Coscinium Fenestratum (Plamanjal)

Description

About the Product

Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. (Menispermaceae) is a big woody liana found at an altitude of 350-1200m in moist deciduous to evergreen woodland. It thrives in wet evergreen, semi-evergreen, deciduous, and dry deciduous forests. This species’ stem and root are very therapeutic and are sold in India as Maramanjal and in Europe as False Calumba or tree turmeric. Bitter, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, febrifuge, and tonic, the stem is beneficial in kapha and vata-vitiated conditions, ophthalmopathy, wounds, ulcers, diabetes, fever, and general debility. The plant is on the verge of extinction in the wild as a result of destructive collection, overexploitation, and habitat degradation. In India, it is classified as Critically Endangered, in Vietnam as Vulnerable, and in Sri Lanka and Malaysia as Indeterminate. As a result, a summary of this plant’s pharmacognosy, pharmacology, safety, and toxicity is described below, along with HPLC data on Berberine, the active chemical found in the plant’s stem and root.