Witnessed by: TCM · Ayurveda
Cryptolepis (Cryptolepis buchananii), of the Apocynaceae (formerly Asclepiadaceae) family. Large woody climber with copious milky latex and leathery leaves; native range: Tropical Asia — the Indian subcontinent, southern China and South-East Asia. Globally recognized as krishna sariva in Sanskrit, kali dudhi, karanta in Hindi, gu gou teng (古钩藤) in Chinese, and wax-leaved climber, black sariva in English. The part used is root (Ayurveda) and stem (TCM). A twining vine of glossy waxen leaves exuding white latex; the root faintly sweet, the stem bitter and acrid.
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.
CRYPTOLEPIS
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- cryptolepis
- Scientific name
- Cryptolepis buchananii Roem. & Schult.
- Family
- Apocynaceae (formerly Asclepiadaceae)
Form
- Part used
- root (Ayurveda) and stem (TCM)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
- Ayurveda
- sweet · bitter (madhura, tikta)
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
- Ayurveda
- cooling (shita)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Liver
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- dispels wind-damp, invigorates the blood, reduces swelling and relieves pain
- Ayurveda
- raktashodhaka (blood-purifier), refrigerant, diaphoretic, galactagogue and mild alterative
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy, and the toxic potential of the stem calls for care
- Toxicity
- the plant carries cardio-active glycosides — an overdose of the stem is unsafe
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