Family : Celastraceae

English : Climbing staff plant

Hindi : Malkangani, Maklunki

Gujarati : Malkangani

Sanskrit :Jyotishmati, Pitataila

Part used : Seed

Botanical Description:  A large climbing unarmed shrub with long slender elongating branches which are reddish brown and covered with elongate white lenticels ; leaves simple,a lternate, ovate or obovate, cenulate, coriaceaous, glabrous, lateral nerves arching, flowers greenish white in terminal drooping panicles, fruits capsules, depressed globose, 3 lobed, bright yellow when ripe, opening to expose the brown seeds covered with orange red aril. Flowering and fruiting from March to June.

It is found throughout India.

Rasa : Katu, Tikta

Guna : Sara, Usna, Tiksna

Virya : Usna

Vipaka : Katu

Karma : Sirovirecanopaga, Dipana, Kaphahara,
Vamaka, Vatahara, Virecaka, Meddhya

Modern Pharmacological Action: This plant seed has been used for prevention and treatment of various diseases. The bark is abortifacient, depurative and a brain tonic. The seed oil is bitter, thermogenic and intellect promoting and is useful in abdominal disorders, beri-beri and sores.