Distribution:
Abundantly occurrs as a weed throughout India, up to an altitude of 2,000 m in the Himalayas. It is also cultivated to some extent in West Bengal.

Habit:
A diffusely branched, pubescent or glabrous, prostrate herb. The root-stock is stout, fusiform and woody; the stems are creeping often purplish, swollen at the nodes; the leaves are long-petioled, ovate or oblong-cordate, entire or sinuate; the flowers are red, pink or white, in small umbels; the fruits are ovate, oblong, pubescent, five-ribbed, glandular anthocarps.

Principle constituents:
The roots contain the rotenoids boeravinones AI, BI, C2, D, E and F besides the new dihydroisofurenoxanthin and borhavine.

Indications:
The roots are credited with anti-convulsant, analgesic, alzative, laxative, and expectorant properties. They also have diuretic and hepatoprotective actions.

Product range:
Abana, Bonnisan, Diabecon, Geriforte, Lukol, Styplon, Menotab, EveCare, V-gel