A shrubby twining plant, woody at the base. Leaves very variable, broad to narrow, linear-oblong to obovate, wavy margin, base round. Flowers few, pale greenish white, cylindrical tube of a trumpet shaped mouth. Fruit capsule, brown globose oblong, opening below with 6 valves. After dehiscing fruit looks like ahnging purse. Seed flat, oval in shape.

Tonic, stimulant, emetic, emmenagogue, abortifacient, stimulant, diuretic, anticancer, insecticidal and contraceptive (plant).

Aristolochic acid and aristolochic acid D. aristolamide and aristolochine (root).

For sporadic fever, worm, wounds, leucoderma, impotency, inflammations, biliousness and dry cough; promotes digestion and controls menstruation.

Sharma, Classical Uses of Medicinal Plants.