Kanda Amrta
Tinospora cordifolia
Family: Menispermaceae
What it is like
Commonly grown in East Asia, Kandra Amrta (Tinospora cordifolia) is a large, deciduous climbing shrub with several twining branches. It is native to India, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka and known for other common names such as heart-leaved moonseed, guduchi, and giloy. Its leaves are simple and alternate, and used as a tonic tea. A dioecious species, female flowers are usually solitary while male flowers occur in clusters. T. cordifolia is valued as medicinal plant. It is one of the ingredients of Amrit Kalash, an Ayurvedic tonic formula. It is also used in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, fevers due to cold, indigestion, rheumatism, urinary disease, bronchitis, and infertility. On the other hand, the aerial roots are used for tying bundles.
Tinospora cordifolia is a deciduous Climber growing to 15 m (49ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
Dry districts at low elevations. Deciduous and dry forests.
E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, India, Northeastern India, Sri Lanka,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Leaves - used as a tonic tea.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 4
The stem, root and whole plant are alterative, antidote, aphrodisiac, diuretic, febrifuge and tonic. The starch obtained from the stem and root of the plant is nutrient and is useful in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery. The fresh plant is more effective than the dried. A watery extract, known as 'Indian Quinine' is a very effective treatment for fevers due to cold or indigestion. The plant is also commonly used in a variety of other complaints including rheumatism, urinary disease, general debility, bronchitis and infertility. One of the ingredients of the Ayurvedic tonic formula Amrit Kalash.
Alterative: Causes a gradual beneficial change in the body, usually through improved nutrition and elimination, without having any marked specific action.
Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.
Antidote: Counters poisoning.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Infertility: Used in treating problems of human fertility.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Urinary: Treats urinary problems, including urinary tract infection (UTI).
Other
Rating: 2
Agroforestry Uses: Some species in this genus are the larval hosts of fruit-piercing noctuid moths that cause significant damage to crops of Citrus (particularly Mandarins) and Dimocarpus longan (Longan) in Thailand. Other Uses The aerial roots are used as a tying material for tying bundles.
String: Plants that can be used for string or can be easily made into a string. See also Fibre. Plants for ropes may be included.
How it is grown
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required.
Propagating it: Seed - Cuttings - very easy, the plant naturally produces aerial roots in the wild.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Climber
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Amarlata, Bael tiga, Kanda amrta, Rasakinda, amariat, amarlata, ambarvel, amirtavalli, amrita, amritalata, amrithaballi, amrta, amrtavalli, amrulballi, amrutaballi, amruth, amrutoballi, amrytu, amudam, amutavalli, am?tavalli, am?ta, asasi, batindu, cañcivi, chakrangi, chinnodbhava, chinnodbhava, chittamrutu, cìnthil tha??u (stem), cinthil ko?i, comavalli, dhira, gadancha, gado, gaduchi, galac, galo, garham, garo, garum, gharol, gilo, giloe, giloy, giroli, golancha, guduchi, guduci, guducika, gulancha, gulancha tinospora, gularish, gulbel, gulo, gulochi, guloe, guluchi, guluncha, gulvel, gulwel, gurach, gurcha, gu?ucika, gu?uci (stem), heart leaved mooseed|rasakinda, indian tinospora, kunali, kundalli, ku??ali, liane goulancha, liane serpent, madhuka, madhuparne, madhuparni, madhupar?i, manpala, ningilo, peyamarytam, sadi, seendal, seendil kodi, siddhilata, siddhilate, silam, sindil kodi, sittamrytu, somida, thippateega, uganiballi.
Synonyms
Menispermum cordifolium Willd.