Embelia ribes
Name: Vidanga
Biological Name: Embelia ribes, Embelia Indica, Embelia Glandulifera, Embelia Robusta
English name: bidang
Hindi name: vayavidnag
Sanskrit: vidang
Other Names: Vidanga, Viranga, Chitratandoola, Vayuvilangam, Vizhal, Vrishanasana
Description:
It is a creeper which has a brittle
stem. Leaves are ovate in shape having both the
ends sharp. It is about 3 inch long and 1 ½ inches
broad, shiny and nodulated. Flowers are white,
small having petiole 3 to 4 inch in length. Fruit
is small like that of a pepper. Its color varies
from red to blackish. It is found in bunches. The
outer covering of the fruit is fragile and inside
the seed is spotted.
Habitat:
It is commonly seen in places
that are up to the height of 5000 ft. it is
generally seen in areas of eastern India, Central and lower Himalayas, Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Phytochemicals:
It contains embelin 2.5 to 3 %. Some
volatile oils. Stable oils, tannins, resins. It
also contains alkaloids like christembine. It also
has fatty acids that are 5.2% and quarvital 1%.
Pharmacology:
It is vata and kapha suppressant. It
is a wonderful herb in worms infestation. It has
the anti bacterial and antiprotozoal properties.
It is widely used in skin related ailments due to
its cooling effects. It strengthens the nervous
system and also improves the brain functioning. It
normalizes the digestive activities. It helps in
purifying the blood. It is also helpful in urine
related problems. It strengthens all the tissues
of the body.
According to ayurveda it
contains
- Gunna (properties) – laghu
(light), ruksh (rough) and tikshan (sharp)
- Rasa (taste) – katu (pungent) and
kashaya (astringent)
- Virya (potency) – ushan (hot)
- Prabhav (action) -
wormicidal
Toxicology:
It does not have nay toxic effect on
human body when consumed in normal doses.
Parts Used: Berries (fruit), leaves, root bark
Uses:
- Paste – it is
being used for mouth wash and avoiding cavities.
It is being also used in skin related problems.
- Powder – it is
being used in wormal infestation, infections in
body, indigestion, constipation, paralysis,
convulsions, epilepsy etc. it also helps in
purifying the blood.
- Oil – it is used
in skin related problems and wound infections.
- Decoction - Decoction of the roots is given in insanity and heart diseases.
Systemic Uses:
- alterative
- anthelmintic
- carminative
- stimulant
Therapeutic Uses:
- abdominal disorders
- constipation
- fungus
- gas
- indigestion
- headache
- heart disease
- hemorrhoids
- insanity
- lung disease
- mouth ulcers
- obesity
- pneumonia
- sore throat
- toothache
- worms
Dosage:
Decoction, powder, paste, confections, cigarettes
Safety:
WARNING: USE OF THIS HERB MAY RESULT IN SEXUAL DEBILITY.
No other information about the safety of this herb is available.
Use caution. Ayurvedic herbs are often taken in combination with others to neutralize the toxicity one herb with the opposing effect of other. Do not take except under the supervision of a qualified professional.
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