Callicarpa macrophylla
Synonym C. incana Roxb.
Family Verbenaceae. Habitat Sub-Himalayan tracts,
from Hazara eastwards to Assam, up to 1,500 m.
English Perfumed Cherry. Ayurvedic Priyangu, Priyangukaa, Priyaka, Gandhphali, Gandhpriyangu, Phalini, Vanilaa, Kaantaa, Kaantaahvaa, Shyamaa, Anganaapriya.
Unani Habb-ul-Mihlb (Prunus mahaleb Linn., Rosaceae).
Siddha/Tamil Gnazhal, Chokkala. (Fruits of Aglaia roxburghiana Miq. are used as Priyangu.)
Action Leaves—applied hot in rheumatic pains. Smoked to relieve headache. Seed—paste used in stomatitis. Wood—paste used in mouth and tongue sores. Seeds and roots—employed as stomachic. Bark—used in rheumatism and diseases of genitourinary tract. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India indicated the use of the fruit in emesis and giddiness.
The seeds and leaves contain calliterpenone and its monoacetate; the former also contain fatty acids, betasitosterol and its beta-D-glucoside.
Dosage Dried inflorescences
powder—2—3 g.