2. Introduction
Asthisamharaka (Cissus quadrangularis)
The Sanskrit word asthisamharaka literally means
that which saves the bones from their
destruction. Precisely, it is also named as
asthisandhani, which describes its peculiar quality
of healing the bone fractures. Denoting the same
property, is has few synonyms, like vafravati,
asthisrnkhala, vajrangi, granthimala etc. The plant
has been mentioned in all ancient scriptures of
Ayurveda. It is used in folklore medicine to heal
bone fractures, throughout India. The Sanskrit
names, mentioned above, also hint at the same
use by ancient physicians.
3. Vernacular Names
• Botanical Name : Cissus quadrangularis linn
• English Name : Edible stemmed vine
• Hindi Name : Hadjod, Harjora, Asthisanhari and Woody
Vine
• Bengali Name : Harjora
• Gujrati Name : Hadasankala
• Kannad Name : Mangroli
• Malyalam Name : Cannalam Paranta, Piranta
• Marathi Name : Hadsandhi, Chaudhari
• Punjabi Name : Haddjor
• Tamil Name : Perandai, Pirantai
• Telugu Name : Nalleru
• Common Name : Hadjora
5. Gana & Kula
• Not included in any gana by brahttrayas
• Bhavamisra included it in Guduchyadi varga
• Kaiyadeva included it in Oushadi varga
• Kula- Draksha kula
• Family- Vitaceae
6. Habitat
• The plant grows throughout India, especially,
in dry regions and in Sri Lanka,
7. Varieties
The author of Nighantu Ratnakara mentions the
there are two varieties of this climber, namely, of
• four – sided and
• three – sided stems.
But only one variety of four – sided stem is
reported; which at times may be seen shooting
out branches having three sides. A two – sided
horticultural variety is also grown in gardens.
8. Morphology
• C. quadrangularis is a fleshy cactus like jointed climber
with 4-winged internodes and a tendril at some of the
nodes . C. quadrangularis is a moist shrubby climbers
reaches a height of 1.5 m.
• Stems sharply 4-angled, jointed at nodes, internodes
are 8 to 10 cm long and 1.2 to 1.5 cm wide, tendrils
simple long and slender emerging from the opposite
side of the node.
• Leaves simple, ovate or reniform, ±5 cm wide, serrate,
cordate;
• The flowers are small, greenish white, in short cymes.
• Berries globose, ±0.7 cm in diameter, red on ripening,
1- seeded
16. Therapeutic uses
Uses of Stem:
• Stem of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. is very important
part of the plant and accepted as raw drug of known
properties in both Ayurvedic and Unani system of
medicine. Among the parts
• stem is used for bone fracture.
• It is useful in piles, bone fracture, pain in joints,
swelling and asthma.
• Stem juice is used for the treatment of Scurvy,
irregular menstruation, disease ofear and nose-bleeding.
• Stem paste is also useful in bone fracture, swelling,
muscular pain, asthma, burns, wounds and bites of
poisonous insects.
17. • Uses of Root:
Root powered is used in fractured bone, cuts.
18. • Uses of Shoots:
• Dry shoots powder is used for digestive troubles,
stomachic, scurvy, and asthma.
• Fresh shoot paste is used in burns and wound.
Stem and leaf is useful in labour pain at Bihar.
• Decoction of shoot along with dry ginger and
black pepper is used in body pain.
• Shoot is used for the treatment of piles, worm
infection, stiffness in thigh muscles, chronic ulcer,
colic, epilepsy, convulsion, anorexia, skin
diseases, dyspsia, indigestion, rejoin broken
bones. It is used as aphrodisiac, carminative,
laxative, digestive and decoction is used as blood
purifier and immunomodulator.
