Cissus Quadrangularis Linn

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Bone setter reaches a height of 1.5 m and has quadrangular-sectioned branches with internodes 8 to 10 cm long and 1.2 to 1.5 cm wide. Along each angle is a leathery edge. Toothed trilobe leaves 2 to 5 cm wide appear at the nodes. Each has a tendril emerging from the opposite side of the node. Racemes of small white, yellowish, or greenish flowers; globular berries are red when ripe.
It is probably native to India or Sri Lanka, but is also found in Africa, Arabia, and Southeast Asia. It has been imported to Brazil and the southern United States. It is very commonly known as asthisamharaka. Cissus has been used in various ayurvedic classical medicines to heal broken bones and injured ligaments and tendons.
Bone setter has been used as a medicinal plant since antiquity. In siddha medicine it is considered a tonic and analgesic, and is believed to help heal broken bones, thus its nameasthisamharaka (that which prevents the destruction of bones). It is said to have antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anthelmintic, antihemorrhoidal and analgesic activities. It has been found to contain a rich source of carotenoids, triterpenoids and ascorbic acid. Its bactericidal effects on Helicobacter pylori hold promise as a potential treatment of gastric ulcers in conjunction withNSAID therapy. A weight loss supplement containing Cissus quadrangularis and other ingredients including green tea, soy, selenium, chromium, and B vitamins was evaluated in an 8-week trial. The supplement helped reduce body weight by 4-8% ( placebo 2.4%) a clinically significant weight loss.
The juice of Edible stemmed vine, Bone setter is used to grind the pills and it is also used in the preparation of the medicated oil, used in the treatment of toxicology.