Native to South America, Garlic Vine is one of the most rewarding, flowering
vines that you can grow. Interestingly enough it smells like
garlic. However, it doesn't smell if the plant is left alone, only when the
leaves are crushed. It can either be described as a shrub or a vine since
it produces numerous woody vines from the root that grow only 2-3 m tall
and form a shrub-like appearance. It produces bright green leaves up to
15 cm long. Its compact habitat and pretty continuos flowers make it a
popular ornamental plant in gardens in the tropics. Flowering twice a
year you will find it quite often covered with flowers. Flowers start
off purple with white throat and
change to a lighter shade of lavender with age. Eventually fading to almost
white. You will see 3 different color of flowers at the same time on the plant.
It can be grown in containers and should be trimmed after the flowers are
gone.
Medicinal uses: It is a very common and well respected plant
remedy in the Amazon for the pain and inflammation of arthritis and
rheumatism, as well as, colds, flu, and fever. Some capsule products of
the leaves are sold in stores in Brazil and Peru, and it can be found
as an ingredient in other various multi-herb formulas for cold and flu,
pain, inflammation and arthritis in general. The use of ajos sacha is
just catching on in the U.S. market; a few products are now available and
it is showing up in several formulas for colds and arthritis here as well.
Identification credit: Tabish
Photographed in Delhi & Bangalore.
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The flower labeled Garlic Vine is ...