Scientifical Name : Semecarpus anacardium
Family name : Anacardiaceae.
The Bhalatak plant is a medium-sized tree that typically grows up to 12-15 meters in height.
It has simple, elliptical leaves with a leathery texture.
The flowers are small and greenish, and the fruit is a drupe that turns reddish when ripe.
Chemical Constitution:
The most notable chemical constituent of Semecarpus anacardium is the toxic compound known as bhilawanols or cardol.
It also contains various other compounds, including anacardic acid, bhilawanins, and cardanol.
Habitat: Strychnos nux-vomica is native to Southeast Asia and India. It is a medium-sized evergreen tree that thrives in tropical and subtropical regions.
Leaves: The leaves of Bhalatak are leathery, glossy, and elliptical in shape. They are arranged in whorls and are around 5-7.5 cm long.
Flowers: The tree produces small, greenish-white flowers that are fragrant. The flowers are usually bisexual and are borne in clusters.
Fruits: The fruits of Bhalatak are orange-sized berries that turn yellow when they ripen. They have a hard, woody shell and contain seeds. The seeds are the most toxic part of the plant.
Bark: The bark of Bhalatak is thick and grayish in color.
Root: The root system of Strychnos nux-vomica is extensive and helps the plant anchor firmly in the soil.
Ayurvedic Properties:
In Ayurveda, Bhalatak is considered to have pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes.
It is associated with properties such as tikta (bitter), katu (pungent), ushna (hot), and laghu (light).
Bhalatak is believed to have a heating effect on the body.
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, the properties of plants are often categorized based on their taste (rasa), quality (gunas), potency (virya), and post-digestive effect (vipaka). Here’s how these terms apply to Bhalataka:
• Rasa (Taste): Bitter
• Guna (Quality): Light, dry
• Virya (Potency): Hot
• Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect): Pungent
Benefits:
Bhalatak has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine for various purposes, but it should be used with caution due to its toxic components.
It is used in Ayurveda to treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and leprosy.
Bhalatak oil is used topically for joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis.
In controlled and prepared forms, it may be used in Ayurvedic formulations for digestive disorders and to improve appetite.
• Central Nervous System Disorders: In traditional medicine, Bhalataka has been used in very small, controlled doses for conditions affecting the nervous system. Strychnine, in minute amounts, is a central nervous system stimulant. However, due to its toxicity, this application is highly risky and should not be attempted without expert supervision.
• Digestive Disorders: In some traditional systems, Bhalataka has been used to treat digestive issues. Again, this use is not recommended due to its toxicity.
• Pain Relief: In traditional medicine, Bhalataka has been used as an analgesic, although this use is not supported by modern medical research and is highly dangerous due to its toxic nature.
• Stimulant: In some traditional contexts, Bhalataka has been used as a stimulant due to its effects on the central nervous system. However, this use is extremely risky and not recommended.
