Coscinium fenestratum

Other names: Calumbian wood, Harichandan, Pitchandan

Coscinium fenestratum, also known as Calumba wood, Harichandan or Pitchandan, is a species of liana in the liana family (Menispermaceae) and is considered the most useful among specific plant species. It is native to the tropical regions of India, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. It is a slow-growing liana with sturdy woody stems that can reach up to 10 metres in length. Its leaves are large and glossy, its flowers are small and faint, and its fruits are round berries.

Although Calumba wood is now rare and endangered due to overharvesting and loss of its natural habitat, its use in traditional medicine and the pharmaceutical industry is still extensive. The plant has been used for centuries in Ayurveda and Sidha medicine for its antiseptic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties. The plant yields a yellow dye which is used in the textile industry and in the manufacture of medicines. It is extracted mainly from the stems and bark of the plant, which are dried and ground into powder. The powder is then used in various forms, including tablets and capsules, as part of pharmaceutical preparations for a number of ailments. It also plays an important role in the cosmetic industry, where it is used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used to make perfumes and other growing products.