KAPIKACHCHHU

Introduction:

During rainy season, this beautiful creeper plant grows. Leaves are ovate and rhombus shaped. A bunch of around 20-25 purple flowers grow near leaf base. 10-15 pods grow out of these flowers, pods are velvety but have silky thorn, if touched grows blisters. Pods contain large beans, reddish black in colour. Pods are used to prepare vegetables. Seeds are known as Kaunch beej and widely used in Ayurveda for treatment of impotency, sexual debility, infertility and for neurological disorders.

Uses:  

1. Seed powder, given with milk and ghee is good source of nourishment and rejuvenator. Reduces stress, strengthens muscles and is brain tonic. Used for weight gain also.

2. Seed powder with warm milk supports fertility and strengthens reproductive system in male and female.

3. Seed powder or decoction is useful in nervous system disorders, increases concentration, and relaxes muscles. Effective on Parkinson disease.

4. Seed powder with honey is useful in asthma.

5. Root powder and decoction is useful in backache and sciatic pain. A paste of seed powder may be applied on inflamed part of body.

6. Seed powder is useful to strengthen digestive system.

7. For removal of intestinal worms, powder of pod skin in jaggary may be given.