Identity ofṬaṅkārī(Physalis MinimaLinn.) in Ayurvedic Classics: A Literature Review.
Proper identification of drugs and their use in proper doses are important for successful treatment.Physalis minimaLinn commonly known as country gooseberry has anti-cancerous, anti-diabetic, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory potentials. The present paper is aimed to ascertain the proper identity ofṬaṅkārī(Physalis minimaLinn.) in Ayurvedic classics by a meticulous search and hence a review of the drugṬaṅkārī(Physalis minimaLinn) was carried out in the texts of Ayurveda, modern literature, journals and online publications. The result of the search showed that the name"Ṭaṅkārī"is not found in Vedic lore. In Saṃhitās, it is mentioned in Bhāvaprakāśa. Reference of the drug"Śārṅgeṣṭhā"is found in Bṛhattrayī, Bhela, Kāśyapa, Cakradatta and Vaṅgasena. It is variously named asCirapoṭikā,Kākatikta, andVāyasīby ḍalhaṇa and he describes it as gaura (pale), vartula (round), and as havingavaguṇṭhita/veṣṭhita(covered) fruit which matches the description ofṬaṅkārī(P. minimaLinn). A search for termsKākatiktaandVāyasīshowedKākatiktato be synonymous toŚārṅgeṣṭhāandVāyasīto be synonymous to bothKākatiktaandKākamācī(Solanum nigrum). Madanapāla and Śāligrāma Nighaṇṭus have mentioned the nameCirapoṭikāto be synonymous withṬaṅkārī. Śodhala has used the term Parpoṭī as a synonym ofṬaṅkārī, which is the Gujarati name ofP. minimaLinn. Recent authors have consideredŚārṅgeṣṭhāas eitherP. minimaorCardiospermum helicabum. The regional names ofP. minimaareCirpoṭi(Hindi),Cirboli(Marathi), also the folklore uses and pharmacological activities ofP. minimaare in accordance with the indications ofŚārṅgeṣṭhāin classics. Thus with a complete review of both Ayurveda and modern literatures, it can be concluded that the drug mentioned asṬaṅkārīin Bhāvaprakāśa is the same asŚārṅgeṣṭhāmentioned in the classics.CirapoṭikāandKākatiktaare its synonyms.Cardiospermum helicabumisKarṇaspoṭha, and henceŚārṅgeṣṭhāof classics isP. minimawhich is supported by the regional names, pharmacological activity and folklore claims.
Department of Dravyaguna Vigyana, MGACHRC, Slaod(H), Wardha, Karnataka, India.
Supriya S
SS
Kallianpur
Division of Ayurveda, CIMR, Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka, India.
Rohit A
RA
Gokarn
Department of Dravyaguna Vigyana, KVGMC, Sullia, Karnataka, India.
N
N
Rajashekhar
Ayurveda; Cirapoṭikā; Kākamācī; Physalis minima Linn.; Śārṅgeṣṭhā; Ṭaṅkārī