Embelia ribes Burm. F

 

Botanical Name– Embelia ribes Burm. F

Family– MYRSINACEAE – Vidanga Kula.

 

 Embelia ribes-1.jpg

Vernacular Names

Hindi Name-Vaividang, Baibidang, Bhabhirang

Telugu Name– Vayu Vidangalu

Bengali Name– Vidang, Bidang

Marathi Name– Bavidang

Punjabi Name– Bavidang

Gujrati Name– Bavadang

Tamil & Kannada Name– Vilanga, vayu vilanga, vayu vidanga

Malayalam Name– Vijhala,

 

Embelia ribes-Vidanga_Seeds.JPG

 

Sanskrit Synonymos–

Jantuhantri, Krimighna – useful in worm infestation

Chitra Tandula – The seeds contain white streaks

Amogha, Vella, Kairali, Tandula, Gahvara.

 

Vidanga is a climber with branchlets slender, white, without warts. Leaves are up to 7 x 3 cm, elliptic, pointed at both ends; nerves many, parallel, faint; leaf-stalk 1 cm long. Flowers are borne in panicles 15 x 15 cm, hairless, branches long, slender racemose; flower-stalks 1.5 cm long. Flowers are white, many; sepals small, triangular, woolly; petals 2 mm long, ovate, pointed, densely woolly. Berry is 2.5 mm across, spherical. Vidanga is found in Indo-Malesia and South China.

Medicinal uses: Vidanga improves the functioning of the digestive system and alleviates flatulence, gaseous belching and constipation. Vidanga is especially useful in expelling the tape worm out of the digestive system. Besides this Vidanga is also useful in Vata disorders like facial paralysis, epilepsy and insanity.

 

Classical Categorization–

Charaka–

Krimigna – group of herbs used in treating worm infestation

Kushtaghna – group of herbs used in skin diseases.

Truptighna – group of herbs used in relieving satiation.

Sushruta– Surasadi, Pippalyadi

Vagbhata– Surasadi, Pippalyadi

 

Embelia ribes-2.jpg

 

Different varieties

At the present Embelia Tsjeriam- Cottom-R.et.S

A.Dc- E. Robusta C.B Clarke is supplied as Vidana at most of the places in India. P.V Sharmaji reported that Myrsine Africana Linn. is adulterated for Vidanga.

 

Distribution- It is distributed throughout India. It is also cultivated.

 

Major chemical constituents– Embelin, Christembine, Homoembelin, Vilangine, Quercitol etc.

(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna VIjnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

 

Vidang – Medicinal Properties

Rasa (taste) – Katu (pungent), Kashaya (Astringent)

Guna (qualities)– Laghu (lightness), Ruksa (dryness),Teekshna (piercing, strong)

Virya– Ushna – hot potency

Vipaka– Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion.

Prabhava – Special effect – Krumighna – relieves worm infestation.

Effect on Tridosha – Because of hot potency, it balances Kapha and Vata Doshas.

 

Part used– Fruits, root

Dosage– Powder 3-5 g per day, in divided dose is the usual prescribed dose.

To relieve worm infestation it is given in a dose of 5 – 10 grams

 

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Vidanga Therapeutic benefits –

 

Embelia ribes uses

Of all the herbs used in treating worm infestation, Vidanga is the best.

Sara – eases the movement of contents in the intestinal track.

Krumihara – useful in worm infestation

Krumikushta – useful in infective skin diseases

Pramehahara – useful in diabetes

Shirorogahara – useful in headache

Vahnikara – improves appetite

Shulahara – useful in abdominal colic pain

Adhmanahara – relieves bloating

Udarahara – useful in abdominal distension, ascites

Shleshma Krumihara – useful in worm infestation of Kapha origin

Vatahara – Balances Vata

Vibandhanut – relieves constipation

Artinut – relieves pain

Agnimandyahara – relieves indigestion, weak digestion

Aruchihara – relieves anorexia

Vibhrantihara –relieves dizziness

 

 

 

It does Shirovirechana – expelling Doshas out of the body from head. Hence used as ingredient in many nasal drops and Nasya oils like Anu tail and Shadbindu Tail.

Usually when medicine is given for de-worming the intestines, it is associated with another laxative ingredient so as to ease the dead worms out of the intestines. But while administering Embelia ribes for the purpose of de-worming, an extra laxative is not required because Vidanga itself is a mild laxative.

The word Krumighna does not suggest only towards intestinal worm. The word meaning also encompasses microbial infection as well. Hence Vidanga is an essential ingredient in many anti-microbial medicines like Sanjivani Vati and Panchanimbadi Vati.

It detoxifies blood, hence useful in wide range of skin diseases.

It has contraceptive effect, along with Pippali (long pepper)

It improves skin complexion and also used for rejuvenation purpose.

Its water decoction is used for oil pulling to relieve dental caries and bad breath

In skin diseases, it is used both orally and externally in the form of paste. Hence it is used in skin pastes like Pathyadi Lepa

It has mild diuretic action. Hence used in dysuria.

It is useful against vomiting, bloating, indigestion, gastritis and constipation.

It is widely used in weight loss treatment. Hence ingredient of many medicines like Amrutadi Guggulu

 

Research:

Wound healing activity of Embelin, a chemical constituent of Vidanga.

Experimental evaluation in efficacy against dyslipidemia

Antihelmintic activity

antihistaminic and bronchodilatory activity

 

Embelia ribes Side effects –

Because of its contraceptive effect, its long term usage should be done with care in cases of infertility.

There are no known side effects with this herb.

It is used in children and lactating mothers. But pregnant ladies should seek medical advice.

 

Vidang as a dusting powder:

Charaka explained Vidang as one among Avachurnana dravya, along with herbs like Kushta, Musta, Lodhra, Sarjarasa etc. The body of the patient is smeared with sesame oil. Then the body is dusted with the above powder mix. Dusting process is called Avachurnana.

It relieves Kitibha –  ringworm, Kandu – pruritus, Pama – keloids, Vicharchika – Eczema. Reference: (Charaka Sutrasthana 5th chapter)

 

For plants to flower in all seasons:

Mixture of Sesame oil cakes, Vidanga (Embelia ribes), sugar cane juice and cow dung is sprinkled to the root of a plant. This practice enables flowering of the plant in all the seasons. (Reference: Vriksha Ayurveda)

 

Vidanga, Baoberang, Embelia • Gujarati: 'વાવડીંગ Vavding • Hindi: विडंग Vidanga • Kannada: amogha, hulimeese, vaayu vilanga • Malayalam: Vizhal, Vizhalari, Vayuvilangam • Marathi: ambti, baavdinga, karkannie, karkunnie • Sanskrit: amodha, amogha, vidanga • Tamil: vitankam, vivilangam, vollai • Telugu: vellal, vidangamu, vilangamu, vyivilangamu • Urdu: baobadang, baobarang, bab-o rang

Botanical name: Embelia ribes Burm.f. Embelia ribes    Family: Primulaceae (Primrose family)

Synonyms: Embelia paniculata, Antidesma ribes

Medicinal plants of India ; Ayurveda

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