Abroma augusta Health Dictionary

Jacq.

Synonym: Ambroma augusta Linn. f.

Family: Sterculiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the hotter and moister parts of India, from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, eastwards to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura, ascending to 1,200 m, southwards in Peninsular India.

English: Perennial Indian Hemp, Devil's Cotton.

Ayurvedic: Pishaacha Kaarpaasa, Pivari.

Unani: Ulat-kambal.

Siddha/Tamil: Sivapputtuti.

Folk: Kumal, Sanukapaasi.

Action: Rootbark—emmena- gogue (used for dysmenorrhoea, amenorrhoea), abortifacient, galac- totrophic.

The root contains abromine (betaine), friedelin, abromasterol, abro- masterol A, choline, beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and octacosanol. Leaves, reported to be useful in treating uterine disorders, contain taraxerol, its acetate and lupeol.

Dosage: Leaf juice—10-20 ml. Rootbarkpowder—3-6 g. (CCRAS.)