CHENNAI: The recurrent attack of breathlessness and wheezing is defined as Bronchial Asthma. It is indeed, shocking to know that India has 10 per cent of world Asthma patients, which is close to 20 million.
WHO states that almost two million people die every year due to acute bronchial asthma. However, many research findings also show that two-thirds of asthma deaths are preventable. One such preventive, popular medicine is from a plant known as Tyophora indica (Burm f) Merr. This belongs to the family Apocynaceae T indica, it has a long-standing use as a remedy for asthma. Our health systems say oral administration of leaf juice in the early morning, empty stomach for a week gives moderate or complete relief of asthma symptoms. This traditional practice has recently been validated by modern clinical trials too.
The specific epithet of the synonym Tylophora asthmatica (L f) Wight & Arn was given based only on its utility against bronchial asthma. A piece of root is ground into a paste and mixed in 50 ml hot water and orally administered in case of indigestion. The powdered root mixed in 100 ml of cow milk is administered and is used for benefitting the general ability. T indica is also used as an anti-allergic agent and against rheumatism, dermatitis and psoriasis. T indica is known as Aadu muttada balli (climber that Goat won’t touch) in Kannada, Nanjaruppaan (the one that removes toxins) in Tamil languages. Antamul is the name in Hindi and it is called Kukka paala in Telugu.
This indigenous species is found to grow in the plains and deciduous forests of southern and eastern India, up to an altitude of 1,000 m ASL. It is a perennial, extensive twiner.The plant sap is watery, yellowish-white or colourless and the stems are densely hairy. The leaves are 3-10 x 2-5 cm long. Other morphological aspects of the plant include, ovate to ovate-oblong or elliptic, base cordate, apex acute, mucronate, margins ciliate, soft-hairy. The leaf stalk is 1 cm long and canaliculate. The inflorescence is up to 6 cm long, the flowers 1 cm across. They are greenish-yellow on the outside and purple on the inside. They are arranged in axillary umbellate clusters. Fruits are like follicles, paired, up to 7 x 1.5 cm, cylindrical. They are narrow at both ends, striate and smooth. Seeds that measure, 2 x 0.8 cm, are ovate, flat, with long silky white hair at the top.