Dried Mudhiyor Koonthal / Skung Vine

Kingdom: Plantae 

Subkingdom: Viridiplantae  

Family: Rubiaceae  

Genus: Paederia L.

Species: Paederia foetida L.

Skunk Vine is botanically known as Paederia Foetida, and it belongs to the Rubiaceae family. It is a fast-growing plant, the stem will grow 7 m long and it twines into other plants. This plant is highly grown in East Asia, it can be found in 1800 meters in the Himalayan region. The native of this herbal plant is Asia. The flowers smell like roses, but the crushed leaves and stems provide a displeasing foul odor, which comes from the sulfur compound in the leaves.

The medicinal properties of this plant are antinociceptive, antiviral, antidiarrhoeal, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Most of the chemical components present in the leaves of this plant are iridoid glycoside, sitosterol, alkaloids, carbohydrates, amino acid, ascorbic acid, flavonoids.

Health Benefits

• In SouthEast Asia, the Skunk Vine is used for digestive ailments.
• The anti-inflammatory properties of this herb help to treat arthritis.
• It is also used to treat intestinal problems like abdominal pain, colic, cramps, flatulence, dysentery, and rheumatism.
• Applying the leaves paste will treat bruises and swelling.
• The root juice of this herbal plant is used to treat chest pain, piles, etc.