Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Bixa orellana L. [Kirtikar, Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu. "Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian Medicinal Plants. (1918)].

Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Bixa orellana L. [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

104. Bixa Orellana, Linn, h.f.b.i., i. 190.

Vern. : — Latkan, Watkana (H. and B.) ; Kong, Kuombi

(Santal.) ; Jarat, Jolandhar (Ass.); Gulbas (Uriya) ; Powasi

^Chittagong) ; Reipom (Manipur) Shal-ke-pandi-ka-jhar (Deck.) ;

Kisri, Kesari, Kesuri, Shendri (Mar. Bom.) ; Jupharachettu, Jafra

vittulu-chettu, Kurungu-menjivittulu-chettu (Tel.) ; Japhra-

maram, Jafra-virai-maram (Tam.) ; Kuppamankala, Rangamali

(Kan.) Korungoomunga (Mai.) Gowpurgee (H.).

Habitat : — Cultivated throughout India for the dye.

A large evergreen shrub or small tree. Bark brown, -§• in.

thick. Wood pinkish-white, soft, even-grained. Annual rings

marked by a line without pores. Pores moderate-sized, in

radial strings of 3 to 6, prominent on a vertical section. Medul-

lary rays fine, closely packed, bent round the pores, or groups

of pores, so that the distance between the rays is less than

the transverse diameter of the pores (Gamble). Leaves simple,

4-8 by 2^-5 in., cordate, acuminate, glabrous. Stipules minute.

Petioles slender, 2-3 in. Flowers in terminal panicles, bisexual,

large, 1-2 in. diam. ; pink or white ; purple say H. /. and Th. ;

sepals 5, imbricate deciduous. Petals 5, contorted in bud.

Anthers numerous, opening by two terminal pores. Ovary

1-celled ; style slender, curved ; stigma notched ; ovules many,

118 INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS.

on 2-parietal placentas. Capsule reddish brown, clothed with

soft prickles, 1 J in., ovoid or sub-globose, base intruded ;

dehiscence loculicidally 2-valved ; placentas on the valve. Seeds

many, covered with a red pulp (originally fleshy papillae on

the testa) which yields the well-known dye. Albumen

farinaceous ; Embryo large ; cotyledons flat.

Parts used : —The seeds, seed-pulp and root-bark. [Pankaj Oudhia’s Comment: All parts are used as medicine.]

Uses :— Astringent and slightly purgative, also a good

remedy for dysentery and kidney diseases. The pulp (a well-

known colouring matter) surrounding the seeds is astringent

(Roxburgh.). The seeds are cordial, astringent, and febrifuge

{LindlX

The root-bark is antiperioclic and antipyretic, and the

seeds slightly astringent and a very good remedy for gonorrhoea.

The seeds also possess the antiperiodic and antipyretic properties,

but to a less extent.

The root-bark is of great use in uncomplicated inter-

mittent, remittent, and continued fevers. The seeds are very

useful, particularly in the form of decoction. They are also use-

ful in the above varieties of fever, but inferior to the root-bark

in this respect.

The root-bark is one of those antiperiodic medicines,

which can be used during the absence as well as the presence

of pyrexia in the intermittent fever ; and this remark is also

applicable to the seeds as an antiperiodic (Moodeen Sheriff).

The seed pulp is used by the American Indians to paint their

body all over for full dress, and this use of it is said also to pre-

vent mosquito bites

[Pankaj Oudhia’s Comment: In over 8000 Mahua based Herbal Formulations for treatment of spleen related diseases Bixa is added as tertiary ingredient. For same trouble Bixa is added as quinary ingredient in over 3000 Sterculia based Herbal Formulations. In treatment of diseases related to nervous system over 10000 Diospyros based Formulations are used. In these Formulations Allelopathically enriched Bixa is used as denary ingredient. Bixa is added as septenary ingredient in over 13000 Van Tulsi based Formulations used for treatment of different types of fever. It is also added as secondary and octonary ingredients in Shorea based Formulations used for old fever. For details please see Tables Bixa-1 to Bixa-300.]

E-documents on Bixa

http://ecoport.org/ep?SearchType=earticleList&Author=oudhia&Text=Bixa

Citation

Oudhia, Pankaj (2014). Pankaj Oudhia’s Notes on Bixa orellana L. [Kirtikar, Kanhoba Ranchoddas, and Baman Das Basu. "Indian Medicinal Plants." Indian Medicinal Plants. (1918)]. www.pankajoudhia.com