Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
Vernacular name: Dodder, Amarbel (Hindi: अमरबेल)
Species Name: Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
Family: Convolvulaceae
Habit: Leafless holoparasitic annual vine
Stem: Filiform, yellow-orange, twining 1-2 mm diameter, haustoria-bearing.
Leaf: Absent (reduced to minute scales).
Flowering: Summer-monsoon
Flowers: Bracteate dense cymes; 5 white petals (campanulate 4-6 mm), 5 stamens (anthers yellow exserted), superior ovary (2-locular).
Fruit: Globose capsule 3-4 mm, circumscissile, 4 black angular seeds.
Uses:
- Stem extract serves as liver tonic, laxative and emmenagogue in Ayurveda.
- Whole plant treats jaundice, skin diseases, and worm infestations traditionally.
- Unani practices uses plant in various forms to treat hypertension and urinary and kidney problems.
- Extracts from plants exhibits various properties like anticancer, antioxidant, antiemetic and antimicrobial.
- Decoction and extracts helps to treat and manage constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, rheumatic pain and toothaches.
- Plant oil is used to control hair loss and bleeding.
- Fresh juice acts as an appetizer.
- “Immortal vine” in Unani; ghost-repelling charm; tribal aphrodisiac.
- Obligate stem parasite; 100+ hosts; wind-dispersed seed; serious agricultural pest.
