Among brhat trayi texts, kalinga is mentioned in Astanga Hrdaya (A.H.Su.6/87, 6/89 & 15/19). It is known with a synonym kalindaka in Susruta Samhita which is identified as Citrullus vulgaris (water melon). The synonym kulinga used in madanapala nighantu is used for uccata by caraka (C.S.Su.4/19 & Vi 8/146). However, uccata appears to be a different plant and this term is not used as a synonym for kalinga in madanapala nighantu. Therefore, Citrullus vulgaris is identified as kalinga.
Botanical description – Annual Climber growing to 1.5m. It is hardy to zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil.
Chemical constituents – An edible oil is obtained from the seed.The seed contains between 12.5 – 39.1% oil.
Part used : fruit, oil seed.
Uses –
The flowers are expectorant and emetic.
Fruit – raw or cooked. The fruit is more often cooked, often as a savoury dish. They can be chopped finely and used as a seasoning in salads and soups. Both mature and immature fruits are made into sweet or sour pickles.
The fruits can be used as a cooling light cleanser or moisturiser for the skin. They are also used as a first aid treatment for burns and abrasions. The fruit is stomachic.
Seed – raw, Rich in oil with a nutty flavour but very fiddly to use because the seed is small and covered with a fibrous coat[K]. The seed is antitussive, digestive, febrifuge and vermifuge. When used as a vermifuge, the whole seed complete with the seed coat is ground into a fine flour, then made into an emulsion with water and eaten. It is then necessary to take a purge in order to expel the tapeworms or other parasites from the body.
Root – The root is diuretic and emetic.
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