It is a glabrous shrub, dark grey or blackish bark and grown unto 16m. Leaves are 20-25 cm in length, with or without terminal leaflet; leaflets 4-5 pairs, lanceolata, coriaceous and base oblique. The odor of this shrub is Peculiar. Leaves are dark green in color which turn bright red in autumn. This is the time when they are more easily recognized. Flowers are in lateral panicles, male compact, pubescent, female lax and elongate. Plant wear the flowers and fruits in spring, which have large clusters of tawny colored fruit in winter. These fruits are eaten and spread by many species of birds. Seeds of plant are with a membranous testa.
In Sushurta samhita, Karkatshringi is classified as poisonous tuber. It is herb which produces srngi (gall) which are produced by an insect - Dasia asdifactor. This insect produces the horn like outgrowths on the branches of this herb which are called as Karkatshringi. These are large, hollow, thin-walled, generally cylindrical and tapering to either extremity. These galls (srngi) are packed with therapeutic properties and considered as tonic. Expectorant properties of this herb are quite effective to resolve the complications like cough, asthma, phthisis, fever, tuberculosis and irritability of stomach. This herb helps in clearance of mucus from airways, bronchi, lungs and trachea. Antimicrobial activities of this herb are quite good to fight against viral, bacterial and fungal infections. Use of this herb is quite effective in the treatment of children's diseases. Use of this herb is good to treat the gum diseases also. Besides galls, all the other plant parts like leaves, bark and seeds have therapeutic properties.
Phytochemical constituents - Essential oils, resin, pistacienoic acids A & B, 3- sitosterol, aromadendrene, camphene, caprylic acid, cineol, a— pinene, amino acids, dihydromalvic acid, pistacin, pistacinin, sterals, triterpenoids and dihydroquercetin. These phytochemical compounds also offers the various health benefits and help in treatment of diseases.
It is native of China and Japan. But also found in England. In India it is grown in the temperate Himalayas, from Kashmir, Sikkim to Bhutan at altitudes of 600–2,500 m.
Hindi / Sanskrit |
English |
||
Rasa |
Tikta, Kasaya |
Taste |
Bitter, Astringent |
Guna |
Laghu, Ruksa |
Physical Property |
Dry |
Virya |
Ushna |
Potency |
Hot |
Vipaka |
Katu |
Metabolic Property (After Digestion) |
Pungent |
It balances vata and kapha doshas.
Charak Samhita |
Sushrut Samhita |
Vagbhata |
· Kasahara - Group of herbs for treatment of cough · Hikkanigrahana - Group of herbs for treatment of hiccups |
· Kakolyadi · Padmakadi |
· Nil |
The Bhavprakash nighantu edition of 1998: verse 178-179, page no- 98-99.
Its names are Srngi, Karkat Srngi, Kulir, Vishanika, Ajsringi, Chakra and Karkatakhya. This is astringent and bitter in taste with hot potency. It manages the Kaphaj and vataj fever, tuberculosis, respiratory problems, cough, thirst, hiccups, anorexia and vomiting.
The Bhavprakash nighantu with elaborated Hindi commentary by Padmashri prof. K.C. Chunekar, edited by Dr. G.S. Pandey: edition of 1998: verse 178-179, page no- 98-99.
This herb is quite good in the problem of edema (swelling). It helps to reduce the fluid accumulation in the tissues. Furthermore this herb also helps to provide the relief in the problem like swelling in legs, hands, arms, ankle and feet which are associated with edema.
Galls
2-4 grams.