Rasa (Taste)
Katu, Tikta, Kashaya.
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Bhallataka (Marking Nut)
The Bhalatak plant is a medium-sized tree that typically grows up to 12-15 meters in height.
Medicinal Plant
Bhallataka (Marking Nut)
Semecarpus anacardium · Anacardiaceae
The Bhalatak plant is a medium-sized tree that typically grows up to 12-15 meters in height.
Scientific Name
Semecarpus anacardium
Family
Anacardiaceae
Hindi Name
Bhilawa
Used Part
Beej (seeds), Phala (fruit).
Botanical Description
About the Bhallataka Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
The Bhalatak plant is a medium-sized tree that typically grows up to 12-15 meters in height.
It has simple, elliptical leaves with a leathery texture.
The flowers are small and greenish and the fruit is a drupe that turns reddish when ripe.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu, Tikshna, Snigdha.
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Madhura
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Kapha Pitta Shamaka
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Ushna
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Kushtaghana, Arshoghna, Krumighana, Shothahara.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Anti bacterial, Anti cancerous, Cardiac depressant, Anti Allergic, Hypotensive, Anti inflammatory.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
Bhilawanol, Bioflavonoids, Anacardic acid.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Bhallataka
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Bhallataka taila and snuhi kshira is applied to the skin as a hair-remover.
02
Bhallataka, pippali and pippalimoola paste with honey are beneficial in urustambha.
03
Bhallataka with oil is beneficial for piles.
04
Bhallataka seed pulp is beneficial as an aphrodisiac.
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Bhallataka is a key ingredient.
- Bhallataka Rasayana, Bhallatakasava, Amrit Bhallataka Avaleha, Bhallataka Parpati, Sanjeevani Vati.
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
भल्लातकफलं पक्वं स्नायुप्रायं लघु । कषायं पञ्चमं तिक्तं तीक्ष्णोष्णं छेदि भेदनम् ॥ मेध्यं कफकृद् हन्ति कफवातविणाशनम् । कुष्ठर्शोग्रहणी गुल्म शोफ आनाह ज्वर कृमीन् ॥ तन्मज्जां मधुरा वृष्या बृंहणी वातपित्तहा । वृत्त आफल्करे स्वादु पित्तलं केश्यं अग्निकृत् ॥ — भावप्रकाश ॥