Myrica esculenta - Katphala

Katphala, Myrica esculenta

Katphala is a small tree or large shrub native to the hills of northern India and Nepal. It is found in hilly regions of northern India and Nepal especially in the regions of Garhwal and Kumaon of Uttarakhand and western Nepal especially at elevations between 3,000 and 6,000 feet. It is also found at elevations below 1500 m in the midhills of Nepal.

Uses

Fevers, Asthma, Coughs, Rheumatism, Cholera, Blotches, Pimples, Catarrh, Dysentery

Parts Used

Bark, Fruit.

Chemical Composition

The fruits of Myrica nagi are known for their ravishing taste and have been reported for reducing sugars, tannins and Vitamin C22, 23. Gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid and ρ–coumaric acid in the ethanolic extract of the fruits24 were examined by HPLC analysis, it scavenge 2,2’-azinobis(3-ethylbenzoline-6-sulphonic acid) radical (ABTSc+) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPHc+) and reduce ferric ion.

Common names

Language	Common name
Kannada	NA
Hindi	Kaiphal, Kaphal
Malayalam	NA
Tamil	Cavviyaci, Cavviyacimaram
Telugu	NA
Marathi	NA
Gujarathi	NA
Punjabi	NA
Kashmiri	NA
Sanskrit	Katphala, Mahavalkala
English	NA

Properties

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

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Katu (Pungent)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Tikshna (Sharp)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Habit

Herb

Identification

Leaf

Kind	Shape	Feature
Simple	oblong	The leaves are divided into 3-6 toothed leaflets, with smaller leaflets in between

Flower

Type	Size	Color and composition	Stamen	More information
Unisexual	2-4cm long	Yellow	5-20	Flowers Season is June - August

Fruit

Type	Size	Mass	Appearance	Seeds	More information
sessile	7–10 mm	The tree yields a drupaceous fruit which is one of the tastiest wild fruits of the sub-Himalayan region	sepals and petals, either absent or not visible	many	{{{6}}}

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

• Vishatinduka Taila as root juice extract

Mode of Propagation

Seeds, Cuttings.

How to plant/cultivate

Prefers a moist soil. Grows well in an open position in a well-drained soil in sun or light shade

Commonly seen growing in areas

Open mixed forests, mountain slopes.

Photo Gallery

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External Links

• Myrica esculenta on Easyayurveda
• Myrica esculenta on planet project.org
• A Review on Ethnomedicinal, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Aspects of Myrica esculenta