What is Jal Jamni (Cocculus Hirsutus)?

Cocculus hirsutus, also known as Jal Jamni, hirudo or cocculus indicus, is a plant native to Asia that has been used medicinally throughout its range. It's most popular in Pakistan and India, where it's used to treat stomach aches and female sterility.

The plant is rich in alkaloids, but little research into their medicinal properties has been carried out. One study showed that an aqueous extract of the leaves had diuretic and laxative properties.

An infusion of the leaves is also used to treat stomach-ache, while a decoction is drunk to remedy female sterility. The leaf sap is used to treat nervous illnesses, including night blindness; cooked leaves are eaten to treat night blindness.

A jelly prepared by soaking leaves in cold water is taken to check spermatogenesis (the production of sperm). Applied externally, the leaves are used to treat skin infections and itchy skin including eczema, rheumatism and gonorrhoea. The roots are alterative (they help detoxify your body), diuretic, and laxative.

The leaves of C. hirsutus are occasionally cooked and eaten as a vegetable, while the stems are used in basketry. In fact, C. hirsutus is so prized for its use in basketry that it's often referred to as "basket bush." It's also used in making basket chairs.