Botanical Name

Semecarpus anacardium L. f..

Family

Anacardiaceae.

Regional Name

English : Marking Nut , Hindi : Bhilawa , Sanskrit : Aruskara, Bhallata , Urdu : Baladur, Bhilavan , Punjabi : Bhilawa , Assamese : Bhelaguti , Bengali : Bhela , Gujrati : Bhilam , Kannada : Bhallataka , Malayalam : Chera , Marathi : Bibba , Oriya : Bhollataki, Bholai.

Part Used

Fruit.

Description

Bhilawa is a medium-sized tree found in moist deciduous forests all over the country. Fruit laterally flattened, drupaceous, dark brown, nut 2.5-3 cm long, obliquely ovoid, smooth, shining with the residual receptacle.

Phytoconstituents

A Tarry Oil containing Anacardic Acid, Non-Volatile Alcohol (Cardol).

Ayurvedic Properties

Rasa : Madhura, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya, Guna : Laghu, Snigdha, Tiksna,Virya : Usna, Vipaka : Madhura , Karma : Dipana, Kaphahara, Pacana, Vitahara, Chedi, Bhedi, Medhya.

Ayurvedic Applications

Arsa, Anaha, Grahani, Gulma, Krimi, Kustha.

Medicinal Uses

Bhilawa is used to treat skin diseases, vitiligo, piles, guinea-worm, splenomegaly, scrofula, rheumatism, as a depilatory, for regaining normal color, as rejuvinative, as an aphrodisiac, alopecia, worms, poisoning, malarial fever. Chronic skin diseases.  It is an appetizer and used to stimulate digestive system. It is good for improving digestion. It is relieving for constipation, digestive disorders, abdominal distention, ascites, piles and various types of worm infestation. It is used to treat various nerve-related disorders like sciatica, epilepsy, facial paralysis etc.