Punica Granatum

Botanical Name: Punica granatum Linn

Family: Punicaceae

Introduction:

It is one of the extensively used vegetable drug in the therapeutics by Brhat Trayi. The seeds (with pulp) are used as Hridya , Grahani, Atisãra.

Names in different Indian languages

English	Pomegranate
Hindi	Anar, dhalim
Kannada	Dalimbe
Malayalam	Matalam, urumampalam, t
Sanskrit	Limatalam, matalanarakam
Tamil	Maathulai
Telugu	Dadima
Unani	Anaar, Roomaan, Gulnaar, Gulnaar Farsi.
Folk

Synonyms

Daadima, Daadimba, Raktapushpa, Dantabijaa, Raktakusumaa, Lohitpushpaka.

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata

Charaka	Chardinigrahana
Susrutha	Parüsakãdi
Vagbhata	Parüsakãdi

Varieties & adulterants – (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)

1. The sweet (Madhura)

2. sour (Amla)

3.Svädvamla

Note: In charaka, susrutha and Astanghrdayam properties about dadima and matulungam are described separately.

Morphology

It is shrub or small tree about 5- 8 m. height, deciduous, glabrous, often with spinescent bracelets.

Leaves- simple, opposite or sub opposite , often fascicled on short petioles. oblong or obovate

Flowers- globose, terminal or axillaries, solitary, large showy, scarlet or orange calyx coriaceous. persistent prolong above the ovary, free part companulate; ovary inferior.

Fruits large globose, crowned by the somewhat tubular limb of the calyx. indetiscent, with a coriaceous rind; pulp red and juicy. sometimes white.

Seeds- angular test a coriaceous (Flowers in April and fruits in June usually).

Distribution & Habitat

All over India

Chemical constituents:

Ellagitannin, punicalagin, punicalin

Seed- estrone, punicic acid

Stem- malvidin pentoSe glucosides. tannin, ursolic acid etc. ellagic acid,

Rasa Kasäya, Madhura, Amla

Guna Laghu, Snigdha

Virya Usna

Vipaka Madhuta/Amla

Karma – Hridya, sukrala,Grahi, dipanam, rucyam

astringent, stomachic, digestive, cooling, Anthelmintic, diuretic

Srotogamitva:

Dosha : pittaghna

Dhatu :rasa, raktha

Mala :purisha

Organ : liver, brain

Indication:

Raktapita, raktatisara, raktarsas, jvara, Daha,

ulcers, anaemia, splenomegaly, bronchitis, otalgia, dysentery, diarrohea, cardiotonic, scabies

Part used:

Seed, fruit, root, bark, leaves, fruit covering

Dosage:

Leaf juice 10-15 ml

Powder 2-4 g

Decoction 50-100 ml

External uses

Due to its astringent nature the decoction of the bark is used in throat disorders and oral disorders as a gargle and also in ulcers.

Internal uses:

Nervous system The Fruit acts as a brain Tonic, It acts on mental debility and associated disorders

Digestive system The fruit is an appetite stimulant, increases desire for foods, inhibits thirst, and acts as an astringent. It is also used on tape worm. weak appetite, amoebiasis, dipsia, peptic disorder and such pitta disorders, and also diarrhoea, loose motions, it is extremely useful. In worm infestation 10-20 ml. of the root bark decoction is given on an empty stomach followed by a laxative next day.

Circulatory system : The fruit is cardio tonic and haemostatic. It is useful in blood disorders like anemia and bleeding disorders. In nose bleeds, the decoction of the fruit rind should be given as a nasya. Seeds should be used in acid peptic disease.

Respiratory system Being astringent. the bud ameliorates kapha. The fruit ads as an expectorant. In infantile kapha disorders, the fruit is ground in goat’s milk and is given as a licking agent. The flowers are useful in cough induced by vata and pitta.

Urinary system : It acts as diuretic and hence useful in urinary disorders,

Reproductive system : As it promotes semen, it is used in seminal debility. The decoction of fruit rind is used for uttarbasti in vaginal discharges.

Important Yogas or Formations:

Dadimashtaka, Dadimadichurna, Dadimadighrita. Dadimadya taila, ganda hara curna.

Therapeutic Uses:

(1) Arsas- Ghee prepared with Dadima svarasa and Yavakara will check bleeding and pain (C.S.Ci.’4)

(2) puyameha fruit rind of Dadima is made as infusion and administration with sugar orally (S.B. M.)