Patala Garudi – Cocculus hirsutus Uses, Dose, Research

Patala Garudi – Cocculus hirsutus is an Ayurvedic herb used in treating intestinal worm infestations, Sun stroke, migraine, anorexia etc. It also possesses antimicrobial potential.

Botanical Name- Cocculus hirsutus(Linn) Diels.
Family- Menispermaceae (Guduchi kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi Name- Jalajamani,  Patal garudi, Jal jamani, Jamtike bel
Tamil name- Katukkodi
Bengali name- Humera
Telugu name- Dusari Balli, Doosariteega
Gujarati name – Patala Garoli, Vevati
Marathi name – Vasanavel

Sanskrit synonyms

Garudi, Somavalli, Vikranta, Mechaka, Tarkshi, Sauparni, Vasani,
Maha bala, MahaMoola – having long roots
Deerghakanda, Drudhalata, Deerghavalli – A tall climber, creeper
Vatsadani – Leaves are eaten by calves
Chilahinta – Plant has strong properties to alleviate vata and kapha dosha like a bear

Classical categorization

Raja Nighantu, Bh.P Ni – Guduchyadi Varga

Major chemical constituents

Roots- D- Trilobine & DL- Coclaurine
Stem & Root- Triobine, isotrilobine, Coclurine, magnoflorine hirsudol, Cohirsine, Cohirsinine, Hirsutine, Shaheenine, Cohirstinine, Jamatinine, Haiderine etc, Alkalodids
(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna VIjnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Medicinal properties

Patala Garudi – Cocculus hirsutus Medicinal Properties:
Rasa (taste) – Tikta (bitter)
Veerya – Ushna Hot potencuy
Guna (qualities) – Laghu (Lightness), Picchila (Stickiness)
Vipaka – Katu Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
Prabhava – Vishaghna – anti-poisonous, anti-toxic
Effect on Tridosha; It balances all the three Doshas
Pharmacological action – Anti diabetic

Part used, dosage

Part used- Root, Leaf
Dosage- Juice extract – 10-20 ml

Varieties

There are approximately 42 species and subspecies referred under patalagarudi.

Sanskrit verse

Uses

Patalagaruda – Cocculus hirsutus uses:
Vrushya – aphrodisiac, improves vigor
Santarpani – Nourishing
Ruchya – improves taste, relieves anorexia.
Indicated in
Daha –  burning sensation, as in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes etc
Asradosha – Blood impurity, blood vitiation disorders such as skin diseases, bleeding disorders etc
Vishadosha – Poisoning, toxic conditions
It is a good diuretic and soothes the urinary tract.
In  poisonous bites, it is applied externally to relieve burning sensation and toxicity.
It is used in treating premature ejaculation.
Used in treating urinary tract infections, skin disorders and fever.
It is used in treating sun stroke, excess body heat. For this, its root juice extract – 20 ml is administered along with half a teaspoon of sugar.
Its root decoction (Moola Kashaya) is administered along with Pippali (long pepper) in treating Amavata – rheumatoid arthritis.
When put in water, it absorbs water and swells to form a gel like semi-solid.
It is used in treating high blood pressure, gout, headache, and neuralgia.
It heals fractures quickly.

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

Anti-microbial activity of the root – Ethanol and crude alkaloidal fraction extracts showed concentration dependent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, E coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi.
Phytochemical studies

Morphology

Scandent shrub with softly villus branches
Leaves – ovate oblong, small petiole
Fruits – Drupe, Size of small pea

Formulations

Patalagarudyadi kwatha – Visa roga

Sthanika karma (Action on different system)

External application – External application of the paste has an Anti poisonous effect. In skin diseases its paste is indicated for external use.

Internal administration
Digestive system – Carminative, digestive, Facilitate normal movement of vata dosha. Indicated in low digestive strength, loss of appetite, abdominal distension, colic pain etc.

Circulatory system – Indicated in Hypertension, indicated in Amavata, Upadamsa etc.

Respiratory system – Pacifies kapha dosha. Indicated in cough and breathing disorders

Reproductive System – Juice is Aphrodisiac. It is indicated in premature ejaculation
Excretory system – Its juice with sugar is administered in Dysuria, Burning micturition, UTI etc.
Tapakrama – Indicated in fever

Satmikarana – Ant poisonous. Root is indicated in Sarpa visha
Skin – Indicated in skin disorders