DAMABEL (TYLOPHORA INDICA) – Ishan Ayurvedic Medical College and Research Centre

Scientific name – Tylophora Indica

Family – Asclepiadaceae

Damabel is a small evergreen, climbing shrub. It is found in dry forest of sub-Himalayan tracts of North and East Bengal, Assam, Orissa, Konkan, Deccan, and plains of Tamil Nadu. Its botanical name is from the ancient Greek word tylos = knot and phoros = bearing.

It is called Indian Ipecacuanha, as the roots are used as an effective substitute for Ipecac, which was used to cause vomiting after suspected poisoning. The dried leaves of the plant are used as emetic, and expectorant and indicated in over-loaded states of the stomach and other cases requiring the use of emetics.

Description

Damabel leaves are expectorant and used to treat respiratory infections, bronchitis and whooping cough. A clinical trial done on asthmatic patients has found that Tylophora indica fresh leaves chewed and swallowed daily with water in the early morning, empty stomach for a week gives moderate or complete relief of asthma symptoms. Its root or leaf powder is used in diarrhea, dysentery and intermittent malarial fever. Antamul has also analgesic property due to which it gives relief in earache, cystitis and lumbago.

Properties –
Damabel is bitter in taste (Rasa), sweet after digestion (Vipaka), and is a cooling in effect (Virya).
It is a Sheet Virya herbs. Sheet Virya or Cool potency herb, subdues Pitta (Bile) Vata (Wind) and increases Kapha (Mucus). Sheet Virya herb gives nourishment to the body and steadiness.
• Rasa (taste on the tongue): Tikta (Bitter)
• Guna (Pharmacological Action): Ruksha (Dry), Laghu (Light)
• Virya (Action): Sita (Cooling)
• Vipaka (transformed state after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
• Shvas: Good for breathing.
• Anulomna: Supports downward motion of Vata / air.
• Rakt shodhak: Removes toxins from blood.

Chemical composition –
The biochemical constituents of Acalypha indica are
• Tannins, Flavonoids, Cyanogenic glucoside acalyphin, Acalyphamide, Aurantiamide, Succinimide and The pyranoquinolinone alkaloid flindersin.

Benefits –
Tylophora indica is rich in medicinal properties. The understanding of these properties will help us to better utilize this herb. These also indicate the conditions in which we should avoid it. For example, it is emetic and causes nausea and vomiting.

Below is given medicinal properties along with the meaning.

Treatment of Heartburn –
Heartburn and acid reflux happens when a muscle above your stomach relaxes too much and allows stomach contents and acid to come back up into your esophagus and mouth.
Treatment of Gastroesophageal reflux disease (Acid reflux) –
GERD is a chronic (long-term) condition that is like having heartburn consistently rather than just occasionally. It happens because a muscle above your stomach relaxes too much and allows stomach contents to come back up into your esophagus and mouth.
Treatment of Peptic ulcer disease –
Arkapani 40mg Tablet belongs to a group of medicines called proton pump inhibitors. It reduces the amount of acid your stomach makes which prevents further damage to the ulcer as it heals naturally. You may be given other medicines along with this medicine depending on what caused the ulcer.
Treatment of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is a rare disorder where excessive stomach acid production leads to multiple peptic ulcers. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, and heartburn.

<< return to all plants