Plant for identification 130811MK01

[Muthu Karthick]

Dear all,

Please help to identify this species. This root has been traded medicinally in Dindigul and Madurai district of Tamil Nadu in an optimal quantity. I can't ascertain the species by seeing only the root part. This is not so much aromatic but just a soil+root smell. I have seen the width of this up to an inch. People say this is a sort of trailing (or climber) plant (kodi in Tamil); sorry I have not went in to the field to confirm. First picture taken in Feb 2008 and the last two on first week of May 2011.

I suspect this could be a species of Boerhavia sp. Is this possible, kindly help me to resolve?

Local name in Tamil: Saranathi

--
Muthu Karthick, N
Care Earth Trust

#15, second main road,

Thillai ganga nagar,
Chennai - 600 061

Mob: 0091 96268 33911
www.careearthtrust.org

[Mahadeswara]

Roots of Boerhavia diffusa of Nictaginaceae,commonly known as
punarnava in Sanskrit, an important medicinal plant in ayurveda and
unani. The plant has medicinal properties especially roots which
are used to treat gonorrhea, all internal inflammation and edema.
Roots stimulate the emptying of the gallbladder, as a diuretic, for
all types of liver disorders (including jaundice and hepatitis),
gallbladder pain and stones, urinary tract disorders, renal disorders,
kidney stones, cystitis, and nephritis.
This is a wild / common weed. In fact plenty are growing around my
house in Mysore.

On Aug 13, 11:21 am, Muthu Karthick <nmk....@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear all,
> Please help to identify this species. This root has been traded medicinally
> in Dindigul and Madurai district of Tamil Nadu in an optimal quantity. I
> can't ascertain the species by seeing only the root part. This is not so
> much aromatic but just a soil+root smell. I have seen the width of this up
> to an inch. People say this is a sort of trailing (or climber) plant (kodi
> in Tamil); sorry I have not went in to the field to confirm. First picture
> taken in Feb 2008 and the last two on first week of May 2011.

> I suspect this could be a species of *Boerhavia* sp. Is this possible,

> kindly help me to resolve?
>
> Local name in Tamil: Saranathi
>
> --
> Muthu Karthick, N
> Care Earth Trust
> #15, second main road,
> Thillai ganga nagar,
> Chennai - 600 061
> Mob: 0091 96268 33911www.careearthtrust.org
>

>  Saranatthi root.JPG
> 158KViewDownload
>
>  Q 152.jpg
> 225KViewDownload
>
>  Q 151.jpg
> 211KViewDownload