Botanical Name: Diospyros malabarica
Family Name: Ebenaceae
Identification no:SDACH/HG/310
Vernacular Names:
– Hindi: Tendu
– Bengali: Kendu
– Tamil: Tumbika
– English: Indian Persimmon, Gaub Tree
Synonyms
“तिन्दुकः कषायः शीतो ग्राही विशदो लघुः।
कफपित्तहरो मेध्यः श्रमहृद् त्रिदोषजित्॥“
Classification
– Charak: Kashaya Skandha
– Sushruta: Nyagrodhadi Gana
– Vagbhata: Shramahara
– Bhav Prakash: Guduchyadi Varga
Habitat & Distribution:
– Native Range: India (Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas), Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia.
– Preferred Habitat: Tropical evergreen forests, riverbanks.
Morphology :
– Tree: Medium-sized (15–20 m), evergreen.
– Bark: Dark brown, rough, fissured.
– Leaves: Glossy, oblong (10–15 cm), leathery.
-Fruits: Berry-like, yellow-orange (2–3 cm), astringent when unripe.
Varieties:
– No clinically significant varieties documented in Ayurveda.
Substitute/Adulterant:
– Diospyros melanoxylon (Coromandel Ebony) bark is occasionally substituted.
Phytochemicals:
– Bark/Fruit: Tannins (20–25%), flavonoids (quercetin), triterpenoids (betulinic acid).
Raspanchaka:
Rasa :Kashaya ,Tikta
Guna : Laghu , Ruksha
Virya :Sheeta
Vipaka : Katu
Prabhava : Vranaropana
Dosha : Pitta-Kapha Shamak, Vata Vardhak
Karma (Rogaghnata):
– Primary: Sangrahi (Astringent), Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory), Vranaropana.
– Therapeutic Focus: Diarrhea, diabetes, wound healing.
Amayika Prayoga:
– External:
– Bark paste (with honey) for ulcers/wounds.
– Fruit pulp poultice for inflammation.
– Internal:
– Bark decoction (50 mL BD) for diarrhea.
– Fruit powder (2 g) with water for diabetes.
Part Used: Bark (primary), unripe fruits, leaves.
Dose:
– Bark powder: 3–5 g/day.
– Fruit pulp: 5–10 g.
Yoga/Formulations:
1. Tindukadi Kwath (Bleeding disorders).
2. Tinduka Phanta (Diarrhea management).
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Research Updates
1. Antidiabetic (2021): Bark extract reduced fasting glucose by 32% in rats (J. Ethnopharmacol.).
2. Wound Healing (2022): Bark paste showed 78% wound contraction in 7 days (AYU).
3. Antioxidant (2023): High ORAC value (12,000 μmol TE/g) (Ind. J. Trad. Knowl.).
