Patawali, Akar Patawali
Tinospora crispa

Family: Menispermaceae

What it is like

Tinospora crispa is a deciduous, dioecious, climbing shrub about 15 m long with stems of up to 1 cm thick and aerial roots. It can be found in East Asia. No plant part is edible but it is highly valued as a medicinal plant. It is used in the treatment of fevers, stomach problems, indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence in children, tropical ulcers, external parasites, itches, diabetes, high blood pressure, abdominal pain, cholera, jaundice, and wounds.

Tinospora crispa is a deciduous Climber growing to 10 m (32ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is not self-fertile. 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): 10

Where it is found

Waste ground, forest margins. Primary rain forest and mixed deciduous forest, it can also be very common in secondary vegetation after logging and in hedges, at elevations up to 1,000 metres.

E. Asia - southern China, India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia,

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 4

Considered to be a universal medicine by local people in the Philippines who give it the name 'makabuhai', which means 'to give life'. The plant is commonly prescribed as a decoction or in powder form in the treatment of fevers, stomach trouble, indigestion, and diarrhoea. It is the basis of a popular preparation, which is used as a cordial, a tonic, or an ingredient in cocktails. A preparation made with coconut oil is an effective cure for rheumatism and is also used in the treatment of flatulence in children. This preparation is made by chopping the stem into pieces 2 - 5cm long and placing them in a jar with coconut oil,. This jar is then left out in a sunny position to 'cook' and is then stored for 12 months until it is ready to use. The stem is antimalarial, parasiticide, tonic and vulnerary. It is taken internally in the treatment of fevers. Taken externally, a decoction of the stem is considered an effective cure if used as a wash for tropical ulcers, external parasites, and is also an excellent vulnerary for itches, ordinary and cancerous wounds. An infusion of the stem is drunk in Malaysia and Indonesia as a vermifuge and of the whole plant to treat cholera; it is also used to treat diabetes mellitus. Externally it is applied against scabies and to heal wounds. In Brunei, the plant is used in the treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes and to relieve abdominal pains. In Indo-China, an infusion of the stem is drunk to treat fever (also when caused by malaria) and jaundice. Powdered stems are used to fatten horses and cattle by stimulating their appetite. Tinospora crispa is a very commonly used medicinal plant in the Philippines. In Thailand, an infusion from the stem is used to treat jaundice, cholera, malaria, and against worms in children.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Carminative: Reduces flatulence and expels gas from the intestines.

Cholera: Used in the treatment of cholera - an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Hypotensive: Reduces blood pressure, it is used in the treatment of high blood pressure

Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Skin: Plants used in miscellaneous treatments for the skin.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.

Vulnerary: Promotes the healing of wounds.

Other

Rating: 0

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 None known

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

How it is grown

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required. The female form is much rarer than the male, suggesting vegetative propagation of male plants for medicinal purposes.

Propagating it: Seed - Cuttings - easy, the stems naturally produce aerial roots.

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

akar seruntum, amrithaballi, caulis tinosporae, galo, geta kinda / tiththa kinda, giloy, patawali, putawali, tinospora stem.

Synonyms

Menispermum crispum L. Tinospora gibbericaulis Hand.-Mazz. Tinospora mastersii Diels Tinospora rumph