Botanical Name
Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell-Arg.
Family Name
Euphorbiaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/220
Vernacular Names
- English: Red Physic Nut
- Hindi: Danti
- Marathi: Danti
- Tamil: Nattaikottai
- Telugu: Danti chettu
- Kannada: Danti gida
- Malayalam: Kantakappala
Classical Classification
- Bhavaprakasha: Gaduchyadi varga
Habitat & Distribution
Native to India; found in sub-Himalayan regions, Western Ghats, and forested areas across Central and Southern India.
Morphology
- Plant: Erect under-shrub, 1–2 m tall
- Leaves: Large, lobed, resembling castor leaves
- Flowers: Small, reddish-purple, unisexual
- Fruit: Ovoid capsule with 3 seeds
- Roots: Woody, reddish inside
Varieties
No classical varieties recorded
Substitute/Adulterant
May be confused with Jatropha curcas or other Euphorbiaceae plants due to similar appearance
Phytochemicals
Baliospermin (alkaloid), diterpenes, steroids, glycosides, tannins, saponins
Raspanchaka
- Rasa: Tikta, Kashaya
- Guna: Laghu, Tikshna
- Virya: Ushna
- Vipaka: Katu
- Prabhava: Virechaka
- Doshashamaka: Kapha-Vatahara
Karma (Rogaghnata)
- Virechaka
- Krimighna
- Gulmahara
- Shothahara
- Shulaghna
- Aruchihara
- Vibandhahara
Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses
External
- Root paste used in skin diseases and abscesses
- Leaf paste applied in gout and joint swelling
Internal
- Strong purgative for chronic constipation and abdominal disorders
- Useful in gulma (abdominal masses), splenomegaly, and worm infestations
- Acts as a liver stimulant and detoxifier
Part Used
Root, seeds
Dose
- Root Powder: 250–500 mg (with caution due to purgative effect)
- Seed Powder: 100–250 mg (after shodhana)
- Decoction: 30–50 ml
Yoga / Formulations
- Dantyarishta
- Panchakola Churna
- Trivritadi Avaleha (as an ingredient)
IUCN Status
Not Evaluated (NE)
Research Updates
- Purgative action: Extracts of Baliospermum montanum roots demonstrate strong laxative and purgative effects, validating classical virechana usage.
- Anthelmintic activity: Seed and root extracts are effective against intestinal parasites, confirming krimighna properties.
- Hepatoprotective potential: Studies indicate protective effects on liver tissue, supporting its use in jaundice and liver dysfunction in traditional medicine.
