Mukia maderaspatana

Mukia maderaspatana (L.) M. Roem. (Family-Cucurbitaceae). It is also known as Cucumis maderaspatanus. Widespread throughout the tropics of Africa, through Asia to Australi, where different parts of the plant are being utilized for the health-care needs of human beings and livestock Cucumis maderaspatanus is an annual plant, trailing along the ground or scrambling into other plants where it supports itself by means of tendrils. It produces stems up to about 4 metres long. Grazing animals eat the leaves, but the fruit is believed to be deadly poisonous to cattle. In India cattle are said to like the plant but that the fruits destroy their eyes. The plant is often gathered from the wild for local medicinal use.. The leaves and tender shoots are also frequently consumed as a part of the South Indian cuisine. A decoction of young shoots and leaves is used as an aperient, especially for children, and is also taken to treat vertigo and biliousness. The sap is given to small children in the treatment of amoebiasis. The leaf-sap is used as a wound-dressing. A poultice of the leaves is used in the treatment of burns. The dried, powdered leaves are dusted over scabies. The ash of the plant is mixed in castor oil and rubbed over scarification and the temples to relieve for headache. The seeds are diaphoretic. They are chewed to cause perspiration. The fruit is used as a vermifuge.The root is chewed to relieve facial neuralgia, toothache, etc. A decoction is used in the treatment of flatulence.