Cissampelos pareira L.

Sanjeet Kumar

Cissampelos pareira L.

Common name: “Paru”

Botanical name: Cissampelos pareira L.

Family: Menispermaceae

        

Distribution

It is distributed throughout Odisha and India, Brazil, Guyana, south America, Mexico, Guatemala, Argentina, Amazonia, Venzuela and Nicaragua.

Botany of Cissampelos pareira L.

It is a slender climber with perennial root-stock. Leaves ovate or orbicular, base rounded, truncate or cordate, apex obtuse or retuse. Male flowers green – yellow. Drupe orange or red, pubsescent with endocarp obovate in outline.

Medicinal properties

The roots are used in tropical countries to prevent a threatened miscarriage and to stop uterine hemorrhages after childbirth. The leaf decoction is more effective for different types of infections. Seeds are used in various types of diseases. Root with rum is used as aphrodisiac. A whole plant is used to stop bleeding, balance menstruation, inflammation, relieves pain and prevents ulcers.

Chemical compounds

The important chemical constituents are isoquinoline alkaloids, tetrandrine, Cissampeline, Cissamine and Cissampareine. Cissampeline is sold as a skeletal muscle relaxant drug in Ecuador. Tetrandrine have fever-reducing and pain-relieving properties.

Common Uses

·         It is known as “Plant for Women’s ailments”.

·         It is excellent natural remedy for menstrual difficulties.

·         It is used as female tonic which effective against menopausal libido loss.

·         It is used in heart problems ( Irregular heart beat)

·         It relaxes the Uterus and is contraindicated in pregnancy.