Introduction
Martynia annua L., a member of the Martyniaceae family, is a fascinating and widely distributed annual herbaceous plant. It is commonly known by various names, most notably "Devil's Claw" and "Tiger's Claw," which refer to the unique shape of its woody fruit capsule that splits into two curved horns. The plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of America, but has been naturalized and is now found throughout the Old World tropics, including India, Burma, and Mexico.
In traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda and various folklore practices, Martynia annua holds significant importance. It has been used for centuries to treat a range of ailments, from inflammatory disorders and skin affections to more complex conditions like epilepsy and tuberculosis. The plant is covered in dense, glandular, and sticky hairs that give it a clammy feel, a feature that also serves as a defense mechanism against herbivores.
Name in Different Countries
The common names of Martynia annua often reflect its distinctive appearance, particularly the hooked fruit.
English: Tiger’s Claw, Devil’s Claw, Small-fruited Devil's Claw, Ice Plant
Hindi: Bichu Hathajori, Kawathodi, बाघनख (baghnakh), हाथाजोड़ी (hatha-jori), उलट-कांटा (ulat-kanta)
Sanskrit: काकनसा (kakanasa), Kaakangi, Shirobal, Cerasnaya
Bengali: বাঘনখী (baghnakhi)
Chinese: 角胡麻 (jiao hu ma)
French: tête de mort (head of death)
Kannada: ಗರುಡ ಮೂಗು ಮುಳ್ಳು (garuda mugu mullu), ಹುಲಿ ನಖ (huli nakha), ಹುಲಿ ಉಗುರು (huli uguru)
Malayalam: പുലിനഖം (puli-nakham), Vinchuachajada
Marathi: विंचू (vinchu)
Nepalese: बिरालो-नङ्ग्रि (biralo-nangri), ग्रिध्दरनंकी (gridharnankee)
Oriya: ବାଘନଖି (baghanakhi)
Punjabi: Kaktundi, Bichu, Hathajari
Russian: Мартиния (Martiniya)
Tamil: Kakatundi, புலிநகம் (puli-nakam), தேட்கொடுக்கி (tet-kotukki)
Telugu: Telukondi (తేలుకొండి), Gaddamala (గద్దమాల), Gorrejiddaku (గొర్రెజిడ్డాకు), Garudamukku (గరుడ ముక్కు)
Terminology
Martynia annua is a species within the genus Martynia. The scientific name, Martynia annua L., was first published by Carl Linnaeus. The common name "Devil's Claw" is also sometimes used for other plants, such as those in the genus Harpagophytum, which can be a source of confusion. The key distinguishing feature of Martynia annua is its unique fruit structure, a woody capsule with two sharp, re-curved hooks. This specific morphology is a primary part of its identification. The plant is also sometimes referred to as Martynia diandra or Martynia angulosa, which are synonyms.
Availability
Martynia annua is a wild plant that grows abundantly in many regions, particularly in wastelands, on roadsides, and in dry or moist deciduous forests. It is considered a weed in some areas, but its medicinal value has led to its cultivation in others. Due to its wide distribution, it is readily available in its native and naturalized habitats. Additionally, various parts of the plant, especially the seeds, are sold online and in traditional herb markets for medicinal and spiritual uses.
External Look
The plant is an erect, branched annual herb that typically grows to a height of 0.25 to 1 meter. Its stems are stout and covered in a thick layer of glandular, sticky hairs.
Leaves: The leaves are large, kidney-shaped to almost circular, with a heart-shaped base. They have shallow lobes and are covered with the same sticky, glandular hairs as the stem.
Flowers: The flowers are bell-shaped and can be pinkish-purple or white, with darker purple-red and yellow spots in the throat. They are arranged in racemes.
Fruit: The most striking feature is the fruit, a woody capsule that is ovoid and splits open at the apex into two sharp, curved "claws" or "horns." This distinctive shape gives the plant its common names. The fruits are also covered in sticky hairs.
Seeds: The seeds inside the woody capsule are oblong.
Healing Properties
Martynia annua is rich in various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and anthocyanins. These phytochemicals are responsible for its wide range of therapeutic properties:
Anti-inflammatory: The fruit and other parts of the plant are known to have anti-inflammatory effects. This makes it useful for conditions like rheumatism and general inflammation.
Wound Healing: The plant has demonstrated significant wound-healing activity. The leaf paste is traditionally applied to wounds and bites, and the presence of compounds like luteolin has been linked to this property.
Anticonvulsant: Traditional healers use Martynia annua for epilepsy. Scientific studies have shown that extracts from the leaves can significantly reduce the duration and severity of seizures.
Antimicrobial and Antifungal: Extracts from the plant, particularly the root, have shown fungicidal activity against common fungi, and the plant has also been used for its antibacterial properties.
Antioxidant: The presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds gives the plant strong antioxidant activity, which is beneficial for overall health and for combating cellular damage.
Antipyretic and Analgesic: It has been used in traditional medicine to reduce fever and relieve pain.
Advantages
The use of Martynia annua offers several advantages, especially within traditional medicine systems:
Holistic Approach: It is used to treat a wide range of conditions, from external skin issues to internal ailments like inflammation and epilepsy.
Abundant and Accessible: As a wild, naturalized plant, it is widely available and can be a cost-effective alternative to conventional treatments in many regions.
Traditional Knowledge: Its efficacy is supported by a long history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda and various folklore practices.
Multiple Usable Parts: Different parts of the plant—leaves, fruit, seeds, and roots—are used for various medicinal purposes, providing a versatile source of remedies.
Uses
The plant is used in a variety of ways for different therapeutic applications:
Epilepsy: The leaves and their preparations are used to manage epilepsy.
Inflammation and Pain: The fruit is used as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Skin Affections: The seed oil is applied topically to treat itching, skin diseases, and abscesses. The ash of the fruit, mixed with coconut oil, is a traditional remedy for burns.
Sore Throat: The juice of the leaves is used as a gargle to soothe a sore throat.
Tuberculosis: A paste made from the leaves is applied to tuberculous glands on the neck.
Hair Care: The seeds are recommended in Ayurveda for addressing premature greying of hair (known as palitya).
Fever and Cold: A decoction of the entire plant is used to treat cold and fever, especially in children.
Snake and Scorpion Bites: The leaves and fruits are used as an antidote to venomous bites.
Using Way
The method of use for Martynia annua depends on the specific part of the plant and the condition being treated:
Topical Application:
Burns: The ash of the dried fruit is mixed with coconut oil to create a paste for external application.
Skin Infections/Itching: The oil extracted from the seeds is applied directly to the affected area.
Wounds & Glandular Swellings: A paste of the leaves is applied topically.
Internal Consumption:
Epilepsy & Sore Throat: A decoction or juice from the leaves is consumed.
Fever: A decoction of the entire plant is prepared and consumed.
Tonic: The roots can be boiled in milk and taken as a general tonic.
Other Uses:
Hair Care: The seeds or their oil are used to arrest hair greying.
Gargle: The leaf sap is used to formulate a gargle for sore throats.
Conclusion
Martynia annua, known by its evocative names like Devil's Claw and Tiger's Claw, is a plant of significant ethnobotanical and pharmacological importance. Its unique physical appearance and wide-ranging medicinal properties, documented in traditional systems like Ayurveda, make it a valuable natural resource. From treating skin affections and inflammatory conditions to addressing more serious ailments like epilepsy and tuberculosis, the different parts of the plant offer a versatile array of remedies. While traditional uses are well-established, modern scientific research is continuing to validate its therapeutic potential, particularly its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticonvulsant activities. This underscores the need for further study to fully understand the plant's benefits and to develop standardized medicinal applications. Martynia annua stands as a testament to the rich and often underappreciated biodiversity that surrounds us, a wild plant with profound healing capabilities.
