Int J Ayu Pharm Chem

REVIEW ARTICLE www.ijapc.com e-ISSN 2350-0204

Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb)-A Review

Pravin Masram1*, Patel KS2, Kori VK3 and Rajagopala S4

1,2,3,4Department of Kaumarbhritya, I.P.G.T. & R.A., Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat,

Abstract Euryale feroxSalisbury (), known as Makhana, is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of south-east and East Asia. It grows as an exclusive aquatic cash crop in shallow water bodies in north Bihar and lower Assam regions of India. It has nutritional and medicinal properties and supports cottage industry. It is cultivated in ponds, lakes, tanks and other aquatic bodies. Classical texts books of Ayurveda gave limited information about Makhana. In BhavprakashNighnatu describe Makhana. Also various Nighantu author describes the Makhana. It is medicinal and nutritional herb is extensively used in Ayurveda and Chinese medicine. In India Makhana is used as food supplement and is contain of many dishes in Indian people food. In Ayurveda disease like Daha, Raktapittaand low quality of semen, Makhana is useful. In Chinese medicine treatment of diabetes mellitus Makhana having good impotence. So, these articles narrate the medicinal and nutritional properties of Makhana.

Keywords Makhana, Euryale ferox Salisb, Ayurveda, Nutrition

Greentree Group Received 12/01/16 Accepted 20/02/16 Published 10/03/16

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INTRODUCTION composition, nutritional value and medicinal Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb) is an properties of Makhana. aquatic crop, belonging to the family of description: Nympheaceae. It is commonly known as E. ferox Salisb is stem less, prickly, aquatics Gorgon Nut or Fox Nut, and it is grown in herb with rootstock short and thick. The stagnant perennial water bodies like ponds, are submerged, oblong, orbicular land depressions, oxbow lakes, swamps and corrugated about 6-100 cm in diameter; ditches. Makhana are also called as reddish green above, purple below and Black Diamond1. It is a food item for the densely spinous. The are solitary, religious fast of various people. Popped submerged, and epigynous with four Makhana is used in preparation of a number persistent, thorny sepals inserted on the of delicious and rich sweet dishes, pudding torus above the level of the ovary, together and milk based sweets. Apart from these, with many seriate petals. Most flowers are Makhana is used for medicinal purposes as cleistogamous, but chasmogamous flowers well, both in India and China as documented may also be produced. The inferior, in the ancient literatures. The is multicarpellary ovary develops into a analgesic and aphrodisiac, hence used in the spongy berry like fruit which is densely preparations of a number of Ayurvedic prickly, the size of an orange, and contains medicines. 30-40 pea size seeds with hard black seed Aim and Objective: The present work coat and a mucilaginous aril. The pulpy aril aimed to review and give more information keeps the seeds floating for a few days after about nutritional value and medicinal uses of they dehisce, before they finally settle down 2 Makhana. to the bottom of the water . 3 Makhana Scientific description: MATERIAL AND METHOD Kingdom-Plantae Unranked-Angiosperms This review was done by compiling of Order- Pharmacology (Dravyaguna) and, magazines Family-Nymphaeaceae and research journals as well as PUBMED, Genus- EuryaleSalisb. MEDLINE database. The compiled Species- E. ferox information was review with the chemical ______Masram et al. 2016 Greentree Group © IJAPC 2015 Greentree Group © IJAPC Int J Ayu Pharm Chem 2015 Vol. 4 Issue 2 www.ijapc.com 70 [e ISSN 2350-0204]

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Binomial name- Euryale feroxSalisb. ‘Gilodya’i.eCeropegiatuberosaRoxb. It may Ayurveda: be concluded that ‘Ankolodya’is substitute Makhana is not describing in the for Padmabija. (Seeds of Lotus)5 BrihatTrayi texts. However the term Pharmacodynamics in Ayurveda: ‘Ankolodya’ is used by Charaka4. Thakur (Table 1) Balvant Singh is considered as Table 1 Pharmacodynamics ofMakhana in Ayurveda Nighantu Rasa Virya Vipaka Karma

Bhavprakasha[19] Balya, vajikara, Grahi, Viryalpata KaidevNighantu[20] Tikta, sheeta - Raktapittashamaka, BalakarakaLekhan, Kashaya, Garbhasthapaka. Dahashamak. Madhura Dhanvantari [21] MadhuraT Garbhasthapaka, Raktapittashamaka, ikta, Vatavardhaka Illustrated Madhura Sheeta Raktapittahara,Garbhashtapana, Vrishya, DravyagunaVijnana[ Balya, Sukramehar and Dahahar 22]

Table 2 Chemical Composition Makhana [23] Determination Whole Protein free starch

Yield (%) from seed meal 52.5 n.d Moisture (%) 14.4 13.5 Ash (%) 15 0.15 N (%) by kjedahl method 1.36 Nil Protein (%) by amino acid analysis 7.32 Trace Total carbohydrate (%) 77.33 86.85 Amylose (%), potentiometrically n.d 25.3 Amylopectin (%) with respect to amylose n.d. 74.7 ] Major chemical constituents: Amino Acid raw seeds (362 k cal/100g) and puffed seeds composition of the seed protein has been (328 k cal/100g). The chemical constituents reported6. are 0.02 calcium 0.9 phosphorus and 0.0014 Chemical Composition: (Table 2) irons7. Nutritional studies shows that edible Nutritive Value: parts of the seeds contains 12.8% moisture, Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb.) having low 9.7% protein, 0.1% fat, 76.9% carbohydrate, fat content, high contents of carbohydrates, 0.5% mineral matters, and 1.45% iron protein and minerals. The calorific value of besides a good proportion of sugar, ascorbic

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Int J Ayu Pharm Chem acid and phenol. Amino acid index is higher useful in anemia. Makhana increases quality than in staple foods, which signifies its and quantity of semen, prevents premature unique food quality8. ejaculation, increases libido and helps in Antidiabetic and Antihyperlipidemic of E. female infertility. It strengthens body and Feroxsalisb. : The extract ofE. Feroxsalisb. increases energy level. Because of its seeds extract protect β-cells against ROS- aphrodisiac properties it is grouped under mediated destruction by improvising the Vrishyadi group. The herbs under this group levels of antioxidant enzymes and are used in Vajikarana therapy. Makhanna minimizing hyperglycemia which could be increases stickiness of secretions by due to release of insulin from remnant and increasing moisture level in body. Hence it recovered β-cells in pancreas in STZ- increases quality and quantity of semen and induced diabetic rats as confirmed by the useful in impotence. It helps to increase the ultrastructural, histopathological studies. fertility in women and reduces Vata and The research clearly indicates that ethanolic Pitta. It strengthens the body and reduces extract of E. Feroxsalisb. may be utilized as burning sensation and quenches thirst12. important source of natural antioxidants 4. Makhana is used as a tonic and for with antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic the treatment of leucorrhoea and good potential and can be used as plausible food immunostimulant13. additives or as a functional food in future9. 5. Diabetes - Diabetes is a metabolic Medicinal properties of Makhana : disorder, which is accompanied by high 1. The seeds contain sufficient amount blood glucose levels. It is a result of of vitamins so, used to treat beriberi, a improper functioning of the pancreas, which disease caused by deficiency of Vitamin secretes the insulin hormone. Fox nut is a B110. sweet and sour seed. These seeds contain 2. Feeding of E. ferox, stimulated starch and protein which is excellent for humeral immunity and suggested its diabetes14. applications in mothers after delivery and 6. Anti – aging: Makhana is rich in invalids11. antioxidants which works as age lock system 3. Makhana alleviates Vata and Pitta and makes us younger for much longer Dosha. It strengthens the heart and is very .Makhana is effective for individuals with

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Int J Ayu Pharm Chem high risk of premature ageing, premature restoring sexual vigor and youthful energy white hairs ,wrinkles and other signs of in older men. It regulates blood pressure, aging15. relieves numbness and aching near waist and 7. Chinese medicine: According to knees. It is Suitable for arthritis, helps principles of traditional Chinese medicine fighting impotency and premature aging. fox nut or Makhana is used to strengthen Makhana is very useful for women during spleen and kidneys. It is indicated in and post pregnancy period. It is also helps conditions like spermatorrhea, premature your respiratory system, veins and digestion. ejaculation, neuralgia, incontinence, chronic Popped Makhana contains almost 12% of diarrhea etc. According to herbalists it is protein (excellent especially for vegetarians) helpful in preventing early discharge of It reverses the aging process over a period of semen and restores sexual vigor in older time18. men. Makhana helps in conditions like Discussion: Makhana is very useful drugs arthritis, erectile dysfunction and premature for medicinal purpose as well as food aging. This herb has antioxidant properties supplement. Makhana also named as Fox and helps in digestion, rejuvenates nut, PhoolMakhana, lotus seeds, Gorgon respiratory system and prevents frequent nut, Euryale Ferox .The plant fox nut urination16. belongs to the family Nymphaeaceae. It 8. Euryale ferox seed is consumed grows in water and is found in India, , medicinally or for food in China. The study China, Japan and Russia. In India, it is on Makhana revealed it to contain popularly known as Makhana. They are the significant antioxidant activity, which may edible seeds of lotus which can be be associated with its medical applications roasted or fried. These are used in many as a proteinuria inhibitor of diabetic dishes of India. They are also considered as nephropathy17. very pious food and used in many rituals. 9. Makhana seeds benefit the spleen, Along with this they are also highly kidney, and heart. The seed also has calming beneficial in terms of nutritional values. properties that alleviate restlessness, Makhana is superior to dry fruits such as palpitations, and insomnia. It is also rich in almonds, walnut, coconut and cashew nut in calcium. It is a highly regarded herb for term of sugar, protein, ascorbic acid and

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Int J Ayu Pharm Chem phenol content. Makhana seeds are low in SheetaVirya. Makhanais Raktapittahara, saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol and Garbhashtapana, Vrsya, Balya properties are high in magnesium potassium and and mainly indicatein Sukrameha and phosphorus. It contains easily digestible Daha. Makhana having good source of protein, carbohydrate, moisture, fat, total energy, carbohydrate, protein and mineral, minerals, phosphorus and iron. These so it will be use the management of Protein chemical constituents are very useful for Energy Malnutrion (PEM). According to the human body and they also provide rich Chinese medicine, fox nut or Makhana is source of nutrition. It is avoid constipation used to strengthen spleen and kidneys. due to having high fiber. Makhana is helpful According to herbalists it is helpful in in diarrhea and improving appetite. preventing early discharge of semen and Makhana contains flavonoids which are restores sexual vigor in older men. It is also antioxidants and reverse the adverse effects recommended for the women during of free radicals in the body. They also pregnancy and post natal weaknesses. prevent the inflammations in the body. Makhana regulates blood pressure, relieves These free radicals are the main cause of numbness and aching near waist and knees. many degenerative diseases like diabetes It increases moisture level in body tissues. mellitus, heart problems. Makhana is known They also helps to lower the blood sugar as anti-aging foods because of powerful levels, so a healthy snack for diabetics. antioxidants. It acts as an aphrodisiac and increases quality and quantity of semen, CONCLUSION prevents premature ejaculation, increases Makhana is herb is use to nutritional food as libido and helps in female infertility. Fox well as me medicinal purpose. In Ayurveda nuts regulate the blood pressure as they are it is very useful drug many disease. In low in sodium and high in potassium, So a Chinese medicine Makhana use for treat to very beneficial food for the hypertensive spleen and kidney disease. people. Makhana contain iron, so it is also helpful in anemia. According to Ayurveda, Fox nut alleviates Vata and PittaDosha due to Madhura rasa, MadhuraVipak and

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