Sitaphal Annona squamosa Remedies: Aphrodisiac, Head Lice

This article is by Dr M S Krishnamurthy MD(Ayu) PhD.
Sitaphal is not only rich in taste, it is also rich in nutrients and medicinal values. It is commonly known as Custard apple. Useful in head lice, dandruff, low libido etc. 

Botanical name – Annona squamosa.
Family: Annonaceae family.

Qualities, part used

Medicinal qualities:
The fruit pulp is  mild laxative.
It is a good aphrodisiac and bulk enhancer.
Leaves and seeds are anti-helminthic and anti spasmodic.
The stem bark is rich with wound healing properties.

Fruits are sweet in taste, cold in potency and undergoes sweet biological transformation (madhura vipaka).
The seeds are pungent mixed bitter and hot in potency.
The bark is pungent in bio-transformation and hot in potency.
Fruits balance Vata and Pitta. They increase Kapha Dosha.

Part used: Along with frutis, the leaves, bark and seeds are used for medicinal purposes.

Home remedies

Sex power

Fruit pulp with jaggery and cardamom for sex power:
The naturally ripened (without the influence of the chemicals/hormones) fruit pulp is collected – 1/2 cup.
To this, quarter a cup of jaggery and 2 pinches of cardamom powder are added and served daily for  15-20 days. This improves libido and acts as a good aphrodisiac.
Read related: 5 Black Gram Remedies For Sex Power, Head Lice, Joint Pain

Head lice

Seed powder for head lice:
Seeds are crushed well and made into fine powder. This is applied to the whole scalp and then covered with a cotton cloth. After 1-2 hours hair is washed.
This can be carried once in 2 or 3 days for a period of 1 or 2 weeks. This helps to complete eradication of the lice and dandruff.

Wound healing

Stem bark decoction for wound healing:
The stem bark is collected in its fresh form and decoction is made. This is used to wash the wounds. In chronic ulcers and wounds it has significant benefits.
General method of preparation of decoction (kashaya) – 1 tablespoon of powder is added with 2 cups of water, boiled and reduced to 1cup, filtered.

Dandruff, itchy scalp

Leaf decoction for dandruff and itching of the scalp:
Leaves are used to prepare the decoction. This is added with little Tankana bhasma and dissolved. This is used to wash the hair/scalp. 3-4 days regular head wash or alternate day practice for a week helps to overcome the dandruff and itching of the scalp.

The treasure of herbal wealth is not explored its full extent. Also herbal resources are studies only to the extent of the available literature. Beyond this if a researcher and physician thinks in assimilating the age old traditional practices in the light of classics and modern knowledge significant outcomes can be expected.
Consult Dr Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD