Ratiged

Nepali: Ratiged
Sanskrit: Gunja
English : Carb's eye , Jaquirity
Hindi: Ganchi

Family: Leguminosae
Habit : A perennial Shrubby twiner or climber
Flowering Period : July-August
Fruiting Period : October - November
Parts Used : Root, Leaf and Seed
Taste: Bitter

Chemical Constituents:
      Seeds contain albumotoxin abrine and abralin, Lupeol acetae, sitosterol, Sucrose, Gallic acid, Orientin , Abrussic acid, Haemaglutinin.

Occurence: Subtropical zone (1000m)

Description:
A much-branched climber with a woody stem. Flowers reddish or white , in dense pedunculate racemes, which are shorter than or as long as the leaves.

Uses:
    The roots and leaves contain glycyrrhizin and are used as a substitute for liquorices in coughs and catarrhal affection. The bruished seeds have been used for poisoning cattle, for homicidal purpose and as abortifacient.

Source: Dutta, I.C. (2007). Non Timber Forest Products of Nepal.