Botanical name : Opuntia cochenillifera, O. dillenii Haw. (Cactus indicus Roxb.)
Family : Cactaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Vidhara, Vishwa, Saraka
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Kashaya, Madhura
Guna : Lakhu, Snigdha
Virya : Seeta
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Cochineal cactus, Cochineal nopal cactus, Nopal cactus
Hindi : Nagphana
Malayalam : Kallichedi, Palakakkalli, Nagakkalli, Chattukakkalli, Kallimullu
Distribution – Throughout India, in dry areas.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A large perennial cactus plant grows up to 3 meters in height. Leaves small or inconspicuous greenish fleshy stem modification scattered with numerous prickles, at nodes. Flowers single, yellow, streaked with red, and arises from the nodes. Fruits fleshy contain compressed stony hard seeds.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated pitta over perspiration, burning sensations, asthma, whooping cough, hepatitis, poison, fever, constipation, conjunctivitis, boils, ulcers, edema, leucorrhea and menorrhagia.
Useful part : Whole plant.
Photo : Dr. Eby Abraham MD
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