- Charak Samhita: Phala Varga.
- Sushruta Sanhita: Taila Varga, Sirovirechan, Sleshma sanshamana varga, vaman varga.
Kantaki vriksha, Kantak, Tiktak, Taila phala, Taila beej, Deergha kanta, Putrajivaka (fruit), Visha kanta, Puti gandha, Puti kantak, Puti patra, Korak vruksha, Jyotismati, Mahirudra
- Hindi – hingot, hingan, inguja.
- Bengali – hingon.
- Marathi – hingan.
- Gujarati – Ingorio.
- Kannada – ingalgida.
- Telagu – gara, gari.
- Tamil – nanjunda.
- English – Delil.
Balanites agialida. Balanites roxburghii Planch. (Fam. Zygophyllaceae.)—The fruit of this plant is used medicinally in India. It contains a principle closely resembling saponin. The ripe seed yield about 50 per cent. of a fixed oil, which is used for burning.The unripe fruit is anthelmintic and purgative.
Multibranched, spiny shrub or tree up to 10 m tall. Crown spherical, in one or several distinct masses. Trunk short and often branching from near the base. Bark dark brown to grey, deeply fissured. Branches armed with stout yellow or green thorns up to 8 cm long. Leaves with two separate leaflets; leaflets obovate, asymmetric, 2.5-6 cm long, bright green, leathery, with fine hairs when young. Flowers in fascicles in the leaf axils, fragrant, yellowish-green.
Fruit and seed description
Fruit: a rather long, narrow drupe, 2.5-7 cm long,1.5-4 cm in diameter. Young fruits green and tormentose, turning yellow and glabrous when mature. Pulp bitter-sweet and edible. Seed: the pyrene (stone) is 1.5-3 cm long, light brown, fibrous and extremely hard. It makes up50-60% of the fruit. There are 500-1500 dry, clean seeds per kg.
Flowering and fruiting habit
Flowers are small, inconspicuous, hermaphroditic and pollinated by insects. The species has, especially in the equatorial zone, a pronounced diffuse flowering and fruiting habit; flowers and fruits occur during a prolonged season although a peak is always encountered.
- Fruits are harvested when they turn yellow and the flesh becomes soft and sweet.
- In areas with abundant hornbills, fruits will not persist long on the tree.
- Discharged stones can be collected under the trees, but they are often prone to insect (seed borer) attack.
- Consequently, usually only a fraction of the fruits can be collected.
- Due to the prolonged fruiting season several collections may be necessary.
- The fruits are collected by spreading a tarpaulin under the tree and shaking the branches until the fruits are released.
- Climbing is inconvenient because of the long branches thorns.
- A mature tree may yield up to 10,000 fruits per year which equals about 100-150 kg, or 55-80 kg of seed.
- Usually a smaller amount is harvestable due to the prolonged fruiting season and predation.
- Seeds may also be obtained from fruits that are being processed for other purposes.
It is found in dry regions. Mostly found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Sikkim, Bihar and Burma. Also seen in Kanpur, Khandesh, South India, Madhya Pradesh.
Various parts are used in different texts such as
- Twak (bark).
- Phala (fruit).
- Beej (seed).
- Phala majja ( fruit pulp).
- Seed oil.
Seeds kernels contain saponin, a tetraglucoside of a saponin, Acid hydrolysis gives Nitrogenin, it is an active haemolytic agent. Plant: diosgenin and yamogenin; Root: steroidal sapogenin, diosgenin, yamogenin; Stem-bark: steroidal sapogenin, nitrogen glucoside, sesquiterpene, balanitol, bergapten; Leaf: 6 diosgenin glucosides; Fruit: steroidal sapogenin, yamogenin, 5 diosgenin glycerides, 6 diosgenin glucosides, diosgenin, balanitisins A, B, C, D & E; Seed: a saponin of diosgenin, non-edible fatty oil.
- Rasa – tikta,madhur, kashaya.
- Guna – snigdha, ruksha.
Veerya – ushna.
Vipak – katu.
Dosh karma – kapha-vatahara.
Prabhav – krimighna.
Bark and fruit pulp is having kaphaghna, krimighna, kusthaghna and virechak property.
Unripe fruit is strong purgative.
Fruit pulp is given in kapha vikar.
Oil is applied on wounds and burning wounds.
The fruits have been used in the treatment of liver and spleen diseases.
The roots are used for abdominal pains and as a purgative.
Gum from the wood is mixed with maize meal to treat chest complaints.
The fruit-pulp though bitter, is edible.
It produces fruit even in dry years which makes it a highly appreciated food source in dry areas.
Pounded fruits make a refreshing drink which becomes alcoholic if left to ferment.
B. aegyptiaca has fine-grained dense and heavy heartwood.
It is easily worked and takes a good polish.
Although valued for furniture it may be twisted and difficult to saw.
The wood is durable and resistant to insects making it good for tool handles and domestic items such as spoons.
Phala majja: 5 -10 rati.
Beej churna: 4 -10 rati.
Twak kwath: 2- 4 tola.
Beej tail: 5- 20 drops.
Antifertility efficacy of the plant Balanites roxburghii (balanitaceae) in female rats
- Abstract Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, and distilled water extracts of the fruits of the plant Balanites Roxburghii (Balanitaceae) were tested for antifertility activity in female albino rats at a dose of 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight orally. Among these, the ethanol extract was found to be most effective in causing significant abortifacient activity. The antifertility activity was found to be dose dependent and reversible on withdrawal of the treatment.
- Phytochemical screening of the ethanol extract showed positive tests for the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, flavones, and phenolic compounds. The histological studies of the uterus and ovary were carried out to confirm the estrogenic activity. Acute toxicity studies of the crude extracts in mice revealed the non-toxic nature of the crude extracts.