Kitamari Aristolochia bracteata, Uses and Research articles

Kitamari- Aristolochia bracteolata is a herb mentioned in Ayurveda for the treatment of wound, intestinal worms, dysmenorrhea, skin diseases and fever. 

Latin name- Aristolochia bracteolata Retz. Aristolochia bracteata
Family- Aristolochiaceae (Ishwari kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name – Kitamar
English name– Bracteated birthwort, Pipewine
Bengali name – Kiramar, Patuvanga
Gujarathi name- Kiramar
Kannada name – Adu Muttada gida
Malayalam name– Aduthinnappalai
Marathi name – Kidamar
Oriya name – Paniri
Tamil name – Aduthinnarppalai
Telugu name – Gadide, Gadaparaku
Urdu name- Paniri
Deccan – Gandan, Gandati

Sanskrit synonyms

Dhumrapatra- The leaf is used for fumigation
Kitamari- Destroys the germs
Nakuli – Useful in cobra poisoning
Alleviates poisonous effect

Morphology

Morphology of Aristolochia bracteolata:
This is a small herb growing to a height of 1-2 feet and is found all over India in the temperate climate. The stem is smooth and little twining. The branches are sharp and small. The leaves are 2- 3 inch long, kidney shaped and membranous. The under-surface has small mesh like structure. The flowers are purple colored, single, 1.5.2 inch long and covered with small hairy structures. The fruits are oval to round shape, 1 inch long. The seeds are triangular and flat.

Properties, part used, dosage

Properties:
Rasa (Taste) – Tikta (Bitter)
Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light for digestion), Ruksha (Dry in nature), Teekshna (Strong)
Vipaka – Katu (Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion)
Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)
Karma (Actions) – Kaphavata shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and vata dosha)
Pharmacological actions – Anthelmintic, Thermogenic, Anti inflammatory, Appetizer

Part used- Leaf, Root

Dosage-
Powder- 1 to 3 g
Decoction- 50 to 100 ml
Fresh juice- 5 to 10 ml

Chemical composition

Leaves and fruit contain ceryl alcohol, aristolochic acid and beta-sitosterol. Roots contain aristolochic and Potassium chloride nitrates. It also contains bitter principle glucoside in nature named isoaristolochic and Allanton 0.05% alkaloid Aristoloclen, essential oil containing carbonyl compound and a small amount of an oil with above of Isovanilin.

Uses, Indications

Uses of Kitamari:

  • The paste of the leaf of Kitamari is applied over the wounds for helping in quick healing.
  • The decoction of the leaf of Aristolochia bracteolate is consumed in a dose of 50 ml to treat dysmenorrhea and difficulty in labor.
  • The decoction of the bark or whole plant is taken in a dose of about 40 ml to treat intestinal worms.
  • The paste of the leaf of Kitamari is applied over eczema for its treatment.
  • The powder of the seed of Aristolochia bracteolate is given with powder of black pepper to treat fever.
  • The paste of the root of Aristolochia bracteolate is applied over the area over localized swelling for its treatment.

Adverse effects

No known adverse effect is known or reported after the use of Kitamari.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Research

Research articles related to Aristolochia bracteolata:
Anti- microbial activity: The present study describes the antimicrobial activity of the acetone, ethanol and petroleum ether extracts of the leaves, stem and root of Aristolochia bracteolata Lam. using agar diffusion method against human pathogenic bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. In the present research, all the extracts were found to be effective against four human bacterial species, E.coli, P.aeruginosa, K.pneumoniae and B.aureus sensitive to all the plant extracts.

Anti- bacterial and anti- fungal action: The phytochemical analysis of both the aqueous and methanolic extracts of the medicinal plant Aristolochia bracteolata Retz. and their antibacterial and antifungal activities against six pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Leuconostoc lactis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi as well as four fungus namely Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus indicus and Mucor indicus were investigated. Antibacterial potentiality of aqueous and methanol solvent extract of mature leaves of A. bracteata was evaluated against the bacteria, highest antibacterial activity was observed against Streptococcus pyogenes (42 mm) and followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (38 mm) in methanol extract. But in the case of antifungal activity the maximum inhibition zone found against Rhizopus indicus (18) in methanol extract. There is no activity antibacterial and antifungal activity found in the aqueous extract.

Anti- inflammatory action: Anti- inflammatory action with the ethanol extract of the leaves of the plant Aristolochia bracteolata showed significant action in wistar rats.

Scientific classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Piperales
Family: Aristolochiaceae
Subfamily: Aristolochioideae
Genus: Aristolochia L.

Habitat, Substitute

Habitat:  Madhya pradesh, Uttar pradesh, West Bengal, South India, Srilanka
Substitute: Aristolochia indica

Ayurvedic formulations

Dravanthyadi taila

Author: Dr.B.K.Prashanth M.D (Ayu), Ph.D
E mail: drprashanthbk@gmail.com
Click to consult Dr Prashanth BK

Sthanika Karma (Systemic Action)

External – Anti microbial, and possesses wound healing property. Leaf juice can be applied on non healing wounds. Leaf paste is indicated for external application in Vicharchika type of skin diseases.

Digestive System – Ant helminthic and purgative. Root decoction is indicated in Helminthiasis .

Circulatory System – Indicated in edema.

Excretory system – Seed increases urine production.

Reproductive System – Uterine stimulantI, indicated in Amenorrhea and in Dysmenorrhea
Tapakrama – Indicated in Fever ( Vishamajvara / intermittent fever) (along with pepper powder).
Satmikarana – Anti poisonous

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