Witnessed by: Unani
Round-leaved birthwort (Aristolochia rotunda), of the Aristolochiaceae family. Low perennial with heart-shaped leaves, dull purple pipe-flowers and a rounded tuberous root; native range: scrub, olive-groves and stony ground of the Mediterranean region. Globally recognized as zaravand mudahraj in Urdu, zarawand mudahraj in Arabic, and round-rooted birthwort, smearwort in English. The part used is root (tuber). Rounded tuber, intensely bitter and disagreeable in scent and taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
ROUND-LEAVED BIRTHWORT
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- round-leaved birthwort
- Scientific name
- Aristolochia rotunda L.
- Family
- Aristolochiaceae
Form
- Part used
- root (tuber)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Unani
- bitter
Temperature
- Unani
- hot (2nd-3rd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- uterus · skin
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Unani
- jali (detergent, cleanses ulcers), muhallil (resolvent), mudirr-e-haid (emmenagogue), musqit-e-janin wa mashima (expels the fetus and afterbirth) and daf-e-summ (antidote)
Cautions
- Contraindications
- contraindicated in pregnancy
- Toxicity
- contains aristolochic acid, which is nephrotoxic and carcinogenic; internal use is now restricted, and it is largely confined to external or historical use
- Sourcing status
- legally-restricted
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