Strychnos potatorum (kataka)

Caraka quoted it among the Vishaghna dasaimani. Sushruta and Vagbhata have mentioned it in the Parushakadi gana. It is mainly used for the treatment of Netra rogas and Visha rogas in the early times. However, later texts like Yogaratnakara, Sahasrayoga & Cikitsamanjari highlighted its utility in diabetes.

Botanical Description – It is a tree growing upto 15m. and its flowers are light green coloured. The fruits are berries consisting of biconvex shaped seeds which are used by the fribes for water purification.

Major Chemical Constituents–

Seeds- Mannogalactan, Root bark- diaboline, antirhine, ochrolifuanine, norharmane etc.

Part Used– Seeds; root.

Dosage– Powder 1-3g., to induce vomiting 6g.Research–

Research –

Cholesterol and triglycerides reducing effect of mannogalactan was one-tenth and one fifth respectively as compared to that of clofibrate (Ind. J. Pharm. Sci. 1991, 53, 53).