Argyreia

Elephant Creeper, Woolly Morning Glory, Small Wood Rose
Vridhadara (Ayurveda)
Samandarkapat (Hindi)
Samudrapatra (Sanskrit)
Samandar Sokh (Unani)
Ambgar (Siddha)
 Picture
Picture Lowis, L., Familiar Indian flowers, 1881

Picture Argyreia speciosa
(Photo by Jkadavoor) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:


Argyreia speciosa (syn. A. nervosa, Convolvulus speciosus, Ipomoea speciosa, Lettsomia nervosa, Rivea nervosa)

Parts used:


Leaf, root, seed

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, moist. Root: Bitter

Uses:


ROOT:
1. Stops Wind:
-nervous system diseases;
-Hypertension
-Rheumatism

2. Strengthens the Kidneys:
-Aphrodisiac, Impotence, Premature Ejaculation
-root, flower and leaf have shown aphrodisiac activity (increased mounting)
-Prostatic Hypertrophy
-can be used for Diabetes with Kidney deficiency

3. Clears Heat and Damp:
-Strangury
-Synovitis;
-Gonorrhea, Syphilis


SEED:
-strong antispasmodic and hypotensive
-promotes urine
-aphrodisiac

LEAF:
-emollient poultice for skin diseases, wounds, ringworm, eczema
-taken internally for Boils and toxic swellings
-topically as a rubefacient


Dose:


Root: 3–5 grams

Correctives:


Honey; Sugar and Milk

Preparation:


One Indian preparation involves soaking the powdered root in juice of Asparagus racemosus and drying, once each day for 7 days (ie. repeating 7 times). This is given in doses of 2–4 grams daily with Ghee. It strengthens, prevents ageing and improves intellect.

Substitutes:


1. Asteracantha longifolia
2. Celosia argentea (Unan)

Main Combinations:


1. Premature Ejaculation, Argyreia root, Tribulus, Leptadenia reticulate, Parmelia perlata
2. To nourish Sperm, and as an Aphrodisiac:
i. and for Prostatitic Hypertrophy, Argyreia root, Orchis, Tribulus, Macuna, Leptadenia reticulate
ii. Argyreia root, Withania, Mucuna, Leptadenia, Pyrethrum root
3. Chronic Cough, Argyreia root, Asparagus root, Hemidesmus (Ayurveda)
4. As a tonic, the seeds have been taken with seeds of Hygrophila auriculata (H. spinosa)
5. Rheumatic Arthritis, Hemiplegia, Argyreia root, Chebulic Myrobalan, Ginger, Ajowan, Rock Salt, Plumbago root, Long Pepper (as in Ajamodadi Churna)

Major Formulas:


Ajamodadi Churna


Cautions:


1. Seeds contain hallucinogenic ergoline alkaloids (inc. ergine, isoergine). 4–8 seeds are reportedly equivalent to 10–100mcg of LSD. It is related to Hawaiian Wood Rose. Seeds of all species of Argyreia contain ergoline alkaloids and are hypotensive

Toxicity:


LD50 of the seed extract was 500mg/kg I.P. in mice

Main Preparations used:


Hab Nashat, Hab Asgand