Leptadenia Reticulata

Botanical Name: Leptadenia reticulata Wight. & Arn.

Family: Asclepiadaceae

Introduction:

It used as jeevanti in south India, but in North India Holostemma ada-kodien Schult used as jeevanti. This also used as vegetable.

Latin name : Leptadenia = tepto = slender, thin, small, fine: reticulata = finely netted: reticulum = a small net.

Names in different Indian languages

English
Hindi
Kannada
Malayalam	pallachedi
Sanskrit	Jivanti
Tamil	Keerippaalai
Telugu
Unani
Folk	Dodishaak (Gujarat).

Synonyms

Jivanti; Jivaniya, Jivapushpa, Hemavati, Jivana. Shaakashreshtha, Payaswini, Maangalya, Madhusravaa, jeevantt. Payaswini. Bhadra, Yashskari, Shrungati. Kanjika, Shashibeeja, Pingala.

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata

Charaka
Susrutha
Vagbhata

Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)

Holostemma annularis (Roxb.) K. Schum.- CV

Morphology

This slender creeper grows in rainy season. Leaves are heart shaped, white and fleshy.

Flowers- are yellowish-green. Legumes are like horns, 5 – 10 cm. in length. Raw legumes are used as vegetables and are superior in vegetables.

Types : Jeevanti is of two types -1) white latex – jeevanti: and 2) yellow latex – swarna jeevanti.

Distribution & Habitat

Plenty in west and south India.

Chemical constituents:

n-triacontane, cetyl alcohol, beta-sitosterol, betaamyrin acetate, lupanol O-diglucoside and lepitidin glycoside.

Properties:

Guna: laghu, snigdha, madhur:

Rasa : madhur:

Virya : sheeta.

Vipaka madhur

Karma – Balya, vatapittahra, medya

antibacterial activity, stimulant and restorative

Srotogamitva:

Dosha : All three doshas specially vata-pittanashak.

Dhatu : Rakta )pittashamak), shukra (aphrodisiac).

Mala : Mutra (diuretic) purisha (constipative).

Organ : Eyes (improves eyesight).

Indication:

Skin disease, cough, consumption, fever

Part used:

root

Dosage:

Root powder 1 to 3 gms.: decoction – 50 to 100 ml.

External uses: It is used for application as an ointment in allergy due to pitta.

Internal uses: Jeevanti soothes the digestive system and is used in constipation and colitis. It is a cardio tonic and cures bleeding disorders. It is also used in bronchitis as an expectorant. It is an aphrodisiac and improves seminal quality through its specific action on the reproductive organs. It is also used in spermatorrhoea. Since it is a diuretic, it is used in dysuria, burning micturition and pyuria. Useful in fever, burning. pthisis and also in defective eyesight.

Important Yogas or Formations:

Jeevantyadi ghrita, Jeevantyadi taila.

Therapeutic Uses:

Root powder in milk useful to increase sperm motility