Argyreia
Elephant Creeper, Woolly Morning Glory, Small Wood Rose
Vridhadara (Ayurveda)
Samandarkapat (Hindi)
Samudrapatra (Sanskrit)
Samandar Sokh (Unani)
Ambgar (Siddha)
Botanical name:
Argyreia speciosa (syn. A. nervosa, Convolvulus speciosus, Ipomoea speciosa, Lettsomia nervosa, Rivea nervosa)
Parts used:
Leaf, root, seed
Temperature & Taste:
Cool, moist. Root: Bitter
Uses:
ROOT:
1. Stops Wind:
-nervous system diseases;
-Hypertension
-Rheumatism
2. Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Aphrodisiac, Impotence, Premature Ejaculation
-root, flower and leaf have shown aphrodisiac activity (increased mounting)
-Prostatic Hypertrophy
-can be used for Diabetes with Kidney deficiency
3. Clears Heat and Damp:
-Strangury
-Synovitis;
-Gonorrhea, Syphilis
SEED:
-strong antispasmodic and hypotensive
-promotes urine
-aphrodisiac
LEAF:
-emollient poultice for skin diseases, wounds, ringworm, eczema
-taken internally for Boils and toxic swellings
-topically as a rubefacient
Dose:
Root: 3–5 grams
Correctives:
Honey; Sugar and Milk
Preparation:
One Indian preparation involves soaking the powdered root in juice of Asparagus racemosus and drying, once each day for 7 days (ie. repeating 7 times). This is given in doses of 2–4 grams daily with Ghee. It strengthens, prevents ageing and improves intellect.
Substitutes:
1. Asteracantha longifolia
2. Celosia argentea (Unan)
Main Combinations:
1. Premature Ejaculation, Argyreia root, Tribulus, Leptadenia reticulate, Parmelia perlata
2. To nourish Sperm, and as an Aphrodisiac:
i. and for Prostatitic Hypertrophy, Argyreia root, Orchis, Tribulus, Macuna, Leptadenia reticulate
ii. Argyreia root, Withania, Mucuna, Leptadenia, Pyrethrum root
3. Chronic Cough, Argyreia root, Asparagus root, Hemidesmus (Ayurveda)
4. As a tonic, the seeds have been taken with seeds of Hygrophila auriculata (H. spinosa)
5. Rheumatic Arthritis, Hemiplegia, Argyreia root, Chebulic Myrobalan, Ginger, Ajowan, Rock Salt, Plumbago root, Long Pepper (as in Ajamodadi Churna)
Major Formulas:
Ajamodadi Churna
Cautions:
1. Seeds contain hallucinogenic ergoline alkaloids (inc. ergine, isoergine). 4–8 seeds are reportedly equivalent to 10–100mcg of LSD. It is related to Hawaiian Wood Rose. Seeds of all species of Argyreia contain ergoline alkaloids and are hypotensive
Toxicity:
LD50 of the seed extract was 500mg/kg I.P. in mice
Main Preparations used:
Hab Nashat, Hab Asgand
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