Botanical Name: Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.
Family: Guttiferae; Clusiaceae
Introduction:
Latin name : Garcinia after the name of Dr. Garcia: pedunculata (pedinculate) - pedunde- stalk of flowers, fruits or duster, especially main stalk bearing solitary flower or subordinate stalk, having a peduncle or flower stalk.
In North India Garcinia pedunculata using as amlavetasa, but in South Solena amplexicaulis (Lam) Gandhi
Names in different Indian languages
English |
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Hindi |
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Kannada |
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Malayalam |
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Sanskrit |
Amlavetasa. Vetasaamla. |
Tamil |
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Telugu |
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Unani |
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Folk |
Synonyms
Rasamla. Veeravetas, Vetasamla, Amlasar, Bhedan, Raktasar. Shankhadravi, Mansadravi
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
Charaka |
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Susrutha |
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Vagbhata |
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Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Solena amplexicaulis (Lam) Gandhi – South India
Morphology
It is medium sized tree, grows 5-8 m height..
Leaves are 15 to 30 cms. in length, simple, opposite.
Flower- yellowish, unisexual
Fruits- small yellow fruits like musk melon with 8 to 10 seeds. Fruit pulp Sour.
Distribution & Habitat
North India
Chemical constituents:
benzophenones, pedunculol, garcinol ,cambogin,xanthone
Properties:
Guna ; laghu, ruksha, tikshna;
Rasa : extremely sour;
Vipaka: amla;
Veerya : ushna;
Karma -
Antiscorbutic, astringent, cooling, cardiotonic, emollient
Srotogamitva:
Dosha ; Pittavardhak, kaphaghna, vataghna,
Dhatu: Rakta (spleen).
Mala Hair, purisha (purgative).
Organ: Heart, respiratory system urinary system (calculi, dysuria)
Indication:
anorexia, dyspepsia, colic, liver and spleen diseases, cough
Part used:
Bark, leaves, fruit
Dosage:
Leaf juice 10-15 ml
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
Uses: It promotes all the digestive properties It is used in cardiac debility and pain, cough, asthma, hiccups. sinusitis, dysuria and calculi. Commercially branches of revandachini are sold as amlavetas. Charak has mentioned amlavetas in phalavarg, so it should be considered as fruit.