Patha (velvet leaf / abuta)
Cissampelos pareira
Photo credit: Krish Dulal
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Caution. Hayatin (curare-type alkaloid) has neuromuscular-blocking activity; high doses hazardous. Traditional emmenagogue/abortifacient reputation.
Contraindications: Pregnancy — avoid (emmenagogue/abortifacient reputation); anesthesia/neuromuscular conditions (curare-type alkaloids).
Interactions: Neuromuscular blockers and anesthetics (additive — clinically significant), antimalarials; caution before surgery.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid in pregnancy — emmenagogue/abortifacient reputation.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
powder · root
Part used: root
in fever/diarrhea and gynecological formulas · root
Part used: root
decoction · root
Part used: root
Traditional use: fever, diarrhea/dysentery, uterine disorders, antidote
Proposed mechanism: bisbenzylisoquinoline/tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids (hayatin, cissampareine, pareirine) — antipyretic, analgesic, antimalarial, antihaemorrhagic, curare-like neuromuscular-blocking
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a food source.
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- Bafna 2017, Anc Sci Life / J Ayurveda (PMID 28827957)
- Semwal 2014, J Ethnopharmacol (PMID 33485976)