Garcinia morella (Gaertn) Desv.
Garcinia morella (Gaertn) Desv. Synonym G. pictoria Roxb.
Family Guttferae; Clusiaceae.
Habitat Throughout southern India, also in Assam and West Bengal, up to 1,000 m
English Indian Gamboge.
Ayurvedic Kankushtha, Tamaal, Taapichha, Ushaare-revand.
Siddha/Tamil Iravakhinni.
Action Gum-resin—hydragogue, cathartic, anthelmintic. Used in dropy and amenorrhoea. Causes nausea, vomiting and griping in large doses.
The gum contains morellin, neomorellin, beta-guttiferin and alphaguttiferin and their derivatives. The heartwood gave morelloflavone. Seed coat gave morellin, isomoreilin and their neo derivatives which exhibited antibacterial and antiprotozoal activity.
Dosage Gum-resin—50—125 mg. (CCRAS.)
Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.
Family Guttferae; Clusiaceae.
Habitat Forests of northeast
Bengal, sporadic in NEFA, Manipur and upper Assam
Ayurvedic Amlavetasa. Vetasaamla.
Action Antiscorbutic, astringent, cooling, cardiotonic, emollient. Used in anorexia, dyspepsia, colic, liver and spleen diseases difficult micturition. Cough and other respiratory disorders, ulcers and skin diseases.
Dry fruits (pericarp) contain the benzophenones, pedunculol, garcinol and cambogin.
The heartwood gave benzophenone and xanthone.
Dosage Fruit—5—10 ml juice. (CCRAS.)
Garcinia xanthochymus
Hook. f. ex T And.
Synonym G. tinctoria (DC.) W. E Wt.
Family Guttferae; Clusiaceae.
Habitat The lower hill forests of Eastern Himalayas, Peninsular India, Orissa, Maharashtra and the Andamans.
English Egg tree.
Ayurvedic Tamaal (var.), Vrkshaamla (var.).
