Database on medicinal plants used in ayurveda - AYUSH Research ...

oblong or lanceolate, smaller, basal lyrately pinnatifid, lowest leaves auricled,
glaucose, more or less hairy beneath at first. Radical leaves 20-30 x 3-5 cm,
cauline ones 3-6 x 1-2 cm. Flowers bisexual, bright yellow, large, in oblong
corymbs elongating 20-45 cm long racemes. Pods 3-4 cm, reticulately veined,
cylindrical, linear, glabrous, sub erect, 2-valved, 2-celled or spuriously 3-4
valved, beak conical, stout often 2.5cm long. Seeds small, smooth,
subglobose, dirty yellowish-brown or brown, more or less angular. Flowering
and Fruiting: January-March (Anonymous, 2000b; Cooke, 1967; Kirtikar
and Basu, 1933; Collet, 1971; Anonymous, 1988; Duthie, 1960).
DISTRIBUTION
Throughout India, largely cultivated as a winter crop in Uttar Pradesh,
Punjab, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Assam (Kirtikar and Basu,
1933; Anonymous, 1987; Anonymous, 1988; Asolkar, 1992; Chopra et al.,
2002).
PART(S) USED
Seed, leaf (Sharma, 1978; B.N., 1982).
ACTIONS AND USES
Seeds are anthelmintic, anti-scorbutic, diuretic, laxative and rubifacient
(Kirtikar and Basu, 1933). The crushed seeds are beneficial in external
application in the form of „poultice‟ in rheumatic affections. Brushing teeth
with the seed oil mixed with common salt is reported to cure hemophilia and
gum inflammation; for external application in cutaneous affections.
Combined with camphor the seed oil finds local application in muscular
rheumatism, stiff neck and is found to be efficacious when rubbed on the
chest in bronchial catarrh and influenza (Chatterjee and Pakrashi, 1994), also
recommended for the treatment of snakebite (Chopra et al., 1958).
AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES
Rasa – Katu, Tikta (S.S.Su.46.49).
Guna – Tikshna, Ruksha (Shaka), Snigdha (oil & seed) (S.S.Su.46.49).
Vipaka – Katu (S.S.Su.46.49).
Veerya – Ushna (S.S.Su.46.49).
Doshaghnata – Kaphavatashamaka, Pitta vardhaka (S.S.Su.46.49;
S.S.Ci.9.10; A.H.Ci.19.59) (Sharma, 1978; B.N., 1982).
Karma
External –Seed-lekhana, Kushthaghna, Varnya (S.Su.19.27), Oil –
Jantughna, Vedanasthapana, Snehana.
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