Helicteres isora, commonly known as the East-Indian screw tree, is a fascinating and medicinally significant plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. Its name is derived from the distinctively twisted, screw-like shape of its fruit, which is a key identifying feature. This plant has a long history of use in traditional medicinal systems like Ayurveda and Siddha, where it is valued for its wide range of therapeutic properties. From its roots to its fruits, nearly every part of the plant has been utilized to treat various ailments, particularly those related to the digestive system. The plant's deep-rooted presence in traditional healing practices is also reflected in its cultural and ceremonial uses among different tribal communities.
Names in Different Countries and Languages The common names for Helicteres isora are often descriptive of its appearance, especially the fruit.
English: East-Indian screw tree, Nut-leaved screw tree
Bengali: Antamora
Chinese: 鞭龙 (Biān lóng) - which translates to "whip dragon," likely referring to the twisted shape of the fruit.
Hindi: मरोड़ फली (Maror phali), meaning "twisted pod."
Kannada: Yedmuri
Malayalam: Kayyunanna, Edampiri-Valampiri
Marathi: मुरुड शेंग (Murud sheng)
Oriya: Murmuria
Sanskrit: म्रिग श्रिंग (Mriga Shringa), Avartani
Sindhi: Vurkatee
Tamil: வலம்புரி (Valampuri), which refers to the right-handed twist of the pod, which is considered auspicious.
Telugu: నులితడ (Nulitada)
Urdu: مروڙ پهلي (Maror Phali)
Terminology Family: Malvaceae. This is a large family of flowering plants, which also includes cotton, cocoa, and hibiscus.
Synonyms: This plant has had various scientific names over time, including Helicteres baruensis var. ovata, Helicteres chrysocalyx, and Isora corylifolia. These synonyms highlight the historical classification and reclassification of the plant by different botanists.
Common Name: The widely recognized names for the plant in different languages.
Botanical Description: The detailed scientific description of the plant's physical characteristics, including its size, leaves, flowers, and fruits. Key features include the spirally twisted capsule (fruit), which is a unique diagnostic feature.
Medicinal Uses: The traditional and documented uses of the plant's various parts for treating different diseases.
Phytochemistry: The study of the chemical compounds found in the plant, which are responsible for its medicinal properties. While not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the healing properties mentioned are a result of these compounds.
Availability Helicteres isora is native to and widely available in tropical regions of Asia, particularly in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and China. It is commonly found in forests, along roadsides, and in open areas. Its prevalence in these regions makes it an accessible and widely used resource in local and traditional medicine systems. It is also cultivated in some areas for its medicinal value. The plant's hardy nature and ability to grow in various conditions contribute to its widespread availability.
External Look Helicteres isora is a shrub or small tree, typically growing up to 2 meters tall, but can reach up to 8 meters.
Leaves: The leaves are broadly oblong-obovate or nearly circular, with a distinct serrated margin. They are thinly leathery and have a velvety feel due to a dense covering of fine, star-shaped hairs (stellate puberulent). The base of the leaf is rounded or heart-shaped, and the tip is often truncated with a small point.
Flowers: The flowers are quite striking, measuring about 3.5-4 cm in diameter. They are red or purple and have a unique structure, with unequal petals and a curved androgynophore (the stalk supporting the stamens and ovary).
Fruits: The most distinctive feature of the plant is its fruit, a cylindric capsule that becomes conspicuously twisted into a screw-like shape as it matures. The fruit turns black when ripe and can be 4-8 cm long. This "screw tree" moniker comes directly from this characteristic. The fruits are covered in a dense layer of star-shaped hairs, which eventually shed.
Healing Properties The healing properties of Helicteres isora are well-documented in traditional medicine and are supported by numerous scientific studies. The plant is primarily known for its benefits in treating gastrointestinal and respiratory ailments.
Antidiarrhoeal and Antidysenteric: The stem bark and fruits are highly effective in treating diarrhea and dysentery. They possess astringent properties, which help to bind the stool and reduce inflammation in the gut. The fruits are particularly known to soothe the stomach and provide relief from stomachache and colic.
Antidiabetic: The plant is used in traditional remedies for diabetes. A mixture of the root and other plants is consumed to manage blood sugar levels.
Antigalactagogue: The bark and fruits are used to reduce milk production in lactating mothers.
Expectorant and Demulcent: The bark and roots have a soothing effect on the respiratory tract, making them useful in treating cough, asthma, and other respiratory troubles. The expectorant property helps to clear phlegm from the airways.
Wound and Skin Healing: The plant has a history of use in treating skin ailments. A paste made from the dried leaves, pepper, and coconut oil is applied to treat skin conditions like eczema. The fruit is also used to treat scabies and other skin-related issues.
Anti-inflammatory: The plant's use in bone-setting and for treating swellings suggests it possesses anti-inflammatory properties.
Anthelmintic: The pods are used to expel parasitic worms from the body.
Antidote: Traditional practitioners have used the roots of Helicteres isora in mixtures to act as an antidote for snake venom.
Advantages Multifaceted Medicinal Use: The plant offers a wide range of therapeutic benefits, addressing multiple health issues from digestive disorders to respiratory problems and skin ailments.
Rich in Bioactive Compounds: The efficacy of the plant is due to the presence of various phytochemicals, including flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, which contribute to its medicinal properties.
Traditional and Scientific Support: Its long history of use in traditional medicine is being increasingly validated by modern scientific research, lending credibility to its healing properties.
Accessibility: Being a common plant in its native regions, it is a readily available and cost-effective source of traditional medicine.
Uses In Traditional Medicine:
Stomach and Digestive Issues: The fruits and bark are widely used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, colic, and flatulence. The dried fruits are often soaked in water and consumed for these purposes.
Respiratory Problems: The roots and bark are used in remedies for cough and asthma.
Diabetes: A powder made from the fruits, roots, and other plants is consumed to manage diabetes.
Skin Diseases: A paste made from the leaves is applied to treat eczema and other skin ailments.
In Veterinary Medicine: The plant's roots and fruits are also used in traditional veterinary medicine to treat ailments in animals, such as insect bites and tympany (bloating).
Magico-religious and Ceremonial Uses: The plant holds cultural significance in various tribal communities.
Labor Pains: Twigs are placed at the door of a pregnant woman's hut to ease labor pains.
Protection for Children: A dried fruit is hung on a black thread around a child's neck to ward off pain and diseases.
Marriage Ceremony: The dried fruit is used in marriage ceremonies.
Using Way (Methods of Preparation and Application) Decoction/Infusion: For internal use, the dried fruits, seeds, or bark are often boiled in water to make a decoction, or soaked in hot water to create an infusion. This liquid is then consumed to treat dysentery, stomach pains, and coughs.
Powder: The dried fruits or roots can be ground into a fine powder. This powder is then mixed with other ingredients or consumed directly to treat conditions like diabetes.
Paste: For external application, a paste is made by grinding the dried leaves, bark, or roots with water, oil (like coconut oil), or other ingredients. This paste is then applied to the affected area, such as boils, skin lesions, or for bone-setting.
External Application: The fruits can be soaked in boiling oil, and this oil is then applied externally to the abdomen to relieve stomach complaints in children. The dried fruits are also used as a necklace for children for various ailments.
Conclusion Helicteres isora, the East-Indian screw tree, is a testament to the rich biodiversity and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants. Its unique, twisted fruit is not only a botanical marvel but also a symbol of its powerful healing properties, particularly for digestive and respiratory disorders. From its extensive use in Ayurveda and Siddha to its cultural significance in tribal communities, Helicteres isora remains a vital part of traditional medicine in many parts of the world. Its multifaceted uses, coupled with a growing body of scientific research, underscore its importance as a valuable natural resource. The plant’s ability to treat a wide range of ailments, from common stomach issues to more complex conditions like diabetes, makes it a subject of continued interest for both ethnobotanists and modern pharmacologists.
