Botanical name : Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew. (C. aphylla Roth.)
Family : Capparaceae (Cappariadaceae)
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Kurira Karira, Krakar, Apatra, Granthila, Marubhoo-ruuha, Niguudhapatra, Karila
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Kashaya
Guna : Lakhu.
Virya : Ushna
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Caper plant
Hindi : Karil, Kurel
Malayalam : Karimulli, Karimullu
Unani : Kabar, Kabar-ul-Hind,Kabar-e-Hindi; Tenti.
Distribution – In warmer parts of India, especially in Rajasthan, Punjab and
Sindh; southward to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A small shrub grows up to 4 meters in height. Leaves simple, small, acute, spinous pointed, associated with thorns and quickly fall off. Leaves usually found only on young shoots. Flowers red, in many flowered corymbs on old branches or short lateral shoots. Fruits fleshy pink berries; seeds numerous embedded in the pulp.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta, kapha, boils, eruptions, swelling, chronic and foul ulcers, cough, hiccough, asthma, vomiting, hemorrhoids, intermittent fevers, arthritis, odontalgia, lumbago, dyspepsia, flatulence, constipation, intestinal worms, cardiac debility, gout, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea and general debility. The fruits pacifies vitiated pitta, cardiac disorders, urinary infection, general debility.
Useful part : Root, Fruit.
CHEMICAL CONTENTS
The root bark contains spermidine alkaloids, used for inflammations, asthma and gout.
Activity of the seed volatiles against vibro cholerae has been recorded. Aqueous extract of the plant exhibits anthelmintic activity; seeds contain antibacterial principles—glucocapparin; isothiocynate aglycone of glucocapparin. The blanched fruits, when fed to rats at 10% dietary fibre level, showed a significant hypocholesterolaemic effect, which is attributed to its hemicellose content. Pickled fruits are use for destroying intestinal worms.
Dosage _ Leaf, root—50–125 mg (CCRAS.)
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