Vidhara

Argyreia speciosa (Linn f.) (syn. Argyreia Nervosa) is the traditional ayurvedic medicinal plant that belongs to the Convolvulaceae family.

Medicinal Plant

Vidhara

Argyreia speciosa (Linn f.) (syn. Argyreia Nervosa) is the traditional ayurvedic medicinal plant that belongs to the Convolvulaceae family.

Argyreia speciosa (Linn f.) (syn. Argyreia Nervosa) is the traditional ayurvedic medicinal plant that belongs to the Convolvulaceae family. It is commonly known as elephant creeper, Hawaiian Baby Wood Rose and Vidhara or Bidhara. The plant is mainly found in the tropical regions of the world. It is a large woody climber having white woolly hairy stems. In Ayurveda, it is known as Vruddhadaruka and is used as a Rasayana. It is used in various ayurvedic formulations to treat various disorders such as diabetes, chronic gonorrhoea, ulcer, strangury, sexual disorders, anorexia, skin disorders, neurological disorders and associated with diuretic and aphrodisiac properties.

Scientific Name

Argyreia nervosa

Family

Convolvulaceae

Common Name

Vidhara

Botanical Description

About the Vidhara Plant

A. nervosa is a large woody climber and the plant can reach up to a height of 10 m or more. The stem of this plant is white and tomentose, the thickness of the mature stem is 25 mm with vertical ridges and several lenticels that are transversely elongated. It comprises of a large, alternate, long petiole, simple, acute, ovate, glabrous, silver-coloured heart-shaped leaves with a smooth appearance on the upper sides and beautiful silky hairs from the lower side. These leaves are 5-15 cm in length, while the leaf blade is 20-25 cm broad and 20-30 cm long. The flowers are large violet or lavender, funnel-shaped, sub capitate formed in the cluster. Black coloured seeds are present inside the pods of dried flowers. The fruit is smooth globose, yellowish-brown, round or berry-like, containing brown seeds. Three to five seeds are present in each flower pod. The roots of this plant vary in thickness. Usually, thin roots are 2-4 mm in diameter and the thick roots are 5-25 mm in diameter with a rough exterior because of the presence of lenticels. The seeds are more or less triangular with 0.5 to 0.75 cm in length and 5 mm in breadth.

of this plant is mentioned in the Nighantu grants. It is also mentioned in Trikona Kanda in Ashtanga Sangraha. Vrddhadaru has been described in Karcveeradi Varga by Dhanvantri Nighantu.

Kaphavatashamak: It alleviates the vitiated Kapha and Vata doshas of the body. Santhanik karam: The plant is associated with wound healing property, helps in blood purification. Abhyantranadisansthan: It strengthens the nerves, cures the CNS's weakness, beneficial for body aches and has nootropic action. Pachansansthan: It helps in curing constipation, piles, indigestion, increases flatulence and act as an appetizer and laxative. Raktavahsansthan: It is used to treat heart disorders and acts as a cardiotonic and anti-inflammatory agent. Shvasansansthan: It is used to treat hoarseness of voice, cough, cold and beneficial for throat. It acts as an antitussive agent. Prajanansansthan: It is used to treat sexual disorders of men, leucorrhea and acts as a uterine tonic. It is associated with aphrodisiac property. Mutravahsansthan: It acts as an antidiabetic agent. Saatmikaran: It acts as a rejuvenator

Chemical Composition

Phytochemical Constituents

The chemical constituents found in A. Nervosa are flavonoids, ergoline alkaloids (0.5-0.9%), steroids, triterpenoids and lipids. Ergoline alkaloids include lysergic acid-alpha-hydroxy ethyl amide, ergometrine, agroclavine, ergometrine, iso-lysergic acid-alpha-hydroxy ethyl amide, elymoclavine, festuclavine, chanoclavine I, chanoclavine-II and racemic chanoclavine. In addition, the seeds of the plant contain steroidal glycoside, (24R)-ergost-5-en-11-oxo-3beta-of-α-Dglucopyranoside.

Health Benefits

Therapeutic Benefits of Vidhara

From classical Ayurvedic indications to modern phytotherapeutic insights — explore the spectrum of wellness benefits this herb has to offer.

It is used as a Rasayana (rejuvenator) that helps in treating chronic ulcers, strangury and gonorrhoea. However, Vrddhadaru is considered a controversial drug. The external application of the leaves helps in curing the itching, ringworm, eczema, other skin disorders and is used as a local stimulant and rubefacient. It is also used to prevent conception. The roots of this plant are used to cure bronchitis, syphilis, pulmonary tuberculosis and are used as a brain tonic, aphrodisiac agent and rejuvenator. One of the formulations of this plant named Ajmodadi Churna is used to treat dysentery, unilateral paralysis and rheumatic ailments. In Ayurveda, A. speciosa is used as a supportive drug for exerting spasmolytic, hypotensive, antiphlogistic actions on the central nervous system.