Tanvel / तनवेल / Broom Creeper / Cocculus hirsutus (L.) W.Theob.

  • Local Name: Tanvel / तनवेल
  • Common Name: Broom Creeper
  • Botanical Name: Cocculus hirsutus (L.) W.Theob.

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Climber

  • Occurrence: Deciduous forest areas

  • Season of Availability: Spring and summer

  • Geography: South Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of East Asia, West Asia and tropical Africa

  • Method of Propagation: Seed and Vegetative Propagation

  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds and Stem Cuttings

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Leaves

  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes

  • Ripe: N/A

  • Both Raw & Ripe: N/A

  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A

  • As Food: Leaves are used in curries

  • As Medicine: Infusion of leaves is used to cure stomach aches and ailments. Decoction Of leaves helps treat female steritility. Cooked leaves are also believed to help in night blindness. Roots have laxative properties

  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: N/A

  • Boiling Before Cooking: N/A

  • Pickling: N/A

  • Brining: N/A

  • Fermenting: N/A

  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A

  • Overall Method: Can be drunk as a juice or leaves can be dried then powdered to be eaten.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Extracts from the plant are shown to have laxative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

  • Medicinal Benefit: Extracts from the plant are shown to have laxative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Different parts of the plant can be used for treatment of fever, skin diseases, stomach disorders and urinary diseases:
    Applying leaf paste on the head for its cooling effect.
    Juice mixed with sesame oil applied on head and body to reduce heat.
    Plant-paste applied on navel region for stomach heat and blood dysentery treatment.
    Leaves used to treat skin disorders, such as prurigo, impetigo, eczema, sores, cuts, wounds.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Apply leaf paste to forehead for a cooling effect in case of fever.