Embelia tsjeriam-cottam
| Embelia tsjeriam-cottam | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Ericales |
| Family: | Primulaceae |
| Genus: | Embelia |
| Species: | E. tsjeriam-cottam
|
| Binomial name | |
| Embelia tsjeriam-cottam (Roem. & Schult.) A.DC.
| |
Embelia tsjeriam-cottam, commonly known as vidanga, bhasmaka, krimighna, or vaivilangam [1] is a species in the family Primulaceae.
Distribution
Its native distribution extends from the Indian Subcontinent through South-Central China to Indo-China.[2] In India, it occurs across the western and southern states, including Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.[3]
Phenology
Flowering occurs during February and March, while fruiting begins in April and lasts until July.
Uses
The dried berries are primarily used in medicine; they are acrid, astringent, and carminative, making them beneficial in treating constipation, colic, indigestion, flatulence, and piles. Additionally, a seed paste is applied externally to manage ringworm and other skin infections.[4] The berries are abundant in quinones such as embelin, rapanone, homoembelin, himorapanone, and vilangin.[5] Embelin has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.[6]
References
- ^ Sharma, Y.A.S.H.A.S.W.I.N.I., Venugopal, C.K., Hegde, R.V., Hegde, L.A.X.M.I.N.A.R.A.Y.A.N. and Manjunath, A.V., 2011. Propagation of Embelia tsjeriam-cottam, a critically endangered medicinal plant species. Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences, 33(4), pp.463-469.
- ^ "Embelia tsjeriam-cottam (Roem. & Schult.) A.DC. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science". Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ^ Bhattacharjee SK. 2000. Handbook of Medicinal Plants. Pointer Publishers Jaipur
- ^ Sivarajan VV and Indira B. 1994. Ayurvedic drugs and their plant sources. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi.
- ^ Khare CP. 2004. Encyclopedia of Indian Medicinal Plants. ISBN Publications New Delhi.
- ^ Vite, M.H., Nangude, S.L. and Gorte, S.M., 2011. Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract of Embelia tsjeriam cottam. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, 3(4), pp.101-102.