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Abrus precatorius - Gunja

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Abrus precatorius — Scott Zona 001.jpg

Abrus precatorius is a severely invasive plant in warm temperate to tropical regions. The plant is best known for its seeds, which are used as beads and in percussion instruments and which are toxic because of the presence of abrin. This plant belongs to Fabaceae family.

Uses

Blisters in mouths, Mouth sores, Bleeding piles, Leucorrhoea, Mild diabetes, Cough, Physical weakness, Ulcer, Urinary trouble, Snakebite, Infection in intestine.[1]

Food

Gunja can be used in food. Leaves are sweet and are chewed with paan or also eaten raw[2]

Parts Used

Seeds, Stem, Leaves, Roots[2]

Chemical Composition

Mature seeds contain alkali like abrine, precatorine, etc.[3]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada Gulaganji, ಗುಲಗಂಜಿ
Hindi Gaungchi, Gunchi
Malayalam Kunni, Kunnikkuru
Tamil Gundumani, Kundumani
Telugu Gurivinda
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Gunja
English Equirity


Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Prabhava

Nutritional components

Gunja contains the Following nutritional components like Vitamin A Vitamin A, B, C; Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc etc.[2]

Habit

Deciduous climber

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Paripinnate Obovate Leaves are alternately arranged, leaflets 12-16 pairs, 0.8-2.5 x 0.4-1 cm, oblong to elliptic, base and apex obtuse

[4]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Bisexual 2-4cm long Pink/white 9 Flowering through out the year

[5]

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
Oblong pod Thinly septate Pilose, wrinkled Subglobose Seeds upto 5 Fruiting through out the year

[5]

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

[6]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings

Cultivation Details

Seeds naturally have a low germination rate. The hard and impenetrable seed coat is one of the reasons. Gunja's availability period is from August to March[7][2]

Season to grow

Required Ecosystem/Climate

Kind of soil needed

Commonly seen growing in areas

Tropical area, Subtropical area.

Photo Gallery

References

  1. Karnataka Aushadhiya Sasyagalu By Dr.Maagadi R Gurudeva, Page no:121
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Forest food for Northern region of Western Ghats" by Dr. Mandar N. Datar and Dr. Anuradha S. Upadhye, Page No.15, Published by Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science (MACS) Agharkar Research Institute, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar Road, Pune
  3. Chemistry
  4. Morphology
  5. 5.0 5.1 Kappathagudda - A Repertoire of Medicinal Plants of Gadag book, Page no: 30
  6. Ayurvedic preparations
  7. Cultivation details

External Links