Traditional Ayurvedic Uses: febrifuge, diuretic, antidiarrheal, lactagogue, skin cleanser and tonic.

Found in many medical and cosmetic facial packs.

Also called 'Sugandha' because of the wonderful fragrance of these roots.

Should not be boiled.

Modern studies have demonstrated the antibacterial activity of the root extract and essential oil.

Clinical trials have shown a benefit in ringworm infection and for malnutrition.

The clinically used doses are considered safe and beneficial, but overdose can be toxic.

Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Alterative, tonic and diuretic. Useful for rheumatism, scrofula, skin diseases and thrush; it is used as an infusion, but not as a decoction as boiling dissipates its active volatile principle. Two oz. of the root are infused in 1 pint of boiling water and left standing for 1 hour then strained off and drunk in 24 hours.'

'It has been successfully used in the cure of venereal disease, proving efficacious where American Sarsaparilla has failed. Native doctors utilize it in nephritic complaints and for sore mouths of children.'

'Syrup, B.P., 1/2 to 1 drachm.'

'Particularly indicated for inveterate syphilis, pseudo-syphilis, mescurio-syphilis and struma in all its forms. Also valuable in gonorrhoeal neuralgia and other depraved conditions of the system as well as for other diseases treated by other varieties.'

'Powder, 30 grains three times daily. Infusion or syrup, 4 fluid ounces.'

King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Indian sarsaparilla has been successfully employed in venereal diseases, especially in cases where the South American sarsaparilla has proved inefficient.'

'Dr. Ashburner says that it increases the appetite, acts as a diuretic, and improves the general health; 'plumpness, clearness, and strength, succeeding to emaciation, muddiness, and debility.' Likewise said to be useful in affections of the kidneys, scrofula, cutaneous diseases, and thrush.'

'Notwithstanding these statements it is by no means so efficient and certain as many of our indigenous remedies. It is used in the form of infusion, as boiling dissipates its active volatile principle. Two ounces of the root may be infused in a pint of boiling water for an hour, the whole of which may be taken in the course of 24 hours. A syrup of hemidesmus is used for flavoring medicinal mixtures.'

British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1911: 'Hemidesmus root is used in India as an antisyphilitic in place of sarsaparilla. It was formerly applied to similar uses in this country, but now survives only as the syrup, which is sometimes used as a flavouring agent, and as the decoction, which is given several times daily for the same purposes as decoction of sarsaparilla.'