Heart-leaved moonseed
Tinospora cordifolia

Family: Menispermaceae

What it is like

A vine or climbing plant. The stems are slender. This produces thread like aerial roots. The leaves are heart shaped and 5-10 cm long. The flowers are yellow and loose groups. They grow from nodes on old wood. The fruit are fleshy and red when ripe.

There are 30 Tinospora species. It is used in herbal medicine.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in deciduous and dry forests. It grows up to 300 m above sea level. In the Indian Himalayas between 700-1,300 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The plant is used in a tonic formula. The leaves are used as a vegetable. The roots and young stems are eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, stem - juice

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Amarlata, Amrut vela, Bael tiga, Brotowali, Gadancha, Giloe, Giloy, Guduchi, Guljya, Gurach, Gurach-ludhi, Gurjo, Fa bro noi, Gurjo, Kanda amrta, Kha bru nay, Paidda gandi, Rasakinda, Seenthi

Synonyms

Menispermum cordifolium Willd.; Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers; and others