Twin Leaf
Other names: ground squirrel pea, helmet pod, rhuematism root, twin leaf root, yellow root
Scientific name: Jeffersonia diphylla
Common names:
Ayurvedic names:
Chinese names:
Bangladesh names:
Arabic names: الجذر الأصفر (al judhru al asfar)
Rain Forest names:
Family: Fabaceae
Approximate number of species known:
Common parts used: Whole herb, sprouts
Collection: blooming time is april to may
Annual/Perennial: Perennial
Height: 12 to 18 inches
Actions: alterative, antisyphilitic, antirehumatic, diuretic, tonic
Known Constituents: Bitter substance, an acrid and nauseating constituent, pectin, fatty resin, tannic acid, gum starch, sugar and mineral matters
Constituents Explained:
Description:
Twin leaf is a perennial plant; the horizontal, fleshy rootstock with matted fibrous roots produces a simple, naked scape, 12-18 inches tall. Emanating also from the rootstock, the large, smooth basal leaves, 3-6 inches long and 2-5 inches wide, are divided into 2 half-ovate leaflets. Blooming from April to May, a large, solitary, white, 8 petaled flower terminates the scape. The fruit is an obovate capsule. The plant is only 6-9 inches tall in flower, but is double that height in fruit
Traditional Use:
It has been used for the nevous system, and as a throat garle.1
Clinical Studies: