A yellowish green, dichotomously branched, semiparasitic, evergreen shrubby plant, 30-120 cm high. Leaves 2.5-10 cm long, lanceolate or elliptic, entire; flowers in terminal fascicles, male and female on different plants; pseudo-berry white, ellipsoid, viscid, with 1 seed embedded in the pulp.

Sedative, antispasmodic, cardiac, cytostatic, diuretic, hypotensive, narcotic, nervine, stimulant, tonic, vasodilator, emetic, anticancer and has a positve effect on arteriosclerosis (aerial part and leaf); hypotensive (leaf, wood and bark); diuretic and laxative (fruit); cardiotonic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic and purgative (fruit, leaf, wood and bark).

NCAM
Plants for a Future

Syringenin, syringin and eleutheroside E (stem and leaf); acetyl-choline, caffeic acid, GABA, histamine, (plant); alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein (leaf); ascorbic acid (fruit); betulin (shoot)

In hypertension (without any reported side effects), ear maladies especially in earache-tearing pains in the ears, and otitis, bleeding in the uterus, as a sedative and emetic (aerial part and leaf); for spleen enlargement and tumors, to lower blood pressure, heart rate, ease anxiety and promote sleep, also relieve panic attacks and headaches, and improves the ability to concentrate (plant); as a cardiotonic (fruit, leaf, wood and bark).

Berries are poisonous in high dosages and should only be taken under the scrutiny of a physician.

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