Bhallateka

by Sheela Rani Chunkath

“Fruits of Bhallateka should be slightly crushed and kept inside a strong earthen jar which is smeared inside with ghee.  This earthen jar should be kept inside a hole dug in the earth.  The mouth of the jar should be covered with a mud plate.  The joint should be sealed by smearing with the mud of black coloured earth.  Cow dung cakes should be heaped over the jar and ignited.  By this heat the svarasa (liquid fraction) of these fruits get expressed and collects at the bottom of the earthen jar. The liquid should be collected and consumed after adding one eighth quality of honey and double the quantity of ghee.”  

“By its use.” says Charaka, a person lives for one hundred years free from old age.  Whatever he learns, he remembers and he is cured of all diseases.  He acquires an unimpaired sexual potency and is blessed with progeny.

“A robust physique, strong like iron, stability and sharpness of sense organs, invincibility by other, exceedingly charming personality, mental happiness, enormous strength, bright completion, exceedingly sound voice resembling that of a thunderous cloud and healthy offsprings, these are the outcome of this therapy.

This is what Charaka had to say in the beginning of the first century.  If I had the wherewithal, I would quickly set up a small research project and try to prove the veracity of the above statement.  In folklore and in formal textbooks of Ayurveda, Bhallateka or Semecarpus anacardicm has a myriad uses besides being a powerful rasayana.  Research in ayurveda normally faithfully copies research in western medicine.  Our misguided vaidyas start with mice and the effect of Bhallateka on mice and their memory and longevity.  The Ayurvdists need to develop their own system of doing research by which they set up simple experiments to prove claims of rasayana etc.  They don’t have to start from scratch.  Two groups of subjects can be chosen and one group can be administered the rasayana and the other group given a placebo and the results analysed.

Claims that it can even cure specific types of cancer are being analysed.

But ask our ‘common man’ about Bhallateka and you will most likely draw a blank.  He would know nothing about their herb or fruits although it has been long used in India both for the mundane property of being able to mark clothes (and hence used by dhobis to identify their client’s clothes). The fruits has the ability to cure any kapha disorder of the human system. From relieving constipation to improving intelligence and digestion, Bhallateka is a versatile fruit.

In the rural areas, older, more experienced people will talk about its properties.  They will warn you not to stand under the tree as its fruits and resins can cause severe allergic reactions.  However Ayurvedists know how to purify the seeds.  The seeds are cut in half and (with gloved hands) and then kept covered in dry brick powder.  The dry brick powder absorbs all the strong pungent oil, eliminating its potential to cause burns and making it fit for medicinal purposes.  When I first read about Bhallateka long years ago my first reaction was “why would I want to much around with this fruits which can cause me so much itching”.  But that was before I learnt about the purification procedure which are very effective.  Most sceptics don’t even believe the Vaidyars when they tell them that these procedures make a difference.  But they do! ask any person who has consumed Bhalletaka rasayana and he or she will tell you.  It is extremely useful in curing skin diseases and in maintaining that youthful look.

So do consult your vaidyars and check out if this medicine is for you.  Yet another powerful drug from the Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia.

--- The writer is retired Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu. She can be reached at Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail. com. Earlier articles can be accessed at http://arogyamantra.blogspot.com/