Eshwari Plant - Indian birthwort

Eshwari Plant-Indian Birthwort

 Another important plant we were using during our childhood is Eshwari Plant. My Mom use to tell us to bring the roots of eshwari Plant. Oil prepared from this root is applied to wounds and boils, which are common those days. Eshwari root is having the property of anti bacterial and anti fungal such that it heals the wound  fast. This was the homemade alternate for antiseptic ointments of these days. 

With Scientific name  Aristolochia indica L, this plant is known by many names in Ayurveda, such as Ishwari, Nakuli, Iswarimoolam, Garudi, Sunanda, and Arkamula. 

Some information from Internet: 

• It is used in Ayurveda for the treatment of Visha (poison). The tribal people are using this plant from ancient times to treat cobra poison, and scorpion stings. The bruised roots are applied to bites of centipedes, and scorpion stings. 1.5 inch root is smashed, and placed under the tongue for the neutralization of snake venom.
• The powdered root with honey is given for dropsy, leukoderma, tonsillitis, and chronic dyspepsia.
• For fever, indigestion, and digestive disorders, one pinch of root powder is taken with warm water.
• The fresh leaves ground with water are applied in acute, and chronic rheumatism.
• For swelling, the seed paste is applied externally.
• For headaches, the paste of leaves is mixed with turmeric, and applied on forehead, twice a day.
• For leucoderma, skin diseases, wounds, and swelling the paste of leaves is applied topically on the affected areas.

Side-effects, and Warnings:

1. This plant is included in list of poisonous plants found in India.
2. In large doses the herb acts as a local irritant, and provokes nausea, griping pains in the bowels, pain in anus, and vomiting. In higher doses, it may prove lethal.

Source: https://www.easyayurveda.com/2017/03/29/ishwari-aristolochia-indica-indian-birthwort/ and others.

Eshwari Plant is host plant for southern birdwing and common rose butterflies. One Eshwari plant is grown just outside our compound and  i was egarly waited for birdwing to lay the egg on that. In this summar common rose laid eggs and there were a lot of caterpillars.  I was disappointed to for not sighting a single pupa from these caterpillar naturally. Hence I took care of one of the caterpillar and released beautiful butterfly emerged. Some Snaps are here.