Herb's Introduction
Paederia foetida L. is a climbing plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It is a highly valued medicinal herb, recognized for its extensive use in traditional and folk medicine systems across Asia. The plant is widely known by its Sanskrit name, Prasarani, which literally translates to 'one that spreads,' referring to its growth habit. Its other Sanskrit name, 'Gandhapatra,' means 'smelly leaf,' a characteristic that is central to the plant's identity. The name Paederia foetida itself is derived from the Latin "foetidus," meaning 'smelly' or 'foetid,' which points to the plant's distinctive and often disagreeable odor, especially when the leaves or stems are bruised. Despite this strong smell, which is more pronounced in fresh samples, the plant is revered for its significant healing properties, particularly in treating rheumatic and inflammatory conditions.
Name in Different Countries
The widespread use and recognition of Paederia foetida across different regions of Asia have led to it being known by a variety of local names. These names often reflect its botanical characteristics, traditional uses, or its unique odor. The plant is known by the following names in various languages: Assamese: Bhedilata Bengali: Gandhabhaaduli Gujrati: Prasarini Hindi: Gandha Prasarini Kannada: Hesarani, Prasarini bail Malayalam: Tala nili Marathi: Hiranvel, Haranvel Punjabi: Prasarini Tamil: Mudiyar Kundal, Talanili Telugu: Gontima goru-Teega These names highlight the plant's integral role in the traditional medicine and cultural heritage of these regions, where it is used in a range of home remedies and medicinal preparations.
Terminology
Understanding the terminology of Paederia foetida involves a detailed look at its various parts, each with distinct physical characteristics. The plant's morphology is crucial for its identification and medicinal application. Root: The plant has a taproot system, which is typically 2-4 cm long and 0.5-2 cm thick. It is cylindrical or sub-cylindrical, often tortuous with numerous branches and rootlets. The surface is rough, marked by longitudinal wrinkles, ridges, and fissures, with thin scars and horizontal lenticels. The fracture of the root is short in the bark region and somewhat fibrous in the wood. Its odor is distinctly disagreeable and foetid, becoming more pronounced in fresh samples. Stem: The stem is slender, sub-erect, and shows diffuse branching, reaching up to 4 cm in thickness. It is sub-cylindrical but appears dumb-bell shaped in a transverse view due to the presence of two prominent furrows. Externally, the stem is dark brown with longitudinal, anastomosing wrinkles, ridges, and a few transverse cracks and circular lenticels. The fracture is fibrous, and like the root, it emits a strong foetid odor. Leaf: The leaves are simple, petiolate, and stipulate, measuring 10-15 cm in length and 5-6 cm in width. They are ovate, with an entire margin, a narrow or broad base, and an acute or cuspidate apex. The surface is somewhat glabrous. The stipule is ovate, lanceolate, bifid, and hairy at the broad base. The leaves have a thin texture and a characteristic foetid odor that is very distinct when fresh. Flower: The flowers are bisexual, violet to pink in color, bracteate, and pedicellate. The calyx is campanulate with acute teeth, while the corolla is funnel-shaped, usually pubescent, and somewhat woolly inside. The limb is narrow and divided into five cordate crenulate segments. The filament is short, and the ovary is turbinate, containing two cells with one ovule each. Fruit: The fruit is a berry, orbicular or ellipsoid in shape, and compressed. It is smooth with five lines on each side, one-celled, and two-seeded. The fruit is approximately 1.1 cm across and ranges in color from red to black. Seed: The seeds are compressed and smooth, with an enlarged, somewhat membranous ring around the entire perimeter.
Availability
Paederia foetida is a native plant of the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia. Based on its names and traditional uses in various countries, its availability is primarily concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region. It is found in abundance in countries such as India, Burma, China, and Vietnam, where it grows in the wild and is cultivated for medicinal purposes. The presence of its traditional names in different Indian languages (e.g., Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Assamese) confirms its widespread availability across the Indian subcontinent. It is a common herb in these areas, utilized not only in formal medicinal systems like Ayurveda but also in local folk remedies and household cures.
External Look
The external appearance of Paederia foetida is defined by its climbing habit and the distinct features of its individual parts. The plant has a slender, vine-like stem that can be up to 4 cm thick, showing a unique dumb-bell shape in cross-section due to prominent furrows. The stem is dark brown and covered with wrinkles and circular lenticels. The leaves are a key identifying feature, being simple, ovate, and somewhat glabrous, with a characteristically thin texture. The plant's flowers are a beautiful violet to pink color, forming funnel-shaped structures. These flowers give way to small, compressed berries that are either red or black and contain two seeds. The most prominent physical characteristic, however, is the root, which is a dark brown, tortuous taproot with a rough surface marked by ridges and fissures. This entire ensemble of a climbing stem, simple leaves, delicate flowers, and distinct fruit and root structure gives the plant its unique external identity, though it is often first recognized by its powerful, foetid smell.
Healing Properties
Paederia foetida possesses a wide range of healing properties, which have been scientifically investigated and confirmed in many traditional applications. Anti-inflammatory Properties: The plant is well-regarded as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. Research has shown that a butanolic fraction of a methanolic extract from its leaves can significantly inhibit the formation of granulation tissue in animal models. This fraction also reduces the level of serum orosomucoid and inhibits liver aspartate transaminase activity, highlighting its potent action against inflammation. The root is also noted for its anti-inflammatory effects. This property makes it highly effective in treating conditions like rheumatism, joint pain, and other inflammatory diseases. Antitumor Properties: A notable compound called paederoside, which has been isolated from the plant, has shown potent antitumoral activity in vitro. This indicates a promising potential for the plant's use in cancer research and treatment. Other Properties: The leaves are described as having carminative, astringent, spasmolytic, antidiarrhoeal, diuretic, and antilithic properties. These properties make it useful for a variety of gastrointestinal, urinary, and digestive ailments. The plant is also known to stimulate venereal desire, promote urination and menses, and combat fever.
Advantages
The advantages of Paederia foetida as a medicinal herb are numerous, stemming from its versatile therapeutic profile and traditional wisdom. Comprehensive Anti-inflammatory Action: One of its greatest advantages is its potent anti-inflammatory action, which makes it a cornerstone in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions. Its ability to soothe and reduce inflammation is utilized for ailments like rheumatic affections, arthritis (Sandhivata), and other painful inflammatory disorders. Multifaceted Therapeutic Uses: The plant offers a wide spectrum of benefits beyond inflammation. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including digestive issues (flatulence, diarrhea), respiratory problems (cough and cold), and liver and spleen inflammations. Traditional and Scientific Validation: The plant's uses are not merely based on tradition; some of its properties, such as its anti-inflammatory and antitumor effects, have been supported by scientific studies. This combination of long-standing traditional use and modern research provides a strong foundation for its medicinal value. Holistic Application: Different parts of the plant—the leaves, roots, and the entire plant—are utilized for different purposes, offering a holistic approach to healing. For instance, the leaves are used for flatulence and cough, while the roots are used for stimulating circulation and soothing rheumatism.
Uses
Paederia foetida is used extensively in traditional medicine systems across Asia for a wide range of health conditions. In Ayurveda (India): It is primarily used for Vatarakta (gout) and Vata roga (diseases caused by an imbalance of the Vata dosha), which include various neurological and rheumatic disorders. It is also a key ingredient in classical Ayurvedic preparations like Dasamularista and is specifically used for Sandhivata (osteoarthritis/joint pain). For Inflammatory Conditions: Both the leaves and roots are used to treat rheumatic affections and inflammations of the liver, spleen, and chest. In Burma, it is used to treat rheumatism, and in Vietnam, the leaves and roots are used to soothe inflammation. A decoction of the roots mixed with pig’s feet is used to stimulate blood circulation and assuage rheumatism pain in elderly people. For Digestive and Respiratory Ailments: The leaves are used to treat flatulence and are known to be carminative, antidiarrhoeal, and spasmolytic. In traditional herbal cures, the leaves are used to prepare a soup with ginger to treat cough and cold. For Other Ailments: In China, the plant is used to treat paralysis and to increase fertility. The entire plant is used to heal insect bites. In Vietnam, the leaves are used to promote urination and combat fever. In India, it is used to stimulate venereal desire, promote urination, and induce menses.
Using way
The methods of using Paederia foetida vary depending on the ailment being treated and the part of the plant being used. For Cough and Cold: The leaves are prepared into a soup with a small amount of ginger. This method leverages the leaves' anti-inflammatory and carminative properties to soothe the throat and provide relief from cold symptoms. For Rheumatism: A decoction is prepared from the roots and is sometimes mixed with pig's feet. This mixture is consumed to stimulate blood circulation and provide relief from the pain and stiffness associated with rheumatism, especially in the elderly. General Medicinal Use: The leaves and roots can be used to prepare decoctions, infusions, or pastes. The specific method of preparation depends on the traditional prescription and the intended use, whether for internal consumption or external application. The herb is also incorporated into complex formulations like Dasamularista, where it acts as one of the key ingredients to address Vata-related disorders.
Conclusion
Paederia foetida, known by its Sanskrit name Prasarani, is a remarkably significant herb in traditional Asian medicine. Despite its distinctive and often unpleasant foetid odor, its therapeutic value is immense and widely celebrated. The plant's extensive use is validated by its proven anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and carminative properties. From its use in treating rheumatic affections, digestive issues, and respiratory ailments to its potential in treating paralysis and increasing fertility, Paederia foetida demonstrates a broad spectrum of medicinal applications. It serves as a prime example of how traditional knowledge, passed down through generations, holds profound insights into natural remedies that continue to be relevant and are now being supported by modern scientific research. The combination of its traditional uses and emerging scientific evidence solidifies Paederia foetida's status as a valuable medicinal plant for the future.
