Establishing the correct botanical identity of Śivaliñgī plant in India: A critical analysis based on various literatures

Abstract

The name Śivalingī is used in Āyurveda against the two plants, named as Cayaponia laciniosa (L.) C. Jeffrey and Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey of family Cucurbitaceae. In appearance both the plants are having identical morphological characters with minor difference in the shape and size of leaf and seed characters, whereas according to Renner & Pandey, 2013, Cayaponia laciniosa (L.) C. Jeffrey is a local Jamaican endemic plant which is not found in India, but Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey is distributed all over India, Bhutan, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, South Japan, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, NE Australia. So the study of Śivalingī is focused on a comprehensive analysis of ancient Ayurvedic literatures, Research papers and authentic websites of plants. As per the morphology of seed, the plant Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey is more suitable and near to the Ayurvedic plant Śivalingī however, as per various studies made on various aspects of medicinal uses of Cayaponia laciniosa (L.) C. Jeffrey has also been described in the name of Śivalingī. Accordingly, the present review study based on literatures available, on traditional use, distribution, taxonomic identification, phytochemical studies, pharmacological actions and clinical trials, has been carried out and supports the name Śivalingī for Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey as a drug for female infertility and other uses.