Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ) PEER REVIEW IMPACT FACTOR ISSN VOL- VI ISSUE-IX SEPTEMBER 2019 e-JOURNAL 5.707 2349-638x

Bhallataka: A Comprehensive Ayurveda Review

Dr. Deshmukh Sangeeta S. M.D. (Agadtantra– Vy. Ay.) HOD & Professor Agadtantra – Vyavahar Ayurved Dept. Late B. V. Kale Ayurved Medical College & Hospital,Latur BOS Member, MUHS, Nashik

Abstract: anacardium commonly known as ‘Bhallataka’ or ‘Bhilwa’ has been used in various traditional system of medicines for various ailments since ancient times. Its nuts contain a variety of biologically active compounds such as biflavonoids, phenolic compounds, bhilwonals, minerals, vitamins & aminoacids, which show various medicinal properties. The fruit & nut extract shows various activities like antiatherogenic, anti inflammatory, anti oxidant, anti microbial, CNS stimulant, hypoglycemic, anti carcinogenic & hair growth promoter. The article reviews the various activities of the . Injudicious use of assuddha Bhallataka may result in several adverse effects. Ayurved & modern literature related to this subject has been reviewed in this study. Keywords:Bhallataka, Bhilwanol, Shodhan, Upavisha, Semicarpol, Rasayana.

Introduction: iv) Agnimukh v) Arshoheet Science is always progressive, human kind always vi) Tailabeeja invested maximum time in searching the latest vii) Shopakrita modalities of science, so as to make human life more viii) Varnakrita easy & happy than earlier. A search for betterment & ix) Vatari cure in short span brought up the use of x) Nabhovalli Vishadravyas in treatment after doing specific xi) Krimighna procedure called as shodhan procedure, so as to 2) Marathi – Biba eliminate unwanted harmful effects & increase the 3) Hindi – Bhilava expected medicinal properties. It also seems that 4) English – Marking nut different shodhan procedures & described for single Its juice is used by Dhobis as marking ink on clothes poisonous drugs by using different shodhan dravyas, juice from seeds mixed with lime is used by dhobi to expecting a specific role to treat a particular disease. mark clothes o called as marking nut. The Indian knowledge of herbal medicine is gaining Taxonomical Classification: widespread acceptance globally. In Ayurveda almost  Kingdom – Plantae all preparations are derived from , whether in  Subkingdom – Tracbeobionta the simple form of raw plant material or in refined  Super Division – Spermatophyta form of crude extracts. is a  Division – Magnoliophyta  Class – Magnoliopsida plant well known for its medicinal value in  Subclass – Rosidae Ayurveda. The aim of this review is to further  Order – highlight recently discovered effects & application of  Family – Semecarpus anacardium.  Genus – Semecarpus

Review of Literature:  Species – Anacardium Latin Name: Semecarpus Anacardium Family: Anacardiaceae Vernaculars: Classification – 1) Sanskrit 1) Ayurved i) Bhallataka - Phalavisha (su.ka.2/5) ii) Arushkar - Upavisha (R.T. 24/163-164) iii) Agnik 2) Modern – Irritant Organic Vegetable Poison yyEmail id’s:- [email protected],[email protected] I Mob.08999250451 Page No. website :- www.aiirjournal.com 20

Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ) PEER REVIEW IMPACT FACTOR ISSN VOL- VI ISSUE-IX SEPTEMBER 2019 e-JOURNAL 5.707 2349-638x

References in Brihatrayee Fruit – 1 inch in length, smooth shinning, heart Charak Samhita – shaped black when ripe, seated on a fleshy orange- Fifty mahakashaya contains are mentioned red receptacle formed of the thickened disc & calyx by Charaka. Each mahakashaya contains ten herbs. base. The nut bears thick pericarp & contains Out of these fifty mahakashayas, Charak mentioned brownish black acrid, oily juice. Bhallataka in thee mahakashyas Nut contains 32% oil. 1) Deepaneeya Mahakashaya (cha. Su. 4/9) Uses: Pimpali, Pimpalimula, Chavya, Chitraka, 1) Laundry marker Sringavera, Amlavetasa, Maricha, Ajmoda, 2) Quack remedy for assorted ailments Bhallatakasthi& Hinguniryasa – Digestive Toxic Part: Nut (seed) Stimulant

2) Kushthaghna Mahakashaya (cha. s. 4/11) Active Principle: Khadira, Abhaya, Amalaki, Hadira, Arushkara, 1) A monohydroxyphenol, which forms 0.1 percent Saptaparna, Aragvadha, Karveera, Vidanga, of the extract. This has been named ‘semecarpol’ Jatipatra – cures skin diseases B.P. (185-190o C). 3) Mutrasangrahaniya Mahakashaya (cha. s. 4/15) 2) An O-dihydroxy compound forming 46 percent Jambu, Amra, Plaksha, Vata, Kapeetana, of the extract (15 percent of nut). This has been Udumbara, Ashwatha, Bhallataka, Ashmantaka named ‘Bhilwanol’. & somvalka – antidiuretics 3) A tarry, non volatile corrosive residue forming

about 18 percent of the nut. Bhallataka Kshira [cha. chi. 1:2/13]

Bhallataka Kshoudra [cha. chi. 1:2/14] According to Wealth of India: (Volume –IX pg. Bhallataka Taila [cha. chi. 1:2/15] 272-273) Different 10 Bhallataka Recipes [cha. chi. The pericarp of semecarpus anacardium fruit 1:2/16] abound in a black, oily, bitter & highly vesicant Bhallataka Ghrita [cha. chi. 5/143-146] juice, which has been traditionally used for making Bhallataka Kshara [cha. chi. 15/177-178] linen. The vesicant juice known in trade as Bhilwan

shell liquid (BSL) is a rich source of phenols. It is Sushruta Samhita – obtained from bhilwan nuts by extraction with a Properties of Bhallataka Taila – [su. s. 45/122] hydrocarbon or other solvent, by hot expression in Krishna Karma – [Su. chi. 1/90-93] hydraulic press or by roasting in a specially designed Bhallataka Prayoga – [su.chi. 6/17] report. Bhallataka oil – [su. chi. 6/18] The chemical constituents of the shell liquid Bhallataka Medicated oil [su. chi. 17/141] have not been exhaustively investigated. Bhallataka Pushpa Anjan [su. ka. 1/69-71] The major constituent is Bhilwanol C H O Astang Sangraha – 21 32 2 which distills over at 225.26o /3mm. When the shell Amrita Bhallataka Rasayana [A.S.U. 49/143- liquid is subjected to vaccum distillation; it is an o- 145] dihydroxy compound with a catechol nucleus & an Bhallatakorishta [A.S.U. 49/451-455] unsaturated C – side chain; it has since been shown Narshimha Ghrita [A.S.U. 19/47] 15 to be a mixture of cis & trans isomers off urushenol. Features: A small quantity (C – 0.1%) of a monohydroxy It is medium size deciduous tree, reaching up phenol, semicarpol, C H O (distilling at 185o – 90o to height 7-10 meter. 17 28 /2.5mm) is also present. The dark tarry residue left Stem – is dark brown & rough after distillation contains high boiling phenols & Leaves – They are large, crowded towards the hydrocarbons. extremities of the branches, obovate- oblong, Mechanism of Action: rounded at apex, rounded cuneate at the base. Bhilwanol & semicarpol are irritant to mucus Flowers – small, greenish white, sub- sessile membrane & gastro intestinal tract, so cause irritation, blister etc.

yyEmail id’s:- [email protected],[email protected] I Mob.08999250451 Page No. website :- www.aiirjournal.com 21

Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ) PEER REVIEW IMPACT FACTOR ISSN VOL- VI ISSUE-IX SEPTEMBER 2019 e-JOURNAL 5.707 2349-638x

Fatal Dose: 2) Internally – - 5-8 seeds - Tandulja swarasa + sugar - 10 gm – marking nut juice - Coconut oil, tila tail - 10 ml – oil - Use of Durvadi gan, sarivadi gan, etc. Fatal Period – 12-24 hrs B) Modern Signs & Symptoms: 1) Local – 1) Dermal Exposure – When applied to skin, it i) To wash the contaminated part skin with causes irritation, inflammation, vesication soap wash formation, pain & itching. The blister contains ii) Apply coconut oil on affected part acrid serum. The skin lesion resembles contusion. 2) Internally Later on the lesion turned into ulcer with i) Stomach wash sloughing of skin. ii) Use of demulcents 2) Ingestion – causes iii) To relieve pain Inj. Morphine – 10mg i) Blister formation in & around oral cavity ii) Vomiting iv) Symptomatic iii) Diarrhea Postmortem Appearances: iv) Abdominal pain i) Externally, bruise like lesion with v) Hypotension / shock surrounding small blisters may be noticed vi) Delirium near the angle of the mouth or on the lips, if vii) Coma juice swallowed. Differential Diagnosis – ii) Internally inflammation & blister formation 1) Calotropis Poisoning may be seen in pharynx & oesophagus. 2) Pulmbago Poisoning iii) The stomach may be highly congested. 3) Bruise iv) Other internal viscera congested. v) Liver may show early degenerative change. Treatment – Medicolegal Aspect: A) Ayurved – i) The juice is used as an abortifacient by 1) Local application to OS uteri by means of an i) Bhallatakashothara yoga – [Bhai. Rat abortion stick. 42/44-45] ii) It is applied to genitals as punishment for  Local application of tila rubbed with adultery. buffalo milk & mixed with navneeta iii) It is used by malingers to produce an  Local application of yashtimadhu & artificial bruise to support a false charge. tila rubbed with milk iv) The juice may be instilled into eyes to  Local application of rubbed shalapatra produce conjunctivitis (vitriolage) ii) Arushakara Shothaghna [Sh. S. v) Accidental poisoning may occur from Uttarakhand 11/7] internal administration by quack.  Lep prepared from following vi) The juice like vitriol has been thrown on the combination are applied locally – face with evil intentions. [Brihada Rasaraj Sundaram – pg. 227] vii) Suicidal & Homicidal use is very  Mixture of tandulja swarasa& uncommon. navneeta Formulations:  Mixture of Devadaru, sarshapa,  Bhallatakadi Modaka nagarmotha & navneeetaa  Bhallatakavaleha  Mixture of navneeta, tila, mishri &  Bhallatka Rasayana milk  Bhallatakarishta  Neem, tila, tila taila are boiled together.  Amrita Bhallataka

yyEmail id’s:- [email protected],[email protected] I Mob.08999250451 Page No. website :- www.aiirjournal.com 22

Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ) PEER REVIEW IMPACT FACTOR ISSN VOL- VI ISSUE-IX SEPTEMBER 2019 e-JOURNAL 5.707 2349-638x

 Narsimha Churna should be restricted in summer season. For its  Sanjivani Vati allergic reactions like rash, itching & swelling, the Method of Purification: antidotes used externally are coconut oil, ghogruta, i) Bhallataka fruits & brick powder (ishtika coriander leaves kalka or butter mixed with musta. churna) are filled up in a pottali made up of The salt & spices should be strictly restricted during 3-4 folds of cotton cloth this pottali is rubbed Bhallataka treatment, it is recommended to avoid by hand by applying moderate pressure. exposure to sun, heat. When brick powder become wet with oil & the skin of Bhallataka fruit is peeled off, it is Therapeutic Uses: washed with hot water. In this process 1) As Rasayana [cha. Chi. 1:/13]: Bhallataka becomes Shuddha [R. T. 24/477- In Charaka samhita Bhallataka is mainly used as rasayana. For this purpose Bhallataka kshira 478]. & different pharmacological preparation of ii) Bhallataka fruits are cut in two pieces & are Bhalataka are mentioned. placed in a pottali. This pottali is placed in 2) As Vajikarana [Shodhala –Vajikaranadhikara ]: Dolayantra filled up with coconut water. For Bhallataka fruits are taken. These are cut in Dolayantra is heated for about 1-2 hours. In pieces & boiled in one adhaka of cow milk. This Bhallataka yoga is good vajikara or this process Bhallataka becomes Shuddha. vrishya. [R. T. 24/479]. 3) Arsha: i) Bhallataka is prepared & given to Difference: Between Bruise & lesion produced by patients suffering from Arsha, early in semecarpus juice the morning. Before consuming this kwatha entire oral cavity is coated with Traits Burise Lesion due to ghee. During this period person should Bhallataka take milk & cooked rice added with juice ghee. [Su. Chi. :6/17] Shape Regular Irregular ii) Bhallataka is a good medicine in shuskarsha. [A. H. Chi. : 8/162] Margin Diffused Sharp & clear 4) Kushtha [Su. Chi. 9]: Kwatha of Bhallataka, Abhyaya & Vidanga or Swelling Present Absent in some only Bhallataka taila cures all types of kushtha. cases 5) Krimi [Shodhala – Rogadhikara]: Colour Change Occurs Does not occur Add vidanga churna in Bhallataka swaras & keep it in sunlight. If this given to patient Itching Absent Present krimis are died. 6) Indralupta [Shodhala - Shirorogadhikara]: Blisters Absent Present on the Bhallataka rasa & madhu (honey) are mixed margin together to prepare a lepa which is applied Cause Rupture of Chemical locally to cure indralupta disease. cutaneous damage of skin 7) Urustambha [Shodhala - Vatrogadhikara]: capillaries Bhallataka & Pippali mula are powered Extravastation in Present Absent together & given with madhu (honey) to get the tissue relief from urustambha. Nail beds Nothing Similar lesion 8) Jwaragaman [A. H. Chi. 1/53]: significant due to itching If signs of ensuing jwara (fever) are observed, Contents Extravasated Acrid serum Bhallataka is given with guda. blood 9) Kaphaja gulma [Shodhala – Gulmachikitsadhikara]: Toxicity: Ghrita prepared from Bhallataka kalka & Since Bhallataka is extremely hot & sharp in kashya if consumed with sugar cures raktapitta & if consumed with madhu (honey) cures its attributes, it should be stop & avoid the usage of kaphaja gulma. Bhallataka. It should not be used by small children, 10) Pleehavridhi, Pandu, Shwasa, Kasa [R. T. very old persons, pregnant women & individuals of 24/483]: predominant of Pitta constitution. The use of same

yyEmail id’s:- [email protected],[email protected] I Mob.08999250451 Page No. website :- www.aiirjournal.com 23

Aayushi International Interdisciplinary Research Journal (AIIRJ) PEER REVIEW IMPACT FACTOR ISSN VOL- VI ISSUE-IX SEPTEMBER 2019 e-JOURNAL 5.707 2349-638x

Vati (tablets) prepared from equal quantities of Sanskrit Bhavan P. O. Box No. 1160 Banaras Bhallataka churna, Haritaki churna, Tila State Bank Bld. Chowk, Varanasi – 221001. churna & guda, cures pleehavridhi, pandu, 5) Bhaishajya Ratnavali – Vd. Rajeshwar Datta th jwara, shwasa, kasa. Shastri – 15 edition 2002 – Choukhambha 11) Visha anjana chikitsa [Su. Ka. 1/69-71]: Sanskrita Bhawan, Varanasi – 221001. 6) Rasatarangini (Pranacharya Shri Sadanand If the collyrium is poisoned (Vishayukta th anjana) then the flowers of Bhallataka are Sharma Virachit) – Pt. Kashinath Shastri – 11 rubbed in milk & used as counter collyrium. edition 1979 – Narendra Prakash Jain Motilal Banarasidas Bungalow Rd., Delhi – 7. Discussion & Conclusion: 7) Bhavprakash Nighantu –Dr. Krishanchandra Chunekara, Dr. Gangasahaya Pandeya – 9th According to Charaka Samhita any poison edition 1993 – Choukhambha Bharati Acadamy, with its proper administration act as excellent drug Varanasi. with its improper use can be a poison. Also 8) Nighantu Adarsha (Purvardha) –Shri Bapalal G. nd according to Bhavaprakash, poisonous plants are Vaidya – 2 edition 1998 – Choukhambha Bharati Acadamy, Varanasi. subjected to shodhana sanskara are carried out, the 9) Indian Medicinal Plants Forgotten Healers – Dr. poisonous plants are attributed with certain proper Prakasha Paranjape – 1st edition 2001 – rasayana, yogvashi, brihana, etc. Nowadays,numbers Choukhambha Sanskrita Pratishthana, Delhi. 10) Materia Medica of India & their Therapeutics – of Ayurved pharmaceutical companies are preparing nd Rustomjee naserwanjee Khory – 2 reprint medicines from poisonous herbs. If these poisonous edition 1984 – Neeraj Publishing House, Delhi – plants are not subjected to shodhan sanskara 110052. properly, they may act as poison. Therefore their 11) Chopra’s Indigenous drugs of India – Col. Sir R. N. Chopra, I.C. Chopra, K. C. Handa, L. D. preparation will also be poisonous. But it is the Kapur – 2nd edition 1958 – U. N. Dhur & Sons matter of discussion whether they are doing shodhan Private Limited 15, Bankim Chatterjee Street, sanskara of these poisonous herbs properly as Calcutta – 12. mentioned in Ayurved Samhita. 12) Indian Materia Medica Vol. I – Dr. K. M. Nadkarni – 2nd edition 1927 Reprint 1993 – Bhallataka, when studied for its properties Bombay Popular Prakshana.. through Ayurveda & modern view was found to 13) Pharmacognosy of Indigenous Drugs (Vol. I) – contain some toxic principles. It iis accepted K. raghunathana, Miss Rama Mitra – Central ‘Upavisha’ in various Rasagranthas. It is also used Council for Research in Ayurveda & siddha, New Delhi – 16. for various diseases like Arsna, Kushtha, Krimi, etc. 14) Vanoushadhi Gunadarsha – Kai. Ayurveda Acharya Charaka mainly used as rasayan & Mahopadhhya Shankar Dajishastri Pade – 4th vajikarana. It is advised to use only after shodhan April 1973 – Shri Gajanan Book depo Prakashna, sanskara. A detailed review of Bhallataka as well as Dadar, Mumbai – 48. 15) Brihada Rasaraj Sundarama – Pt. Dattaram semecarpus anacardium through Ayurved & modern Choube – Dnyansagar Press, Kishangadh. literature was studied. 16) Parikh’s Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence Forensic Medicine & Toxicology – C. K. Parikh th Bibliography: – 16 edition – CBS Publisher & Distributors, 1) Charaka Samhita – R. K. Sharma – 2nd edition 4596/1A, 11, Daryaganj, New Delhi – 110002. 2000 – Cheaukhambha Sanskrita Series Office, 17) Modi’s Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence & Toxicology – C. A. Franklin – 21st edition 1988, Varanasi- 221001. th 2) Sushruta Samhita – Priyavat Sharma – 1st edition 8 Reprint 1997 – N. M. Tripathi Private Ltd. 1999 – Choukhambha Vishwabharti Oriental Book Sellers, Publisher, Princess Street, Bombay Publisher &Distributor, P. O. Box No. 1084 – 2. Gopal Mandir line, Varanasi – 221001. 18) Wealth of India Raw Materials Vol. IX – A 3) Ashtang Sangraha – Prof. K.R. Srikantha Murthy revised edition 1998 – Directorate CSIR, Hill – 2nd edition – Choukhambha Oreintalia Gokul Side Road, New Delhi – 110072. 19) The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part- I, Bhavan, Gopal Mandir line, Varanasi – 221001. st 4) Ashtang Hridaya Samhita – Vd. Yadunandan Volume-II – 1 edition 1999 – Govt. of India, Upadhay – 13th edition 2000 – Choukhambha Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Dept. of ISM & H.

yyEmail id’s:- [email protected],[email protected] I Mob.08999250451 Page No. website :- www.aiirjournal.com 24