WORM KILLER Aristolochia bracteolata
Aristolochiaceae
San: Kitamari Hin: Kiramar, Kitamar Mal: Attuthottappala, Atuthinnappala
Tam: Atutinnappalai
Importance
The bracteated birthwort or worm killer is a perennial prostrate herb. As the name
suggests it is a killer of intestinal worms especially roundworms. It is also used in vitiated
conditions of kapha and vata, constipation, inflammations, amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhoea,
foul ulcers, boils, syphilis, gonorrhoea, dyspepsia, colic, skin diseases, eczema, artheralgia
and intermittent fevers. The plant is an insect repellent due to the presence of aristolochic
acid, which is poisonous to man and livestock. Plant is also used against scorpion sting.
Seeds ground in water to form a lotion and used for softening hair. Powdered root is used in
fertility control.
Distribution
The plant is found in Sri Lanka, Arabian countries and tropical Africa. In India, the
plant is grown in Deccan and Carnatic Plateau.
Botany
Aristolochia bracteolata Lam. syn. A. bracteata Retz. belongs to the family
Aristolochiaceae. It is a perennial prostrate herb with weak, glabrous stems. Leaves are
simple, alternate, reniform or broadly ovate, cordate at the base with a wide sinus upto
7.5cm in diameter, reticulately veined. Flowers are solitary with a large sessile orbicular
bract at the base. Perianth tube is cylindric with dark purple tip having revolute margins.
Fruits are oblong-ellipsoid 12-ribbed glabrous capsules. Seeds are deltoid with slightly
cordate base (Warrier et al, 1993)
Another important species belonging to the genus Aristolochia is A. indica Linn. The
plant grows wild throughout the low hills and plains of India from Nepal to West Bengal and
South India. It is a valuable anti-dote to snake bite and to bites of poisonous insects as
scorpion, etc. It is given in cases of cholera and diarrhoea after macerating with black
pepper corns. The juice of the leaves has stimulant, tonic and antiperiodic properties.
Agrotechnology
Shady areas and well-drained soils are most suited to Aristolochia. The plant can be
seed propagated. 3-month-old seedlings raised in polybags are required for transplanting.
Pits of size 50cm cube are to be taken at a distance of 3m and filled with sand, topsoil and
dried cowdung. To these pits, the seedlings are to be transplanted. Regular irrigation and
organic manure application is beneficial. The plant is to be trailed on iron wires tied to
poles. The plant is not attacked by any serious pests or diseases. Plant attains good spread
within one year. Leaves can be collected for the next 10 years. Roots and leaves constitute
the economic parts (Prasad et al, 1997).
Properties and Activity
Leaves and fruits yield ceryl alcohol, β-sitosterol and aristolochic acid. Root
contains aristolochic acid. Seeds give an alkaloid magnoflorine, aristolochic acid, fatty oil
comprising palmitic, stearic, lignoseric and oleic acids and β-sitosterol.
The plant is anthelmintic, cathartic, antiperiodic and emmenagogue. Leaf is
antigonorrhoeic, larvicidal and used in eczema on children’s leg and ulcers. The plant is
oxytocic (Husain et al,1992).