Balanitis aegyptiaca (Linn.) Delile

Dr. Wathsala WijesingheBAMS, Msc (Plant sciences), MD 1st
Balanitis aegyptiaca (Linn.) Delile
Balanitis roxburghii Planch

Family: SIMAROUBACEAE/ BALANITACEAE
Synonyms:
Sans: Ingudi, Thapasadruma, Angaravrksha
Hind: Inguna, Hingota, Hingua
Van: Hingan
: Hingana
Guj: Ingorio
: Nanajanada
:Ringari
Tam: Nanjanada
Tel: Gara chettu
Morphology:
It is a small tree and branches end up in thorns. It is found in all arid zones of India. Leaves- compound with two leaflets. Leaves may elliptic or obovate. Flowers- white in closed cymes. Fruit- drupe, 4-5 cm long, 5 grooved, hard, pulpy. Seed- 1 tubercled, hard.

Active ingredients:
Yamogenin glycosides, diosgenin glycosides- belanitine 4-7, nitrogen glucosides, Balagyptin, Kernal contains steroidal saponins.

Properties:
Guna: Laghu, snigdha
Rasa: Tikta, Katu
Vipaka: Katu
Virya: Usna
Prabhava: Krimigna

As it is “usna” in virya, it alleviates Kapha and vata.
The oil, fruits, seeds and bark has anthelmintic effect. Therefore it can be given for conditions like loss of appetite, abdominal pain and for abdominal distension.
Oil is effective in healing burns. It helps to grow hair. Since old times, this oil has been using as a wound healer.
It is a blood purifier. Therefore effective in many skin diseases.
With the expectorant effect, it is used respiratory tract infections.
Diuretic effect benefits in dysuria.
It is a detoxifier.

Usable parts:
Bark, fruits, seeds, seed oil, leaves.

Dosage
Decoction- 50-100ml
Powder- 3-6g
Fruit pulp- 3-6g
Seed oil- 5-10 drops

Formulations: Ingudi thilam

Research:
Fruit pulp extract on IV administration produced a triphasic response which consisted of initial brief fall, followed by brief rise and then prolonged fall in BP of anesthetized dogs and cats. LD50 in mice was 5.89g/kg (oral) and 0.33g/kg. (i.p.)- (J. Res. Ay. & Siddha 1986,7,47).
Aqueous extract of fruits showed spermicidal activity without local vaginal irritation in human up to concentration of 4%; sperms became sluggish on contact with plant extract and then immobile within 30s. The effect was concentration related. (Ind.j.Pharmacology 1990, 22, 262).

References:
Sastry J.L.N (2004). Illustrated Dravyaguna Vijnana, Study of the essential Medicinal Plants in Ayurveda, Chaukhambha Orientalia, A house of Oriental and Antiquarian Books, Varanasi.
Sitaram B. ((2006). Bhavaprakasha of Bhavamisra.(Original text along with commentary and translation, including Nigantu portion). Chaukhambha Orientalia, A house of Oriental and Antiquarian Books, Varanasi.
Sharma S.K. (1998). Medicinal Plants used in Ayurveda. National Academy of Ayuveda, Dhanvantri bhavan, Rd. no.66, Punjabi bagh, New Dellhi-110026.
Dr. Wathsala Wijesinghe
BAMS, Msc (Plant sciences), MD 1st
National Institute of Ayurveda
Jaipur, India.