Baliospermum montanum Muell. (B. axillare Blume) (DANTI)

It appears that no herb is described with the name of Danti in the Vedic literature. Caraka quoted it as the example for PrabhŒva dravyas. Its root is considered as purgative and is extensively used in Virecana Karma. ‘Citra’ of Bhedan¶ya group is considered as Danti by CakrapŒni. In kalpa sthŒna he described Danti & Dravanti very extensively (C.S.Ka. 12) for virecana yogas. Throughout the literature mostly Danti and Dravanti are described together. Hence ‘Citra & Citraka’ of Bhedan¶ya group may be Danti & Dravanti respectively. Sushruta also described both of them together (S.S.Su. 46). For virecana the root of Danti is only indicated. Utility of Danti seeds may be a later development.

Controversial Studies– There exists some contraversy on the identity of this plant. Danti or Laghu Danti is B. montanum and Dravanti or Brhat Danti is Jatropa curcus. Though there is controversy in the botanical source for Dravanti, new problem arose with the consideration of Jayapala as Dantibija. Some scholars have wrongly interpreted the etymology of this synonym of Jayapala as the seed of B. montanum/Danti. Actually the synonym Danti bija indicates that the seeds of Jayapala resemble that of Danti. Hence Jayapala may be Croton tigliumLinn. as accepted generally.

Bapalalji reported that roots of J. glandulifera Roxb. and those of R. communis are being sold in the market. He expresses doubt over the identity of Dravanti.

Thakurji identifies Vanamui or Mulakaparni (one of three three varieties of Danti) as Euphorbia acaulis Roxb.

Some consider Jatropa curcus as Vyaghra Eranda. Danti and its variety are denoted with synonyms like Vyaghrairanda and Erandaphala. This point may be of some help in the correct identify of this plant.

The author mentioned in his first edition of Dravyaguna Vijnana Vol.2 that (1) Danti – B. montanum; (2) Dravanti – J. curcus and  (3) Jayapala – C. tiglium are the respective sources. However, the author is of the opinion that Euphorbia acaulis may be the real source of Dravanti.

Different Varieties– Kaiyadeva described Danti and Dravanti together considering them as two varieties of Danti. while describing the qualities of Danti. Chakrapani commented in this context that, blackish roots are for Danti and redish roots are for Dravanti as best. We come across Nagadanti also in Caraka Samhita. Bhavamishra quoted Danti dvaya viz., Laghu Danti & Brhat Danti (Dravanti).

Botanical Description– A stout monoecious leafy shrub, 0.9-2 m high. Leaves– sinuate-toothed, lower large, 15-30 cm long, oblong-ovate or rounded or palmately 3-5 lobed; upper small 5-8 cm long, lanceolate; petioles with a pair of stipular glands. Flowers– in axillary racemes, all male or with a few female below. Fruit– capsule, obovoid, large. Seeds– oblong, mottled. Flowers occur in March-April and fruits appear later. Distribution– Distributed in tropical and subtropical Himalayas and in South India also.

Major Chemical Constituents–

Root– baliospermin, montanin

Seeds– axillarenic acid

Part Used– Root, leaves, seed oil

Note– Root is used among the virecana dravyas.

Dosage– Root powder 1-3 g; seed powder 125-250 mg; seed oil 2-5 drops.

Research–

All the five phorbol esters isolated from roots showed ED50 0.06-3.4 g/ml against Lymphocytic leukaemia P-388 in vitro (Planta Med. 1978, 33, 128).