Botanical name : Pongamia pinnata (Linn.) Pierre (Derris indica (Lamk.) Bennet.)
Family : Fabaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Karanja, Naktamala, Gucchapushpa, Udakeerya, Krimimardana
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Tikta, Katu, Kashaya
Guna : Lakhu, Teekshna, Snigdha
Virya : Ushna
Vipaka: Katu
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : Indian beech, Pongam oil tree
Hindi : Karanj
Malayalam : Ungu, Pungu, Pongu
Distribution – Throughout India cultivated as well as growing wild.
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A moderate sized semi ever green tree grows up to 20 meters in height. Leaves pinnately compound, leaflets 5-7, ovate, elliptic, acuminate; flowers pinkish white, fragrant, arises from axillary racemes; fruits pale green colored, thick and hard, compressed, turns dark grey when ripe, containing 1-2 seed per pods.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, skin diseases, flatulence, diarrhea, cough, arthritis, ulcers, wounds, diabetes, inflammation, low back pain, fever, hemorrhoids, and anemia.
Useful part : Root, Bark, Flower, Seed, Oil.