Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f.

DeFilipps, Robert A. & Krupnick, Gary A., 2018, The medicinal plants of Myanmar, PhytoKeys 102, pp. 1-341 : 11-12

Dregea volubilis (L.f.) Benth. ex Hook.f.

Names.

Myanmar: kway-tauk nwai, gwedauk-nwe. English: giant swallowart.

Range.

China, Bagladesch, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Kashmir, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. Grows naturally over Myanmar.

Uses.

Known for its bitter taste and heating properties, D. volubilis is an ingredient in preparations given to regulate bowels, strengthen blood, promote virility, and stimulate appetite, as well as to alleviate sore throat, gonorrhea, asthma, and conditions caused by ingestion of rat poison. Leaf: Fire-roasted until limp and placed on sores and boils to reduce swelling, drain pus, and induce healing; given to alcoholics cooked with chicken to purge accumulated toxins. In soups or fried leaves are eaten to relieve flatulence and improve urine flow. The juice of crushed leaves is applied to herpes sores, and also used in a poultice to eliminate bumps and tumors. Pulverized with sugar they are applied to alleviate a stiff neck and similar problems. Fried with duck eggs (tradi tionally used more commonly than chicken eggs since considered more medicinally potent), they are consumed for strength and vitality. Root: Used in remedies for rabies as well as in emetic and in expectorant preparations.

Note.

Medicinal uses of this species in India are discussed in Jain and DeFilipps (1991).

References.

Agricultural Corporation (1980), Forest Department (1999).