Zarawand زاروند

Description

Zarawand at sknatural is Aristolochia indica Linn. It belongs to family “Aristolochiaceae”. Generally people use its roots. It is warm and dry in third order. This is  is a creeper plant. It reaches a height of several metres on trees and cover the branches with thick foliage.

Other names:

Arabic Name(s): Zarawand
Urdu Name(s): Zarawand, Isharmul
English Name(s): Aristolochia, Birthwort

Properties:

Diuretic and emmenagogue, resolvent, calorific, expectorant, purgative of phlegm, anthelmintic, detersive, vulnerary (especially useful for healing the wounds), abortifacient, alterative

Recommended dosage:

3g. Large doses of the roots exert ecbolic effects. Generally the genus Aristolochia at one hand possess hepatotoxic activity. Whereas on the other it is referred as being antiseptic, antitumour and bactericide.

Medicinal uses:

Every part of the plant possesses a bitter taste. An infusion made from approximately 4 grams of the root serves as an effective emmenagogue and anthelmintic. Physicians also use it to alleviate uterine tension and expel remnants of a dead fetus, acting as an abortive agent. When applied as an antiseptic on chronic ulcers and putrefied wounds, mixed with Iris root and honey, it functions as a vulnerary.

The powdered root, when administered in recommended doses, enhances uterine contractions during labor and can serve as a substitute for ergot for this purpose. When combined with castor oil, doctors administer it in cases of colic, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea, prolonged and painful labor, periodic fevers, and worm infestations. Additionally, it aids in clearing the chest of excess phlegm and features in cough linctus preparations prescribed for productive cough, asthma, and persistent cough in elderly individuals.

In chronic phlegmatic and nervous disorders such as nervous exhaustion, spasmodic congestion, cramps, convulsions, epilepsy, and tetanus, it proves highly beneficial. Moreover, it is applied topically in embrocations to improve facial complexion, eradicate lice when mixed with suitable oil, and treat skin conditions caused by excessive phlegm or atrabile. However, large doses may induce abortifacient and ecbolic effects.