 Botany
Aurorang-gubat is a large, smooth, perennial climber rising from stout, somewhat fleshy roots. Leaves are on long petioles, rounded in outline, and heart-shaped at the base. Lobes are 5 to 7, usually lanceolate, 5 to 15 centimeters long, often reaching nearly to the base. Flowers are 3 to 5, on a stalk in the leaf axil. Sepals are ovate, concave, and 1 centimeter long. Corolla is pink, purple, broadly bell-shaped, smooth and about 6 centimeters long. Capsules are ovoid, 1 centimeter long or less.
Note:
The species is similar to the common "aurora" (Ipomoea cairica), differing only in its much larger leaves and flowers.
Distribution
- In La Union, Bulacan, Bataan, and Rizal Provinces in Luzon; and in Culion, Coron, and Mindanao, In thickets along the seashore and along streams at low altitudes.
- Sometimes cultivated for its flowers and its shade.
- Pantropic.
Constituents
- The fresh tuber, collected when the vine has died, contains resins with properties similar to Jalap resins as regards color reactions, etc.
- Resin yields a sugar and starch.
- Phytochemical study showed the presence of fixed oil, carbohydrate, tannins, phenolic compound, alkaloids, saponins, sterols, flavonoids in an acetone alcohol and aqueous extract.
- Study identified beta-sitosterol and taraxerol.
- Study of leaves and stems yielded six organic acids, isobutyric, (5)-2-methylbutyric, tiglic, n-decanoic, n-dodedcanoic, and cinnamic acids, and two glycosidic acids, quamoclinic acid A and operculinic acid. A new resin glycoside, digitatajalapin 1 was isolated from the jalapin fraction, with three known resin glycosides.
Properties
- Considered purgative, aphrodisiac.
- In traditional Indian medicine, considered nervine, diuretic, tonic, spermatogenic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, lactagogue.
Parts used
Roots.
Uses
Edibility
- In India, tubers are eaten raw.
Folkloric
- In India, the bitter, tuberous roots are used as tonic, alterative, aphrodisiac and demulcent.
- In the Konkan region of India, root is peeled, cut in small pieces, and dried for use as aphrodisiac.
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Used for uterine pain, sexual debility, infertility, lactation, infertility, hepato-splenomegaly, gastric ulcer, ulcerative colitis.
- As galactagogue, powdered root-stock, given with wine.
- Powdered roots used as a cholagogue for splenic and liver enlargement.
- Powdered tuber with honey used for high blood pressure and heart disease.
- Powdered sun-dried root, boiled in sugar and butter, promotes weight gain and moderates menstrual discharge.
- In West Bengal, India, raw tubers are eaten as astringent and to treat blood dysentery. Juice of tubers given with one glass of cow milk for seven days to increase lactation. Sun-dried root powder, boiled in sugar and butter is used to promote weight gain and to moderate menstrual discharge. Tubers are used for general debility, spermatorrhea, fever, bronchitis, scorpion stings and menorrhagia.
- Confection made of powdered root, equal parts of wheat flour and barley, milk, ghee, sugar and honey is used as a restorative for emaciated and debilitated children.
- As an aphrodisiac, powdered root is macerated in its own juice and administered with honey and clarified butter.
Others
- Herbal combo to prevent premature ejaculation: One of 8 ingredients in a herbal preparation for premature ejaculation, low sperm count, erectile dysfunction.
Studies
• Paniculatin / Glycoside / Various pharmacologic Effect: Study isolated a glycoside, paniculatin, from the tubers of Ipomoea digitata. Pharmacologic effects included elevation of blood pressure, stimulant effect on the myocardium and respiration, a vasoconstrictor and bronchoconstrictor effect, and a spasmogenic effect on the gut, and an oxytoxic activity.
• Phytochemicals / Secondary Products / Antibacterial: Study isolated B-sitosterol, t-cinnamic acid, an unknown coumarin, a lignan-type resin glycoside from the tuberous roots of Ipomoea digitata. One of the compounds showed significant antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E coli.
• Tablet Formulation / Anti-Diabetic: Study of antidiabetic activity of tablet formulation of root extract showed statistically significant anti-diabetic activity and suggests promise for future research.
• Antihypertensive / Cardiovascular Benefits / Hypolipidemic: Tuber powder was evaluated for antihypertensive potential and lipid effect in a single blinded, placebo controlled study. Results showed decrease in systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, increased fibrinolytic activity and total antioxidant status with a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL and atherogenic index.
• Resin Glycosides: A jalapin fraction yielded a new resin glycoside, digitatajalapin 1, with three known resin glycosides.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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