Roxb. noncLinn.Synonym: C. dichotoma Forst. f. C. obliqua Willd.Family: Boraginaceae.
Habitat: Throughout India, wild and often planted.
English: Sabestan Plum.Ayurvedic: Shleshmaataka, Shelu, Bahuvaara, Bahuvaaraka, Bhutvrk- shak, Uddaalaka Shita, Picchila, Lisodaa.Unani: Sapistaan, Lasodaa.Siddha/Tamil: Naruvili.Action: Fruit—astringent, demulcent, expectorant, diuretic, anthelmintic, mucilaginous. Used in the diseases of the chest and urinary passage. Bark—used in dyspepsia and fevers. Kernels— externally applied to ringworm. Leaf—decoction used in cough and cold.
The fruits contain Ca 55, P 275, Zn 2, Fe 6, Mn 2, Cr 0.2 and Cu 1.6 mg/100 g (Chromium is of therapeutic value in diabetes).Antinutritional factors are—phytic acid 355, phytate phosphorus 100 and oxalic acid 250 mg/100 g.The seeds contain alpha-amyrin and taxifolin-3, 5-dirhamnoside, which showed significant anti-inflammatory activity. EtOH (50%) of leaves and stems—antimicrobial; aerial parts— diuretic and hypothermic.
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