Botanical Name: Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Delile,

Family: Simaroubaceae; Balanitaceae

 Introduction:

Latin name: Balanites - balanus nut, fruit rind is very hard; aegyptica of Egypt

Names in different Indian languages

Synonyms

Hingupatra, Vishakanta, Anilantak. Gaur, Suputra, Shoolari, Inguda, Tikta, Pootikantak, Angarvriksha. ,Ingudi, Angaar Vrksha, Taapasadrum, Taapasa vrksha, Dirghkantaka

 Balanites roxburghii Planch

Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata

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

 Sarcostigma kleinni

Morphology

A plant 3 to 6 miters. high,

Leaves- appear in’ pairs. Leaflets - circular. ventrally. At the base of each leaf, there is a hard thorn.

Flowers - yellow, fragrant and appear In bunches.

Fruits. Oval shaped.

Seeds - pentagonal, contains ‘sharp oil and has bad smell. Clothes are washed with these fruits. It is used as a soap.

Distribution & Habitat

Drier parts of India, particularly in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Deccan

Chemical constituents:

 diosgenin , saponins, balanitins,

Properties:

Guna : laghu. snigdha;

Rasa: tikta, katu:

Vipak : katu;

Veerya ushna;

Prabhav : krimighna:

Dosha : vata-kaphanashak

Karma -

expectorant, bechic, antibacterial, antifungal, pasmolytic

Srotogamitva:

Dosha :Vata-kaphaghna.

Dhatu : Manse (wound healing). rakta (purifier). rakta meda vitiligo), rasayani. shukra (reduces strength and antifertility),

Mala : Beneficial to hair oil), purisha (bark - purgative) anthelmintic, useful in dysuria increases formation of urine).

Organ : Eyes (diminishes vision).

 Indication:

whooping cough, fever, skin disease, cough, piles, leucorrhoea,vomiting, dysentery, gout, burning sensation, dyspepsia,cephalgia, worm infection

Part used:

  Leaf, seed, bark, fruit

Dosage: 

Leaf juice 10-15 ml

Powder 2-4 g

Decoction 50-100 ml

uses:

Oil has antimicrobial activity, it promotes hair growth, helps in healing of wounds and burn injuries. Bark is a strong purgative. lngudi is an appetizer. anthelmintic, blood purifier and is useful in cough. asthma fruit pulp,dysuria and leucoderma etc.

Descriptions on  Ayurveda books / Nighandu: