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Anacardium occidentale - Vrikkaphala

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Vrikkaphala, Anacardium occidentale

Vrikkaphala or the Cashew nut tree is a moderate sized tree with sprawling branches that is cultivated in India for its nuts. The tree originates in South America.

Uses

Skin diseases, Dysentery, hemorrhoids, Anorexia, Hair fall, Worm infestation, General weakness [1]

Parts Used

Leaves, Roots, Fruits, Bark, Extracted Oil[2]

Chemical Composition

The nut contains 45% fat and 20% protein. Leaves contain flavonoids, mainly glycosides of quercetin and kaempferol, and hydroxybenzoic acid. The bark contains a balsam-containing anacardic acid, anacardol, cardol and ginkgol. The caustic liquid in the shell contains about 39% anacardic acid, a mixture of alkyl salicylic acid derivatives. [3]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada Gaeru, Gaeru beeja, Gaeru kaayi, Godambi mara
Hindi Kaju, Kaju-ki-gutli
Malayalam Kapa-mava, Kapamava, Kappa-mavakuru
Tamil Andima, Andimangottai, Munthri-kottei
Telugu Jaedima-midi, Jeedimaamidi, Jidi mamidi, Jidi-mamidi-vittu
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Agnikrita, Arushkara, Guchhapushpa, Kajutah, Kajutaka, Vrkkaphalah
English Cashew nut

[4]

Properties

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

Dravya

Rasa

Kashaya (Astringent), Amla (Sour), Madhura (Sweet)

Guna

Guru (Heavy)

Veerya

Sheeta (Cold)

Vipaka

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Prabhava

Habit

Tree

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple Alternate 6-15.5 x 3-8 cm, obovate; apex obtuse, round or retuse, base acute or cuneate, round, margin entire, glabrous, shiny above, coriaceous; petiole 7-15 mm.s

[5]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Bisexual Yellow and pink 8-10 Terminal prominently bracteate panicles. Calyx 5-partite, lanceolate, imbricate, deciduous, with some pubescence on outside. Petals 5. Flowering from January to May

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
Nut 2-3 cm long Fruit a reniform nut, 2-3 cm, grey, seated on a large pyriform fleshy body formed of enlarged disc and top of the pedicel; pericarp gives acrid caustic oil Seed reniform, ascending Fruiting from January to May

[2]


Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Anacardium Oxi[2]

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering

How to plant/cultivate

Seed - traditionally sown in situ, germination usually taking place in 8 - 10 days. Cuttings of ripe wood at the end of the growing season. Layering. [6]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Tropical area, Coastal area.

Photo Gallery

  • Cut of a Brazilian cashew fruit.

  • Detail of Brazilian cashew flowers.

  • Detail of a Brazilian cashew trunk.

  • Brazilian cashew trees.

  • Nuts

  • Seedling.

  • Cashew nut snack, roasted and salted.

References

  1. ↑ Uses
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Karnataka Medicinal Plants Volume - 2" by Dr.M. R. Gurudeva, Page No.276, Published by Divyachandra Prakashana, #45, Paapannana Tota, 1st Main road, Basaveshwara Nagara, Bengaluru
  3. ↑ Chemical composition
  4. ↑ Vernaculer names
  5. ↑ BOTANIC DESCRIPTION
  6. ↑ Cultivation details

External Links

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