A climber with coiled tendrils. Leaves ovate to elliptic, glabrous, foetid smell. Flowers at leaf joints with a stalk, showy, white petals with violet coloured slender projection, sepals hairy, green. Fruit berry enclosed in hairy sepals.

Diuretic, anticancer and stimulates the cardiovascular system (aerial part); antihysteric (leaf and root); relieves headache (leaf).

PIER

C-glycosides of luteolin and apigenin and apigenin-8-C-diglucoside (plant); ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, niacin, thiamin (fruit)

Fruit is emetic, decoction is used in biliousness and asthma. Leaves are applied on the head in giddiness and headache. Their decoction is reportedly used to treat asthma and biliousness. A decoction of the leaves or roots is said to be an emmenagogue and useful for treating hysteria.

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