Botanical Name: Ipomoea reniformis Choisy.
Family: Convolvulaceae
Introduction:
Its leaves resembles to akhu (Rat ) ear.,
Latin name : lpomoea – Ips = bondweed, homoisos = similar, similar to – bondweed reniformis – ren = kidney, formis = of the shape, leaves are kidney shaped.
Sanskrit names : Aakhukarni is the appropriate name. Aakhu = rat, leaves resembles the ears of rat, hence the name aakhukarni.
Names in different Indian languages
| English | |
|---|---|
| Hindi | |
| Kannada | |
| Malayalam | Elichevi |
| Sanskrit | Akhuparni |
| Tamil | Yelikkaadhukeerai, Perettaikkirai. |
| Telugu | |
| Unani | |
| Folk |
Synonyms
Aakhuparni, Aakhuparnika, Muusaakarni, Aakhukarni. Undurukarnikaa , Shubhashreni, krushika, Dravanti Undirkarnika Chitra, Sukarni, Nyaroodhi, Bhoomiradashrava, Mooshik karnika.
Merremia emarginata (Burm. f.) Hallier f.
Merremia gangetica (L.) Cufod.
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
| Charaka | |
|---|---|
| Susrutha | |
| Vagbhata |
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Evolvulus nummularis Linn – CV
Morphology
A creeper grows especially in black ground,
Leaves have curved edges, resembles ear
Flower – white
Distribution & Habitat
Ornamental plant
Chemical constituents:
Karma –
Deobstruent, diuretic, alterative
Srotogamitva;
Dosha: Vataghna, kaphaghna.
Dhatu : Rasayan, rakta (cures skin diseases).
Mala: Worms, mutragami.
Indication:
Rheumatic affections, neuralgia, headache, skin diseases and urinary affections
Part used:
Leaves
Dosage:
10-15 ml
Skin:
Leaf paste useful in skin disease
Therapeutic Uses:
1.Leaf paste useful in ulcer.
2. Roll made up of ice with juice of aakhuparni is given along with oil of vidang and salt for deworming. (Charak and Sushrut). Juice is used orally in skin disorders.