Botanical name : Cleome pentaphylla Linn.
Family : Capparaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Ajagandhika, Ajaganda
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Katu
Guna : Lakhu
Virya : Ushna
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Wild mustard, Cleome
Hindi : Hulhul, Hurhur
Malayalam : Aatunarivela, Vela, Naivela, Pattivela, Karavela, Nayarvela.
Distribution – Throughout India growing wild in planes as a weed
PLANT DESCRIPTION
An annual herbaceous plant with long drooping pods. Leaves compound, 3-5 foliate, palmate, flowers violet to white, in lax racemes from the leaf axils. Fruits long capsules, Seeds kidney shaped and turns dark on ripe.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated kapha, intestinal worms, colic, stomach upset, cardio myopathy, Headache, diarrhea, fever and dyspepsia.
Useful part : Whole plant.
Photo: Dr. Eby Abraham MD