There are many common names for this species, such as amrita, gado, guduchi and gulancha among others. Rasakinda also is known as ”Amrutha” ( gods drink ) with a long history in indigenous medicines. There are 4 types of rasakinda used ( ගැට කිඳ/GETA KINDA , තිත්ත කිඳ/THITHTHA KINDA, පිටි කිඳ/PITI KINDA, දික් කිඳ/DIK KINDA ).
Heart-leaved moonseed is a large, deciduous extensively spreading climbing shrub with several elongated twining branches. Leaves simple, alternate, exstipulate, long petioles up to 15 cm long, roundish, pulvinate, both at the base and apex with the basal one longer and twisted partially and halfway around. Lamina broadly ovate or ovate cordate, 10–20 cm long or 8– 15 cm broad, 7 nerved and deeply cordate at base, membranous, pubescent above, whitish tomentose with a prominent reticulum beneath. Flowers unisexual, small on separate plants and appearing when the plant is leafless, greenish-yellow on axillary and terminal racemes. Male flowers clustered, female usually solitary. Sepals 6, free in two series of three each, the outer ones are smaller than the inner. Petals 6 free is smaller than sepals, obovate and membranous. Fruits aggregate of 1-3, ovoid smooth drupelets on the thick stalk with subterminal style scars, scarlet or orange coloured.
Benefits
These herbs are also used as stems, leaves and roots. Mature vines are used as flour and preservatives. Heart-leaved moonseed is highly effective when used raw as a medicine.
01. For Diabetes and blood glucose control
Consuming 1 gram of Heart-leaved moonseed with a little honey. This will control blood glucose levels and manage diabetes.
02. For Cough, Cold
Take some Heart-leaved moonseed powder and add an equal quantity of honey to it. Consume this twice a day to get rid of persistent cough and cold.
03. For Jaundice
Take some Heart-leaved moonseed and grind them to obtain their juice. Filter this juice and keep 24 millilitres aside. To this add one cup of cow buttermilk. Drink this buttermilk medicine early in the morning on empty stomach to cure jaundice.
04. For Menstruating Women
Take some Heart-leaved moonseed and crush them into a juice. Drinking 15 millilitres of this juice twice a day in the morning and evening will cure problems suffered by women during periods.
05. Immunity-Boosting
A plant that has the value of boosting the person’s natural immunity
06. Helps to cure skin rashes and bleeds
07. Reduces the acidity of the stomach
08. Strengthens the body and causes hunger
09. Good for heart disease
10. Rasakinda is used to repair lost tissues
It is also very beneficial for the following diseases
High cholesterol
Upset stomach
Gout
Cancer, including lymphoma
Rheumatoid arthritis
Liver disease
Stomach ulcer
Fever
Gonorrhoea
Syphilis
Scientific classification
Kingdom – Plantae
Clade – Tracheophytes
Clade – Angiosperms
Clade – Eudicots
Order – Ranunculales
Family – Menispermaceae
Genus – Tinospora
Species – T. cordifolia
Binomial name- Tinospora cordifolia
