Coscinium Fenestratum (Plamanjal)

Description

Coscinium Fenestratum (Plamanjal)

1. Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. (Menispermaceae) is a large woody liana that grows at elevations of 350-1200 m in moist deciduous to evergreen forests.
2. It thrives in moist evergreen, semi-evergreen, deciduous, and dry deciduous forests.
3. The stem and root of this species are very therapeutic and are sold in India as Maramanjal and in Europe as False Calumba or Tree Curcuma.
4. The stem is bitter, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, febrifugal and tonic and helps with kapha and vata conditions, eye diseases, wounds, ulcers, diabetes, fever and general weakness.
5. The plant is threatened with extinction in the wild due to destructive collection, over-exploitation and habitat destruction.
6. It is classified as “endangered” in India, “vulnerable” in Vietnam, and “indeterminate” in Sri Lanka and Malaysia.