VIDANG (EMBELIA)

Description

Vidanga is a woody, climbing, creeper shrub with slender, brittle and flexible stems and branches which are terete. It mainly has leaves which are simple, alternate, ovate and sharp at both ends.
Chemical constituents
Embelia ribes contain Embelin(2,5-dihydroxy-3-undecyl-1, 4-benzoquinone) a naturally occurring alkyl substituted hydroxy benzoquinone, & Quercitol, Fatty ingredients, Alkaloid -Schristembine, a Resinoid, Tannins and minute quantity of volatile oils.
Properties
Rasa- kashaya, katu
Guna –Laghu, rooksha, teekshna
Veerya-ushna
Vipaka –katu

Pharmacological action -Vidanga controls vomiting, nausea, indigestion, and flatulence due to its hot potency. It also helps manage constipation due to its Rechana (laxative) property

Benefits

1. Intestinal Worms
   Vidanga is a useful herb to manage worm infestation that includes threadworms, roundworm.
2. Indigestion
   Vidanga controls vomiting, nausea, indigestion, and flatulence due to its hot potency. It also helps manage constipation due to its Rechana (laxative) property of worms due to its Krimighna property.
3. Depression
   Vidanga has an antidepressant effect which helps in managing depression due to its Vata balancing property.
4. Throat infection
   Vidanga has Kapha pacifying property as a result of which it reduces cough and throat infection.
5. Obesity
   Vidanga also works on reducing fat and clearing all toxins present in the body because of its hot potency that improves digestion and helps in the elimination of undigested foods.
6. Skin disease
   Vidanga helps to control skin diseases by reducing toxins from the blood due to its Shodhan (purification) property.
   Contraindication

1-Vidanga should be avoided if you have acidity or any gastric problems due to its Ushna virya (hot potency).
2- Avoid taking Vidanga during breastfeeding.
3-Avoid taking Vidanga during pregnancy.