Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A. H.Gentry

Mansoa alliacea (Lam.) A. H.Gentry

Common Name: Garlic vine

Family: Bignoniaceae
Genus: Mansoa
Species: alliacea
Malayalam Name: Velluthulli chedi
Tamil Name: Vellulli pachai
Synonyms:
Bignonia alliacea
Pseudocalymma alliaceum
Adenocalymma alliaceum
Plant Description: It is commonly known as Garlic Vine, is a tropical liana belonging to the family Bignoniaceae. Crushed leaves smell like Garlic. It is native to Northern South America and has also spread to Central America and Brazil. The plant can be characterized as either a shrub or a vine due to its growth habit. It typically produces numerous woody shoots from the root, reaching heights of 2 to 3 meters. The stems are generally bare and slightly scaly.
The leaves are opposite and trifoliate, with each leaf having a petiole that can be up to 3 centimeters long. The leaves are slightly leathery in texture. One of the most distinctive features of this plant is its flowers, which can bloom in three different colors simultaneously on the same plant.
Uses: Mansoa alliacea is well-regarded for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional medicine practices within the Amazon region.
Pain and inflammation
It is commonly used as a remedy for pain and inflammation associated with arthritis and rheumatism.
It is used to treat colds, flu, and fever.
Used to treat head and neck pain, diarrhoea and skin ulcers.
The plant contains chemicals that may suppress tumor growth.