Botanical Name: Garcinia morella (Gaertn) Desv
Family: Guttiferae; Clusiaceae
Introduction:
latin name: Garcinia = after the nam,e of Dr. Garda; morella = bitter kind of cherry. Indian gamboge(Vaidya Bapalal Vaidya).
Names in different Indian languages
English |
Indian Gamboge |
Hindi |
Tamal |
Kannada |
Jirigehuli |
Malayalam |
Iravi |
Sanskrit |
Kankushtha |
Tamil |
Iravakhinni, makki |
Telugu |
Karukkampuli |
Unani |
|
Folk |
Synonyms
Kankushtha, Tamaal, Taapichha, Ushaare-revand
Garcinia pictoria Roxb
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
Charaka |
|
Susrutha |
|
Vagbhata |
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Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Morphology
Medium sized tree grows up to 5-8 m height
Leaves – simple, opposite, thick, elliptic-ovate
Flowers- unisexual
Fruit – berry
Distribution & Habitat
Throughout India
Chemical constituents:
morellin, neomorellin, beta-guttiferin , alphaguttiferin
Properties:
RASA-kashaya, madhur
GUNA-guru
VIRYA-sheeta
VIPAKA- madhura
Karma -
Vrishya, sophaghna, balyam
hydragogue, cathartic, anthelmintic, emetic
Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Kaphavataghna.
Dhatu: Rakta (useful in hypertension). rasa (amenorrhoea).
Mala: Purisha (strong purgative).
Indication:
Vrana, visham, sopham
Haermorrhoids, tumour, wounds, pain, inflammation, flatulence and worms
Part used:
Bark, leaf, fruit , resin
Dosage:
Leaf juice 10-15 ml
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
uses:
It is a strong purgative and hence used in ascitis, worms, hypertension. Also useful in amenorrhea. It is a good complexion enhancer
Descriptions on Ayurveda books / Nighandu: