Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. & Thomson

 

        Scientific Name: Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. & Thomson

        Family: Menispermaceae

        Synonym: Tinospora mahajanii Shakun Mishra, Khristi & Solanki

Vernacular name: Amrthu, Amrutavalli, Chitamruthu, Siddamirth

        Habit: Climbing Shrub

        Habitat: Moist deciduous forests and scrub jungles, also in the plains

        Distribution: Indian Subcontinent to Indo-China

        Flowering and Fruiting: January-June

        Key identification features: Climbing Shrub with broadly ovate leaves. Male flowers in racemes, outer sepals smaller; petals shorter than the inner sepals; stamens 6, free, opposite to petals; female flowers-staminodes 6, carpels 3, stigma forked. Drupes sessile; seeds grooved vertically.

 Tribal Consumers: Kuruma

 Uses: Tinospora cordifolia is renowned for its immune-boosting properties and is often used in traditional medicine to treat fevers and infections. It is also valued for its potential benefits in managing diabetes, as it may help regulate blood sugar levels.