Ankola

Sanskrit Name: Ankola
Botanical Name: Alangium salvifolium
Family Name: Alangiaceae

Identification:SDACH/HG/278

Vernacular Names:
Hindi – Ankol
Marathi – Ankola
Tamil – Alangi
Telugu – Ankola
Kannada – Ankola
Malayalam – Ankolam
English – Sage-leaved Alangium

Synonyms –

“अङ्कोटो दीर्घकीलः स्यादङ्कोलश्च निकोचकः |”
(Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, guduchyadi Varga)

Classification
Charaka – Not specifically mentioned
Sushruta – Not specifically mentioned
Vagbhata – Not specifically mentioned
Bhavaprakasha – Mentioned under guduchyadi

Habitat & Distribution:
Widely distributed in dry deciduous forests and scrublands of peninsular India. Common in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Found in open dry forests and hilly tracts, up to 1000 m altitude. Prefers dry, loamy soil.

Morphology :
A small, thorny deciduous tree or shrub up to 10 meters in height. Bark is rough, pale grey, exfoliating in flakes. Leaves are simple, alternate, ovate to lanceolate, and resemble sage leaves (hence “salvifolium”). Flowers are white, fragrant, borne singly or in small clusters, and appear before leafing. Fruits are ovoid, drupaceous, bluish-black when ripe, and have a single seed.

Varieties:
No classical or botanical varieties reported.

Substitute / Adulterant:
No direct substitutes in Ayurveda. Sometimes confused with similar small deciduous species in folk use.

Phytochemicals:
Alangin, alanginol, beta-sitosterol, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and glycosides. Roots contain alkaloids with anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory properties.

Raspanchaka:
Rasa – Tikta, Katu
Guna – Laghu, Ruksha
Virya – Ushna
Vipaka – Katu
Prabhava – Krimighna
Dosha Shamakta – Vata-Kaphahara

Karma (Rogaghnata):
Krimighna (anthelmintic)
Kushthaghna (for skin diseases)
Vata-Kaphahara
Jwaraghna (antipyretic)
Deepana (digestive stimulant)
Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)

Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses:
External – Root paste used in skin disorders, swellings, and snake bites. Bark decoction used as wound wash.
Internal – Root decoction for fevers, worm infestations, and skin diseases. Fruit pulp used in respiratory conditions and constipation.

Part Used: Root bark, fruits, seeds

Dose:
Churna – 3–6 g
Kwatha – 50–100 ml
Fresh root paste – as per requirement (externally)

Yoga / Formulations:

• Used in classical krimighna (anthelmintic) yogas
• Folk preparations for epilepsy, snakebite, and fever
• Included in decoction-based formulations for kushtha and udara roga

IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)

Research Updates :

1. 2023 – Study in Journal of Ethnopharmacology validated the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of root extract in animal models.
2. 2022 – In vitro studies published in Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge demonstrated potent anthelmintic activity against Pheretima posthuma.
3. 2021 – Research in Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine highlighted antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of Alangium salvifolium root against E. coli and S. aureus.