarkshi, Sauparni, Vasani, Maha bala, Maha Moola (having long roots), Deerghakanda, Drudhalata, Deerghavalli (A tall climber, creeper), Vatsadani (Leaves are eaten by calves), Chilahinta (Plant has strong properties to alleviate vata and kapha dosa like a bear)
Patalagarudi is a slender climber with soft hairy leaves. This plant can be found in dry areas during and after the monsoon. This plant is belongs to Menispermaceae family. 1 It is a climber with tomentose branchlets; not very common. The juice of the ripe fruit yields a permanent bluish-purple ink and the roots as well as the leaves are used in native medicine and as a tonic. 7 Fruit is a dark purple berry, 4-8 mm long, 4-5 mm broad, endocarp annular or ribbed with a prominent dorsal crest, perforated. 8
Botanical Name - Cocculus hirsutus (linn) Diels.
Common name - Broom Creeper, ink berry
Popular Names – Patalagarudi, Vasanvel, Jaljamini
Family - Menispermaceae
Habit - Climber
Mode of Propagation - Seeds, Cuttings.
Cultivation Details - Patalagarudi is available Throughout the year.
Morphology - Scandent shrub with softly villus branches
Flowering - December-March.
Leaves - ovate oblong, small petiole
Fruits - Drupe, Size of small pea
Formulations - Patalagarudyadi kwatha - Visa roga 6
Distribution - India, Pakistan, and tropical Africa.
Classical categorization - Raja Nighantu, Bh.P Ni - Guduchyadi Varga
Varieties - There are approximately 42 species and sub species referred under patalagarudi.
Interesting Facts of Plant
The leaves were dried, powdered and put in a pot, mixed with water and covered. It was opened after two hours. The alchemy of this plant is to bring it so tight that it has to be cut with a knife. Doi Anti (Cocculus hirsutus) is powerful, if you put its juice in water, the water will thicken like curd in a short time.
The mixture of leaves and water had congealed and looked like green curd or jelly. Photo: Arindam Bhowmik
Medicine for Covid 19
A report on September 23, 2020 says, the drug has been developed from the plant ' Cocculus hirsutus' through the joint efforts of the Central Government's Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Scientific and Industrial Development Council (CSIR) and Sun Pharmaceuticals. Due to its antiviral properties, the drug 'AQCH' made by Sunpharma. The first phase of AQCH tests (involving human safety and small animals) have been successfully passed, and the second phase of the drug has been underway on patients with Covid 19 since June.Analysis of Test results are expected in October. If the results of the second phase tests are promising, the drug may be readily available to Corona patients as a matter of urgency. Otherwise, a third phase of testing may begin to adequately for modification and testing drugs. 9
On Feb 24, 2022, Times of India reported that, a clinical trial at eight hospitals across four state has found that the purified aqueous extract of a tropical plant, named Cocculus hirsutus, has significant efficacy in the treatment of moderate Covid-19. Patients given tablets containing the extract cleared the virus quickly and spent shorter time in the hospital than thos who were not given the drug..... The plant-based drug - AQCH or aqueous extract of Cocculus hirsutus (the plant's scientific name) - has been developed by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries..... Dr Dnyaneshwar M Halnor, consulting rheumatologist who headed the trial at Vijay Vallabh Hospital, Mumbai, said nearly 30 participants were enrolled at the hospital. “The nearly 30 participants were enrolled at the hospital. “The plant-based drug was in tablet form and easy to give. Symptomatic recovery of patients who received this AQCH such as cessation of fever, myalgia, sore throat, etc, was better than those who had received standard Covid care alone,” he said.10
An Ecological Indicator: Doi Anti and Sahadeva Bhadli
Vasanvel acts as an ecological indicator of the water level in the soil. Any plant needs water to survive. This vel is green when there is no water anywhere in summer. Seeing this, many Panadis predict water borewells or wells near this plant. There is a lot of writing on this plant in the Sahadeva Bhadali text in the Puranas, but now that the groundwater level has dropped, these predictions are often proved to be false. While digging the well while researching the groundwater, the predictions of specific rocks and water came true.9
Used in treating intestinal worm infestations, Sun stroke, migraine, anorexia etc. It also possesses antimicrobial potential.
Food
Patalagarudi can be used in Food. Leaves are used in curry.3
Parts Used
Bark, Leaves, Heartwood, Seeds
Dosage
Juice extract - 10-20 ml 2
Medicinal Use
Vrushya - aphrodisiac, improves vigour
Santarpani – Nourishing
Ruchya - improves taste, relieves anorexia.
Daha - burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes etc
Asradosha - Blood impurity, blood vitiation disorders such as skin diseases, bleeding disorders etc
Vishadosha - Poisoning, toxic conditions
It is a good diuretic and soothes urinary tract.
In poisonous bites, it is applied externally to relieve burning sensation and toxicity.
It is used in treating premature ejaculation.
Used in treating urinary tract infections, skin disorders and fever.
It is used in treating sun stroke, excess body heat. For this, its root juice extract - 20 ml is administered along with half a teaspoon of sugar.
Its root decoction (Moola Kashaya) is administered along with Pippali (long pepper) in treating Amavata - rheumatoid arthritis.
When put to water, it absorbs water and swells to form gel like semi-solid.
It is used in treating high blood pressure, gout, headache, neuralgia.
It heals fractures quickly. 2
Infertility and Cocculus hirsutus
Goats, goats and sheep consume this plant more offensively and produce many offspring. Friends, if Doi Anti (Cocculus hirsutus) ark is consumed regularly with granulated sugar and black pepper, sperm cells or sperm counts will increase rapidly and the treated successfully Impotents because of its spermatogenic activities. It is useful in leukorhea in women. 9
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna Vljnana, Vol. II, by Dr JUN Shastry) 2
The stem contains cyclopeptide alkaloids. The plant contains coclaurine, magnoflorine, beta-sitosterol, ginnol and a monomethyl ether of inositol.4
Identification
Leaf
Kind - Simple, Shape - Alternate, Feature - 4-8 (-9) cm long, (2.5-6)-7 cm broad, ovate or ovate-oblong, sometimes 3-5-lobed, base subcordate, cordate, cuneate or truncate, apex obtuse or mucronate, densely tomentose when young, later subglabrous; basal nerves 3-5; petiole 0.5-2.5 cm long. 72
Flower
Type: Unisexual, Size - Axillary, Color and composition - Greenish yellow.
Male flowers: Sepals hairy, the outer 3, oblong-lanceolate, 1.5-2 mm long, 0.5-0.8 mm broad, the inner 3 broadly ovate, 1.5-2.5 mm long, 1.7-2 mm broad; petals ovate-oblong, 0.5-1.5 mm long, 0.3-6 mm broad; sparsely pubescent to glabrous; stamens 0.7-1 mm long.72
Female flowers: 1-3, on axillary pedicels, rarely racemed; bracts minute, linear; carpels 0.7-1 mm long. 72
This plant is abundant in our district, so I was very surprised to see the plant being sold online. I was also surprised by the price, one seedling costs 1399 rupees. Price after discount is Rs.892. 11
3. "Forest food for Northern region of Western Ghats" by Dr. Mandar N. Datar and Dr. Anuradha S. Upadhye, Page No.58, Published by Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science (MACS) Agharkar Research Institute, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Road, Pune
4. Indian Medicinal Plants, An Illustrated Dictionary - C. P. Khare
6. Ayurvedic compound formulations are mainly divided into two groups viz. (1) Kasthausadhi (predominantly plant drugs) and (2). Rasausadhi (predominantly metals and minerals). There are several categories of Kasthausadhi formulations such as Asavaristra, Avleha, Grafa Churena, Taila etc. http://www.dcmsme.gov.in/old/publications/pmryprof/chemical/ch4.pdf
