Habitat: Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and the Sunderbans.
English: Black Creeper.Ayurvedic: Gopavalli, Krishna Saarivaa (var.), Krishna-muuli, Shyaamalataa.Siddha/Tamil: Karunannari, Makalikilanzhu.Folk: Kaalisar, Karantaa.Action: Root—demulcent, diuretic, alterative, diaphoretic; used in fevers, dyspepsia and cutaneous affections. The roots of the plant are used as a substitute for Indian sarsaparilla and are often mixed with the roots of Hemidesmus indicus (their therapeutic properties for use as sarsaparilla have bot been established).
The root gave 2-hydroxy-4-meth- oxybenzaldehyde.Alkaloids and flavonoids were present in the roots but not in the leaves and fruits. Saponins were absent in these parts. The whole plant gave n-butyl sorboside, kaempferol and its gluco- side.