Kabila (Mallotus philippensis) – Uses & Health Benefits
(Ref: Bhavaprakasa Nighantu)
Introduction
Ayurveda deals with various types of plants, animals, herbs and minerals. According to Acharya charka and shushrutakampilu is classified as adbhudadrvaya because majority of medicine are extracted from the plants. This wonderful purified medication is also obtained from plant mallotus philippensis. Because of its versatile medicinal properties it is used to treat various health troubles. Leaves, roots, glands and hair of the plant are used in the treatment of various disorders.
It contains anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal, and anti-diabetic and anti-bacterial properties of this plant make are potent to fight against serious health issues.
Plant Description
Mallotus is a medium sized tree that grows upto height of 20 to 25 meters. The leaves of the plant are alternate, oval to lanceolate, nerved at base; leaves are glabrous above and contained numerous red glands beneath. The leaves of the plant are about 5 to 10 cm in length. Unisexual flowers of this plant are pale yellow in colour. Flowering season of the plant is from the month of August to September. Fruits are round or globose in structure and covered with small red coloured hair. Fruits and fruit hair of the plant are beautiful red in colour. After ripening its fruit colour is converted into brick red colour and plant will appear very beautiful when it blossoms. Fruits are seen in the month of March and mature fruits are collected in month of May. Round seeds of this plant are black in colour. Outer bark of the plant is brown in colour and internally it is reddish in colour.
Habitat
Mallotus is distributed in tropical and subtropical regions throughout India. In India, it is widely distributed in western Himalayas and also found in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. It is also found in china, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Australia and throughout Malaysia.
Names
- Latin Name – Mallotus Philippensis
- English Name – Monkey Face Tree
- Hindi Name – Kampillaka, Kabila
- Sanskrit Name – Raktanga, Ranjaka, Lohitanga
- Gujarati Name – Kamilo
- Punjabi Name – Kumila, Kamal
- Assamese Name – Lokhan
- Marathi Name – Kapila
- Kannada Name – Chandernettu, Kunkundamar, Kapila
- Marathi Name – Shendari, Kapila
- Oriya Name – Kapilogendi
- Tamil Name – Kungumam
- Telugu Name – Kunkum
- Malayalam Name – Sinduri, Manjana
- Kashmiri Name – Kameelak
- Arabic Name – Kambil
- Urdu Name – Kamila
- Siddha Name – Kamila
- Unani Name – Kamila
Ayurvedic Properties
| Rasa (Taste) | Katu (Pungent) |
| Guna (Qualities) | Laghu (Light for digestion), Ruksha (Dry in nature), Teekshna (Strong) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Undergoes Pungent taste after digestion) |
| Veerya (Potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Karma (Actions) | Kaphavata shamaka (reduces vitiated kapha and vata dosha) |
According to bhavprakash nighantu
According to the above mentioned verse of bhavprakash nighantu kampil, karkash, chander, raktang and rochan are the various synonyms of mallotus philippensis. It is a very effective herb of Ayurveda used to treat kapha disorders, bleeding disorders, worms, abdominal tumours, stomach related troubles and also used for quick healing of wounds and ulcers. It is pungent in taste and very hot in potency. It is also helpful in treating poisoning, diabetes and calculus related troubles.
Reference:-
The bhavprakash nighantu with elaborated Hindi commentary of Padamshri Prof Krishna chandra chunekar and edited by Dr. Ganga Sahay Pandey: edition 2010; page number – 64 and verse number – 147.
Uses of Mallotus Philippensis
- Kampilu is very strong laxative (virechak) and it is very effective remedy to treat intestinal worms. In children, it is used to treat worm infestation. Kampilu powder with milk, curd and honey is used in children to kill intestinal worms. After two or three days dead worms expel out with stool.
- External use of kampilu is used to relieve excessive irritation, scabies, eczema and it is good for easy healing of wounds and ulcers.
- Both roots and leaves of this plant are very beneficial for treating various skin related disorders.
Health Benefits of Mallotus Philippensis
- Krimighana – One of most effective herb used to kill various worms that are harmful for our gut is kampilu.
- Virechak – It is good purgative and laxative herb. Due to this property it is used to treat constipation and also help to treat various underlying symptoms of this problem.
- Tawakdoshahara – External use of leaf paste and root paste of this herb is natural remedy for various different types of skin troubles.
- Varnropan – External paste of leaves applied over wounds and ulcers helps to stimulate healing process and give relief from pus and discharge from the wounds.
Medicinal Properties of Mallotus Philippensis
- Anthelmintic and anti-parasitic properties of these herbs help to fight against the harmful parasites and worms of the gut. Due to its laxative action, it help to expel out these worms from the body.
- Anti-bacterial nature of kampilu helps our body cell to fight against various bacteria and it protects our body from the harmful infections both internally and externally.
- It is also good for diabetic patients because its hypoglycaemic actions help to reduce the high blood sugar level and protect our body from the complications of diabetes.
- It is also good to relieve severe abdominal pain and spasm of the abdominal muscles. It also aids with bloating, abdominal distention and constipation. It also helps to aid with acid reflux and anorexia.
- Anti-inflammatory actions of this herb also help to reduce excessive inflammation and stiffness in muscles and joints.
- According to Ayurveda this herb is used as ranjakadrvaya – herb that is used as a colouring material for various medications and preparations due to its pleasing and beautiful colour of the fruits.
- It helps to stimulate our jetharagni (digestive fire) and help in healthy digestion.
- Infusion prepared from this herb is used to treat urine retention and renal stones.
- It is also a very effective remedy for treating common cold, cough, flu, bronchitis and asthma. It is also used to relieve serious inflammation of the respiratory tract.
- It is also used to improve digestion and liver function in children.
- It is good to treat various infectious conditions of the skin. It is good for the sufferers of psoriasis and allergic skin disorders.
Part Used
Glands and hair of fruit.
Dosage of Mallotus Philippensis
- Powder – 1-3gm for adults.
- 500mg of purified herb with honey is recommended for children.
Caution
The high amounts of this herb can cause serious effects like restlessness, dizziness, rashes, irritation, convulsions, seizures and various cardiac and liver relate problems. This herb is not safe for small children, pregnant and lactating mothers. A higher dose can induce diarrhoea, excessive salivations and abortion. It should be only taken under the medical supervision of expert doctors.
