Linn.Family: Lauraceae
Habitat: Throughout the greater parts of India.
English: Doddar-Laurel, Love-Vine.Ayurvedic: Amarvalli, Aakaashbel. (Cuscuta reflexa is also known as Amarvalli.)Siddha/Tamil: Erumaikkottan.Action: Astringent, diuretic (given in dropsy and anasarca, also in biliousness, chronic dysentery, haemoptysis and for supressing lactation after still-birth); piscicidal and insecticidal (used as a hair-wash for killing vermin).
The plant contains aporphine alkaloids. calcium, phosphorus, thiamine, riboflavin and niacin; also tocopherols. Nuts, crushed with vinegar and barley flour, are used against indurations of breast. The extract of nuts exhibits possibility of its use as a platelet inhibitor in thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Leaves are inhibitors of pectinolytic enzymes.American chestnut and European chestnut are equated with Castanea dentata and C. sativa,respectively. Both are used for respiratory ailments.