Eswari, isharmul in Hindi, is Indian birthwort, a twining climber with odd, pipe-shaped flowers. It has a long folk reputation as a snakebite remedy. All Aristolochia species contain aristolochic acids, which cause permanent kidney failure and cancers of the urinary tract, and many countries have banned herbal products containing them. It is also the food plant of some of India’s most striking swallowtail butterflies.
- Botanical name
- Aristolochia indica L.
- Family
- Aristolochiaceae
- Tamil
- Eswari
- Hindi
- Isharmul
- Sanskrit
- Īśvarī
- Parts used
- None for home use
- Habit
- Pipe-flower climber; contains kidney-damaging aristolochic acid
- Last updated
- 2026-10-27
How to recognise Eswari
It is a slender, twining perennial climber with smooth stems.
The leaves are variable, oblong to heart-shaped, usually smooth and pale green.
The flowers are pipe-shaped, pale green with a dark purple lip and a swollen base that traps small flies.
The fruit is a round to oblong capsule that hangs on its stalk and splits into six parts like a small parachute or basket.
The trapped flies are released after the flower’s pollen is shed on them.
Traditional use of Eswari
Folk use
The root was used in Indian folk practice against snakebite and scorpion sting.
Indian folk practice
Siddha
Eswari mooli appears in older Siddha and Ayurvedic texts.
Siddha and Ayurvedic texts
Modern notes on Eswari
Aristolochic acids cause aristolochic acid nephropathy, a scarring kidney disease first recognised in Belgium in the 1990s among women given a slimming preparation.
They also damage DNA and cause cancers of the kidney and urinary tract, sometimes years after exposure.
No herbal remedy works against snake venom as antivenom does.
Eswari safety
Do not take any part of this plant by mouth, and avoid herbal products listing Aristolochia, isharmul or eswari. After a snakebite, go straight to a hospital for antivenom.
Ecology and sourcing
It grows across the Indian subcontinent on hedges and in dry forests.
Caterpillars of the common rose, crimson rose and southern birdwing feed on it and store its toxins, which makes the butterflies distasteful to birds.
Butterfly gardeners plant it as a host plant, which is its best use.
Related plants
Questions about Eswari
Is Eswari safe as a herbal remedy?
No. It contains aristolochic acids that damage kidneys.
Does Eswari work for snakebite?
No. Antivenom in a hospital is the treatment.
Why is Eswari called pipe flower?
Its flowers are shaped like curved pipes.
Which butterflies use Eswari?
Common rose, crimson rose and southern birdwing.
Can I grow Eswari for butterflies?
Yes, but keep children from eating any part.
Sources
- Aristolochia indica L. — Plants of the World Online, Kew (search) (accessed 2026)
- Wikidata item Q3595780 (Aristolochia indica)
Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.