Amlavetasa – Garcinia pedunculata Uses, Research

Amlavetasa – Garcinia pedunculata is an excellent cardiac stimulant, digestive and laxative. Used in Ayurveda since the time of Charaka, it is also useful in cough, bloating, splenomegaly etc. 

Botanical Names- Garcinia pedunculata Roxb.
Family – Guttiferae (Nagakesara kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Amalvet
Bengali name- Thaikal

Sanskrit Synonyms

Amla, Vetasamla, Shakamla, Rasamla, Amlasara – Sour taste
Alambu, Bheema, Varavetasa, Veeeravetasa, Agnikavetasa, Bodhaka, Chukra
Shatavedhi, Sahasrabhit, Vedhaka, Dravi, Bhedani, Bhedi – Has laxative action
Mamsari, Chukraka,

Distribution, chemical composition

Distribution Found in north eastern India

Garcinia pedunculata chemical composition –
Pedunculol, Garcinol, Cambogin

Classical categorization

Amlavetas Classical Categorization
Charaka-
Hrudya – Group of herbs useful as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart,
Amla Skanda – Group of herbs with sour taste
Deepaniya – Carminative group of herbs that increase digestion strength, Shvasahara – Group of herbs useful for treating asthma, dyspnea
Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Oshadi Varga
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Shatapushpadi Varga
Bhavaprakasha – Amradi Phalavarga, Chaturamla, Panchamla
Rajanighantu – Pippalyadi Varga

Morphology

A tall tree with short and spreading branches.
Leaf – Obovate oblanceolate shaped with short midrib and leathery texture.
Flowers – Light green in color
Fruit – Spherical or sub globose. Pericarp is fleshy
Seeds – Embedded in pulp
Useful part – Phala (Fruit), Patra (Leaf)

Medicinal qualities

Garcinia pedunculata  medicinal qualities:
Rasa (taste) – Amla (sour taste)
Guna- Laghu, Rooksha – Dryness
Vipaka – Amla – Undergoes sour taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Ushna – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Kapha and Vata Dosha, increases Pitta Dosha
Pharmacological action – Anti oxidant, cardio tonic, carminative, digestant and anthelmintic

Part used, dosage, substitute

Part Used- Fruit
Dosage- Juice 5 – 10 ml
Curna (Powder) 3 – 6 g

Legal substitute: As per Bhavaprakasha, the legal substitute for Amlavetasa is Chukra

As per Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 27 – Garcinia pedunculata is quite similar to Vrukshamla – Garcinia morella in nature and it is laxative.

Amlavetasa (Garcinia pedunculata) is best in causing purgation, promoting digestion, downward movement of wind (Anulomana) and balancing Vata and Kapha. –  Charaka Sutrasthana 25

Controversies

Amlavetasa is one of the most controversial drugs in Ayurveda.
Different species which are considered as Amlavetas are:
1. Rheum emodi
2. Solena heterophylla
3. Rumex vesicarius
4. Cissus repens
5. Cissus vitiginea
6. Ampelocissus latifolia
7. Cayratia trifolia

Sanskrit verse

Uses, indications

Garcinia pedunculata medicinal uses:
Ushna – Hot in potency
Teekshna – strong, piercing
Snigdha – unctuous, oily
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Pachana – Digestive, relieves Ama Dosha
Vin Mutra Doshaghna – Cleanses urine and feces
Hrudya – acts as cardiac tonic, congenial for heart
Indicated in –
Baddhamoola, Vishtambha – severe constipation
Shoola – abdominal colic pain
Anaha – bloating, fullness
Hrudroga – cardiac disorder
Gulma – Tumors of the abdomen
Hidhma – hiccups
Shwasa – asthma and chronic respiratory disorders
Kasa – cough, cold
Trut – excessive thirst
Arsha – hemorrhoid’s
Jantu – worm infestation  of Kapha and Vata origin
Ajeerna – indigestion
Vami – vomiting
Arochaka – anorexia  

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines with Amlavetas ingredient:
Shwasahar Kashay – used for the treatment of Asthma, bronchitis etc.|
Kankayan Bati – a tablet, used for Ayurvedic treatment of piles, bloating, intestinal worms etc.
Laghvanand Ras –  in tablet or powder form. It is used for treating anemia, anorexia, indigestion, etc.
Yavani Shadav Churan – used for treating constipation, abdominal pain due to digestion imbalance and bloating.
Hingvadi Bati –  an Ayurvedic tablet used for gas problem, distention and abdominal pain
Ashtang Lavana Churna – used for treating indigestion, alcoholism etc.
Dadhika Ghrita – for the treatment of epilepsy, toxic conditions, dysuria, Ascites, malabsorption syndrome, bloating, etc.

Research

Hepato-protective activity of the fruit extract

Systemic Action

Internal administration
Digestive system – Act as carminative ,digestant, promote taste, Facilitate movement of vata dosha in proper direction. Indicated in Loss of appetite, Anorexia, Indigestion, Phantom tumor, Hepatomegaly, Splenomegaly etc.
Circulatory System – Heart stimulant. Indicated in a disease called Udavarta.
Respiratory system – Indicated in Cough, Breathing disorders, Hiccough.
Excretory System – Induce urine production, Indicated in Urinary calculi, Dysuria etc.