Bimbi

Description

Habitat – A perennial climber, found throughout India in hedges, fences, and wastelands. Thrives in tropical climate. Morphology – A slender climbing herb with tendrils. Leaves are simple, alternate, ovate, 3–5 lobed. Flowers are white, solitary, with 5 petals. Fruit is an elongated berry, green with white stripes, turning red on ripening. Grahya Lakṣaṇa – Fresh green striped fruits, tender young leaves, and healthy climbers without pest infestation are preferred.

Useful Parts

Fruits, leaves, roots

Benefits

1. Antidiabetic – Strong hypoglycemic effect; improves insulin secretion and glucose uptake. 2. Anti-obesity – Regulates lipid metabolism, useful in weight control. 3. Hepatoprotective – Protects liver against damage, enhances detoxification. 4. Antioxidant – Rich in carotenoids, vitamin C; prevents cellular damage. 5. Antimicrobial – Inhibits growth of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. 6. Anti-inflammatory – Reduces inflammatory mediators in arthritis and gastritis. 7. Wound healing – Extracts accelerate closure of wounds and tissue regeneration.

Pharmacological Action

Hypoglycemic Antioxidant Antimicrobial Anti-inflammatory Hepatoprotective

Rasapancakam

Rasa: Tikta,Kashaya

Guna: Laghu, ruksha

Virya: Sheeta

Vipaka: Katu

Dosha Karma: Pitta kapha shamaka