E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Review on Ulat Kambal

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2024 Volume 9 Number 5 May
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

A review on Ulat Kambal (Abroma augusta Linn.)

Ashwarya1*, Gupta R2
DOI:10.21760/jaims.9.5.35

1* Ashwarya, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Dravyaguna, Post Graduate Training and Research Institute Government Ayurvedic College, Patiala, Punjab, India.

2 Rosy Gupta, Incharge and Reader, Department of Dravyaguna, Post Graduate Training and Research Institute Government Ayurvedic College, Patiala, Punjab, India.

Plants are boon to mankind. They have been used to support life in all ways. Many drugs are also of plant origin. Research and exploration are ever going to unlock their potential benefits. The plant Ulat Kambal (Abroma augusta L.) or Devil’s cotton belonging to family Malvaceae, is generally found in hotter parts globally. Not much mentioned in Ayurveda text, fresh juice from its root bark is reported to be useful in congestive and neuralgic forms of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea in recent times only. The broad range of therapeutic potential of this plant includes gonorrhoea, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, abscess, sores etc. Also, the leaves are found to be beneficial in diabetes, rheumatic pain and sinusitis. General overview along with pharmacological and pharmacognostical aspect of Ulat Kambal (Abroma augusta L.) are tried to be explored through this review article.

Keywords: Ulat Kambal, Abroma Augusta, Dysmenorrhea, Emmenagogue, Uterine tonic.

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Ashwarya, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Dravyaguna, Post Graduate Training and Research Institute Government Ayurvedic College, Patiala, Punjab, India.
Email: 		Ashwarya, Gupta R, A review on Ulat Kambal (Abroma augusta Linn.). J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2024;9(5):212-215.
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https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/3238

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2024-03-13 2024-03-23 2024-04-03 2024-04-13 2024-04-19
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nil Yes 20.87

© 2024by Ashwarya, Gupta Rand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Introduction

Ulat Kambal, Abroma augusta (Family -Malvaceae) is one of the lesser known drug in Ayurveda with a big canvas yet to be explored. Despite its explicity not mentioned in classical Ayurvedic texts, it has been recognised and utilized in Ayurvedic practice for its therapeutic properties. Ulat Kambal, Abroma augusta belongs to Malvaceae family. In earlier classifications, it was placed in the Sterculiaceae family, but taxonomic revisions have led to its reclassification in Malvaceae family. Ancient Ayurveda classics have not described Ulat Kambal. Ulat Kambal is termed as Pishach Karpas or Devil’s cotton due to the morphological appearance of the fruit which are very much hairy on inner side, resembling the devil’s hair (Pishach). The term “Karpas” refers to the cotton like fibres produced by the plant. So, the name “Pishach Karpas” essentially means the “devil’s cotton” or “devil’s hair cotton,” describing its hairy and fibrous texture. This plant is used by various traditional medicines across the globe primarily as emmenagogue and in menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, anovulation, infertility. It is a large spreading bushy shrub with fibrous bark and irritable hairs, majorly distributed in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China and many other parts of the world. The shrub has long been known as a valuable fibre yielding plant. It’s only around 1872, that attention was given first time to its emmenagogue activity and used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. It is reported that the plant Ulat Kambal has a broad range of therapeutic potential. Fresh juice from root bark is reported to be useful in congestive and neuralgic forms of dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea. The broad range of therapeutic potential of this plant includes gonorrhoea, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, abscess, sores etc. Also, the leaves are beneficial in diabetes, rheumatic pain and sinusitis.

Botanical Name : Abroma augusta Linn.

Family : Malvaceae

Vernacular Names

Sanskrit : Pisacha Karpasa, Pivari, Yoshini

Hindi : Ulatkambala, Sanukapas

Bengali : Olatkombol

Unani : Ulat Kambal

Gujrati : Ulak tambool

Siddha/Tamil : Sivapputtuti

English : Devil’s Cotton

Taxonomical Classification

Kingdom - Plantae

Division - Tracheophyta

Class - Magnoleopsida

Order - Malvales

Family - Malvaceae

Genus - Abroma

Species - augusta

Historical background

Abroma augusta was first brought to light by Dr. Roxburgh in 1801 for its usefulness in dysmenorrhea. In the Indian Medical Gazette of 1872, Bhuvanmohan Sarkar drew attention towards the emmenagogue activity with thirty grain dose of its fresh root juice.[1]

In Ayurveda Ulat kambal is not described in the classical text of Brihatrayi but finds mention in 20th Century texts including Adarsha Nighantu, Brihad Adarsha Nighantu, Parishishta part of Bhavprakash Nighantu, Vanaushadhi Chandrodaya, Vanaushadhi Nirdeshika, Dravya Guna Vijnana books of P.V Sharma, JLN Shastri, D.S. Lucas etc.

Description[2]

It is a large shrub or tree, about 10 feet tall, branches hairy; Stem bark composed of silky fibres. Stem has strong and white fibres like flax (Crotolaria juncea)

Leaves - 10-15 by 10-12 cm., repand-denticulate, base 3-7-nerved, upper smaller, narrower, entire, glabrescent above, tomentose below; petiole 12-25mm. Stipules linear, deciduous, as long as the petiole. Leaves are similar to that of Sthala Padama (Hibiscus mutabilis) but the internodes of Ulat kambal are reddish.[3]

Flowers - Axillary 5 cm. diam., dark red. Sepals 2.5 cm, lanceolate, free nearly to the base. Petals scarcely exceeding the sepals, imbricate in bud, deciduous. Peduncle about 4 cm. long.

Fruit - Capsule, pentagynous, 5-valved, truncate, 5cm long, dehiscent in inverted


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umbrella shape with numerous black seeds, (similar to radish seeds) enveloped in stout, silky but irritating hair, conforming to its names Ulat Kambal and Pishach Karpas

Flowering and Fruiting - Plant flowers in August- September and fruit in October- January.

During winter, red colored flowers appear on the plant and in summer it produces umbrella shaped fruits.

Distribution

This is cultivated as an ornamental tree throughout the hotter parts of India, Java, Philipines, China. It occurs wild or cultivated in U.P, Sikkim (3000ft), Khasia hills (4000ft), Meghalaya, Tripura, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Chemical composition[4,5]

Root bark contains gum- resin (exudate), mucilaginous matter, non- crystalline substance and ash 11 percent

Root contains resin, fixed oil, an alkaloid in lesser percentage (0.01%) and also magnesium. Also contain friedelin, abromasterol, choline, betaine.

Leaves contain Taraxerol, and its acetate, beta sitosterol, acetate.

Stem bark contain beta sitoterol, friedelin

Heart wood contain Beta sitosterol

Pharmacodynamics[6]

Rasa - Katu, Tikta

Guna - Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna

Virya - Ushna

Vipaka - Katu

Doshakarma - Kaphavatasamaka, Pitta Vardhak

Pischach Karpasa allays provocation of Kapha and Vata Dosha and it increases Pitta Dosha. It is useful in Kapha and Vata Rogas.

Pharmacological action

Artavajanana (Emmenagogue), Garbhashaya Balya, (Uterine tonic), Garbhashayottejaka (Uterinestimulant), Vedanasthapana (Stomachic), Aartavdoshahar (Purifies and detoxifies menstrual flow)

Indications

Rajorodha (Amenorrhea), Kasta Artava (Dysmenorrhea), Aniyamita Ritusrava (Irregular Menses) Alpartava (Oligomenorrhea)

Therapeutic Uses

  • The famous Kaviraj Dwarkanath Vidyaratna of Calcutta opines that one dram (about four Masha) powder of root bark of Ulat Kambal along with powder of twenty one black peppers to be consumed for seven days during menstruation for two to four months, works well to relieve all Uterine ailments. It helps to alleviate leucorrhoea and infertility also. Milk and rice are advised in diet during its usage avoiding other Ushna, Tikshna dietary articles.[7]
  • The fresh viscid juice of the root bark is useful in Congestive and Neuralgic varieties of Primary dysmenorrhea and Secondary amenorrhea.[8]
  • It regulates the menstrual flow and acts as a uterine tonic and emmenagogue. For that it is started three days before menstruation period and further continued for 2-3 days afterwards the menses.[9]
  • The root bark juice has long been used in Bengal as emmenagogue and uterine tonic to treat oligomenorrhea and infertility. At attempt was made to administer the drug in a more acceptable form of tincture, pill or powder, but none proved so efficacious as the fresh viscid juice.[10]
  • The active principle of this drug is totally destroyed if mixed with alcohol of any other preservative; either the fresh root bark or dried root bark should be used.[11]
  • The paste of root bark is used internally and externally to cure abscess and sores.[12]
  • Infusion of fresh leaves and branches in cold water is very efficacious in Gonorrhoea.[13]
  • Leaves used for diabetes, rheumatic pain, sinusitis and the associated headache, have shown good results.[14] Leaves and bark have demulcent action.

Extra Pharmacological Usage - The bark of this tree yields a tough, fibrous tissue from which cordage is manufactured. Dr. Roxburgh


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drew special attention to the plant as a substitute of Sunn (hemp) as it is easier to cultivate it than Sunn (Crotalaria juncea) and the average produce is almost three times greater than Sunn.[15]

Part Used - Root, Root- bark

Dose - Root bark powder 1-3 gms, Root - 4-8 gms, Root juice - 5-10 ml

Its Swarasa (Root juice) more potent than any other formulation.

Recent researches: Also researches give evidence of its Thrombolytic activity, Antidiabetic, Hypolipidemic, Wound healing, Antimicrobial activity, Anti-oxidant, Analgesic, Antipyretic, Anti-inflammatory actions.

Discussion

Regarding its Ayurvedic Pharmological Aspect

Ulat Kambal has Deepan, Pachana action by virtue of its Tikta, Katu Rasa. This ensures good digestion, metabolism and biotransformation by supporting different kinds of Agnis in the body. By proper metabolism it keeps a control on the Dhatu formation, especially Artava formation, as female reproductive system is its main site of action.

In conditions, like amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea and dysmenorrhea there is hindrance in flow or stagnation of Artava due to its viscid and thick nature. Apart from uterine stimulant and emmenagogue action Ulat Kambal by virtue of its Ushna and Tikshna properties clears the channels thus helps to relieve these conditions.

Future scope: Abroma augusta L. as a multi-purpose medicinal agent, several limitations exist in the current literature. Abroma augusta L. has been used successfully in traditional systems of medicine for centuries, but it is needed to explore its medicinal values at molecular level with the help of biotechnological tools and techniques and also more clinical trials should be conducted to support its therapeutic use.

Conclusion

Ulat Kambal, Abroma Augusta belonging to Malvaceae family, also known as Pishach Karpas, is an ethnomedicinal plant found mainly in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal

Pradesh, Tripura in India. Abroma Augusta is an important plant for the treatment of many Gynecological disorders in folk Indian systems of medicine, for treating various conditions like dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, infertility etc. It is also famous in Unani and Homeopath medicine. But not many people know much about the amazing health benefits of Ulat kambal. So, it is time to appreciate this plant and use it to its full potential.

References

1. Bhandari Chandra Raj, Vanaushadi Chandrodaya, (1-5), Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Reprinted 2003;165-166.

2. Pandey Gyanendra, Dravyaguna vijanana, Part-3, Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Edition 200;134-137.

3. Bhandari Chandra Raj, Vanaushadi Chandrodaya, (1-5), Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Reprinted 2003;165-166.

4. Sastry JLN, Dravyaguna Vijnana, Vol-2, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, Reprintred 2017;634-635.

5. Upadhyay BM, Sharma Aarti, Kaushal Kamini. Ulat kambal (Pishach Karpas)- Abroma augusta:A Study on its Pharmacological Actions from an Ayurvedic Perspective. Int.j.res.appl.sci.eng. 2020;8(9):1140-4.

6. Pandey Gyanendra, Dravyaguna vijanana, Part-3, Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Edition 200;134-137.

7. Bhandari Chandra Raj, Vanaushadi Chandrodaya, Commentary by Bhandari Visharad, Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, Reprinted 2003;165-166.

8. Kirtikar K.R.,Basu B.D., Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol-1, Periodical Experts Book Agency, Delhi, Edition 1993;380-381.

9. Ansar Ahmad, Kalam MA, Habeeb Afreen, Khan MA, Ulat kambal (Abroma augusta): Therapeutic uses and pharmacological studies-a review. Indo Am.j.pharm.sci. 2020; 07 (10):122-5.

10. Vaidya Bapalal, Some controversial drugs in Indian Medicine, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, Reprint edition 2014;16-17.


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11. Nadkarni’s K.M., Indian Materia Medica, Edited by R.N. Chopra, Vol-1, Popular Prakashan Private LTD, Bombay, Reprinted 1995;4-5.

12. Kirtikar K.R.,Basu B.D., Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol-1, Periodical Experts Book Agency, Delhi, Edition 1993;380-381.

13. Nadkarni’s K.M., Indian Materia Medica, Edited by R.N. Chopra, Vol-1, Popular Prakashan Private LTD, Bombay, Reprinted 1995;4-5.

14. Upadhyay BM, Sharma Aarti, Kaushal Kamini. Ulat kambal (Pishach Karpas)- Abroma augusta:A Study on its Pharmacological Actions from an Ayurvedic Perspective. Int.j.res.appl.sci.eng. 2020;8(9):1140-4.

15. Vaidya Bapalal, Some controversial drugs in Indian Medicine, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi, Reprint edition 2014;16-17.


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