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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

Parts Used

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. [2]

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

[3]

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

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, stout, swollen at base, glabrous; lateral nerves 10-15 pairs, parallel, prominent, intercostae reticulate, prominent; glands axillary on main nerves and its branches

[4]

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, linear-lanceolate, ligulate, recurved, imbricate; disc filling the base of the calyx, erect. Stamens 8-10, one usually longer than others; filaments connate at the base and adnate to the disc, glandular puberulus. Ovary superior, obovoid or obcordate, 1-celled, ovule 1, ascending from a lateral funicle; style filiform, excentric; stigma minute.

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 {{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

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. [5]

Commonly seen growing in areas

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

External Links

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