Murdasingi (Helicteres isora)

Murdasingi (Helicteres isora L.) is a small deciduous shrub or tree native to India, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia. Recognized by its twisted, screw-like fruit, it belongs to the Malvaceae family. Traditionally, the plant—especially its fruit and root—is used in Ayurveda, Siddha, and folk medicine for treating digestive issues, diabetes, infections, and respiratory problems. It exhibits notable antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and astringent properties.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Helicteres
Species: Helicteres isora

Common Names

English: Indian Screw Tree, East Indian Screw Tree
Hindi: Murdasingi, Marodphali
Sanskrit: Avartani, Mrigshringa
Tamil: Valampiri
Telugu: Valamburu
Marathi: Murudsheng
Kannada: Murudeshwara gida
Malayalam: Valampiri

Traditional and Medicinal Uses

Digestive Support - Acts as a digestive stimulant, relieves colic, diarrhea, and dysentery. The fruit is often used in powdered form to treat intestinal worms.

Antidiabetic Activity - Fruit and bark extracts are traditionally used to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.

Antimicrobial & Astringent - Exhibits strong antibacterial and antifungal activity; used for infections and wounds. Acts as an astringent, especially beneficial in cases of diarrhea and bleeding gums.

Respiratory Benefits - Root decoctions are used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and sore throat.

Reproductive & Women's Health - Used in traditional medicine to regulate menstrual cycles and treat uterine disorders.

Phytochemical Constituents

Mardasingi is rich in various bioactive compounds contributing to its therapeutic efficacy:

Tannins: Isorin, gallic acid, ellagic acid
Steroids: β-Sitosterol
Flavonoids: Rutin, Quercetin
Terpenoids: Lupeol
Alkaloids: Helicteric acid
Other Compounds: Daucosterol, cucurbitacin

References

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API), Part I, Volume V, Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India.

Nadkarni, K.M. (2002). Indian Materia Medica, Volume I. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan.

Kirtikar, K.R. & Basu, B.D. (1999). Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol 1-4. Dehradun: Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh.

Rao, M.M., et al. (2010). "Phytochemical and pharmacological review of Helicteres isora." Journal of Pharmacy Research, 3(12), 2985–2987.

Arunachalam, G., et al. (2009). "Antidiabetic activity of Helicteres isora root extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats." Indian Journal of Pharmacology, 41(1), 30–35.

Singh, A., & Singh, D.K. (2003). "Helicteres isora: A review of its medicinal potential." Ancient Science of Life, 23(1), 32–35.

Wealth of India, Vol. V, CSIR Publications, New Delhi./div>