Witnessed by: Ayurveda · Unani
Giant dodder (Cuscuta reflexa), of the Convolvulaceae family. Leafless parasitic climber of stout yellow-green thread-like stems draping its host; native range: throughout the Indian subcontinent, sprawling over trees and shrubs. Globally recognized as amaravela · akashavalli in Sanskrit, amarbel / akashbel in Hindi, aftimoon / kashus in Arabic, and sky creeper, leafless dodder in English. The part used is whole plant (stems). Coarse wiry yellow strands, without leaves or roots, of a bitter, slightly acrid taste and a faint herbaceous smell.
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.
GIANT DODDER
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Giant dodder
- Scientific name
- Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.
- Family
- Convolvulaceae
Form
- Part used
- whole plant (stems)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Ayurveda
- bitter (tikta) · pungent (katu) · astringent (kashaya)
- Unani
- bitter · pungent
Temperature
- Ayurveda
- heating (ushna)
- Unani
- hot & dry (2nd degree)
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Unani
- liver · spleen · brain
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Ayurveda
- yakriduttejaka (liver stimulant), rechana (purgative), krimighna, kaphavatahara, kushṭhaghna (for skin disease)
- Unani
- mus-hil-e-sauda (purges black bile), mufatteh-e-sudad (deobstruent of liver and spleen), musaffi-e-dam (blood-purifier), daf-e-junoon
Cautions
- Contraindications
- pregnancy and marked pitta or dryness, given its heating, purgative action
- Toxicity
- large doses gripe and purge and may irritate the bowel
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