Bhalatak

BHALATAK
BOTANICAL NAME SEMECARPUS ANACARDIUM


FAMILY ANACARDIACEAE

OTHER NAMES
 SANSKRIT » Agnika, Agnimukha, Agnimukhah, Agnimukhi, Anala, Antasatva, Arshohita, Arushkara, Aruskara, Aruskarah, Avhala, Bhallatah, Bhallataka, Bhallatakah, Bhallataki, Bhallatamu, Bhalli, Bhallika, Bhutanashana, Bijapadapa, Dhanurvriksha, Krimighna, Kshatakshataru, Mahatikshna, Nirdahana, Prithakabija, Raktahara, Rujakarah, Shailabija, Shophanuta, Shothahrita, Snehabija, Sophahetuh, Sophakrt, Sphotahetu, Tapana, Vanhi, Vanhinama, Vatari, Virataru, Vranakrita
 HINDI » Belatak, Bhela, Bheyla, Bhilava, Bhilavan, Bhilawa, Bilaran, Bhilao, Bhilwa
 ENGLISH NUT » Marking nut
 MARATHI » Bibba, Bibu, Bibua, Bibha, Bibwa, Bibo
 BENGALI » Bhela, Soso
 ASSAMESE » Bhala, Bhela
 KANNADA » Aginimukhi, Bhallataka, Bhallika, Ger-kayi, Gerkayi, Geru, Gerubija, Goddugeru, Cheru, Gaeru kaayi, Godda gaeru, Karee gaeru, Keru, Karee geru, Agnimukhi, Balania, Char, Chara, Chera, Ger, Gera, Gheru, Karigaeru
 ORIYA » Bonebhalia
 PERSIAN » Biladur, Yaladara
 TELGU » Bhallataki, Bhallatamu, Gudova, Jeedivittulu, Jidi, Jidi-chettu, Jidi-vittulu, Nallajidi, Tummadamamidi, Tummedamamidi, Thummeda maamidi
 TAMIL » Erimugi, Kalagam, Kavaga, Pallam, Pallikkai, Pudanashanam, Se, Sengottai, Senkottai, Seran, Serangottai, Cerankottai, Shen-kottai, Sheran-kottai, Cenkottai, Cevvalankottai, Ceran kottai, Erimuki

DESCRIPTION
A moderate sized, deciduous tree, 12-15 m high. Leaves simple, 17.5 - 60.0 cm long and 5-20 cm broad, obovate-oblong, glabrous above, ashy grey or buff and pubescent beneath. Flowers small, dull greenish yellow, dioecious, in terminal panicles.

DISTRIBUTION
Globally the species is distributed in the Paleotropics, from Tropical Asia to Australia. Within India it is distributed in the Sub-Himalayan tracts, Central, Peninsular and Eastern regions of the country.

CULTIVATION
It is propagated by seeds. Having poor viability the seeds should be sown soon after collection. Seedlings are frost-sensitive but have good power of recovery; they are frost-sensitive but have good power of recovery.

PART (S) USED FRUIT

DOSE Kalk 3 - 6 gms, Oil 10 - 20 drops

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Bhilawanol, Anacardoside oil, Nicotinic acid, Riboflavine, Thiamine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Theonine, Tryptophan, Valine, Anacardic acid, Palmitic acid, Stearic acid, Cardol, Catechol, Anacardol, Semecarpol

PHYSICAL CONSTITUENTS Total ash 4 %, Acid insoluble ash 0.5 %, Alcohol soluble extractive 11 %, Water soluble extractive 5 %

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
 GUNA (Quality)
 RASA (Taste)
 VIPAK (Metabolism)
 VIRYA (Potency)
 PRABHAV (Impact)
 Laghu, Snigdh, Tikshan
 Katu, Tikt, Kashay
 Madhur
 Ushan
 Kusthghan

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION
Anticancer, Antitumour, Antioxidant, Antiinflammatory, Analgesic, Antiarthritic, Hypotensive, Antispasmodic, Antiallergic, Nematicidal, Immunosuppressive, Cytotoxic, Cytoprotective, Antibacterial, Moderate analgesic, Immunomodulatory, Cardiac depressant

THERAPEUTIC USES Micturitive
 Aphrodisiac
 Abdominal disorders esp in hook worms
 Rasayan

FORMULATIONS (Yog)
Dhanvantara ghrita
Kalyana ksara
Narasimha ghrita rasayana
Panchanimb churna
Panhatiktaguggulu ghrita