Introduction: 

Patha, also called Cissampelos pareira, belongs to the family Menispermaceae. It is a long-lasting climber known as Laghu Patha or Ambastha in Indian traditional medicine and ‘Parreira’ in South America. It is widely distributed in East Africa, Asia, America, West Indies, Australia, Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, and Seychelles. In India, it is distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical regions like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu.¹

The vernacular names of patha are Padh, Patha, Akanadi in Hindi; Venivel, Kalipath, Karedhium, Karondhium, Karodium in Gujarati; Velvetleaf in English; Patha, Akanadi in Bengali; Tuprilata in Assamese; Ambashtaki in Sanskrit; Chiru boddi, Boddi tiga, Adivibankatiga in Telegu; Vatta tiruppi in Tamil; Patha in Punjabi; Patha, Kanabindhi in Oriya; Padali, Pashadvel, Paharrel, Pahadavel in Marathi; Pad in Kashmiri; Patha in Malayalam; Agalushunthi, Pahadavela in Kannada.²

Chemical Constitution of Patha: 

Patha contains flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, steroid tri-terpenoids, and some essential oils.³ 

Properties of Patha:

The beneficial properties of patha include:

• It may have   anti-inflammatory properties
• It may have a blood sugar-lowering effect
• It may have   anti-anxiety properties
• It may have   anti-arthritic properties
• It may have   analgesic properties (pain killer)
• It may have   antioxidant activity
• It may have   anti-asthmatic properties
• It may have   anti-cancer activity
• It may have   anti-ulcer activity
• It may benefit   liver health
• It may have   anti-leukemic activity (may help in blood cancer)³
• It may benefit   heart health
• It may have   anti-diarrhoeal activity
• It may have memory-enhancing activity⁴
• It may have   anti-dengue properties
• It may have   antimalarial properties
• It may have   antivenom properties.¹

Patha or Cissampelos pareira exhibits anti-inflammatory properties. Because of these properties, it might be useful in various health conditions like diarrhoea, ulcers and urinary tract infections.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD

Potential Uses of Patha:

Potential uses of patha for diabetes

In Pakistan Ijaz et al., 2018 studied, the leaves of patha have been traditionally used as an antidiabetic agent. In Mexico, the root bark is traditionally used as an antidiabetic agent. The patha extract was tested for antidiabetic effect in an animal model and was found to lower blood glucose levels was studied by Piero et al., 2015. Therefore, the patha extract might be beneficial for diabetes.¹

However, these studies are done on animals and not on humans. Diabetes is a serious health condition and needs appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Please consult a doctor and do not use patha to self-medicate on your own.

Potential uses of patha for dengue

Patha was tested for its anti-dengue activity in animals by Sood et al., 2015. It was found to inhibit all dengue virus serotypes (DENV-1, 2, 3, and 4). The extract was also found to help the animals from dengue virus infection.¹ However, human studies are required to confirm the effectiveness of patha against dengue in humans. Therefore, prior consultation with a doctor is essential to avoid health-related complications.

Potential uses of patha for the heart

When the root extract of patha was tested in an animal model, it showed heart health benefitting activity. The researchers Singh et al., 2013 propose that the heart healthbenefitting effect might be due to the presence of flavonoids and alkaloids.¹ However, its study in humans is not yet tested. Therefore, before using patha, people should consult with a doctor and only use patha if prescribed.

Potential uses of patha for parasitic infections

In ancient Sanskrit literature, including Charak Samitha, it is mentioned that patha is very effective against the infections caused by parasitic worms. According to a study conducted by Ramırez ́ et al., 2003,  the extract of patha was found to be effective against parasites like Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi.¹ This information is insufficient and requires more studies to see the effectiveness of patha in controlling parasitic infections in humans.

Potential uses of patha for the liver

The patha extract showed a remarkable liver benefiting effect when tested in an animal model by Surendran et al., 2011. It enhanced the antioxidant level and triglyceride level and, at the same time, lowered the cholesterol level that might be beneficial for the liver.¹ However, it is yet not tested in humans for liver benefiting activity.¹ Therefore, more trials on humans are necessary to produce the potential use of patha for liver health.

Potential uses of patha for the stomach

The patha extract may have a beneficial effect on stomach health and benefit against acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) ulcers in animals. This  beneficial activity of patha might be due to the presence of antioxidants and mucopolysaccharides.¹ However, this information is not enough to suggest the benefits of patha for stomach health; hence, more studies on humans are required to back this claim.

Potential uses of patha for snake bite

The extract of patha was tested for antivenom activity against the Bothrops asper venom (snake venom). In animal and lab tests by Badilla-Baltodano et al., 2008, the extract controlled the haemorrhage (bleeding). The presence of several glycosides in patha might be the reason for its antivenom activity.¹ These studies are insufficient and require more studies to support the potential uses of patha for snake bites in humans. Moreover snake bites can be dangerous and you should see a doctor in emergency if you suffer with a snake bits.

Other Potential uses of patha

Antioxidants  might reduce the free radical generation and help the cell from damages caused by free radicals. Free radicals might lead to the progression of several conditions like inflammation, liver damage, cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, neurological diseases, and ageing. To help ourselves from such damage, we should take antioxidants in our daily food and supplements. Various laboratory studies have demonstrated the antioxidant property of patha. It is believed that the antioxidant activity might be due to the presence of polyphenols and alkaloids. Therefore, patha might help against the mentioned diseases.¹

Though there are studies that show the benefits of patha in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of patha on human health.

Also Read: Kokum: Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

Cissampelos pareira or Patha might contribute to wound healing as it has properties like antiulcer and anti-inflammatory. Due to the presence of phytomolecules like flavonoids, it might be useful in tackling ulcers.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use Patha? 

Patha can be used as: 

• Powder    
• Crushed roots  
• Root decoction  
• Leaf juice  
• Root paste  
• Hot infusion    
• Tablets  
• Root juice¹  

People must consult an Ayurvedic doctor before taking herbal supplements made from patha. Likewise, do not replace or discontinue your ongoing medications with ayurvedic or herbal preparations without consulting a qualified physician.

Side Effects of Patha:

• No major study reports the side effects of patha. Hence, more studies are required to confirm the side effects of patha on human health.
• However, if any side effects or discomfort are seen after taking patha, please immediately get in touch with an Ayurvedic physician who advised you to have the herb. They will prescribe you the appropriate treatment to overcome the side effects.

Precautions to Take With Patha:

Any herbal supplement, when taken in moderation, is considered safe. However, one must follow general precautions.

• Pregnancy: There is no sufficient data on the safe usage of patha during pregnancy. Therefore, you should avoid taking patha during pregnancy.
• Breastfeeding: There is no sufficient data on the safe usage of patha while breastfeeding. Therefore, be on the safer side and avoid taking patha while breastfeeding.
• People need to take precautions before giving it to children and the elderly since their immune systems are weak and might develop certain reactions in the body.

Interactions With Other Drugs:

There is not much data available on the interaction of patha with other drugs. However, one should not assume that there are no interactions at all. Therefore, it is essential to follow the advice of an Ayurvedic physician. They will prescribe you the correct way to have it.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Also Read: Tagar: Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

References: 

1. Kumari S, Anmol, Bhatt V, Suresh PS, Sharma U. Cissampelos pareira L.: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol [Internet]. 2021;274(August 2020):113850. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.113850 

2. Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoepathy. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India part-I volume-I. Government of India. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Deparatment of Ayush. Available at: http://www.ayurveda.hu/api/API-Vol-1.pdf 

3. Wimpy K, Sk Y, Kumkum M, Manoj G. Phytochemical and pharmacological review on Cissampelospareira. Indian J Pharm Pharmacol. 2014;3(4):152–4. Available at: https://www.ijpp.org.in/article-details/3217 

4. Singh S, K N. Review on Cissampelos Pareira and Cyclea Peltata (Patha Dwaya) – Phyto-Pharmacological Perspectives. Int J Ayurvedic Med. 2013;4(4). Available at: https://ijam.co.in/index.php/ijam/article/view/288 

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