![]() Panibel is an extensive, scarcely woody plant, having glabrous climber with slender, and with hollow stems of around 3 to 6 metres long and 7.5 to 12 mm in diametre. This medicinal plant has a smooth bark, green coloured with a hint of purple, especially at the nodes, and is covered with a thin glaucous bloom with forked tendrils. Leaves of Panibel are simple, glossy, orbicular, around 3 to 7 angled or lobed, 12.5 to 25 cm across, with crenate-dentate margins, base is nerved; petioles variable in length up to 20 cm and is deeply grooved above. Its flowers are around 2.5 mm in diametre, reddish-brown, borne in pyramidal, and are panicled too, with pubescent cymes on a very stout peduncle together with a forked tendril; petals are curved, glabrous on both surfaces; stamens are bright yellow coloured. Berries are globose, 7.5 to 9 mm in diametre, black in colour, succulent, and generally 2 seeded. In central India flowering occurs mainly in July and August and fruiting from September to November The medicinal properties and uses of Panibel are huge. Like for instance, the juice of the tender leaves of this plant is used to relieve dental troubles. It is also used as a detergent for indolent ulcers. The roots are used as astringent, and their decoction is taken to treat chronic dysentery; the crushed roots are applied to promote healing of wounds. The Santhal tribe of Bihar uses this plant to relieve muscular pains, sores and to promote healing of broken bones. In Kerala, this plant is one of four Vitaceae species used as the source the Ayurvedic drug Amlavesasah, that is used to treat indigestion, liver and spleen diseases, and respiratory disorders, the other three species being Cavratia trifolia, Cissus repens and C. vitiginea; it is an ingredient of a number of compound Ayurvedic preparations. |