| BOTANICAL NAME |
Semicarpus anacardium |
| FAMILY |
Anacardiaceae |
| SANSKRIT: |
Agnika, agnimukha, anala |
| ENGLISH |
Marking nut |
| HINDI |
Belatak, Bhela |
| KANNADA |
Agnimukhi, bhallataka |
| MALAYALAM |
|
| TELUGU |
Bhallataki, bhallatamu |
| TAMIL |
Erimugi, kalagam |
| MARATHI |
Bibba, bibu |
DISTRIBUTION:
Distributed in the sub Himalayan tracts, central, peninsular and eatesrn parts of the country.
| PARTS USED: |
Fruit |
| DOSE: |
Kalka: 3-63 gm, oil: 10-20 drops |
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Bhilwanol, anacardoside oil, nicotinic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, methionine etc
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES:
| QUALITY (GUNA) |
Laghu, Snigdha, Tikshna |
| TASTE (RASA) |
Katu, Tikta, Kashaya |
| METABOLISM (VIPAKA) |
Madhura |
| POTENCY (VIRYA) |
Usna |
| IMPACT (PRABHAVA) |
Kushtaghna |
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION:
Its anticancerous and antitubercular property of it is due to its tikta Kashaya rasa which helps in curing different kinds of malignant and benign growths in the body. Anti arthritic and analgesic property helps in curing diseases related to bones and muscular and nervine related pains.
Because of its hot potency it is used for different purification therapies. It also helps in improving the digestive power and digestive tract disorders.
THERAPEUTIC USES
Its oil is mixed with coconut oil/sesame oil and applied externally in wounds and to avoid pus formation.
The oil can be applied to joints in certain arthritic conditions and swellings.
Its fruit is burnt and the oil is collected on the beetel leaf with little amount of sugar or in a cup of milk and this oil is taken internally which helps in improving the appetite, cleanses the bowels and removes the worms.
Milk is medicated with bhallataka and is taken in skin diseases specially in scabies, ring worm infestation tec.
SOME OF THE COMMON FORMULATIONS
- Dhanvantara ghrita
- Kalyana Kshara
- Panchatikta guggulu ghrita
- Narasimha ghrita etc