Benkara malabarica

Horthus Malabaricus Vol 5

വെങ്കാര / വെൺ കാര 

Venkaara 

Benkara malabarica (Lam) Tirveng

Rubiaceae

A drug mentioned in Horthus Malabaricus exclusively for gynaecologic disorders. More researches have to be done for its scientific understanding.  

As per Horthus, 

1. Useful parts are Root and Unripened fruits.

2. Dried root powder can be given for expelling died fetus and placenta from the womb.

3. It is a very effective drug in menstrual disorders. 

4. Unripened fruits are effective in controlling diarrhoea and hypermenorrhagia. 

Chemical constituents :  Scopoletin , which is anti inflammatory and regulates the hormone serotonin.  

Research : 

1. Anticonvulsant activity of Benkara malabarica (Linn.) root extract:

In vitro and in vivo investigation(Journal of Ethnopharmacology 128 (2010) 533–536) 

Results  : The anticonvulsant activity of the plant extract is predominantly GABA mediated and maybe due to the action of scopoletin alone or is a result of synergy of different compounds in the extract inwhich scopoletin is the major constituent.

2. Anti microbial activity is also proven