Sanskrit Name: Kankushta
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/272
Botanical Name: Garcinia morella (Gaertn.) Desr.
Family Name: Clusiaceae (formerly Guttiferae)
Vernacular Names
Hindi name – Tamal
English name- Indian Gambose, Gamboge, Gambogia, Gummi gutti
Tamil name- Pumakki, iravasinni (Q),
Telugu name- Chikata Chetu
Malayalam name- Chigiri, iravi,
Assamese name – Kujee Thekera
Kannada name ardala, devana huli, jirigehuli, murina huli, ponpuli
Synonyms: Shloka (Bhav Prakash):
तमाल उक्तस्तापिच्छः कालस्कन्धोऽमितद्रुमः ।
लोकस्कन्धो नीलध्वजो तमालः शालवद्वेद्यो दाहविस्फोटहत् पुनः ॥४३॥
Classification According to Ayurvedic Texts:
- Bhavaprakasha – Vatadi Varga
- Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Aushadhi Varga
- Rajanighantu – Prabhadradi Varga
- Bhavaprakasha- Dhatu upadhatvadi varga
- Dhanvantari Nighantu- Chandanadi varga
- Kaiyyadeva Nighantu- Oushadhi varga
- Raja Nighantu- Suvarnadi varga
- Shodala Nighantu- Chandanadi varga
Habitat & Distribution:
Native to India and Sri Lanka, Garcinia morella thrives in the semi-evergreen to evergreen forests of the Western Ghats, including regions of Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Morphology:
An evergreen tree reaching up to 18 meters in height. The bark is brownish-grey to dark brown, smooth, with a dark yellow blaze and sticky exudation. Leaves are simple, opposite, and elliptic-obovate, measuring 6–16 cm in length. The tree produces yellow to orange fruits known for their sour taste.
Varieties:
1. Nailka (cylindrical) – reddish yellow in colour – greatest.
2. Renuka (Granular) – blackish yellow – least.
Mangostana morella Gaertn.; Garcinia elliptica Wall.; Garcinia gutta Wt.
Substitute/Adulterant:
Other Garcinia species like Garcinia indica and Garcinia cambogia are sometimes used as substitutes due to similar phytochemical profiles.
Phytochemicals: Seed coat- Morellinol, morellin, Heartwood- Morellaflavone, The xanthonoids gaudichaudione A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, gaudichaudiic acid A, B, C, D, E, morellic acid
Rasapanchaka:
- Rasa: katu, tikta
- Guna: Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
- Virya: Ushna
- Vipaka: Katu
- Prabhava (Specific action): tikshan virachana
- Dosha Shamakta: kaphapitta hara
Karma (Therapeutic Actions): Digestive aid, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antimicrobial.
Amayika Prayoga/Therapeutic Uses:
- External: Application of resin for skin ailments and wound healing.
- Internal: Used in treating digestive disorders, liver ailments, and as an appetite stimulant.
Part Used: resin.
Dose: Resin: 50-125 mg
Yoga/Formulations: Hingvadi Churna, Vayu Gulika
IUCN Status: Garcinia morella is listed as Least Concern.
Research Updates
- 2020: Comprehensive review highlighting the phytochemicals and biological activities of Garcinia morella, emphasizing its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
- 2021: Study on the garcinol-enriched fraction of Garcinia morella fruit demonstrating potential in managing metabolic disorders.
- 2023: Research indicating the efficacy of garcinol from Garcinia morella in inducing apoptosis in cancer cells, suggesting its potential as an anticancer agent.
