Brassica rapa (grNjaNA)

Grinjanaka mentioned under the ahara varga of Brihat Trayi is considered to be Carrot or Turnip. Some consider it as onion. In Dhanvantari Nighantu and RajaNighantu Mahakanda Rasona (Allium ascalonicum Linn.) is called as Grinjanaka (Gandana). In his commentary on Siddhamantra Bashpacandra described that Grinjanaka is exactly like onion in smell, form and taste. The only difference is that this has smaller stem and leaves than onion (Bapalal). Cakrapani identified Grinjana as Palandu or Lohita Palandu (C.S.Su.27/179 & Ci. 17/128).

In the context of grnjanaka one should realize that the Acharyas were very clear in their expression in that Garjaram (not Grinjana) is a orange coloured sweet tuberous root. Bapalal Vaidya considered Grinjanakam as turnip and Garjaram as carrot. Author is also of the opinion that grnjanaka of brhat trayi texts is maharasona while grnjana/ garjara is carrot.

Botanical Description – Plant with a peculiar scent of carrot after crushing. Height: 30-80 cm; Stem striate, branched and hispid; Leaves: lower 3-angled or oblong -ovate, 2-3-pinnate. Upper leaves pinnatifid sessile with a white, membranous sheath; Flowers white or pink in the centre of the umbel, petals;  spade-like. Umbel large, 20-40-rayed, rays slender. Involucel with linear bracts; Fruits : achenes elliptic, spiny. Carpophore persistent on the inflorescence after fruit fall.  The root selected by cultivation (carrot) is an excellent

Major Chemical Constituents – Per 100 g, the carrot is reported to contain 86.0 g H₂O, 0.9 g protein, 0.1 g fat, 10.7 g carbohydrate, 1.2 g fiber, 1.1 g ash, 80 mg Ca, 30 mg P, 1.5 mg Fe, 2,000-4,300 IU Vit. A, 60 IU Vit. B₁, 3 mg niacin, and 3 mg ascorbic acid. The Wealth of India (C.S.I.R., 1948-1976) reports thiamine (56-101 ug/100g), riboflavin (50-90 ug/100 g), and nicotinic acid (0.56-11 mg/100 g) among the B vitamins. Vitamin C is in a protein-ascorbic acid complex. Vitamin D, a substance with the characteristics of vitamin E and a phospholipoid of vitamin reactions corresponding to A and D and containing calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen in organic linkage, are also present. Carrots contain ca 5.27% ZMB of phytin. Sixteen percent of the phosphorus is present as phytic acid phosphorus. The lipids extracted from raw carrots are ighantuyy by a low nitrogen content (0.33-0.72%) and by the absence or low content (0.52%) of choline, while those extracted from steamed roots are rich in nitrogen (1.1-1.3%) and choline (4.2-4.4%). Pectin isolated from carrots (yield, 16.82-18.75% on dry weight) has no gelling property. Ash of carrots gave (on fresh weight basis): total ash, 0.92; K₂O, 0.51; Na₂O, 0.06; CaO, 0.07; MgO, 0.02; and P₂O₅, 0.09%. Trace elements reported to be present include: Fe, Al, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Cr, I, Br, Cl, U, and Li (C.S.I.R., 1948-1976).

Part Used– Root, Seed

Dosage– powder 1-3 g.

Research–

(1) The alcoholic and aqueous extracts of seeds showed encouraging antifertility activity by preventing implantation in 66.6% and 60% rats respectively (Garg & Garg, 1970).

(2) The water soluble fraction of the alcoholic extract of the seeds was found to have marked transient hypotensive effect in anaesthetized dogs (Agarwal et al., 1953).