Balanites roxburghii - Ingudi

Ingudi, Balanites roxburghii

Ingudi is a small very thorny tree found in the drier parts of India. It's hard fruits have long been used medicinally.

Uses

Skin diseases, Liver diseases, Spleen diseases, Antidote for poisoning, Leucoderma, Relieves headache, Improves lactation, Gallbladder Stone.

Parts Used

Leaves, Roots, Fruit.

Chemical Composition

The plant is reported to be a potential source of diosgenin (used in oral contraceptives). The fruit pulp contains steroidal saponins. The diosgenin content of the fruit varies from 0.3 to 3.8%.

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	Ingala Kayi, Ingalike
Hindi	Hingot, Hingol, hingan
Malayalam	Namunta, Nanchunta
Tamil	Nanchundan
Telugu	Garachettu, Gari
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	Tapasataru, Tiktaka
English	Desert date, Soapberyy tree

Properties

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

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Katu (Pungent)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Snigdha (Oily)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Habit

{{Habit|Shrub/Tree}

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
2-foliate	Alternate	Leaves alternate. Leaf rachis up to 1cm long, leaflets elliptic lanceolate, entire, acute or obtuse at apex, 3.2 x 2 cm

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Cyme		Greenish white	5	Cyme 3-6 flowered, pedicel to 0.8 cm long, calyx lobes ovate, 0.35 cm long, grey pubescent without, villous within, 0.5 cm long

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
Drupe	4.5-2.5 cm long	Fruit a capsule	The fleshy pulp of both unripe and ripe fruit is edible and can be eaten dried or fresh		{{{6}}}

Mode of Propagation

Seeds

How to plant/cultivate

Seeds must be depulped by saoking in water for several hours. The seeds can be soaked in boiling water for 7-10 minutes and left to cool slowly, as this hastens germination.

Commonly seen growing in areas

Tropical area, Arid area.

Photo Gallery

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  Flowering branch of Hingot

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  Flowering branches of Hingot

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  Flowers of Hingot

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  Tree

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  Seeds and pulp

External Links

• Balanites roxburghii on ayudrugs.blogspot.com
• Balanites roxburghii on kiran.nic.in
• Balanites roxburghii on academia.edu