Lam.Synonym: A. bracteata Retz.Family: Aristolochiaceae.
Habitat: Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and western peninsular India.
English: Bracteated Birthwort.Ayurvedic: Kitamaari, Dhumrapa- traa, Naakuli.Unani: Kiraamaar.Siddha/Tamil: Aadutheendaappaalai, Kattusuragam.Action: Oxytocic, abortifacient, emmenagogue.
Leaves and fruit contain ceryl alcohol, aristolochic acid and beta-sitos- terol. Aristolochic acid is insecticidal, poisonous, nephrotoxic. Leaf juice— vermifuge. Seeds—strong purgative. Products containing aristolochic acid are banned in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, European countries and Japan.The seed compounds, aristolochic acid and magnoflorine, induce contractions in the isolated uterus of pregnant rat and stimulate the isolated ileum of guinea pig. They also activate the muscarinic and serotoner- gic receptors in a variety of organs. Magnoflorine decreases arterial blood pressure in rabbits, and induces hypothermia in mice.See also A. longa.