Botanical name : Gardenia gummifera Linn.f. (G. lucida Roxb)
Family : Verbenaceae
SANSKRIT SYNONYMS
Nadeehingu, Hingunadika, Jantuka, Gandharaja
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa : Katu, Tikta, Kashaya
Guna : Teekshna
Virya : Ushna
Vipaka : Katu
PLANT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES
English : White emetic nut
Hindi : Dekamari
Malayalam : Gandharajan, Somanadi kayam
Distribution – In the dry deciduous forests in Karnataka, Gujarat states, in India
PLANT DESCRIPTION
A large shrub or small tree grows up to 7 meters in height. Leaves simple, opposite, elliptic, oblong, shining with prominent nerves; flowers white, then change to yellow, found in leaf axils. Fruits large berries with hard endocarp. Seeds many, compressed and shining. The resin exudate from the stem is used as medicine.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Plant pacifies vitiated vata, kapha, skin disease, indigestion, worm infestation, diarrhea and infections. The resin has antiseptic property.
Useful part : Resin.
Photo : Dr. Eby Abraham MD