A leafless, achlorophyllus climber. Inflorescence in short racemes. Flowers subsessile, pentamerous; calyx cupular; lobes 5, orbicular; corolla cream, tubular-campanulate; tube 8 mm; lobes 5, ovate; scales 5, fimbriate. Stamens 5, subsessile. Ovary ovoid; ovules 2 per cell. Fruit capsule, globose, conical, succulent, circumsessile. Seeds black.

The seeds are alterative, anthelmintic, carminative and antibilious (stem); laxative and antifertility (plant); antiviral (50% EtOH aerial part extract).

Plants for a Future

Cuscutalin, cuscutin, luteolin, beta-sitosterol and bergenin (stem); amarbelin (seed); kaempferol (stem and seed); from 50% EtOH aerial part extract.

Gout, bilious disorders (stem); liver problems, constipation and in "Vat roga" (stem decoction); sores and alopecia (plant). It is used internally in treating protracted fevers and externally in the treatment of itchy skin. The plant is employed in Ayurvedic medicine to treat difficulty in urinating, jaundice, muscle pain and coughs.

Chandel et al., Biodiversity in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India.