Indravaruni / Bitter Apple

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BOTANICAL NAME

CITRULLUS COLOCYNTHIS

FAMILY

CUCURBITACEAE

SANSKRIT NAME

Aindri, Chitrala, Chitraphala, Dirghavalli, Gavadani, Hastidanti, Indralvaruni, Rigevaru, Gavakshi

HINDI

Ghorumba, Makal, Tumbi

ENGLISH

Colocynth, Bitter Apple, Bitter Cucumber, Desert Gourd

KANNADA

Hamekkae, Hava, Mekke-kayi, Balibandrakshi, Doddahallu mekke

TAMIL

Kumatti, Paitummatti, Peyttumatti

MALAYALAM

Kattuvellari, Paikummatti, Valiya pekkummatti

MARATHI

Kadu-indravani, Indraavana

TELUGU

Chitti-papara, Chittipapara,, Veripuchchha, Veriputsa

DISTRIBUTION

It is available within India in wild and warm, sandy parts above 1500 meters altitude. Best cultivated in bright light, and annual rainfall of 150 to 300 mm

PARTS USED

Fruit and Root

DOSE

Fruit churna: 0.5 grams. Root churna is 1 to 3 grams

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Alkaloid, I choline, Dotriacontane, Eicosanol, Hentriacontane, Heptacosane, Hexacosanol, Hexadecanol, Nonacosane, Octacosane, Tetracosanol, Tricontane, Titriacontane, Kaempferol, Quercellin, Myristic, Palmitic, Stearic, Myristoleic, Palmitoleic, Oleic, Linoleic acid, Tetracyclic

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

QUALITY (GUNA)

Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshana

TASTE (RASA)

Tikta

METABOLISM (VIPAKA)

Katu

POTENCY (VIRYA)

Ushna

IMPACT (PRABHAVA)

Tikshana Virechana

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION

Purgative property of Indravaruni helps in using various treatments meant for purgation or virechana karma.
Hypoglycamic property helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels when used along with other medicines.
Antipyretic nature of Indravaruni is helpful to manage fever.
Diuretic property of Indravaruni helps in relieving pitting edema in legs.
Antihistaminic helps to relive certain allergies.
Insecticidal, Antibacterial and Antimicrobial, are helpful to clear worm infestation along with its purgation property