Aftimoon, Aakaash Bel (Cuscuta reflexa roxb.)

Aftimoon, Aakaash Bel (Cuscuta reflexa roxb.)

Herb's Description

“Aftimoon” is scientifically known as (Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.) The plant is parasitic and grows on other plants. It look brownish-yellow in colour. The stems are wiry, slender and longitudinally furrowed. Its flowers pedicelled and cupped. Each cup has several teeth. Within the cup there is a corolla, the seeds are four, small, light brown, convex on one side and concave on the other and enclosed in a round capsule.

Taste, Odor & Occurrence

Occurrence: It occurs in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Malaysia and Sri Lanka.
Odour: The odour of Afitimoon (Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.) is aromatic
Taste: its taste is bitter and sharp

Primary Characteristics

Afitimoon (Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.) belongs to Convolvulaceae, Cuscutaceae family. The Arabic names for this herb are “Afitmun” and “Kasus”. In English language this herb is called as “Dodder”. While in Urdu it is known as “Afitmun”, “Akas Bel”, “Ambar Bel”, “Bepari-Desi”, “Ishq Paichan”, “Nilathari” and “Zarbooti”.

Temperaments

It is 2nd order, warm and dry, 3rd Order, Warm, 1st order, dry.

Pharmacological Actions

The pharmacological Actions of the plant (Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.) are Alterative, Analgesic, Anthelmintic, Anti-atrabilious, Blood Purifier, Carminative, Demulcent, Deobstruent, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Febrifuge, Purgative, Resolvent and Sedative. Fruit is especially alterative, stem is purgative and seeds are carminative and anodyne.

Indications

It is indicated in Jaundice, Insanity, paralysis, lumbago, itching, vomiting, chronic ulcers, Melancholia, Epilepsy, Hiccup, Inflammations, Headache, Incubus Nightmare, Chronic Persistent Fevers, Muscular Pain, Atrabilious Affections, Phlegmatic Humours, Spleen Debility, Joints Pain, Intestinal Disorders, Orchitis, Protracted Fevers, Liver Induration, Irritative Condition of Brain.