Botanical Name: Podophyllum hexandrum Royle.
Family: Berberidaceae
Introduction:
Latin name: Podophyllum = podo = foot. ducks loot leaved, hexandrum = hexa = six. andrus = anthered.
This plant mainly using in North India
Names in different Indian languages
| English | Indian Podophyllum |
|---|---|
| Hindi | Patvel |
| Kannada | |
| Malayalam | |
| Sanskrit | Giriparpata |
| Tamil | |
| Telugu | |
| Unani | |
| Folk | Bana-kakari (Punjab), Venivel (Gujarat), |
Synonyms
Podophyllum emodi Wall. Ex Hook. f. &Thoms.
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
| Charaka | |
|---|---|
| Susrutha | |
| Vagbhata |
Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Morphology
It is a small shrub with a height of about 15 to 30 cm. having a stalk which grows -straight Leaves are like the leaves of papaya.
Flowers are white in colour with a pinkish tinge.
Fruits – are 2.5 to 30cm. long, red in colour and resemble the fruits of cucumber. Fruit has many seeds and is edible
Distribution & Habitat
Inner ranges of the Himalayas
Chemical constituents:
podophyllotoxin
Properties:
Guna: laghu, ruksha, tikshna;
Rasa: tikta katu;
Vipak: katu;
Virya: ushna;
Karma –
Antineoplastic, Strongly irritant
Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Tridoshashamak.
Dhatu: rakta (bleeding disorders, blood diseases, cough).
Mala: Purisha (constipative).
Organs: Liver, intestine
Indication:
venereal warts, verrucae
Part used:
Whole plant
Dosage:
Powder 2-4 g
Uses : It acts as an irritant and a scraping agent on external application. It acts specifically n the liver. Since it is a cholagogue, it is used in many diseases like jaundice which involve vitiation of pitta. lf given in excess, it causes irritation of the intestines. This irritation can be counteracted by snigdha, madhur and sheeta dravyas.