A comprehensive review on Bhallataka from classical texts of Ayurveda
Abstract
Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium Linn.), is one of the important medicinal plant used in Ayurveda. Classical texts of Ayurveda cited its therapeutic efficacy in numerous disease conditions as a single drug and as an ingredient of compound formulations. The present review provides a single hand information collected from classical Ayurvedic literatures on the drug “Bhallataka”, being compiled from 13 Nighantus (lexicons), 16 Samhita/Chikitsa granthas (compendia of Ayurveda) and Rasa granthas (Compendia related to Rasashastra). It is observed that, more than 80 synonyms were coined for describing the morphological and pharmacological characters of Bhallataka. Different parts of Bhallataka are attributed with different pharmacological properties and actions. There is some difference of opinion regarding the properties and actions in the later nighantus. It is also used as an ingredient of different compound formulations which were used in 23 different dosage forms, where Taila (Oil), Ghrita (Ghee), Churna (Powder), Vati (Tablet) and Kashaya (Decoction) are found to be maximum number. Majority of formulations containing Bhallataka are indicated in Arsha (Haemorrhoids), Kushtha (Skin diseases), Gulma (Lump), Grahani (derangement of agni situated in grahani), Prameha (Polyuria) and Vataroga (Diseases of vata origin). Since the drug is mentioned under semipoisonous group of drugs, judicious use of Bhallataka, after proper processing is advocated. Specific collection and storage practices, antidotes and dietary habits to be followed during Bhallataka administration to prevent possible adverse effects are also documented in classical texts of Ayurveda.
Downloads
References
Siddiqui HH. Safety of herbal drugs-An overview. Drugs News & Views 1993;1(2):7–10.
Namarupajnanam, Acharya P V Sharma, Satyapriya Prakashna Varanasi, first edition 2000, pp; 144-145
Agnivesha, Charaka, Charaka Samhita, edited by Shastri K, Pandey GS, 4th edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 1994.
Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita with the ‘Nibandhasangraha’ commentary of Shri Dalhanacharya, edited by Vd. Jadavaji Trikamji Acharya & Narayanram Acharya, Reprint edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Sansthan; 2009.
Vagbhata, Ashtanga Sangraha with Shashilekha commentary of Indu, edited by Dr. Shivprasad Sharma, 1st edition, Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 2006.
Vagbhata, Ashtanga Hridaya with the commentaries 'Sarvangasundara' of Arunadatta and 'Ayurvedarasayana' of Hemadri, edited by Pt. Hari Sadashiva Shastri Paradakara, Reprint edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Prakshana; 2010
Bhela samhita, edited with Hindi commentary by Sri Abhay Katyayan, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashana; 2009
Harita samhita, text with Nirmala Hindi commentary, edited by Vaidya Jaymini Pandey, first edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Visvabharati Prakashan; 2010.
Vrindamadhava or Siddhayoga, edited by Dr Premavati Tewari, First edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Visvabharati Prakashan; 2007
Chakradutta, with Hindi commentary ‘Vaidyaprabha’ edited by Dr,Indradev Tripathi, reprint edition, Varanasi: Chukhambha Sanskrit Bhavan; 2011
Sharangdhar Samhita,with Jivanprada commentary, edited by Dr.smt.Shailaja Srivastava, 4th Edition, Varanasi: Chaukhamnha Orientalia; 2005
Yogartanakara with Vidyotini Hindi commentary, Edited by Bhishagratna Brahmashankara Shastri, Reprint edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Prakashana; 2012
Kaviraj Govindadas Sen, Bhaishajyaratnavali, with‘Siddhiprada’ Hindi vyakhyasahita, edited by Prof. Siddhinandan Mishra, Reprint edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surabharati Prakashan; 2011
Sahasrayoga, text with English translation by Dr K Nishteswar and Dr R Vidyanath, third edition, Varanasi: Chowkhamba Sanskrit series office; 2011.
Shri Indradev Tripathi, Gadanigraha,With Hindi commentary ‘Vidyotani’, edited by Shri Gangasahay Pandey, 4th Edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit prakashan;2003
Vangasena Samhita with “Hari” Hindi commentary by Pandit Hariprasad Tripathi, 1st edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit series office; 2009
Bhavaprakasha samhita, Pandit Sri Brahmashankara Mishra, 9th edition, Varanasi: Chaukambha Sanskrit sansthan; 2005 18. Chikitsa Kalika, P V Sharma, first edition, Varanasi: Choukambha surabharati prakashana; 2005
Dhanvantari nighantu, edited by Sharma P V , Sharma G P, Chandanadi varga, Shloka 128-129, Reprint edition, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Orientalia; 2008, p. 114
Vahata, Astanga Nighantu, E book,
Chakrapanidatta Dravyagunasangraha with commentary by Shivdas Sen, edited by Yadavaji Trikamji Acharya with Hindi commentary by Chandrakanta Sonare, Varanasi: Chaukhmba Orientalia; 2006.
Acharya hemachandra, Nighantushesha, Ebook
Sodhala nighnatu, edited by Pande G, Dwivedi R R, Chandanadi varga, Shloka 460-461,1 st edition Varanasi: Chaukhamba Krishnadas academy; 2009, p. 86
Acharya Madanapala, Madanapala Nighantu, edited by Pandit Hariharprasad Trivedi, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy; 2009
Kaiyadeva Nighantu, edited by P.V. Sharma and Guruprasad Sharma, Aushadhi varga 497-498, first edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 1979, pp- 90-91
Rajavallabha, Raja vallabha Nighantu, E book
Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu with commentary by Dr.K.C.Chunekar, edited by Dr. G. S. Pandey, Reprint edition, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2006
Narhari pandita, Raja Nighantu, edited by Dr. Indradeva Tripathi, Amradi varga 69, 4th Edition, Varanasi: Chowkhambha Krishnadas Academy; 2006, pp- 363
Shaligrama, Shaligrama Nighantu, Ashtavarga, first edition, Bombay: Khemaraj Srikrishna Das academy; 1993, pp; 167- 168
Saraswati Nighantu, E book
Sharma P V, Priya nighantu, Haritakyadi varga, Shloka 53, first edition, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Surbharati prakashna; 2004, pp. 14-15
Yogi Bhairavananda, Rasarnava, 4th Edition, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Series; 2001
Ambika data shastri, Rasa ratna samucchaya, 1st edition, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Amarabharati Prakashan; 2010
Rasendrasarasangraha edited by Vd. Satyarth prakash, 1st edition, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Krishnadas academy; 1994
Sadanananda Sharma, Rasa tarangini, edited by Kashinath Shastry, New Delhi: Motilal Banarasidas Publishers; 2009
Shri Trimalla Bhatta, Yoga tarangini, edited by Acharya Sri Sricharanatirtha Maharaj, Gondal: The Rasashala Aushadhasrama; 1956
Acharya Shalinath, Rasa manjari, Siddhiprada Hindi commentary, translated by Prof Siddhinandan Mishra, Varanasi: Chaukambha Orientalia; 2003
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences (JAIMS) retains the copyright of the contents of this journal but grant the readers the right to use the contents with terms and conditions under a creative common attribution licenses 4 of Attribution, Share Alike and Non-commercial type (CC BY-NC-SA) that allows copy, distribute, display, and perform the work and make derivative works based on it only for non-commercial purposes.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
