Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Embelia ribes Burm.f. [Kirtikar, Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu. "Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian Medicinal Plants. (1918)].
Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Embelia ribes Burm.f. [Kirtikar,
Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu. "Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian Medicinal Plants. (1918)].
Pankaj Oudhia
Introduction
Based on Ethnobotanical
surveys since year 1990 in different parts of India Pankaj Oudhia has
documented vital information about Medicinal Plants mentioned in the famous
publication by Kirtikar and Basu (1918). Through this research document Pankaj
Oudhia has tried to present original document with additional notes. For
complete paper with pictures, Interactive Tables, Video and Audio clips please
visit pankajoudhia.com
For original publication by Kirtikar and Basu (1918) please visit https://archive.org/details/indianmedicinalp01kirt
717. Embelia Ribes, Biirm. h.f.b.l, hi. 513 ;
Roxb. 195.
Syn. : — E. glandulifera, Wight.
Sans. : — Vidanga.
Vern. : — Baberang, wawrung (Hind.) ; Bebrang (Sylhet) ;
Himalcheri (Nepal) ; Babrung (Pb.); Vayu-vilamgam (Tarn.);
Kar-kannie, Warding (Bom.) ; Umbelia (Cingh.).
Habitat: — From the Central Himalaya, throughout India ;
common in the lower hills.
A large, scandent shrub. Bark, tubercled, Jin., rough, with
conical hard protuberances. Wood light-brown, porous. Climb-
ing by means of rerlexed lateral twigs, which are deciduous
except at the basal part, which remains as a woody deflexed
spine. Branches extremely long, very flexible, with long
inter-
nodes, slender, cylindric ; bark of young branches nearly
white,
very smooth and shining, with large lenticels. Leaves 4-5in.,
on very short petioles, usually bordered with prominent
glands,
lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acute or rounded at base,
shortly
acuminate, acute or obtuse, entire, perfectly glabrous and
shining on both sides, pale and somewhat silvery beneath,
coriaceous ; lateral veins invisible, white surface, with
scattered
minute, red, sunken glands. Flowers very small, Jan.,
numerous,
or white, more or less pubescent, in lax elongated, spreading
pubescent panicles, 6in-2ft. long, terminal or in axils of
upper
leaves; bracts small, ciliate. Corolla split into distinct
petals,
pubescent on both sides. Stamens 5, erect. Berry about Jin.,
nearly globose, tipped with style, smooth, crimson, wrinkled
when dry.
5i. O. MYRSINJE. 743
Uses : — Sushruta describes the fruit as anthelmintic,
altera-
tive and tonic, and recommends their use along with liquorice
root, for the purpose of strengthening the body and
preventing
the effects of age. Later writers regard it as carminative,
stomachic, anthelmintic, and useful against intestinal worms,
dyspepsia, and skin diseases. The berries enter into the com-
position of several applications for ringworm and other skin
diseases (Dutt).
The Hakims consider it to be attenuant and a purgative of
phlegmatic humors ; also a valuable anthelmintic, especially
against tape-worms (Dymock).
" Vaivarang is common in the neighbourhood of Bombay,
and is in high repute as an anthelmintic among the country
people, especially in cases of tape-worm. The dose is a tea-
spoonful of the powder, twice a day for a child, and a
dessert-
spoonful for an adult ; it can hardly be called a purgative ;
the
taste is rather pleasant, slightly astringent, and faintly
aromatic.
The worm is expelled dead. A purgative should be given to
prepare the patient for the drug. It is a common practice to
put a few berries of the plant in the milk that is given to
young children ; they are supposed to prevent flatulence
(Dymock).
Dr. Warden has separated an acid, named embelic acid,
from the seeds.
This drug would seem to richly deserve being experimented
with in Europe. It is an undoubted anthelmintic, quite devoid
of the nauseating property possessed by male fern (Watt).
180 grains (a tola) of the powdered seeds administered at
bed time in curdled milk, followed by a dose of castor oil on
the
following morning, has been found an efficacious remedy in
tapeworm (Sakharam Arjun).
[Pankaj
Oudhia’s Comment: Through Ethnobotanical surveys I have collected
information about over 150,000 Herbal Formulations for Vitiligo in which Embelia
is used as primary, secondary and tertiary ingredients. These Formulations are
effective and popular among the Traditional Healers. In treatment of other Skin
diseases Embelia parts are used. In over 350,000 Herbal Formulations Embelia is
added as important ingredient. In over 38000 Formulations Embelia is added for
its anti-aging properties. In over 200,000 Formulations Embelia is added as
quinary and nonary ingredients. These Formulations are used for Diabetes
complications. The Healers are well aware of Embelia overdose, excess and
toxicity. They use tens of Formulations to manage it. Please see Tables Embelia
R-1 to Embelia R. 350 for details.]
E-documents on Embelia
Citation
Oudhia, Pankaj (2013).
Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Embelia
ribes Burm.f.
[Kirtikar, Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu.
"Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian
Medicinal Plants. (1918)]. www.pankajoudhia.com
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