Chondodendron tomentosum Health Dictionary

Ruiz et Par.

Family: Menispermaceae.

Habitat: A native of Peru and Brazil.

English: False Pareira Brava.

Ayurvedic: Paatha, Ambashthaa (true Pareira is equated with Cissampelos pareira root).

Action: Diuretic (used for chronic inflammation of urinary passages, calculus affections, jaundice, dropsy); also for leucorrhoea, rheumatism.

Roots and stem contain alkaloids, including delta-tubocurarine and l- curarine. Tubocurarine is a potent muscle relaxant. The plant contains toxic derivatives and must be used in medicinal doses with caution.

Tubocurarine alkaloid is used as tubocurarine chloride to paralyse body’s muscles during operations.