ഞെരിഞ്ഞാമ്പുളി /അമ്ലവേതസം

ഞെരിഞ്ഞാമ്പുളി /അമ്ലവേതസം

Amlavetasa (अम्लवेतस) is a Sanskrit word referring to Garcinia pedunculata, a species of evergreen tree from the Clusiaceae (or, Guttiferae) family of flowering plants, and is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. The tree grows throughout certain regions of Asia (e.g. Myanmar and India). The tree has a fluted trunk with short spreading branches. Its leaves are shaped like lances (lanceolate) with prominent midribs. Male flowers are light green of color but the female flowers are solitary. The roundish fruit has a diameter ranging between 8 to 12 cm. It has edible arils.

This plant (Amlavetasa) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers, as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā.

It is an excellent cardiac stimulant, digestive and laxative. Used in Ayurveda since the time of Charaka, it is also useful in cough, bloating, splenomegaly etc.