CHAKOTRA

Sanskrit Name:

• Chakotra
• Madhukarkati

Botanical Name:

Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.

Family Name:

Rutaceae

Identification No.: SDACH/HG/241

Vernacular Names:

• Hindi: Chakotra
• English: Pomelo
• Tamil: Pampa limasu
• Telugu: Babbili Nimbu
• Malayalam: Bambaramas

Synonyms

बीजपूरोऽपरः प्रोक्तो मधुरो मधुकर्कटी ॥१३२॥

मधुकर्कटिका स्वाद्वी रोचनी शीतला गुरुः । रक्तपित्तक्षयश्वासकासहिक्काभ्रमापहा ॥१३३॥

Classification According to Ayurvedic Texts:

• Charaka: Phala Varga (Fruit group)
• Sushruta: Not specifically mentioned
• Bhavaprakasha: Amaradhi phala Varga

Habitat & Distribution:

• Native to Southeast Asia. Cultivated throughout tropical and subtropical regions of India, especially in Assam, Maharashtra, and southern states.

Morphology:

• A small tree or shrub.
• Leaves: Large, ovate with winged petioles.
• Flowers: White, fragrant, solitary or in clusters.
• Fruit: Very large, round to pear-shaped citrus fruit with thick rind and juicy, sweet to mildly sour segments.

Varieties:

• Varieties include pink-fleshed and white-fleshed types based on pulp color.

Substitute/Adulterant:

• Common citrus fruits like grapefruit may be used as substitutes in some regions.

Phytochemicals:

• Flavonoids (naringin, hesperidin), essential oils, vitamin C, limonoids, tannins, carotenoids.

Raspanchaka:

• Rasa: Tikta (Bitter), Madhura (Sweet)
• Guna: Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry)
• Virya: Ushna (Hot)
• Vipaka: Madhura (Sweet)
• Prabhava: Deepana (Appetizer), Pachana (Digestive)
• Dosha Shamakta: Kapha-Vata Shamak

Karma (Therapeutic Actions):

• Agnideepana (Improves appetite)
• Anulomana (Carminative)
• Vatanulomaka (Pacifies Vata)
• Kaphahara (Reduces Kapha)
• Raktashodhaka (Blood purifier)

Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses:

• External: Fruit peel used in aromatic preparations and for skin issues.
• Internal: Used in indigestion, anorexia, constipation, hyperacidity, and general weakness.

Part Used:

• Fruit (pulp and juice), Peel

Dose:

• Juice: 20–50 ml; Peel powder: 1–3 grams

Yoga/Formulations:

• Commonly used in fruit preparations, jams, digestive churnas, and fresh juice therapies.

IUCN Status:

• Not Evaluated (NE) – Cultivated species

Research Updates

1. Antioxidant activity (2021): Juice rich in vitamin C and polyphenols showed free radical scavenging properties.
2. Anti-inflammatory effects (2020): Citrus maxima peel extract showed significant activity in lab models.
3. Antidiabetic potential (2019): Aqueous extract reduced blood glucose in diabetic rats.