Cissus quadrangularis – Veldt grape

An Overview, Benefits, Side Effects and Interactions


Best used for Bone health, Fractures and Rheumatic pains (अस्थिसन्धानीय)

Family Name: Vitaceae (grape family)

Botanical Name: Cissus quadrangularis Linn.

English Name: Edible -stemmed vine, Veldt grape, Devil’s backbone, Adamant creeper

Hindi Name: Hadjod (हड़जोड़)

Sanskrit Name: Asthishrinkhla, Asthisamharaka, Vajravalli (अस्थिशृंखला, अस्थिसंहारी, वज्रवल्ली)

Taste: Sweet

Nature: Hot

Parts Used: All parts of the plant

Description


C.quadrangularis is a succulent climbing perennial plant of the grape family that reaches upto 3m. It grows to 5 m (16 ft) by .5 m (1.6 ft) at a fast rate. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. It cannot grow in the shade. Distribution: tropical Asia, Arabia and much of Africa.

Chemical Constituents


C.quadrangularis contains carotenoids, triterpenoids and abundant vitamin C. The calcined preparations (bhasma) of C.quadrangularis contain carbonates and phosphates of sodium, magnesium and calcium. Fresh stem contains calcium oxalate crystals. The plant also produces the resveratrol dimer quadrangularin A. [1], [2]

Mode of Action


  1. Ayurvedic Doshas: The plant balances Kapha and Vata dosha, but increases Pitta dosha.
  2. Local application: Astringent and sandhaneey (union of organs which are separated by injury or trauma, plastic and reconstructive surgery in ayurveda)[3].
  3. Digestive, Carminative and Antihelminthic
  4. Blood purifier and Haemostatic
  5. Aphrodisiac
  6. Sandhanney (Plastic and reconstructive surgery in ayurveda)
  7. Test tube studies and research in animals show that it has Anti-oxidant, Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory properties.[4]

Therapeutic Benefits


  1. Fractures: Cissus quadrangularis dried herb preparations or extracts can decrease pain and swelling and improve the rate of healing in people with various types of bone fractures[4]. C.quadrangularis preparations or extracts are taken orally and applied locally. C.quadrangularis oil can be applied locally[1].
  2. It has been found to be effective in Osteoporosis[2] and eases the pain of Rheumatoid arthritis and Gout[1]. 
  3. It is used in the treatment of Indigestion and Haemorrhoids[1]. Its bactericidal effects on Helicobacter pylori indicate a potential use for treating Gastric ulcers in conjunction with NSAID therapy[5].
  4. It is said to be effective for Syphilis[1]
  5. Other uses: Menstrual problems, Aphrodisiac, Wound healer.
  6. It might have activity against the organism that causes Malaria.[4]
  7. Obesity: Few research shows that taking Cissus quadrangularis extract, alone or with other ingredients, reduces weight by a small amount in people who are overweight or obese. Longer-term, larger studies are need to confirm these results.[4]

Side Effects and Risk Factors


  1. When taken by mouth: C.quadrangularis is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for up to 10 weeks. LOng term safety is not known. It can cause side effects such as headache, intestinal gas, dry mouth, diarrhea, and insomnia. There is not enough information to know how often these side effects might occur.[4]
  2. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: There is insufficient evidence regarding the safety of C.quadrangularis in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding, hence should be AVOIDED in Pregnancy and BreastFeeding.[4]
  3. Diabetes: C.quadrangularis can lower blood sugar. Monitor your blood sugar levels closely if you have diabetes and use C.quadrangularis.[4]
  4. Surgery: Since the plant interferes with blood sugar control, it must be stopped at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.[4]

 

Sources

  1. DRAVYAGUNA-VIJNANA Vol.2 (vegetable Drugs) by Prof. P.V.Sharma, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, Varanasi, Sixteenth Edition:1995. 9th Chapter, Jwaraghnadi varga: Asthisandhanney drugs: Asthishrinkhla (page no.-827)
  2. Cissus quadrangularis – Wikipedia
  3. Plastic and reconstructive surgery in ayurved – IAMJ

  4. Cissus Quadrangularis: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions …- Webmed

  5. Jainu, M.; Mohan, K. V.; Devi, C. S. S. (2006). “Protective effect of Cissus quadrangularis on neutrophil mediated tissue injury induced by aspirin in rats”. Journal of Ethnopharmacology104 (3): 302–5. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.08.076PMID 16338111

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