Botanical Name: Garcinia gummi-gutta ( Linn) Robs.
Family: Guttiferae; Clusiaceae
Introduction:
Latin name: Garcinia = after the name of Dr.Garcia; indica = Indian or G. Purpurea
Names in different Indian languages
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English |
Gamboge tree |
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Hindi |
Bilatti amli |
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Kannada |
Punarpuli |
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Malayalam |
Kutappuli, kotappuli, pinnampuli |
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Sanskrit |
Vrkshaamla |
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Tamil |
Kodakkapul |
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Telugu |
vrksamla |
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Unani |
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|
Folk |
Synonyms
Shakamla. Raktapurak,Amlash Amlamahiruha, Puramla, Chudamla, Beejamla, Kaphamlak, Rasamla
Garcinia cambogia Desr.
Classification according to Charaka, Susrutha & Vagbhata
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Charaka |
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Susrutha |
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Vagbhata |
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Varieties & adulterants - (CV – controversy, AD – adulterants)
Garcinia dulcis - CV
Garcinia livingstonei
Morphology
This tree belonging tothe nagkesar family is thin with the branches facing downwards.
Leaves - tender, red, turn to dark green on maturity. This tree is bisexual.
Fruits - of the size of orange, round and reddish. Pulp from the fruit is sour. Fruits devoid of seeds are marketed as kokam
Distribution & Habitat
This tree is prominantly found in Konkan, Kerala and Goa. It is also found in Malaysia, China and Singapore
Chemical constituents:
Seeds contain 30% oil which is viscous and is sold as kokam oil.
hydroxycitric acid (a potent inhibitor of ATP citratelyase), camboginol, cambogin
Properties:
RASA-amala, kashaya
Guna: laghu, ruksha, amla;
Vipaka: amla;
Virya: ushna;
Karma -
Hridyam, rochanam, dipanam, soshanam
carminative, digestive, astingent,cooling, diuretic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anthelmintic, decreases lipid cholesterol level,
Srotogamitva:
Dosha: Raw fruit is vataghna, kaphapittavardhak. Ripe fruit - vataghna, kaphaghna Dhatu: Raktagami (hepatostimulant).
Mala: Purisha (astringent), anthelmintic.
Organs: Heart, intestine, digestive system.
Indication:
Gulma, atisara, trishna,
Ulcers, wounds, fever, skin disease, cough, piles, leucorrhoea, mouth ulcers
Part used:
Leaves, fruit , seed , oil
Dosage:
Leaf juice 10-15 ml
Powder 2-4 g
Decoction 50-100 ml
Uses: Oil is used for healing ulcers especially in cracked soles. Syrup of fruits is used as a thirst quencher. It is a very good appetizer, cholagogue and improves peristalsis.
Descriptions on Ayurveda books / Nighandu:
