Asthishrinkhala

(Veldt Grape)

Department of Dravyaguna
Uttaranchal Medical College of Ayurveda & Research

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Basic Details

• Botanical Name: Cissus quadrangularis Linn.

• Family: Vitaceae

• Synonyms: Asthisamhaara, Asthisamhrita, Asthisamyojaka, Vajravalli, Chaturdhaaraa, Vitis quadrangularis

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Introduction

The name quadrangularis refers to the four-angled stem.
This plant is widely used for healing bone fractures, which is reflected in its Sanskrit name Asthi-shrinkhala (that which joins bones).

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Morphological Description

Habit:
A creeper with a green, quadrangular, jointed stem, giving a chain-like appearance.

Stem

• Fleshy

• Four-angled

• Nodes and internodes are clearly visible

Leaves

• Small

• Divided into 3–5 parts

• Serrated margins

Flowers

• White

• Hairy in appearance

Fruits

• Round

• Red in colour

• Capable of vegetative propagation when bent to the ground

Distribution & Habitat

• Found throughout India

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Chemical Constituents

• Phytogenic steroids

• Ketosteroids

• Sitosterol

• Alpha-amyrin

• Alpha-amyrone

• Tetracyclic triterpenoids

• Vitamin C

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Rasa Panchaka

• Rasa: Madhura

• Guna: Laghu, Ruksha

• Virya: Ushna

• Vipaka: Amla

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Pharmacological Properties (Karma)

• Deepana

• Pachana

• Shoolaghna

• Kandu hara

• Fracture healing (Asthi-sandhana)

• Carminative

• Digestive

• Astringent

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Therapeutic Uses

• Pliha roga

• Agnimandya

• Shoola

• Gudakeelaka

• Apasmara

• Vata roga

• Dushta vrana

• Gulma

• Irregular menstruation

• Scurvy

• Bone fractures (major indication)

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Useful Part

• Whole plant

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Dose

• Leaf juice: 10–15 ml

• Powder: 2–4 g

• Decoction: 50–100 ml

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Important Formulations

• Asthisamharaka juice

• Asthisamharaka powder

• Decoction of dried stalks

• Lakshadi Guggulu