Vikantaka
(Flacourtica indica)
“Vikantaka” is botanically identified as “Flacourtia indica” belongs to flacourtiace family.
It is perennial herb with greenish yellow colour flowers. It is found in a temperate region of India. It is quoted by Charaka under Phala Varga. Susruta and Vagbhatta have also mentioned it some indentity it with Gymnosporia Spinosa flori onurs consider Kantaka.
SYNONYMS
- Vykandika – Purified by Sulphur
- Mrdu phala – Having sweet taste
- Kandaki – Having thorns
- Grandila – Having nodes
- Yanja Vriksha – Using in Yanja
- Gopa Kanda – Having nodes
GANA
Gana according to Charaka: – Tiktha Skanda
VERNACULAR NAMES
- English: – Madagascar plum or Governer’s plum. Lovi – Lovi.
- Hindi :- Kantangi
- Telugu :- Kanavegu chittu
- Bengali :- Benchi
- Marathi :- Kakat
- Gujarat:- Kankod
- Tamil :- Katukal
- Kannada :- Hunmunoki
BOTANICAL SOURCE
Flacourtia indica (sans.Num – Vikantaka)
Family: – Flacourtiaceae.
Part used
- Bark
- Fruits
Matra
- Swarasa :- 10 – 20 ml
- Kwatha:- 50 – 100 ml
IMPORTANT FORMULATIONS
- Nirgundyaadi Gutika
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Alcoholic extract of aerial part is diuretic and Spasmogenic. A mixture plant and guirilla taken on 4th day cycle makes a woman sterile.
Analysis of edible plant (77%) of the fruit gave the following values moisture 74.4, protein 0.37, ether extr 0.21, total carbohydrate 24.20 reducing sugars 4.4, sucrose 5.0, fibre 0.4 and mineral matter 0.30%, calcium 24.1 and phosphorous 12.5mg/100g
Bark is used a tanning material.
RASAPANCHAKA
Rasa: – Madhura, Amla, Kashaya.
Guna: – Laghu, Rooksha.
Virya: – Sita.
Vipaka: – Madhura.
Dosakarma:-Tridoshahara
SROTOGAMITWA
- Dosha – Tridoshagna, Pittasarak
- Dhatu – Rakta
- Mala – Purisha (Purgative).bark – diuretic
- Organs – Stomach and Intestines.
ACTION
KARMA
(ACTION)
- Mutra Sangrahana
- Deepana
- Rakta Sodhana
- Sothahara
- Thwagdoshahara
Prayoga
(USES)
- Prameha
- Rakta vikara
- Agni mandya
- Kamala
- Twag Vikara
- Sotha – Apachi – Granthi – Arbuda
THERAPEUTIC USES
- The drug Vikantaka is useful in Anomalies of Urinary system belonging to group of Prameha roga. It is used in Jaundice.
- Blood Impurities
- Skin disease
- Loss of gastric power and liver disorders
- Vikantaka is given in cough Externally the drug used in glandular affection, swelling, tumour, abscess and allied complaints
- It is also used in spider poisoning( Luta Visa)
The fruits are eatable and have a sharp but sweetish taste and agreeable flavor. The fruits of some varieties are sweet enough to be taken raw but those of others can be eaten only after swelling.
Generally they are rich in protein and sufficiently acidic are excellent some as jellies.
- Used in burning sensation of Chest, Sores, Fever, Carbunlce, Stab wound and Cholera.
- Root is sweet, cooling depurative, diuretic and used in bilious affections.
- Rheumatism
- Mental disorders
- Bark is astringent and diuretic.
- Applied to Eczema paste given internally only in mid dog bite.
- Fruits are appetizing and digestive. They are given in Jaundice and enlarged spleen.
- In Indralupta – application of thaila
- Kasahaya of seeds in case of Vaginal wash in foetid discharge.
- The leaves and roots are used in herbal medicine especially for snake bite.
- The bark is believed to be effective for arthritis.
- Most part of the plant is used for Cough, Pneumonia and bacterial throat infections.
ETHNO BOTANY
In traditional Indian medicine it is used to prevent
- Ageing
- Improve Skin condition
- Prevent Heart disease
- Relieve Risk of Cancers
- Act as an anti-diabetic
- Treat malaria
- The Juice is used to treating Jaundice and enlarged spleen.
- Leaves often following medicinal benefits, according the word Agroforestry centre, are
- Gynecological problems
- Alleviates Asthma
- Fights Pneumonia
- Is an Anthelminthic (i.e. worm killer)
- Treats intestinal worms and hydrocele.
- The bark infused and gargled to remedy hoarseness
- The ash and roots treat Kidney issues, Snake bites, Arthritis.
- The root and leaves as remedies for diarrhea and as pain reliever.